Individual Well-being Research Articles

ASPECTOS EMOCIONAIS E DESAFIOS NA PRÁTICA DOS PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE

Introduction: The emotional challenges faced by healthcare professionals are frequent and significantly impact the quality of care provided and individual well-being. This study addresses factors such as workload, constant exposure to suffering, and the stigmatization of emotional care, highlighting the effects exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: A literature review was conducted based on PRISMA guidelines, covering articles published between 2016 and 2024. The consulted databases included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Articles analyzing emotional aspects and coping strategies related to healthcare professionals were included, while studies outside the scope or duplicates were excluded. Results and Discussion: The review highlighted the prevalence of burnout, anxiety, and other stress-related disorders among healthcare professionals. Psychological support strategies, resilience training, and practices such as mindfulness proved effective in reducing emotional impacts. However, barriers such as stigma and the lack of adequate institutional policies limit the implementation of preventive and corrective interventions. Conclusions: Promoting the emotional well-being of healthcare professionals is an ethical and strategic priority. Public policies and integrated institutional actions, combined with the use of psychological monitoring technologies, can mitigate the identified challenges, strengthening the sustainability of healthcare systems and the quality of care provided.

Using Inclusive Socratic Method to Remove Barriers to Diverse Student Engagement in Law School Classrooms

The Socratic method has been a foundational pedagogical approach in legal education to elicit reasoned responses and effective arguments from students. While this technique is seen as an effective means of building critical thinking skills and challenging students to analyse complex legal concepts, it can also alienate and intimidate women and minorities. Indeed, research has shown that these negative impacts can have far-reaching implications for these students’ educational performance, wellbeing, and future in the legal profession. This paper draws upon the academic literature for fostering supportive and inclusive environments in diverse law school classrooms to design and test an innovative adaptation of the inclusive Socratic method. By adding embedded dialogic feedback, authentic assessment and collaborative activities to create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment for law students from diverse backgrounds, our model promotes equal opportunities and cohort-building, while also fostering individual empowerment and wellbeing. In doing so, this new model of teaching and learning also assists in providing a solution to gender, ethnicity, class and health disparities in educational performance and participation in the legal profession.

The relationship between income and subjective well-being: the case of Spain

This paper examines the evolution of individual subjective well-being (SWB) in Spain from 2013 to 2022, with special focus on its relationship with income. Of the many driving forces of SWB identified in the literature, income is one of the most controversial. We use a large sample of individuals to analyze how income and SWB interacted during the post-2008 crisis period. As expected, our findings show that income is positively related to SWB, but at a decreasing rate. The time interaction with income reveals that the effect of income has also diminished over time. Therefore, as material conditions have improved in Spain during the period under analysis, the relevance of income in determining SWB has not.

Integration of educational strategies and their impact on conflict resolution between company employees

This article addresses the pressing issue of training and mediation for conflict resolution among employees within a corporate setting. Employing a methodology that includes literature analysis, comparative studies, and surveys, we explore various strategies and their effectiveness in mitigating workplace conflicts. Through a comprehensive comparison with metrics and conclusions from other scholarly works, we provide a nuanced understanding of the current landscape of conflict resolution practices. As a result of our research, we implemented a tailored training program focused on conflict resolution for employees within a mobile company, alongside the development of a competency framework designed to enhance conflict resolution skills. This framework comprises five integral components: emotional, operational, motivational, behavioral, and regulatory. Our findings suggest that training in each of these competencies is essential for fostering a healthy workplace environment and must be integrated into organizational practices. The importance of this initiative cannot be overstated; effective conflict resolution skills are not only vital for individual employee wellbeing but also crucial for the overall efficiency and productivity of the organization. By investing in these competencies, companies can reduce turnover, enhance team cohesion, and create a more positive and collaborative workplace culture.

The Silent Burden: Investigating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Social Isolation Among Healthcare Workers During COVID-19

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses and paramedics. This study investigates the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the impact of social ostracism on psychological distress among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Poland, with a focus on exploring the interplay between professional and social factors contributing to their stress. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March 2021 and February 2022 with 852 HCWs from four Polish provinces. PTSD symptoms were measured using the PTSD Checklist—Civilian Version (PCL-C), and social ostracism was assessed through a custom-designed questionnaire. Results: Of the participants, 14.1% reported experiencing social ostracism, and 4.9% observed such experiences among colleagues. Those who experienced or witnessed ostracism reported significantly higher PTSD symptoms (p < 0.001). Concerns about personal health and the well-being of older individuals were strongly associated with increased PTSD severity, while concerns for household members were not. Conclusions: Social ostracism exacerbates the psychological burden on healthcare workers, contributing to higher levels of PTSD. This study highlights the need for targeted mental health interventions and support systems, including resilience training and stigma reduction initiatives, to address these challenges. Future research should explore cross-national comparisons and long-term psychological effects among diverse healthcare populations.

Analysis of Housing Topics for Middle-Aged Adults in Online News Articles Using Text-Mining Techniques

Middle-aged adults face social isolation and economic insecurity due to limited institutional support, and despite government efforts, their financial, housing, and health challenges persist. This study explored housing welfare support strategies for middle-aged individuals through an analysis of major topics related to "middle-aged housing" in online news articles using text mining techniques. For this purpose, data from Naver articles published between February 2020 and July 2023 were collected and analyzed. The key findings were as follows: term frequency (TF) and term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) comparisons revealed that TF focused on social and policy aspects ("support," "youth," "project," "region," "household," "policy," "housing," and "welfare"), highlighting government support characteristics, while TF-IDF emphasized economic aspects ("move-in," "market," "region," "housing," "price," "rise," "subscription," "apartment," "Jeonse," and "sale"), highlighting issues related to the housing market. This suggests that policies to improve housing welfare for middle-aged individuals should consider both social and economic aspects. Network analysis identified six major categories: housing support, support targets, housing economy, job support, housing infrastructure, and health and well-being. Each category was further divided into the following detailed topics: policy support, residential services, economic activities, employment creation, living environment improvement, and personalized health management. These findings indicate the need for comprehensive support that addresses various aspects of middle-aged housing welfare, including family considerations, economic support, social engagement, health, and digital adaptation.

The Role of Saudi Nurses in the Care of Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Systematic Review

This systematic review investigates the pivotal, yet underexplored, role of Saudi nurses in caring for patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a prevalent mental health condition that profoundly impacts individuals' daily lives and well-being. Given the rising mental health challenges in Saudi Arabia and the cultural stigma often surrounding mental health care, it is essential to better understand and strengthen the support provided by nurses—frequently the frontline caregivers in OCD treatment. The study synthesizes existing research on the contributions of Saudi nurses to OCD care across multiple domains, including patient assessment, therapeutic interventions, and family support, which is particularly significant within the Saudi cultural context. By examining current practices and the challenges nurses face, such as limited mental health training, lack of institutional resources, and cultural barriers to open discussions of mental health, this review reveals structural limitations that impact the effectiveness of nursing care. At the same time, the analysis highlights the resilience and adaptability of Saudi nurses, who frequently operate with limited specialized resources and navigate considerable obstacles in their work. The findings underscore an urgent need for a culturally informed approach to OCD care that combines enhanced mental health training specific to OCD with strengthened institutional support to address the unique challenges faced by Saudi nurses. This review calls on healthcare policymakers to prioritize mental health within the Saudi healthcare system and advocates for developing comprehensive mental health nursing frameworks that integrate cultural sensitivity with clinical expertise. By providing a nuanced understanding of Saudi nurses' roles in OCD care, this study illuminates the specific barriers they face and suggests pathways to improve mental health care quality across Saudi Arabia. Ultimately, it establishes a foundation for future research aimed at transforming mental health nursing practices to better meet the complex needs of OCD patients in ways that are both culturally respectful and clinically effective.

Before reaching the finish line: incompletion of the tenth grade of schooling in Nepal

ObjectiveIncompletion of the basic levels of education is known to adversely affect the social and economic well-being of individuals, as well as a nation’s prosperity. This paper analyzes the correlates of selected characteristics associated with the incompletion of 10th grade among students in Nepal.Data and methodsData on 2,812 youth in ages 18–24, extracted from the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, are used to analyze the proportion of youth who did not complete the 10th grade. The variations by contextual, household, and individual characteristics are analyzed through descriptive and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAmong the age group of 18–24, the majority – 64% of males and 69% of females – did not complete secondary school. Household wealth showed a consistent and strong effect on incompletion. Overall, the household wealth variable accounted for much of the variation in the incompletion of the 10th grade across the country’s provinces. Additionally, being married is associated with a higher likelihood of incompletion of secondary school, net of the influence of other factors.ConclusionIn Nepal, a significant number of students do not complete the 10th grade of schooling. Sustained efforts, through targeted policies and interventions, are needed to ensure that students who begin secondary school do not leave before completing their education.

Associations Between Ayahuasca Use in Naturalistic Settings and Mental Health and Wellbeing Outcomes: Analysis of a Large Global Dataset

ABSTRACT Emerging evidence indicates that ayahuasca consumption may have beneficial mental health effects. This study undertakes the largest analysis to date of associations between naturalistic ayahuasca use and current mental health status via an online cross-sectional survey. The sample included 7,576 participants (average age 41, 47% female) who had consumed ayahuasca in religious, traditional, or non-traditional settings in over 50 countries. Bivariate analysis, multivariate linear regressions and generalized structural equation modeling were used to explore associations between ayahuasca use variables, current mental health (K10, SF-12 MCS), and psychological well-being change (PWG). The number of ayahuasca uses was found to be positively associated with current mental health status (all measures), and this remained highly significant in multivariate models, with little evidence of associations diminishing over time. Variables such as the strength of the mystical experience, self-insights, and community/social variables were also positively associated with current mental health and PWG, while acute extreme fear and integration difficulties were negatively associated. Findings suggest that naturalistic ayahuasca use is associated with better current mental health status and enhanced psychological wellbeing for individuals with and without a history of mental illness, independent of community effects, with certain variables contributing positively or negatively to these effects.

A Use of Urban Green Space and Wellbeing of Individuals in Male’ City, Maldives

A Use of Urban Green Space and Wellbeing of Individuals in Male’ City, Maldives

Immunosenescence: Aging and Immune System Decline

Immunosenescence, a systematic reduction in the immune system connected with age, profoundly affects the health and well-being of elderly individuals. This review outlines the hallmark features of immunosenescence, including thymic involution, inflammaging, cellular metabolic adaptations, and hematopoietic changes, and their impact on immune cells such as macrophages, neutrophils, T cells, dendritic cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. Thymic involution impairs the immune system’s capacity to react to novel antigens by reducing thymopoiesis and shifting toward memory T cells. Inflammaging, characterized by chronic systemic inflammation, further impairs immune function. Cellular metabolic adaptations and hematopoietic changes alter immune cell function, contributing to a diminished immune response. Developing ways to reduce immunosenescence and enhance immunological function in the elderly population requires an understanding of these mechanisms.

Exploring Community Workshops on Health and Arts

This review examines the intersection of health and the arts within community workshops, highlighting how these programs foster individual and community well-being, expand professional health training, and offer new frameworks for understanding health holistically. By using creative expression as a pathway to enhance mental, social, and emotional health, these participant-centered workshops promote adaptive capacities, social bonds, and cultural inclusion. This paper examines relevant research agendas, particularly those that study health outcomes related to arts-based engagement, and advocates for the integration of arts into public health strategies. Attention is given to designing inclusive, trauma-informed practices that respond to community needs, with case studies illustrating both successful implementation and areas for improvement. A future-focused section encourages the creation of policy-driven frameworks and resource hubs that prioritize sustainable community arts initiatives in public health. Keywords: Community health, arts integration, well-being, mental health, social engagement, public health.

Pengaruh Pengetahuan Investasi, dan Herding Behaviour terhadap Keputusan Cryptocurrency (Studi Kasus pada Mahasiswa Perguruan Tinggi Negeri di Jambi)

This descriptive quantitative study aims to analyze and produce an empirical test of the influence of investment knowledge and herd behavior on cryptocurrency investment decisions among state university students in Jambi. The population and sample used are state university students in Jambi who have carried out cryptocurrency investment activities. The samples in this study were 54. Meanwhile, the total sample did not include Jambi Ministry of Health Polytechnic students. Data was collected by distributing questionnaires using Google Forms and Likert scale measurements. The data testing techniques used were validity and reliability tests, r-square tests, and hypothesis tests using Smartpls 4.0 software. The study results showed that (1) investment knowledge positively and significantly affects investment decisions. The better the students' investment knowledge about cryptocurrency is, the more it will affect investment decisions. The combination of awareness, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors is needed to make the right financial decisions and achieve individual financial well-being. and (2) Herding Behavior has a positive and significant effect on investment decisions; herd behavior is influenced by psychological factors that make investors take illogical actions, significantly when market uncertainty increases and market volatility is high. This is following the theory of financial behavior, which states that subjective norms, among others, are influenced by other investors' opinions, which can affect the decision of state university students in Jambi to invest in cryptocurrency. These findings have practical implications for understanding and managing cryptocurrency investments in the face of market uncertainty.

Perceived school climate, collective teacher efficacy, self-compassion, and subjective well-being in Chinese university teachers: a mediation analysis

This research investigates the relationships between perceived school climate, collective teacher efficacy, teacher self-compassion, and their combined impact on the subjective well-being of Chinese university teachers (n = 617). Utilizing a social-ecological framework, we employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine these relationships. Our findings reveal direct positive associations between perceived school climate and collective teacher efficacy with teacher subjective well-being. Furthermore, teacher self-compassion emerged as a significant mediator in these relationships, highlighting its role as a crucial personal resource that links the school environment to individual well-being. These results underscore the importance of fostering positive school climates, enhancing collective efficacy, and cultivating self-compassion to support teacher well-being in the context of Chinese higher education. The implications of these findings for educational policies and practices aimed at promoting a more sustainable and flourishing academic environment are discussed.

The effectiveness of listening to memory songs in reducing depression in the elderly

Introduction: Depression is a prevalent psychological issue among the elderly, often exacerbated by isolation and various physical and mental health challenges. As a non-pharmacological intervention, music therapy has shown potential in alleviating depressive symptoms. This study examines the effectiveness of listening to nostalgic songs in reducing depression among elderly residents. Methods: This study used a pre-experimental design with a one-group pretest-posttest approach. A total of 28 elderly participants who met the inclusion criteria were selected from a population of 43 individuals. The participants underwent a 20-minute intervention of listening to nostalgic songs, conducted six times over two weeks. Depression levels were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test in SPSS version 25 to determine the significance of the intervention's effects. Results: The analysis revealed a significant reduction in depression levels after the intervention, with a p-value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), indicating a statistically significant difference between pretest and posttest depression scores. This finding suggests that nostalgic music therapy effectively reduces depressive symptoms among elderly participants. Conclusions: The results support the hypothesis that listening to nostalgic songs can serve as an effective intervention for reducing depression in the elderly. Nostalgic music therapy can be considered a beneficial non-pharmacological approach to enhancing the psychological well-being of elderly individuals. Future studies with control groups and larger sample sizes are recommended to validate these findings further

Continuing the momentum of developmental psychopathology: Lessons learned from the seminal contributions of Dante Cicchetti.

The field of developmental psychopathology has grown broadly. Here, I draw upon lessons learned from Dante Cicchetti to highlight areas that show promise for continued disciplinary advancement. These include attention to equifinality and multifinality in the conceptualization of initial study designs, and more emphasis on specificity in accounting for developmental change. A shift from reliance on external events and towards greater diversity of research approaches will allow researchers to devote attention to the variety of ways that individuals come to understand and then respond to their own life experiences. The field of developmental psychopathology holds tremendous promise for advancing basic science about human development that can be applied to create interventions that improve the well-being of individuals and address significant societal issues.

Quality of life in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy: a review of literature and implications for practice.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is an atypical form of parkinsonism characterized by tauopathy, manifesting as oculomotor dysfunction, postural instability, akinesia, and cognitive/language impairments. The diagnosis and examination of PSP can be challenging, primarily due to the unclear and underexplored pathomechanisms involved, alongside absence of effective treatments. Clinical variants of PSP is the second most common form of neurodegenerative parkinsonism after Parkinson's disease (PD). It is defined by a symmetrical akinetic-rigid syndrome (atypical parkinsonism) and vertical supranuclear gaze palsy. In contrast to PD, PSP often presents with gait instability, backward falls, and cognitive and behavioral changes at early disease stages. The classification of PSP has evolved since Richardson, Steele, and Olszewski's initial reporting of the condition in 1963, which included a cohort of nine patients. Over the years, the definition of this disorder has evolved to encapsulate a group of patients with distinct clinical variants, notably the classical Richardson syndrome (RS) and several atypical phenotypes, each with significant implications for disease progression and quality of life (QoL). The 2017 Movement Disorder Society Diagnostic Criteria by Hoglinger et al., improved the sensitivity for detecting early and variant PSP presentations and provided more specific differential diagnoses for conditions such as PD and other forms of atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Owing to the growing interest in the disease's progression, evaluating the QoL for patients with PSP has become crucial. This review emphasizes the significance of QoL evaluation and its feasibility for practical implications, serving as an initial foundation for future research focused on the well-being of individuals affected by PSP. Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is an atypical form of parkinsonism characterized by tauopathy, manifesting as oculomotor dysfunction, postural instability, akinesia, and cognitive/language impairments. Diagnosing PSP is challenging owing to the lack of tools for differential examination. Additionally, the pathomechanism of this disease is not sufficiently understood, and no treatment is currently available. Owing to the growing interest in the disease's progression, evaluating the quality of life (QoL) for patients with PSP has become crucial. This review emphasizes the significance of QoL evaluation and its feasibility for practical implications, serving as an initial foundation for future research focused on the well-being of individuals affected by PSP.

The 2024 National Health Education Standards: Moving Toward Health and Well-Being

The release of the 2024 SHAPE America National Health Education Standards provides an updated take on the learning standards used to teach students how to become healthy and well. In this revision, the standards emphasize both individual and collective health and well-being; greater inclusion of strengths, assets, and opportunities to practice and work toward health and well-being of self and others; and a deeper understanding of how social and structural factors impact the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Based in theory and evidence, the revised standards provide foundational guidance for educators in the field and others seeking to improve the health and well-being of young people. This article introduces readers to the updated standards and highlights some key principles that guide their use.

Contextualising the job demands-resources model: a cross-sectional study of the psychosocial work environment across different healthcare professions.

The deteriorating psychosocial work environment among healthcare workers in Sweden, influenced by demanding working conditions and resource constraints, affects individual well-being and patient care quality. Healthcare workers, including physicians, registered nurses, and nursing assistants, often work interdependently and share workplaces, yet are three completely different professions. Nonetheless, comprehensive studies comparing their psychosocial work environments are scarce; often focusing on healthcare workers either separately or as a homogenous group, but rarely comparative. Utilising the job demands-resources model, this study investigated variations in the psychosocial work environment among Swedish healthcare workers. We wanted to identify how the antecedents of individual well-being, in the form of demands and resources, differed between healthcare workers. Data from the 2022 Longitudinal Occupational Health Survey for Health Care in Sweden were analysed; the participants included 7589 physicians, registered nurses, and nursing assistants. The analysis involved descriptive statistics, including measures of means and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), employing the Bonferroni correction for multiple post hoc comparisons. The ANCOVA was also stratified by working factors, including years of work experience and employment within the private/public sector. The study revealed significant variations in how healthcare workers perceive their psychosocial work environment. Physicians faced the highest level of Quantitative Demands (mean (x̄) 3.15; 95% CI 3.11-3.19), while registered nurses reported the most Emotional Demands (x̄ 3.37; 95% CI 3.32-3.41). Nursing assistants had the highest grand means for the imbalance between Efforts and Rewards (Effort Reward Imbalance) (x̄ 1.49; 95% CI 1.49-1.49) and an imbalance between Work and Private Life (Work-Life Interference) (x̄ 3.20, 95% CI 3.15-3.25), along with limited resources. The stratified analysis showed that years of experience and the sector affected healthcare workers' perceptions of their psychosocial working environment. For example, registered nurses working in the private sector reported better working conditions thanregistered nurses working in the public sector. The situation for nursing assistants was reversed. Psychosocial work environments are experienced differently between and within healthcare professions in Sweden. This study provides crucial insights for improving workplace conditions and consequently enhancing healthcare professionals' well-being and quality of patient care.

Risk Factors Associated with Mood Disorders in Canada

Background: Mental health presents a profound challenge globally, affecting around 970 million individuals. In Canada, mental disorders significantly impact the well-being of society and individuals, with one in three Canadians expected to face a mental problem during their lifetime. However, the utilization of mental health services is low, and a large proportion of the population does not have access to effective care. Objectives: This study was designed to identify key sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors associated with the prevalence of mood disorders among Canadians, thereby aiding in the development of targeted interventions. Methods: Utilizing data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2017-2018, multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, incorporating the sampling weights to make the inference representative of the Canadian population. Bootstrap weighting was applied to the multivariable associations to ensure robust variance estimates. Results: Females (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.86-2.16) and individuals with higher obesity levels (pre-obesity: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.05; obesity class 3: OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.88-3.00) were more likely to experience mood disorders. Conversely, higher income levels (>$80,000: OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.49-0.66; $60,000-$79,999: OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.56-0.77) and immigrant status (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.43-0.56) were linked to a lower prevalence of mood disorders. Being unmarried was also associated with lower odds of mood disorders. Furthermore, additional factors such as higher education, increased life stress, and smoking were found to significantly influence the prevalence of mood disorders. Conclusions: The prevalence of mood disorders in Canada is influenced by various factors, with significant gender disparities. These findings can assist policymakers and healthcare professionals in developing targeted interventions and allocating resources effectively to meet the specific needs of at-risk populations. Future research is necessary to address these determinants.