Indicators Of Well-being Research Articles

Mental Health and Physical Fitness during Adolescence in a Region of Southeastern Spain

Life satisfaction has been identified as a cognitive indicator of subjective well-being as well as self-image, and these become fundamental factors in the development of young people during adolescence. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the possible associations between life satisfaction and self-perceived physical fitness in adolescents from a region of southeastern Spain. In addition, the aim is to evaluate the influence in these associations of gender and urban or rural living environment. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was carried out with 688 secondary school students (12 to 16 years old) in which the “Satisfaction with Life Scale” and the “Visual Analogical Scale of Physical Fitness Perception for Adolescents” were applied. The associations of the scales were analyzed through Spearman’s Rho test and the consistency of the scales through Cronbach’s Alpha. In addition, a linear regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the contributions of the different dimensions of physical fitness to the life satisfaction of the students. Medium, positive and significant correlations were found between the dimensions of physical fitness and life satisfaction. Similarly, the regression model showed that general physical fitness and endurance explained 20% of the variance in life satisfaction. Therefore, educational interventions and policies must take this information into account when designing and developing actions aimed at improving these cognitive factors.

The Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on Maternal Health in Rural Africa

Maternal health was a critical indicator of societal well-being, reflecting the quality of healthcare systems and socio-economic conditions. In rural Africa, maternal health outcomes were alarmingly poor, with high maternal mortality rates persisting despite global efforts. This review explored the impact of socio-economic factors on maternal health in rural Africa, focusing on economic barriers, educational attainment, gender inequality, access to healthcare services, and social support networks. Economic barriers such as poverty and healthcare costs significantly limit access to essential maternal care. Educational attainment influences health literacy and the utilization of maternal healthcare services, with higher education levels correlating with better health outcomes. Gender inequality and entrenched cultural norms restrict women’s autonomy and decision-making power, negatively affecting maternal health. Access to healthcare services in rural areas is severely constrained by geographic isolation, inadequate infrastructure, and resource limitations. Social support networks, including family, friends, community members, and traditional birth attendants, play a crucial role in maternal health by providing emotional, informational, and practical support. This review used a comprehensive analysis of existing literature to discuss these factors and propose solutions to improve maternal health outcomes in rural Africa. Strategies such as financial assistance programs, expanding educational opportunities, empowering women, improving healthcare infrastructure, and strengthening social support networks are essential for addressing these challenges. By implementing these targeted interventions, significant improvements in maternal health can be achieved, leading to healthier mothers and stronger communities in rural Africa. Keywords: Maternal Health, Socio-Economic Factors, Rural Africa, Gender Inequality, Healthcare Access.

90 The association between risk of depression and combined vigorous physical activity and screen time behaviours in French-speaking Belgian adolescents

Abstract Purpose While there is a clear consensus on the positive effect of physical activity on reducing the risk of depression, the literature on the association between screen time and risk of depression is rather conflicting. Also, no clear consensus has been reached on whether being sufficiently active could alleviate the negative effects of being sedentary on mental health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of combined vigorous physical activity (VPA) and screen time (ST) behaviours with the risk of depression (RD) in Belgian adolescents. Methods The analysis used data collected through self-reported questionnaires from 8412 adolescents aged 10 to 20 included in the 2022 “Health Behaviour in School-aged Children” (HBSC) study in French-speaking schools. RD was measured using the World Health Organisation Five Well-being Index (WHO-5), with scores ≤28/100 indicating RD. VPA and ST behaviours were identified by combining data on ST (TV, video games and internet use) and VPA in three categories: (1) low ST (total weekly ST < 4hours/day), independently of VPA; (2) high VPA-high ST (VPA≥3 times/week and total weekly ST ≥ 4hours/day) and (3) low VPA-high ST (VPA<3 times/week and total weekly ST ≥ 4hours/day). The association between RD and VPA-ST behaviours was measured using adjusted binary logistic regression. Results In 2022, 15.4% had low ST, 40.6% high VPA-high ST, and 44.0% low VPA-high ST behaviours. Moreover, 13.2% were at risk of depression. This prevalence was eight times higher in low VPA-high ST (62.9%) and four times higher in high VPA-high ST (29.5%) than in low ST (7.6%) adolescents. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index and sleep duration, adolescents with low VPA-high ST behaviours were more likely to be at risk of depression (aOR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.31-2.35) compared to those with low ST, but this was not the case for those who had high VPA-high ST (aOR=1.18, 95%CI: 0.81-1.71). Conclusion These findings suggest that having either low ST or sufficient VPA may be protective for RD in adolescents. With ST increasing and PA remaining low in French-speaking Belgian adolescents, health promotion initiatives should continue to promote both PA and the reduction of sedentary behaviours in adolescents.

Space cannot substitute for time in the study of the ecosystem services-human wellbeing relationship

The relationship between ecosystem services (ES) and human well-being (HWB) is fundamental to the science and practice of sustainability. But studies have shown conflicting results, which has been attributed to the influences of indicators, contexts, and scales. Yet, another potential factor, which has been overlooked, may be the mixed use of spatial and temporal approaches. Using twelve ES and seven well-being indicators and multiple statistical methods, we quantified and compared the spatial and temporal ES-HWB relationships for Inner Mongolia, China. The spatial and temporal relationships differed in both correlation direction and strength. Most relationships of economic and employment-related indicators with food provisioning and supporting services were temporally positive but spatially nonsignificant or negative, while some relationships of economic and employment-related indicators with Water Retention, Sandstorm Prevention, and Wind Erosion were temporally negative but spatially complex. However, the spatial and temporal ES-HWB relationships could also be similar in some cases. We conclude that although both the spatial and temporal approaches have merits, space generally cannot substitute for time in the study of ES-HWB relationship. Our study helps reconcile the seemingly conflicting findings in the literature, and suggests that future studies should explicitly distinguish between the spatial and temporal relationships between ES and HWB.

P037 IMPROVING WELLBEING AND MENTAL HEALTH IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS: A PILOT STUDY ON NATURE IMMERSION THERAPY

Background and Objective: Nature immersion therapy, also known as “Vitamin N,” has demonstrated a significant impact on enhancing well-being and mental health indicators. This pilot study aims to investigate the effects of Vitamin N treatment on the well-being, mental health, and affect scores of hypertensive patients undergoing medical treatment. Methods: A convenience sample of stable hypertensive individuals participated in a standardized 3-hour nature immersion session. Participants completed pre- and post-treatment assessments using the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Paired samples analysis, including the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, was employed to assess changes in scores, along with effect size calculations. Results: The study comprised 18 participants, including 12 females (64.67%) and 6 males (33.33%), with 6 having a history of diabetes. Following conscious nature immersion therapy, a significant improvement was observed in the scores of the well-being scale, WHO-5, WEMWBS, and PANAS positive affect scale (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Conscious immersion therapy in nature yielded notable improvements in well-being assessment scales and increased positive affect scores (PANAS), suggesting potential benefits for enhancing well-being in patients with arterial hypertension.

Hybrid and on-site working: correlation between working modality and psychophysical health.

This study investigates the psychophysical health implications of hybrid and on-site working modalities among desk workers. It focuses on how hybrid work, integrating remote and on-site elements, influences physical activity, efficiency, and overall health. The research involved 57 desk workers, evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and accelerometers for physical activity, the Cubo Fitness Test for physical efficiency, and blood sample analyses for clinical parameters. Psychosocial traits were assessed through the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Psychological General Well-being Index, and the Job Content Questionnaire. We analyzed: 1) the correlation between physical activity, physical efficiency, and health parameters in the entire sample of desk workers (composed both by hybrid and on-site workers); 2) differences between hybrid and on-site workers; and 3) correlations between hybrid work composition (the percentage of remote working per week) and health-related parameters. Statistical analysis showed relationships between physical efficiency, amount of physical activity, and clinical health parameters in line with the literature. Moreover, hybrid workers engaged in significantly more intense physical activities outside work hours than on-site workers. In addition, hybrid working showed better results in some components of psychosocial well-being. Despite that, no significant differences were found in clinical health parameters. A correlation analysis between hybrid work composition and all considered health-related parameters highlighted that the higher the remote working, the higher the vigorous physical activity, but the worse the psychosocial status and clinical parameters. The findings suggest that a hybrid working model could effectively support the health of desk workers if adequately balanced.

Socioeconomic Factors and Its Correlation with Nutritional Status in Toddlers: A Study in Papua

Nutritional status in toddlers is a critical indicator of overall well-being and long-term health outcomes. Malnutrition among children is persistent and continues to be an alarming burden, often linked to socioeconomic factors in Papua. This study aims to analyze the relationship between socioeconomics and the nutritional health of toddlers. This cross-sectional study involved 300 toddlers aged 1–5 years from working areas at the Primary Health Center (PHC) Remu, Sorong City, Papua. We collected data by conducting structured interviews with the mothers and measuring the anthropometric traits of the toddlers. Socioeconomics was assessed through family income, maternal education, and access to healthcare. We measured nutritional status using WHO standards for weight-for-age (underweight), height-for-age (stunting), and weight-for-height (wasting). We implemented the Pearson and Spearman correlation tests for data analysis. The results indicated family income (p < 0.05), maternal education (p < 0.05), and access to healthcare (p < 0.05) were significantly correlated with nutritional status. This study highlights the significant influence of socioeconomic status on the nutritional status of toddlers in Papua. Toddlers from families with higher income, better maternal education, and enhanced accessibility to healthcare had better nutritional outcomes, with lower rates of stunting, wasting, and underweight. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions and enhancing access to nutritional and healthcare services in Papua, particularly in rural and remote areas, to reduce malnutrition and promote better health outcomes for children.

Mobility ideation due to water problems during historic 2022 drought associated with livestock wealth, water and food insecurity, and fingernail cortisol concentration in northern Kenya

Climate change is triggering environmental mobility through chronic water problems and punctuated events. Thinking about moving locations, or “mobility ideation”, is the precursor to migration intentionality and actual migration. Drawing on the embodiment construct, this study examines how the worst drought in recent history in the Horn of Africa affected water-related mobility ideation and, in turn, fingernail cortisol concentration (FCC), a chronic stress biomarker, among Daasanach semi-nomadic pastoralists in northern Kenya. To address these questions, we primarily draw on survey, anthropometric, water quality, and biomarker data among 175 adults living in seven communities in 2022. We used mixed-effects ordered logistic regression to test how livestock wealth, water insecurity, food insecurity, and anxiety/depression symptom scores were associated with household mobility ideation. We then used generalized linear models to test the association between mobility ideation on FCC. Thinking about moving at least once due to water problems increased from pre-drought in 2019 (55%) to during the drought in 2022 (92%), while actual mobility declined. Livestock wealth, while associated with actual mobility in the prior year, was protective against increased mobility ideation, while water insecurity, food insecurity, and anxiety/depression symptoms were associated with greater odds of thinking of leaving in 2022. Compared to adults who did not consider moving, those who considered moving rarely, sometimes, and often had FCC levels 18.1% higher (95% CI, 1.01–1.38; p = 0.039), 19.4% higher (1.01–1.41; p = 0.040), and 32.3% higher (1.01–1.73; p = 0.039), respectively, with results consistent in sensitivity analyses. Extreme climatic events in water scarce regions may increase mobility ideation through worsened experiential indicators of well-being and resource insecurity. Mobility ideation may capture measures of adversity suffered by pastoralists and signify climate distress. This research broadens understanding of how droughts get under the skin by leading to resource insecurity and triggering thoughts of moving, which increases chronic stress.

Capturing the social values of a mix-used university campus outdoor: An assessment of the Agricultural University of Tirana

Although mixed-use campuses are recognized by designers, little attention is paid to the social values that their outdoor environment generates for the wider community. Aiming to identify social values, the methodology used in this study includes a survey that is applied via an online questionnaire (N=156) to explore users’ perceptions about the values the campus produces to translate into indicators of wellbeing. This study’s aim is to identify indicators of wellbeing that can capture campus social value, referring to a continuously changing campus (Agricultural University of Tirana). The results indicate that the social and cultural benefits that come from a mixed-use campus are related to the adequacy of physical outdoor environments and social activities. However, compared to mixed-use spaces, outdoor spaces that preserve the functions of agricultural backgrounds (as originally designed) have higher social values. We suggest that both physical and non-physical determinants play a basic role in enhancing social interaction (this is a strong indicator), so they must be included in the policies and strategies of the higher education systems.

Building a fuzzy model for determining the level of social well-being of the population

This paper considers objects that affect the social security of the country. The complexity of such objects makes the development of computer systems in sociological research a difficult algorithmic task because of information uncertainty. Human thinking is based on inaccurate, approximate data, the analysis of which makes it possible to formulate clear decisions. In practice, there are usually no precise mathematical models that describe social objects. In such cases, it is advisable to use fuzzy mathematics as a tool for solving this problem. The main advantage of this approach compared to other artificial intelligence methods is the ability to interpret the results obtained. To assess the level of social well-being of the population, we used the mathematical apparatus of fuzzy set theory and fuzzy inference. The study is based on the OECD Better Life Index, which was developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to help countries assess and improve the quality of life of their citizens. In the course of the study, a fuzzy inference system was built to measure the social well-being of the population based on the indicators of the OECD Better Life Index. Since determining the level of social well-being is a complex task, a hierarchical structure with two main groups of social well-being indicators was constructed to simplify it. The resultant system evaluates each social indicator included in the OECD’s Better Life Index. Using the fuzzy inference model built, it was possible to assess the social well-being of the country’s population in a simple and transparent way in comparison with the OECD member countries. The results of the study make it possible to understand which indicators of social well-being of the country’s population are desirable or need to be improved in the future

How does green finance affect human well-being in the context of aging populations? Evidences from China

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of green finance on human well-being in China in the context of urbanization and aging population. It aims to explore the contributions of green finance in such demographic scenarios. Design/methodology/approach This study innovates and optimizes the calculation of the carbon intensity of human well-being (CIWB) index and strengthens the integrity of the assessment model for green finance development. It uses the serial multiple mediator model and moderation effect analysis to address the impact of green finance on human well-being in China on the provincial level from 2009 to 2020. Findings Green finance has a significant, positive and direct impact on human well-being. Simultaneously, it influences human well-being indirectly through three transmission channels. Urbanization and an ageing population are significant individual mediators through which green finance contributes to human well-being improvement. Notably, these two mediators also work together to transfer the promotional impact of green finance to human well-being. Practical implications The government can perfect the regulations to strengthen the market ecosystem to accelerate the development of green finance. Reforms on the administrative division to expand the size of cities with the implementation of ageing friendly development strategy is also necessary. Attracting incoming foreign direct investment in sustainable projects and adjusting public projects and trade activities to fulfil the sustainable principles are also regarded as essential. Social implications The findings challenge traditional views on the impact of aging populations, highlighting the beneficial role of green finance in improving well-being amidst demographic changes. This offers a new perspective on economic and environmental sustainability in aging societies. Originality/value A multi-dimensional well-being indicator, CIWB and the serial multiple mediator model are used and direct and indirect impacts of green finance on human well-being is exhibited. It offers novel insights on the transmission channels behind, identifies the mediating role of urbanization and ageing population and offers empirical evidences with strong academic and policy implications.

Factors Influencing Mental Well-being Among Older Malaysians.

Older adults are at greater risk of mental health issues. This study examined the factors influencing mental well-being among 2230 Malaysian older adults, using data from the 2018 to 2019 Malaysia Ageing and Retirement Survey. The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) was used to assess mental well-being, and linear regression analysis identified the significant factors. Women had lower mental well-being scores than men (P = .012, β = -0.016). Chinese (P = .024, β = -0.020), Indian (P < .001, β = -0.043), and other ethnicities (P < .001, β = -0.031) reported lower scores than Malays. The factors associated with better well-being were secondary (P = .001, β = 0.032) and tertiary education (P < .001, β = 0.063), and good (P < .001, β = 0.081) and moderate (P < .001, β = 0.038) health status. Diseases-limiting activities were associated with poor well-being (P < .001, β = -0.030). Support from family (P < .001, β = 0.062) and friends (P < .001, β = 0.032), social activity participation (P < .001, β = 0.026), and functional ability (P < .001, β = 0.043) were significant positive factors. There is a need for targeted interventions to enhance mental health among Malaysian older adults.

Validation of the Danish Version of the Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale (ODSIS): A Reliable Instrument for Assessing Depression Symptoms and Functional Impairment.

In psychotherapy, having a reliable tracking tool is vital for effective treatment. We have validated the Danish version of the 'Overall Depression Severity and Impairment Scale' (ODSIS), which is used in the Unified Protocol for Emotional Disorders (UP) and other cognitive behavioural therapies. This five-item self-rating scale is expected to correspond closely to the gold-standard Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), but also to self-rating scales addressing daily functioning and well-being. Internal consistency is assessed using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. Criterion validity is explored through Pearson's correlation coefficient with BDI-II, the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), the Five-Item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and scatter plots, and an optimal cut-off score is determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. The study included 340 respondents: 234 from a recent clinical trial, 56 psychiatric patients from inpatient/outpatient units and 50 healthy volunteers. ODSIS demonstrates strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.887-0.956, McDonald's omega: 0.888-0.957). Correlations with BDI-II, WSAS and WHO-5 highlight its strong criterion validity (BDI-II: 0.847, WSAS: 0.751, WHO-5: 0.771). The optimal cut-off score (> 7.5) for detecting depression shows great sensitivity (0.862) and specificity (0.731). The Danish version of ODSIS proves to be a reliable instrument for quantification of a combination of depression level and functional impairment from the symptoms. Its high correlation with established BDI-II makes it a brief and handy tool for repeated measurement in clinical and research settings.

Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the years before – a cohort study on sports students

PurposeWithin the student population, students who study sport at the university level represent a special cohort struggling with specific academic and developmental challenges. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that sports students are particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of their mental health. The aim of this study is to examine whether mental health (i.e. depression and well-being) among sports students changed during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the data before the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe current study compared 907 German sports students before the COVID-19 pandemic to 1,124 German sports students during the COVID-19 pandemic (55.7% BA students, 13.3% MA students and 29.4% PE students). Mental health was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2) (risk for depression) and the well-being index (WHO-5). To identify students at risk, a cut-off score of = 3 (PHQ-2) or of = 12 (WHO-5) was used.FindingsThe results show that across all study programs, the risk for depression was significantly higher and well-being was significantly lower during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Moreover, remarkably more sports students were at high risk for depression (11.1% vs 38.3%) or showed strongly decreased well-being (24.6% vs 57.3%) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period.Originality/valueThe results are comparable to those of other fields of study that do not involve physical activity. Implications for further research, for sports students’ mental health practice and for mental health professionals are discussed. It remains to be examined to what extent this impairment also has an impact on the further psychological development of the students after the pandemic.

Do people's health, financial and social resources contribute to subjective wellbeing differently at the age of fifty than later in life?

Population aging calls for a thorough understanding of how age impacts subjective wellbeing. Resource theories posit that people need resources, such as health and social relations, to produce subjective wellbeing. Since losing resources is more likely at older age, we examined whether the availability of resources indeed changes with age, and how this affects subjective wellbeing.We analysed data from 75,895 individuals aged 50 and older participating in two or more waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe. We analysed, separately for women and men, fixed effect regression models, estimating main and interaction effects of age and indicators of health, financial and social resources on two indicators of subjective wellbeing, i.e., life satisfaction and quality of life.We found that the contribution of health to subjective wellbeing does not diminish in later life, and is not different for women and men. Also, having some close others is important for both women and men to maintain subjective wellbeing at every age. However, having a wider social network contributes more to the subjective wellbeing of women than of men at older age. Furthermore, having limited financial means and being widowed might get a bit easier to endure with advanced age, though there is no threshold of age after which any of these resources becomes irrelevant.Health and social policies are needed to strengthen older people's resources, to help maintain subjective wellbeing up to very old age. Gender differences should be taken into account when developing these policies.

Association between marginal part-time work and depressive symptoms: results from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey and the European Working Conditions Telephone Survey.

Marginal part-time workers, working less than 15hours per week, are a vulnerable working population. We investigated the association between marginal part-time work and depressive symptoms in Korea and European countries to suggest policy implications. This study used data from the sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) from 2020 to 2021 and European Working Conditions Telephone Survey (EWCTS) in 2021. For the KWCS, 31 789 participants were included in the analysis, and for the EWCTS, 59 070 participants were analyzed. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index (WBI-5). A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between marginal part-time work and depressive symptoms with KWCS and EWCTS data. In Korea, there was a statistically significant association between depressive symptoms and marginal part-time work. On the other hand, in European countries, the association was not remarkable. Low income and employment instability partially mediated the relationship between marginal part-time work and depressive symptoms in Korea. Conclusions. Korean marginal part-time workers face systemic discrimination related to job insecurity and financial rewards, which appear to contribute to depressive symptoms.

Profiles of well-being and their associations with self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, and gratitude among patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

Patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) often experience poor well-being. Common limitations of the studies on this topic involve using variable-centred and deficit-based approaches. In this study, we used the person-centred approach to identify profiles of positive (life satisfaction and health status) and negative (depression, anxiety, fatigue, and stress) indicators of well-being among patients with RMDs. Moreover, we tested self-forgiveness, forgiveness of others, gratitude, and sociodemographics as contributors to latent profile membership. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Using a latent profile analysis, we investigated well-being profiles among 892 patients with RMDs (759 patients with arthritis and 133 with fibromyalgia [FM]) and examined the correlates of latent profile membership. We identified four profiles of well-being: (1) 'life dissatisfaction' (9.2%), (2) 'high well-being' (43.4%), (3) 'suboptimal well-being' (35.2%), and (4) 'very poor well-being' (12.2%). Members of Profile 2 had higher levels of self-forgiveness and gratitude than members of the remaining profiles, had higher levels of forgiveness of others than Profile 3, and were older than members of Profile 4. Moreover, members of Profile 2 had a higher proportion of patients with arthritis relative to those with FM than all other profiles and men to women than Profile 4. Patients with RMDs are heterogeneous in terms of well-being. Self-forgiveness, gratitude, and forgiveness of others may serve as psychological capital that enhances patients' well-being. Special attention should be paid to patients with FM, women, and younger patients since they can be especially susceptible to poor well-being.

Are profiles of job insecurity associated with health-related indicators among faculty in Swedish academia?

Job insecurity is a work stressor associated with various health-related impairments. As concerns about the ubiquity of job insecurity in academia have become increasingly prominent, the potential implications of job insecurity for the health and well-being of faculty require attention. Specifically, these implications may vary between groups within academia, yet little is known about such variations, particularly with respect to different indicators of health and well-being. This study aims to identify and examine profiles of job insecurity (including quantitative and qualitative dimensions) in relation to exhaustion, depressive symptoms, well-being, and work-family conflict among faculty in Sweden. Self-reports in questionnaires were collected in 2021 from a representative sample of faculty, with a doctoral degree, working in Swedish public higher education institutions (N = 2,729 respondents; 48% women; average age: 50 years; 82% born in Sweden). Latent profile analysis was conducted to identify profiles of job insecurity, followed by statistical comparisons on demographic covariates and health-related indicators across profiles. The latent profile analysis revealed five job insecurity profiles: the moderately insecure (n = 215), the secure (n = 1777), the secure; quality-concerned (n = 406), the insecure; employment-concerned (n = 177), and the insecure (n = 154). Twelve percent of the sample was identified as vulnerable, particularly the insecure profile, where these individuals may be most at a risk for exhaustion disorder and depression. Among faculty in Sweden, quantitative and qualitative dimensions of job insecurity appear to be closely connected, with the qualitative dimension seemingly more informative for health-related indicators.

Predicting psychological well-being based on attitudes toward aging and social support mediated by hope in life

ABSTRACT Given the increasing size and share of older population and the various mental and psychological challenges that individuals face with on the path of life to reach old age, it is crucial to investigate the factors affecting psychological well-being. Therefore, the present study aimed to predict psychological well-being based on attitudes toward aging and social support by meditating on hope in life. This study employed a correlational design with path analysis to explore the relationships between the variables of focus. The sample comprised 468 individuals aged 15 or older residing in Qom, Iran. Participants were recruited randomly using a systematic approach from 2021 to 2022. The participants completed the demographic profile questionnaire, Kogan’s Attitudes Toward Older People Scale, Snyder’s Adult Hope Scale, Vaux et al. Social Support Appraisals Scale, and the World Health Organization Well-Being Index. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests of Spearman’s correlation and the structural equation model in SPSS24 and AMOS24. The hypothesized research model demonstrated an acceptable fit to the data (CMIN = 0.424, GFI = 1.000, CFI = 1.000, RMSEA = 0.001). Moreover, the variables of attitudes toward aging (β = 0.178, p < .01) and social support (β = 0.366, p < .001) jointly accounted for 19.3% of the variance in hope in life. Additionally, social support (β = 0.356, p < .001) and hope in life (β = 0.214, p < .001) collectively explained 23.6% of the variance in psychological well-being. The mediating role of hope in life in the relationship between attitudes toward aging and social support with individuals’ psychological well-being should be emphasized. Positive education programs appear to be essential for improving attitudes toward aging, increasing hope in life, and ultimately promoting psychological well-being in society.

Health and Well-Being Among College Students in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Daily Diary Study.

There is evidence that anxiety and stress increased among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, less is known about daily experiences of affect, worry, substance use behaviors, experiences of pleasure, concern over food security, experiences of bias or discrimination, feelings of belongingness, and other indicators of well-being and how they vary across days in this population. This study surveyed a wide range of indicators of health and well-being in daily life over 21 days with a sample of college students in a large university system in the United States during the pandemic. The overall variance in each daily measure was partitioned to reflect the proportion due to (1) between-person differences versus (2) within-person, day-to-day variability. This is important because measures that vary primarily due to between-person differences may be more amenable to interventions that target particular students, whereas measures that vary more due to day-to-day variability may be more amenable to interventions that target day-level contextual factors. A sample of 2068 young adult college students (aged 18-24, mean 19.8, SD 1.3 years; 66.6% women) completed a baseline survey; 97.3% (n=2012) then completed up to 21 consecutive daily surveys that assessed a comprehensive set of daily markers of health, behavior, and well-being. The daily diary study produced a total of 33,722 person-days. Among all person-days, a minority were substance use days (eg, 14.5% of days involved alcohol use, 5.6% vaping, and 5.5% cannabis). Experiences of pleasure were reported on most (73.5%) days. Between-person differences explained more than 50% of the variance in numerous indicators of health and well-being, including daily vaping, cannabis use, other illicit substance use, experiences of bias or discrimination, positive affect, negative affect, worry, food insecurity, and feelings of belonging at the university. In contrast, within-person differences explained more than 50% of the variance in daily alcohol use, cigarette use, stress, experiences of pleasure, where the student slept last night, and physical activity. College student health and well-being are multifaceted, with some aspects likely driven by person-level characteristics and experiences and other aspects by more dynamic, contextual risk factors that occur in daily life. These findings implicate services and interventions that should target individual students versus those that should target days on which students are at high risk for poor experiences or behaviors.