Satisfaction With Life Scale Score Research Articles

PENGARUH TERAPI SENI TIE-DYE TERHADAP KEPUASAN HIDUP PASIEN SKIZOFRENIA DI RSJD Dr. RM. SOEDJARWADI KLATEN

Schizophrenia is a psychosocial disorder that affects behavior, feelings, strange delusions, and chaotic thinking patterns. Schizophrenia patients experience a decrease in life satisfaction and well-being related to physical, social, and psychological conditions in carrying out daily activities. Art therapy has the potential to be a way to minimize existing negative symptoms and overcome life stress. This study aims to determine the effect of tie-dye art therapy on the life satisfaction of schizophrenia patients at RSJD Dr. RM. Soedjarwadi Klaten. Research method: Quantitative research using a one-group pre-test-post- test pre-experimental design. The sampling technique uses purposive sampling. The research sample was 21 schizophrenia patients. Life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) instrument. Hypothesis testing uses the paired sample t-test. Research results: The sample was dominated by those aged 17-25 years (33.3%), men (61.9%), junior high school education (71.4%), and unmarried (42.9%). After the sample received 6 sessions of tie-dye art therapy treatment/intervention, the sample experienced an increase in the mean SWLS score. The life satisfaction hypothesis test showed a p-value of 0.000 (<0.05). This means that there is an influence of tie-dye art therapy on the life satisfaction of schizophrenia patients at RSJD Dr. RM. Soedjarwadi Klaten. In batik therapy, patients can express expressions that cannot be expressed directly, increasing happiness and increasing life satisfaction for schizophrenic patients in RSJ who are undergoing rehabilitation. Conclusion: Tie-dye art therapy influences the life satisfaction of schizophrenia patients at RSJD Dr. RM. Soedjarwadi Klaten.

Care Burden and Life Satisfaction of Caregivers Who are Providing Home Health Care to Patients.

This study aims to evaluate the care burden and life satisfaction in caregivers who are providing home health care to patients and determine the relationship between life satisfaction and care burden. This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 133 caregivers who provided home health care to patients and 133 control groups between February and December 2020. Care burden was evaluated using the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI), and life satisfaction was evaluated using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The mean age of hundred thirty-three caregivers was 52.5±10.5 years, and that of the control group was 51.2±9.9 years. The mean ZBI score of the caregivers was 47.0±16.4. According to the ZBI score, 46.6% of the caregivers had a moderate care burden and 21.8% had a heavy caregiver burden. The caregiver burden was higher in those with a low education level, those without social insurance, those who felt insufficient in care, and those who did not receive help from other family members. The SWLS score of caregivers was significantly lower than that of control group (p<0.001). The SWLS score was lower in those with a low education level and those without an employee as a caregiver. There was a negative correlation between SWLS and ZBI score (p<0.001). Caregivers of patients receiving home health-care services are exposed to a significant care burden. The care burden was higher in those with a low education level, those without social insurance, those who felt insufficient in care, and those who did not receive help from other family members. The care burden affects the satisfaction of life.

The effects of illness perception on death anxiety and satisfaction with life in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of illness perception on death anxiety and satisfaction with life in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer. This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 125 patients with cancer who were admitted to the oncology clinic of a university hospital in the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey between March and December 2022 and who met the research criteria and accepted to participate in the study. The data were collected with "Patient descriptive information form," "Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ)," "Scale of Death Anxiety (SDA)," and "Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)." It was found that mean BIPQ score of the patients was 39.54±12.82, the mean SDA score was 8.02±3.16, and the mean SWLS score was 14.74±5.19. BIPQ total score was found to affect SDA total score positively (β=.751) and SWLS total score negatively (β=-.591). SDA total score was found to affect SWLS total score negatively (β=-.216) (p<.05). It was found that patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer had moderate level of illness perception and life satisfaction, and high death anxiety. It was found that as illness perception of the patients increased, their death anxiety increased and satisfaction with life decreased. In addition, it was found that as the death anxiety of patients increased, their satisfaction with life decreased.

Clinical Mental Health Measures and Prediction of Postconcussion Musculoskeletal Injury.

The rate of lower extremity musculoskeletal injury (LE MSK) is elevated after concussion; however, the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. Physical characteristics have been investigated despite poorer mental health being a common postconcussion complaint and linked to MSKs. To evaluate the role of mental health as a predictor of postconcussion LE MSK. Case-control study. Intercollegiate athletic training facility. A total of 67 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I student-athletes (n = 39 females) who had been diagnosed with a sport-related concussion. The Brief Symptom Inventory-18, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) measures were completed at baseline (preseason) and on the day participants were cleared for unrestricted return to play (RTP) after a concussion. Two binary logistic regressions were used to predict postconcussion LE MSK within a year, one for the baseline time point and the second for the RTP time point. A 2 (group: LE MSK, no LE MSK)-by-2 (time: baseline, RTP) repeated-measures analysis of variance compared performance between baseline and RTP. Subsequent LE MSKs were sustained by 44 participants (65.7%). The only significant predictor of postconcussion LE MSK was the SWLS score at RTP, with Exp(B) = 0.64, indicating that an increased (improved) SWLS score was associated with a lower LE MSK rate. No significant interactions were present between mental health measures and subsequent MSK (P values = .105-.885). Limited associations were evident between postconcussion LE MSK and scores on commonly used measures of anxiety, depression, and satisfaction with life. Reported increased satisfaction with life was associated with a decreased injury risk, which warrants further attention. Our results suggest that these measures of anxiety, depression, and satisfaction with life have limited value in assisting sports medicine clinicians with determining which student-athletes are at elevated risk of postconcussion LE MSK.

Hopelessness and life satisfaction in patients with serious mental disorders: A cross-sectional study.

The main purpose of treatment and management in chronic mental disorders is to improve the quality of life (QOL). Hopelessness indicates a significant cognitive vulnerability that is associated with suicide risk. It is important for clinicians to have information about their patients' life satisfaction and spirituality. This study was conducted to determine hopelessness and life satisfaction in patients who received service from a community mental health center (CMHC). This cross-sectional study was conducted with patients diagnosed with psychosis (n=66) and bipolar disorder (n=24) according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) criteria, at a community mental health center serving in a hospital located in eastern Turkiye. Data was collected by a psychiatrist between January and May 2019 with face-to-face interviews, using a questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). In the study, it was found that the mean BHS and SWLS scores of the patients did not differ significantly between the diagnosis groups (p>0.05). A moderately negative correlation was found between the patients' mean BHS and SWLS scores (rs=-0.450, p<0.001). In addition, it was determined that the hopelessness level of the secondary school graduates was low (p<0.05), the mean BHS score increased as the age and time from diagnosis of the patients increased (p<0.001), and there was a low negative correlation between the time from diagnosis and the mean SWLS score (rs: -0.208; p<0.05). In this study, it was found that the hopelessness level of the patients was low, their life satisfaction was moderate, and as the hopelessness level increased, their life satisfaction decreased. In addition, it was determined that the hopelessness and life satisfaction levels of the patients did not differ by to the diagnosis groups. It is extremely important for mental health professionals to consider aspects such as hope and life satisfaction, which are key in the recovery of patients.

Evaluation of psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Internet Disorder Scale (IDS-15)

The internet in modern society has impacted individuals of all ages, especially youth. Over the past 25 years, internet has become increasingly accessible, affordable, and available to a large proportion of individuals worldwide. Despite the clear advantages the internet has brought, adverse effects including potential disordered internet use have been noted among a minority of users. This has led to an increase in the development of screening instruments and numerous validation studies in many countries. Although Arabic is spoken in 25 countries worldwide, little research has been carried out, probably because there is a lack of Arabic instruments assessing problematic internet use. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the 15-item Internet Disorder Scale (IDS-15). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 327 active internet users (35.5 % male; mean age = 21.49 years [SD = 3.06]) using a pen-and-paper-based survey. All participants completed the IDS-15, Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The concurrent validity of the Arabic IDS-15 was satisfactory as its total score was significantly correlated with scores on the BSMAS (standardized coefficient [β] = 0.382), time spent online (β = 0.310), time spent on social media (β = 0.368), time spent on sleep (β = −0.176), and SWLS score (β = −0.281). The internal consistency indicated good internal reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the factor structure of the IDS-15. The Arabic version IDS-15 is a psychometrically sound and robust instrument for assessing internet disorder due to its excellent concurrent validity, good reliability, and satisfactory construct validity.

Health Related Behaviors and Life Satisfaction in Patients Undergoing Infertility Treatment.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of life satisfaction and health behaviors presented by patients with diagnosed infertility. This cross-sectional study included 456 patients (235 women and 221 men) from infertile couples in southeastern Poland from June 2019 to February 2020. Participants completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, the Health Behaviors Inventory (HBI), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The average score of severity of health behaviors for the study group was 82.96 points. Satisfaction with life at a higher level was declared by 57.6% of respondents, at an average level was declared by 31.4%, and at a lower level was declared by 11%. The SWLS score for the entire study group was 24.11 points (6.82 points on the sten scale). Respondents who achieved a higher rate of life satisfaction also had a higher level of severity of health behaviors (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between male and female SWLS scores, although the women had significantly higher rates of severity of health behaviors than men. The level of health behavior is positively related to life satisfaction in infertile patients. Medical personnel should conduct health education on a healthy lifestyle that promotes the improvement of reproductive health.

Determinants Affecting the Rationing of Nursing Care and Professional Burnout among Oncology Nurses.

Rationing of nursing care (RNC) is characterized by the omission of any aspect of the required patient care, resulting in incomplete or delayed nursing activities. Oncology nurses are exposed to a very high psychological burden, which can lead to the development of professional burnout syndrome (PBS). The level of PBS might be related to life and job satisfaction. This study aimed to identify determinants affecting RNC and reveal the relationship between RNC, life and job satisfaction, and the PBS levels among oncology nurses. The sample was a hundred oncology nurses from four hospitals in Poland with a mean age of 43.26 ± 10.69 years. The study was conducted from March 2019 to February 2020. The self-administered sociodemographic questionnaire and validated scales determining missed nursing care, job and life satisfaction, and life orientation were used: Basel Extent of Rationing of Nursing Care-Revised (BERNCA-R), Satisfaction with Job Scale (SWJS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). The mean BERNCA score was 1.55 ± 0.15, which indicates the frequency of RNC was between “never” and “rarely”. The mean SWJS score was 11.71 ± 5.97, which showed that nurses were “dissatisfied” and “rather dissatisfied” with their job. A low SWLS score was reported by 59% of nurses, which means that more than half of the respondents described their life satisfaction as low. In LOT-R, 66% of nurses reported pessimistic and 31% neutral life orientation. The mean overall MBI score was 49.27 ± 19.76 points (EE = 63.56 ± 25.37, DEP = 37.2 ± 24.95, and lack of PA = 47.05 ± 22.04), which means that half of the nurses perceived burnout and half did not. Additionally, the higher the job satisfaction (SWJS), the more frequent the RNC (BERNCA) (p < 0.05). The greater the EE, the stronger the sense of lack of PA, and the higher the PBS (MBI) level, the less frequent the RNC (BERNCA). In conclusion, there is a phenomenon of omission of some aspects of care among oncology nurses, but it is not frequent and concerns areas not directly related to therapeutic tasks, but requiring effort and not resulting in quick noticeable effects. It depends only little on life satisfaction and more on job satisfaction and PBS level. The results may indicate the professionalism of Polish nurses, their responsibility towards their patients’ life and health, and the sense of mission that enables them to perform their duties regardless of the external and internal difficulties. The presence of the PBS phenomenon in oncology nurses highlights the need for continued research in this area.

Elderly abuse, affecting factors and evaluation of life satisfaction: a cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of abuse and its effect on life satisfaction in older adults living in our region. This research is a cross-sectional study. The participants of the study were an elderly population who applied to one 'family health centre'. The study was completed with the participation of 332 people. The study was carried out between June and July 2021. A questionnaire form, Geriatric Mistreatment Scale (GMS), Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (H-S/EAST), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used in the study. According to the GMS, 16.0% of the participants experience abuse. Psychological abuse (6.92%) was the highest according to the GMS sub-dimensions. This was followed by physical abuse (6.6%), neglect (1.8%), economic abuse (1.5%), and sexual abuse (1.5%). According to H-S/EAST, 22.9% of participants experience abuse. The perpetrators of abuse are mostly spouses, children and relatives of the elderly. There is a negative correlation between the H-S/EAST score and the SWLS score. Uneducated elderly people are exposed to abuse more than primary education graduates. Compared to the elderly living in a nuclear family, more abuse is seen in extended families and those living alone. The fact that the houses in which the elderly live are not physically suitable increases the risk of abuse. Identifying and trying to minimise local risk factors for elder abuse can help reduce the prevalence of abuse. We hope that these data will be a guide for future intervention studies.

The Development of a Short Chinese Version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

BackgroundFew studies on anxiety in China have used the full version of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) due to its length, despite its numerous advantages. The goal of this study was to develop a short Chinese version of the STAI and examine its reliability and validity among the general Chinese population and psychiatric patients diagnosed with anxiety.MethodA total of 1,142 participants were invited to test the short Chinese version of the STAI; item analysis, validity testing and internal consistency reliability analysis were performed. Subsequently, 40 participants were enrolled to assess retest reliability 1 week later. Finally, 330 participants, including 33 psychiatric patients with anxiety, were used to assess the criterion and empirical validity. The Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used as criteria, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the discrimination of the short version of the STAI between the groups with and without anxiety disorders.ResultThe short Chinese version of the STAI contains six items for each subscale (STAI-S-6 and STAI-T-6). The Pearson correlation coefficients between the two shortened Chinese versions of the STAI and the full-length STAI were 0.970 and 0.962, the Cronbach’s α coefficients were 0.871 and 0.842, and the retest reliability values were 0.728 and 0.813 (p < 0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the 2-factor model achieved an adequate model fit: for the STAI-S-6, CFI = 0.986, TLI = 0.974, and RMSEA = 0.075, and for the STAI-T-6, CFI = 0.994, TLI = 0.988, and RMSEA = 0.052. The short Chinese version of the STAI had a significant positive correlation with the SAS score (r = 0.289, 0.313; p < 0.001) and a negative correlation with the SWLS score (r = −0.476, 0.554; p < 0.001). A significant difference in the level of anxiety was found between participants with and without anxiety disorders. The diagnostic accuracy of the STAI-S-6 and STAI-T-6 for major anxiety disorder was acceptable, with areas under the ROC curves of 0.798 and 0.745, respectively.ConclusionThe short Chinese version of the STAI demonstrates sound psychometric properties and is applicable in evaluating the level of anxiety in Chinese populations.

Measurement Invariance and Construct Validity of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) in Community Volunteers in Vietnam.

Worldwide, the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) has become the most widely used measure of life satisfaction. Recently, an authorized Vietnamese-language version has been introduced. Using a convenience sample comprising community volunteers from Ho Chi Minh City (N = 1073), confirmatory support was found for the cross-national constancy of the one-dimensional structure underlying the SWLS. Corrected item–total polyserial correlations and Omega coefficient were satisfactory. Using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis, configural, metric, and scalar invariance of the SWLS factorial structure were tested by gender, age, marital status, income, and educational level. Strong evidence of scalar invariance was found for gender and education, on which relevant subgroups did not differ in terms of latent means. Partial scalar invariance was found for marital status (item 4 and 5) and income (item 4). Being involved in an intimate relationship or having a higher income were associated with higher latent means. Scalar invariance in relation to age was very poor. Accordingly, caution must be exerted when comparing age groups. A high SWLS score was predictive of good self-rated health. Implications of the findings are briefly discussed.

Migraine and Happiness.

Objective: To investigate the association between happiness and migraine.Background: Contemporary operationalizations of happiness include the prevailing positive over negative affect and the satisfaction with life. Generally, extreme events and circumstances influence happiness only temporarily. However, how does periodic cycling between being relatively healthy and relatively disabled—as in migraineurs—affect happiness? Migraine is a primary headache disorder, in which headache attacks intermittently interfere with normal living and cause a significant personal, societal, and potentially irreversible disease burden.Methods: In this cross-sectional observational study, migraineurs completed the satisfaction with life scale (SWLS), the Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale and reported their headache frequency as well as recent changes in that frequency. Furthermore, participants answered a free text question on how to remain happy despite migraine attacks. We built a regression model with the SWLS score as the dependent variable.Results: Seventy participants completed the questionnaire. The regression model revealed that happiness increases with headache days, and subsequent analysis showed a U-shaped relationship between headache frequency and happiness. The participants' advice on remaining happy focused on upvaluing the pain-free time or relieving the attacks themselves. The latter was increasingly common with longer disease durations.Conclusions: Both high and low headache frequencies facilitate adaptation to the disorder, while intermediate frequencies resulted in lower life satisfaction. The nonlinear relationship between happiness and headache days may be due to “hedonic habituation” and implies that headache calendars do not necessarily correctly reflect patients' difficulty to feel well despite the disorder. Many patients advised other migraineurs to increase happiness by enjoying pain-free time. However, with increasing disease duration, patients' recommendations focused on coping with attacks.

Problematic Mobile Phone Use and Life Satisfaction Among University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Shanghai, China.

ObjectiveThis study examined problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) and its relationship with life satisfaction in Chinese university students during the pandemic.MethodsAn anonymous online survey was conducted in a university in China. The Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used to assess the severity of problematic mobile phone use and life satisfaction, respectively. Data on demographic and health-related factors were also collected.ResultsA total of 1,491 undergraduate students (73.3% were male) completed the survey. On average, students in the survey reported spending 7.4 ± 4.3 h/day on phone use. Their MPAI score was 38.1 ± 13.3 and SWLS score was 24.9 ± 6.8, respectively. After controlling for confounding factors, the MPAI score was significantly associated with lower life satisfaction. Multiple linear regression revealed that higher monthly allowances, frequent insomnia, longer phone use duration were significantly associated with PMPU.ConclusionUniversity students in China spend nearly half of their waking hours on mobile phone use, significantly longer than before the COVID-19 pandemic. PMPU is associated with insomnia, lower life satisfaction and higher allowances. If the trend continues after the pandemic, interventions may be needed. Increase in-person interactions, limiting online social and gaming time, awareness campaign may be effective in reducing the impact of PMPU and improve life satisfaction.

The Impact of Stress-Coping Strategies and the Severity of Psoriasis on Self-Esteem, Illness Acceptance and Life Satisfaction.

IntroductionThe visibility of skin lesions is a significant burden for patients with psoriasis, who experience social hostility as well as many emotional and psychological problems. The recurrent nature of cutaneous manifestations and their location are also a source of emotional distress, which in turn is one of the main factors that intensifies skin lesions in these patients. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the severity of psoriasis and stress-coping strategies on general psychometric measures in the affected patients.MethodsThe study used a short demographic questionnaire, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and four standardised general psychometric tools: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS) and Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS). A total of 111 patients participated in the study.ResultsThe mean PASI score was 14.0 (12.1–15.9). The mean SWLS score was below average, i.e., 18.5 (17.3–19.7), and the SES score—26.8 points (26.1–27.5)—indicated self-esteem slightly above average among patients with psoriasis. The mean stress-coping level measured with CISS was 53.6 (51.9–55.2) for the task-oriented strategy (TOS), 46.2 (43.8–48.6) for the emotion-oriented strategy (EOS) and 50.1 (48.5–51.8) for the avoidance-oriented strategy (AOS). Higher PASI was associated with lower illness acceptance among men (r = 0.48) and lower self-esteem among women (r = 0.44). The level of life satisfaction was lower in respondents with higher PASI scores (mainly in the group of women, r = 0.44).ConclusionsHigher severity of psoriasis (PASI) and greater frequency of emotion-oriented stress-coping mechanisms (CISS) are factors that negatively affect the overall psychophysical condition of respondents.

Associations of Clozapine Use With Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life in Patients With Schizophrenia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

ObjectiveMore attempts have been made recently to improve psychosocial functioning and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia, due to their crucial role in long-term outcomes. Previous studies on the effects of clozapine on psychosocial functioning have been limited in terms of generalizability and application to clinical practice. This study examined the relationship of clozapine use with psychosocial functioning and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia in a real-world setting. MethodsData were obtained from a survey targeting community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia. The Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were administered to evaluate psychosocial functioning and quality of life, and patients were classified into Clozapine and Non-clozapine groups. Group differences were assessed using ANCOVA, with additional sensitivity analyses for participants on atypical antipsychotic medications only. ResultsOf 292 patients, the Clozapine group (n=34) had significantly better psychosocial functioning and quality of life than the Nonclozapine group (n=258), as demonstrated by their low BASIS score (F=4.651, df=1, 290, p=0.032) and high SWLS score (F=14.637, df=1, 290, p<0.001). Similar findings for psychosocial outcomes were observed in the analyses of the atypical antipsychotic subgroup (n=195). ConclusionFor optimal recovery in schizophrenia, restoration of impaired social functioning and enhanced satisfaction with life are essential. In this study, clozapine use was related to high levels of psychosocial functioning and quality of life in real-world settings. Further research on the causal relationship between clozapine use and psychosocial functioning is needed.

Skin-Disease Specific and Generic Psychometric Measures in Patients with Psoriasis.

IntroductionPsychosocial problems of patients with chronic dermatoses, such as psoriasis, add to their somatic ailments, which results in the lack of illness acceptance, lowered self-esteem, deteriorated quality of life, and an array of somatic comorbidities. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of psoriasis on the quality of life, sense of stigmatization, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life in patients with psoriasis.MethodsThe study was based on a short survey prepared by the authors and five validated scales: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), 6-Item Stigmatization Scale, 33-Item Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). The study included 111 patients with psoriasis (46.8% women and 53.2% men). The inclusion criteria of the study were the diagnosis of plaque psoriasis and written informed consent to participate.ResultsDLQI scores ranged between 0 and 28 points (pts) (mean 10.8 pts). Mean stigmatization scores determined with the 33- and 6-Item Stigmatization Scale were 81.6 pts and 7.5 pts, respectively. The mean SWLS score for the study group (18.5 pts) was slightly below the average. The mean score SES of 27 pts implies that the study respondents’ self-esteem level was slightly above the average.ConclusionsSatisfaction with life turned out to be significantly modulated by overall stigmatization level on the 33-Item Stigmatization Scale (the stronger the sense of stigmatization, the lower the satisfaction with life) and education (respondents with higher education presented with higher satisfaction with life than those with non-higher education).

Life satisfaction and depressive symptoms of mentally active older adults in Poland: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundFor older adults, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms are related to quality of life. In this group of society, life satisfaction is particularly associated with the emotional area. The notion of life satisfaction is related to many factors, such as personality traits, moods and various life events, and poses challenges in various aspects of everyday life. Given that mental health is one of the determinants of the quality of life of older adults, it is reasonable to conduct research among this growing group of the population. The aim of this study was to assess life satisfaction and depressive symptoms in mentally active older adults in Poland.MethodsThe study covered 125 attendees at the University of Healthy Senior (UHS) and 125 auditing students at the University of Psychogeriatric Prophylaxis (UPP), organised by the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Medical University of Bialystok, of whom 78.3% were female and 21.7% male. The study was conducted using four standardised scales: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Beck Depression Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).ResultsSeniors who participated in the study were satisfied with their lives; the average SWLS score was 23 points. Men rated their level of satisfaction higher than women: the median score on the SWLS was 26 points for men and 23 points for women. Life satisfaction and mental disorders did not differ on the basis of sex, age, or education (the type of place of education attended). As the level of depression increased, life satisfaction decreased. Statistically significant correlations of average strength were found between the point values of the four measures of depression under consideration and were evenly distributed from 0.57 to 0.69.ConclusionsThe high level of life satisfaction and a low level of mental disorders should be maintained in this population, and additional educational activities should be organised among seniors on a large scale. There were no differences in the distribution of psychometric measure scores among the three compared age groups of respondents in this study. Each of the questionnaires used measured of different aspects of depressive conditions, and it is worth using them in parallel rather than interchangeably.

STRESS-COPING STYLES AND SATISFACTION WITH LIFE OF MILITARY AVIATION PERSONNEL DIFFERING IN BODY MASS INDEX

Introduction: Soldiers, due to the specific nature of their service, are one of the occupational groups particularly exposed to stress. The aim of this study was to assess the stress-coping styles and satisfaction with life in a group of military aviation personnel, differentiated in terms of the BMI (Body Mass Index). Methods: The research compared three groups of military aviation personnel, distinguished on the basis of BMI, i.e. people with normal body weight (25 people), overweight people (24 people) and people suffering from obesity (20 people). The CISS (Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations) Questionnaire by Endler and Parker was used to assess the stress-coping styles. Satisfaction with life was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) by Diener et al. Results: The data analysis did not reveal any statistically significant differences in CISS and SWLS scores between groups differing in BMI (p&gt;0.05). It was found that the style of coping with difficult situations that is most often manifested by the surveyed military aviation personnel is the task-oriented style (TOS). A comparable, high SWLS score was also revealed in all studied groups. Conclusions: The BMI turned out not to be a factor differentiating either the type of stress-coping styles or the level of satisfaction with life experienced by the military aviation personnel studied. It is likely that, due to the specificity of soldiers' work, the TOS may be a beneficial and adaptive style of dealing with stressful situations. The high level of general satisfaction with life found in the surveyed members of the military aviation personnel provides a reason to conduct further research aimed at identifying the factors determining this variable.

Assessing Knowledge and Perceptions of Alzheimer's Disease Among Employees of a Pharmaceutical Company in Spain: A Comparison Between Caregivers and Non-Caregivers.

BackgroundRaising knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may help in identifying the disorder, seeking earlier appropriate healthcare, and decreasing its stigma. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and perceptions towards people with AD among employees of a pharmaceutical company in Spain.MethodsA non-interventional, cross-sectional study was conducted among 447 employees. Participants answered demographic questions and completed the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS). Caregivers also answered questions related to their personal experience with patients with AD and completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist (RMBPC), and the Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen (BDI-FS).ResultsParticipants were mostly between 30 and 50 years old (63%), female (65.3%), and had bachelor or master degrees (82.7%). Forty-two (9.4%) of participants were caregivers, mainly of moderate to severe dementia subjects. Overall knowledge about AD was moderate (mean ADKS score = 21.2 ± 2.8 [70.6% of correct answers]). Risk factors and caregiving were the domains with lowest scores (correct answers: 58.58% and 63%, respectively). Mean total ADKS score was significantly higher in participants caring for people with AD compared with non-caregivers (22.1 ± 2.9 and 21.0 ± 2.8; p=0.02, respectively). There was no statistically significant association between total ADKS score and age, sex, educational level, or relative’s AD severity. Most caregivers were satisfied with life (mean SWLS score = 26.8 ± 5.6) showing a low impact from behavioral problems (mean RMBPC reaction score = 26.81 ± 20.2). Six of them (14.3%) were scored as depressed.ConclusionThere is a continuing need to improve understanding of AD to fill the gaps in knowledge of the disease, even in a population working in healthcare sector with a high educational level.

339 - A psychological profile of near-centenarians and centenarians with and without dementia from the Sydney Centenarian Study

Background:Studying those who have achieved exceptional longevity can provide a model of successful ageing, however current research remains limited. Previous work on centenarians has primarily focused on depression and anxiety; life satisfaction remains understudied.Objectives:To compare the psychological profile of near-centenarians (95-99) and centenarians (100+) with and without dementia. To compare the psychological distress and life satisfaction in near-centenarians and centenarians without dementia with younger age groups. To identify the risk and protective factors of psychological distress and life satisfaction in near-centenarians and centenarians without dementia.Methods:The Sydney Centenarian Study (SCS) collected data from 343 participants aged 95 years and older, of whom 119 had dementia. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Persons aged 70-90 years from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study (MAS) were used as a cross-sectional comparison group, for which dementia was an exclusion. Multiple linear regressions were undertaken to investigate the predictors for psychological distress and life satisfaction in SCS.Findings:There was no significant difference in K10 or SWLS score between SCS participants with and without dementia. SCS participants without dementia reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress (15.3, 13.4, t=3.869, p&lt;0.001) and life satisfaction (6.0, 5.6, t=5.835, p&lt;0.001) compared to cognitively intact younger age groups in MAS. In SCS, a greater number of psychotropic medications and less contact with friends and family were associated with higher psychological distress. Higher scores on the Mini -Mental State Examination and greater contact with friends and family were associated with higher life satisfaction.Conclusions:Psychological health was similar in near-centenarians and centenarians whether or not they had dementia. Although near-centenarians and centenarians without dementia demonstrated higher levels of psychological distress in the past 4 weeks than younger age groups, their satisfaction with life was higher. Social support and cognition may be protective factors against poor psychological health and promote greater life satisfaction. Factors identified as associated with psychological distress and life satisfaction may be targets for interventions to maintain good psychological health in this vulnerable population.