Social Psychological Well-being Research Articles

A Sociocultural Exploration of the Impact Body Image Has on Black College-Aged Women’s Mental Health

This study aimed to explore the relationship between Black cultural identity body image and mental well-being among Black Americans and Black immigrant women who attend predominately white universities (PWIs). As part of the Multi-Site University Study of Identity and Culture (MUSIC) survey, participants completed the Brief Inventory of Body Image, which included questions such as “I’m proud of my body,” “I often feel ugly,” ‘I have a good figure,” “I’m ashamed of my body,” and “I am anxious about the way I look.” The results showed that there were several similarities between the subgroups in the correlations between body image and mental health indices, such as social anxiety, depression, psychological well-being, and self-esteem. Both Black American and Black immigrant college-aged women had a positive association between body image and indicators of Black women’s sense of self, like self-esteem and psychological well-being. They also had a negative association between body image and mental health, such as social anxiety and depression. However, there was one key difference in that Black American women had a stronger association between their sense of self and self-esteem and psychological well-being compared to Black immigrant women. These findings support other studies that suggest Black women tend to have a stronger positive body satisfaction relative to their overall mental well-being. The study has important implications for the understanding of Black women, ethnic identity, body image, and mental health, which are discussed in the paper.

The impact of distance education on the socialization of college students in the Covid-19 era: problems in communication and impact on mental health

BackgroundThe problems of students’ social interaction and psychological well-being associated with online learning dependent on self-directed learning have become an important topic of research in recent years worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting their Social Emotional Learning. This paper aimed to compare the students’ loneliness, social anxiety, social interaction, and general psychological well-being at different stages of online learning (at the beginning and the height of the pandemic), considering their criteria (presence/absence of a job and own family).MethodsFor this, the researchers conducted an electronic survey of students (n = 320) twice, in February and May 2020, using four questionnaires: UCLA loneliness scale-3, Social Anxiety Scale for E-Learning Environments, Social Interaction Scale, and Brief Adjustment Scale. The responses at different stages of online learning were compared using Student’s t-test. Differences between employed and unemployed students with or without their own families were determined using the analysis of variance (ANOVA).ResultsThe findings showed that unemployed students without their families suffered the most from loneliness. Social interaction online was rated higher by students with their own families; psychological well-being at the beginning of the distance period and social anxiety at the height of the distance period were higher among unemployed students.ConclusionsThis research can become a theoretical basis for a phase-by-phase study of social predictors for the psychological well-being of higher education students and is of practical value for teachers and administrators of online learning aimed at students’ socialization. In addition, it provides education officials with information about how students perceive psychological well-being, anxiety, social interaction, and loneliness during distance learning, which can help officials direct their decisions and reforms to improve interaction in the online environment.

'Nostalgic food heals for us': A qualitative exploration of experiences with nostalgia, food, and mood.

Nostalgia-the bittersweet reliving of the past-has been linked to social connection and psychological wellbeing. Although food consumption is often an intrinsically social experience, relatively little research has examined how individuals experience and understand how food consumption relates to feelings of nostalgia, food and mood. In the current study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Australians from varying cultural backgrounds to explore their experiences with nostalgia, food and mood. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three key themes from the data: (i) The bittersweet experiences of food-evoked nostalgia-individuals' descriptions of food-evoked nostalgia and how it impacted their mood both positively and negatively (ii) social connection and identity continuity-participants' description of food-evoked nostalgia and how this provides an opportunity for social connection and identity continuity throughout life, which positively influences mood, and (iii) the role and relationship of food-evoked nostalgia and mood-individual descriptions of the important role that nostalgic food plays in their life, in addition to their relationship with food, and how this impacts mood. Understanding the positive component of nostalgic foods allowed individuals to bolster positive mood states with food-evoked nostalgia, increasing their quality of life. SO WHAT?: Understanding the link between food-evoked nostalgia and mood has significant implications, suggesting that negative mood states altered by nostalgic foods may result in positive mood states. Appropriate use of food-evoked nostalgia may increase the quality of life for individuals experiencing low mood states.

Association of Socioeconomic Characteristics with Health and Well-Being of Rural Older Cambodians.

This study examined the demographic, socioeconomic, health, and well-being of rural-dwelling older Cambodians and identified differentials based on age and gender. The goal is to understand disparities in wealth, health, well-being, and support systems among older adults within the context of Cambodia's history of civil unrest and socio-cultural norms. A regionally representative sample from three northwestern Cambodian provinces was used to evaluate household wealth, economic satisfaction, health, psychological well-being, social support, and a government welfare program. Analysis was conducted to document how these factors differed by age and gender. Significant gender differentials in demographics, well-being, and support systems were observed. Older women outnumbered men and reported lower levels of social support and psychological well-being, potentially influenced by high widowhood rates and gender-linked cultural norms. Education levels were generally low, possibly due to disruption from wars and conflicts. Relative to neighboring countries, the health status of older Cambodians was poor, though no significant gender-based health disparities were identified. There were differences in debt and wealth accumulation among age groups but no variation in welfare support by age or gender. These findings underline the significance of addressing gender disparities and socio-cultural factors affecting older Cambodians. They underscore the need for policy attention toward older women's psychological well-being and support systems, as well as health and social support interventions for the oldest age groups. Future research should investigate these observed patterns, accounting for regional variations and survivor selection bias.

Ayurvedic Perspectives on Oral Health: Insights into Prevention and Management of Oral Diseases

Ayurvedic Perspectives on Oral Health: Insights into Prevention and Management of Oral Diseases

Social Connectedness and Psychological Well-Being Among Divorced Women

Abstract: In today's world, Social Connectedness (SC) and Psychological Well-Being (PW) are strongly influenced by marital status. With a focus on married and divorced women, this study investigates the connection between Psychological Well-being, Social Connectedness, and marital status. Through the use of standardized evaluations, 61 married and 41 divorced women participated and shared their experiences. Married women demonstrated higher levels of Social Connectedness and Psychological Well-Being when t-tests were used to compare the groups. Positive correlations between Psychological Well-being and Social Connectedness were found in both groups using Pearson's correlation analysis. There were differences in the distribution of the Social Connectedness data, which calls for consideration of data normalization. Women's Psychological Wellbeing and Social Connectedness are significantly influenced by their marital status, underscoring the connection between relationships and mental health. The results point to custom therapies for women in various marital situations.

Lived Experiences of Indians with Acne: Navigating Social Support and Mental Well-being

This qualitative inquiry delved into the complex lived experiences of individuals in India navigating acne and its impact on social support dynamics and psychological well-being. Through subjective narratives, the study revealed profound emotional repercussions, challenges to self-perception, and sociocultural influences. Participants reported feelings of embarrassment, anxiety, and insecurity, exacerbated by societal beauty standards and external scrutiny. Familial support provided crucial emotional solace, while societal pressures, especially through social media, heightened psychological distress. Supportive peer relationships mitigated adverse effects on self-esteem. Coping strategies ranged from therapy-seeking to skincare regimens. Cultural factors and gender disparities, including male emotional invalidation, were identified. This research contributes to understanding the multidimensional challenges faced by individuals with acne in India, highlighting the need for tailored interventions promoting resilience and holistic well-being.

Effect of Korean Drama on Emotional Expressivity

Korean dramas (K-Dramas) are renowned for their captivating narratives and portrayal of diverse human experiences, attracting a global audience. This study investigates the influence of K-Drama consumption on emotional expressivity among young adults. Emotional expressivity, the outward expression of emotions, is crucial for social interactions and psychological well-being. Using the Emotional Expressivity Scale (EES), the study analyzed 250 young adults aged 18 to 25, comprising both viewers and non-viewers of K-Dramas (Romantic genre). Results revealed that viewers exhibited significantly higher levels of emotional expressivity than non-viewers. This suggests that exposure to K-Dramas may shape emotional behavior, possibly through mechanisms like observational learning and social reinforcement. Despite providing valuable insights, the study has limitations, including its focus on a specific demographic and sample size. Further research exploring diverse populations and cultural contexts is necessary to deepen understanding. Nevertheless, the findings highlight the significant role of K-Dramas in shaping emotional experiences among viewers and underscore the importance of considering media influences in understanding emotional processes. In conclusion, Korean Dramas serve as a platform for emotional exploration and expression, influencing viewers' emotional behavior. Understanding the interplay between media consumption and emotional expression contributes to the broader field of media psychology. Moving forward, research should explore additional factors influencing emotional expressivity and examine long-term effects across diverse populations and cultures. Overall, this study emphasizes the profound impact of K-Dramas on shaping emotional experiences and behaviors among viewers.

Poverty Stigma: Assessing the Surveillance of and Psychological Reframing by WIC Recipients

ABSTRACT The current study examines the poverty stigma experienced by Women, Infants, and Children program recipients during grocery store transactions. Through in-person interviews with 32 WIC recipients in metro Detroit, the study examines perceptions of the social context, strategies to manage stigma, and the social psychological consequences. The findings highlight the resilience of interviewees and the need for public assistance programs to address not just practical needs but also the social psychological well-being of recipients. This research contributes significantly to understanding poverty stigma, especially within the context of WIC food assistance. Policy implications are discussed.

Observed Instagram use and satisfaction with life: Associations with received communications and exploration of others' content after posting a selfie.

Over 70% of Americans use social media platforms, like Instagram. With this high prevalence, researchers have investigated the relationship between social media use and psychological well-being. Extant research has yielded mixed results, however, as most measures of social media use are self-reported and focus on amount of use. Even when studies account for type of social media use, such as active or passive use, there remains much to be captured. To address this, we asked participants to report their satisfaction with life and then recorded their actual Instagram activity for 10 minutes after posting a "selfie" portrait to their account. We coded the observed Instagram activity into the following four clusters of experiences: communications received, communications sent, monitoring self-related content, and exploring other-related content. We found that greater life satisfaction was associated with higher frequency of receiving communications and viewing other-related content. Life satisfaction was not associated with frequency of sending communications and self-monitoring. Surprisingly, none of the clusters of Instagram experiences were negatively associated with life satisfaction. Our findings highlight the importance of objective data and moving beyond the active/passive dichotomy of social media use to consider additional experiences.

When artificial intelligence substitutes humans in higher education: the cost of loneliness, student success, and retention

ABSTRACT Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the new-new-norm in a post-pandemic learning environment. There is a growing number of university students using AI like ChatGPT and Bard to support their academic experience. Much of the AI in higher education research to date has focused on academic integrity and matters of authorship; yet, there may be unintended consequences beyond these concerns for students. That is, there may be people who reduce their formal social interactions while using these tools. This study evaluates 387 university students and their relationship to – and with – artificial intelligence large-language model-based tools. Using structural equation modelling, the study finds evidence that while AI chatbots designed for information provision may be associated with student performance, when social support, psychological wellbeing, loneliness, and sense of belonging are considered it has a net negative effect on achievement. This study tests an AI-specific form of social support, and the cost it may pose to student success, wellbeing, and retention. Indeed, while AI chatbot usage may be associated with poorer social outcomes, human-substitution activity that may be occurring when a student chooses to seek support from an AI rather than a human (e.g. a librarian, professor, or student advisor) may pose interesting learning and teaching policy implications. We explore the implications of this from the lens of student success and belonging.

The uses and gratifications of social media and their impact on social relationships and psychological well-being.

This study aims to find the antecedents that lead to the adoption of social media among adults and older adults in Thailand and the impact it has on their social relationships and psychological well-being. It puts forward the uses and gratifications theory focusing on purposive value, self-discovery, entertainment value, social enhancement, and maintaining interpersonal connectivity. A survey comprising of 1,176 participants was undertaken in Bangkok, Thailand. The results of the structural equation modeling show that purposive value, entertainment value, social enhancement, and maintaining interpersonal connectivity had a positive relationship with social media usage, while self-discovery showed a negative relationship. Social media use seemed to positively affect both the social relationships and psychological well-being of their users. The discussions and conclusions included here describe how this occurs, as well as the academic and practical implications that follow from them.

Social media impact on psychological well-being-A cross-sectional study among the adolescents of Odisha.

Psychological well-being encapsulates positive dimensions, encompassing an individual's sense of mastery, autonomy, personal growth, and a profound connection with purpose and meaning in life. In the domain of mental well-being, research indicates that social media yields consequential outcomes, contributing to elevated levels of well-being, life satisfaction, and social support. The engagement of adolescents with social networking sites serves as a facilitator in fortifying existing friendships and cultivating new connections through online platforms. This, in consequence, alleviates social isolation and loneliness, thereby fostering a discernible enhancement in the mental health of adolescents. The study was conducted among 120 undergraduate students studying in different colleges of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The study was based on a 2 (social media use) ×2 (gender) factorial design with independent variables being the social media use (high use and low use) and gender (boys and girls) of the undergraduate students. All of the adolescents were in the age group of 17-19 years. Subjects were randomly selected from different undergraduate colleges of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software version 21. The sample consisted of 120 students from different colleges of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Comparisons of psychological well being mean scores of subjects indicated that high social media use had higher psychological well being than their low social media use among the counterparts. Psychological well being scores of the boys was found to be higher than girls, indicating that boys were psychologically healthier than their girl counterparts. The finding of this study revealed that higher social media users had better perceived social support than lower social media users. Comparison of mean scores disclosed that boys and higher social media users had better psychological well-being than girls and lower social media users respectively. Social media is linked to social support and psychological wellbeing among the college students. This information will provide information to psychologists and public health specialist guiding their work with college students.

Substance Use, Peer Social Comparison, Academic Stress and Psychological Well-Being of Students in Tertiary Institution in Delta South Senatorial District

This study examined the relationship between substance use, peer social comparison, academic stress and psychological wellbeing of tertiary institution students in Delta South Senatorial District. The study employed a correlational research design. The population for the study consisted of 2553 students of tertiary institutions in Delta South Senatorial District. The sample size was 332 students. A questionnaire was used for the study. The questionnaire was validated by experts’ judgement and factor analysis. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient was used to estimate the reliability index of the instrument. The Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient of Determination was used to answer the research questions, multiple regression and fisher-z statistics were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that a relationship exists between substance use, peer social comparison, academic stress and psychological well-being of students in tertiary institutions; and that a relationship exists between academic stress and psychological well-being of students in tertiary institutions. However, no relationship exists between substance use and psychological well-being and no relationship exists between peer social comparison and psychological well-being of students in tertiary institutions. The study also found that no significant moderating impact of sex on the relationship between substance use and psychological well-being peer social comparison and psychological well-being and between academic stress and psychological well-being of students. The study recommended that institutions should establish holistic mental health programmes that address the interplay of substance use, peer social comparison, academic stress, and psychological well-being.

Effect of sleep disordered breathing severity in children with Down syndrome on parental wellbeing and social support

IntroductionSleep disorders, particularly sleep disordered breathing (SDB), are common in children with Down syndrome (DS). We investigated the relationship between SDB severity and parental psychological wellbeing and their perception of social support. Methods44 children with DS (3–19 years) underwent overnight polysomnography and were categorised into three groups: primary snoring, Mild and Moderate/Severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Parents completed questionnaires about their child's behaviour (Child Behavior Checklist), sleep symptoms (Pediatric Sleep Survey Instrument) and SDB-related quality of life (OSA-18), together with the DUKE-UNC Functional Social Support (DUKE) and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) questionnaires for themselves. 34 children completed a follow-up study after 2 years. ResultsThere were no significant differences between SDB severity groups for parental perceived social support or psychological wellbeing. Total scores on the DUKE were below average and PGWBI scores were indicative of moderate psychological distress in all three groups. Reduced perceived levels of social support were significantly correlated with externalising child behaviour and sleep disturbance. Diminished parental psychological wellbeing was also significantly correlated with increased sleep disturbances and reduced quality of life in children. At follow-up there were no significant changes in any questionnaire outcome, however parents of children with improved SDB severity had improved PGWBI vitality scores. ConclusionThe degree of parent-reported sleep disturbance in children with DS was linked to suboptimal perceived parental social support and poor psychological wellbeing. Our results emphasise the need for enhanced awareness of the detrimental effects of sleep problems in children with DS on parental wellbeing.

How the social media impact women’s psychological well-being in the patriarchal structure? The moderating effect of social capital

BackgroundDespite technological, political and economic progress, Pakistan is still a traditionally patriarchal society, and cultural norms curb women’s freedom of socialization, which contributes to poor mental health. The digital technology spaces are rampant with male dominance, and offline cultural behaviours are replicated. Therefore, the current research in Pakistan intends to focus solely on women, their social media uses and the consequent impact on their psychological well-being. Furthermore, the mediation role of social capital is explored, which is linked to women’s socialization. In virtual communication, women can expand their connection or remain limited to known people.MethodsAn online survey collected 240 responses from women social media users. The questionnaire was divided into demographics, social media use patterns like access, online time, frequency of use, social media uses, online social capital and psychological well-being. The obtained responses were statistically analyzed using Smart PLS.ResultsPakistani women use social media extensively; however, their uses are culturally influenced. The women use social media and socialize online but do not openly disclose their personalities and emotions to extend the connection. They seek information only from acquaintances and do not trust newly developed online contacts. Therefore, the mediation role of bonding social capital is significant, referring to the importance of close ties and trust in psychological well-being. Though virtual spaces provide an opportunity for bridging social capital, women use social media for socialization; however, it doesn’t contribute to women’s psychological well-being.ConclusionDespite the higher penetration of digital technologies, cultural power still rules in developing countries like Pakistan. Social media uses are gender- and culturally specific, contributing to psychological well-being and developing social capital. The results from Pakistani society recommend ensuring a secure digital experience for women to get maximum benefits from social media and enhance their psychological well-being.

Bidirectional and cross-lag relationship between social media use and psychological wellbeing: evidence from an Indian adolescent cohort study

IntroductionIn an online era like today, the relationship between social media and depression among adolescents and young adults is erratic and still continues to be a debatable subject. The study aims to examine the association and bi-directional relationship between social media usage and depressive symptoms among the adolescent boys and girls in India.MethodsThe study uses data from two waves of Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults (UDAYA) project survey conducted in two Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Depression was measured by a Patient Health Questionnaire. Logistic regression has been used for analyzing the data comprising the same time period, whereas the bidirectional relationship between two time periods has been evaluated by Cross-Lagged Path Model.ResultFindings suggest that the percentage of moderate depressive symptoms increased from 1.7% to 3.0% from Wave 1 to Wave 2. Depression among adolescent girls increased slightly from wave 1 to wave 2 whereas a slight decrement was noticed in the moderate form of depressive symptom among adolescent girls using social media for the two waves. Socioeconomic factors like education, age, gender played an important role in affecting depression among adolescents in both the Wave of the survey. The path relationship reveals that social media users in Wave 1 [β=0.22, p<0.001] were positively associated with social media users in Wave 2. Similar patterns were observed for depressive symptoms at both the waves of the survey. However, cross lagged relations between social media use and depression could not be established between the survey periods.ConclusionA significant degree of association was found between social media use and depression among adolescent boys and girls in the study. The present study concludes that factors like age, gender and education showed significant relationships with social media use and depression.

Role of life satisfaction, emotional support, and feeling of social isolation on adherence to breast cancer screening recommendations among US women

BackgroundPsychosocial factors can play important roles in promoting preventive health behaviors. This study aimed to assess how life satisfaction, receipt of emotional support, and feeling of social isolation were associated with adherence to the USPSTF recommendation of breast cancer screening in a nationally representative US population. MethodsUsing data on 71,583 women aged 50 to 74 years, from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, we estimated multivariable logistic regressions to assess the odds of adherence across different categories of the respective psychosocial constructs. We accounted for various demographic and socioeconomic correlates and checked the robustness of the relationship within income and educational sub-groups. ResultsWe found that women who were dissatisfied with their life were 52.0% less likely to adhere compared to women who reported to be very satisfied. Similarly, women who rarely/never got emotional support and who always/usually felt socially isolated were 51.6% and 39.9% less likely to adhere, compared to women who always got support and never felt isolated, respectively. These results were robust across different levels of income and educational attainment. ConclusionOur findings demonstrated a strong association between social environment, psychological wellbeing, and adherence to breast cancer screening, and thus suggested scope of potential psychosocial interventions to improve adherence. Policy summaryEfforts to improve women’s psychosocial wellbeing could facilitate compliance with breast cancer screening recommendations.

Family resilience of families with parental cancer and minor children: a qualitative analysis.

Estimated 50,000 minor children in Germany experience a newly diagnosed cancer in one of their parents every year. Family resilience has proven to be an important concept against life crises. However, little research exists regarding family resilience in the context of parental cancer with minor children. Based on the "Family Resilience Framework," the aim of the study is to investigate the processes of family resilience of affected families. In addition, we explore which combinations of promoting family resilience processes can be characterized. As part of the mixed-method quasi-experimental interventional study "F-SCOUT," a qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the documentation of the "Family-Scouts" (a fixed contact person who advises, accompanies, and supports the families). Documentation was performed by families' study inclusion (T0), after 3 months (T1) and 9 months (T2) concerning current family situation, organization of everyday life, emotional coping, open communication within the family, and planned tasks. The N = 73 families had between one and six children. In 58 (79%) families, the mother had cancer. In the course of the analysis, a category system with 10 main categories and 36 subcategories emerged. Family resilience processes were described to different extents. Combinations of categories promoting family resilience were characterized by the use of social resources, flexibility, economic resources, and open communication. The findings are consistent with existing assumptions about family resilience in terms of the importance of social resources, family cohesion, mutual support, flexibility, open communication, and psychological well-being. In contrast to the findings of previous research, spirituality, and collaborative problem-solving indicate less centrality here. In turn, the findings on economic resources and information-seeking provide a valuable addition to the family resilience literature in the context of parental cancer with minor children. ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04186923.

The neural correlates of perceived social support and its relationship to psychological well-being.

Perceived social support is considered to play a significant role in promoting individuals' health and well-being, and yet the neural correlates of perceived social support were not fully understood. An exploration of the neural correlates of individual differences in the SPS can help us to gain more comprehensive understanding about the neural correlates of perceived social support. What's more, our study will explore the relationship among perceived social support, brain regions, and psychological well-being, which may provide new insights into the neural correlates underlying the relationship between perceived social support and psychological well-being from the perspective of cognitive neuroscience. Herein, we used the Social Provisions Scale to assess individuals' perceived social support, and magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the gray matter (GM) volume of the whole brain. What's more, we also measured psychological well-being using the Psychological Well-Being Scale, and mediation analysis was used to explore the relationship among perceived social support, brain regions, and psychological well-being. The voxel-based morphometry analysis of the whole brain revealed that perceived social support was positively correlated with GM volume of the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG). The finding indicated that a person with greater GM volume in the left MTG perceived more social support. More importantly, the left MTG GM volume observed above was also associated with psychological well-being, and the link between the two was mediated by perceived social support. These results revealed the importance of MTG for perceived social support and psychological well-being, and also suggested that perceived social support might explain the relationship between MTG and psychological well-being.