scholarly journals Meaning-in-Life: A Vital Salutogenic Resource for Health

2021 ◽  
pp. 85-101
Author(s):  
Gørill Haugan ◽  
Jessie Dezutter
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Search For Meaning ◽  
Health Science Research ◽  
The Individual

AbstractBased on evidence and theory, we state that facilitating and supporting people’s meaning-making processes are health promoting. Hence, meaning-in-life is a salutogenic concept.Authors from various disciplines such as nursing, medicine, psychology, philosophy, religion, and arts argue that the human search for meaning is a primary force in life and one of the most fundamental challenges an individual faces. Research demonstrates that meaning is of great importance for mental as well as physical well-being and crucial for health and quality of life. Studies have shown significant correlations between meaning-in-life and physical health measured by lower mortality for all causes of death; meaning is correlated with less cardiovascular disease, less hypertension, better immune function, less depression, and better coping and recovery from illness. Studies have shown that cancer patients who experience a high degree of meaning have a greater ability to tolerate bodily ailments than those who do not find meaning-in-life. Those who, despite pain and fatigue, experience meaning report better quality-of-life than those with low meaning. Hence, if the individual finds meaning despite illness, ailments, and imminent death, well-being, health, and quality-of-life will increase in the current situation. However, when affected by illness and reduced functionality, finding meaning-in-life might prove more difficult. A will to search for meaning is required, as well as health professionals who help patients and their families not only to cope with illness and suffering but also to find meaning amid these experiences. Accordingly, meaning-in-life is considered a vital salutogenic resource and concept.The psychiatrist Viktor Emil Frankl’s theory of “Will to Meaning” forms the basis for modern health science research on meaning; Frankl’s premise was that man has enough to live by, but too little to live for. According to Frankl, logotherapy ventures into the spiritual dimension of human life. The Greek word “logos” means not only meaning but also spirit. However, Frankl highlighted that in a logotherapeutic context, spirituality is not primarily about religiosity—although religiosity can be a part of it—but refers to a specific human dimension that makes us human. Frankl based his theory on three concepts: meaning, freedom to choose and suffering, stating that the latter has no point. People should not look for an inherent meaning in the negative events happening to them, or in their suffering, because the meaning is not there. The meaning is in the attitude people choose while suffering from illness, crises, etc.

Health literacy and its effects on well-being: how vulnerable healthcare service users integrate online resources

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 697-715
Author(s):  
Justine Virlée ◽  
Allard C.R. van Riel ◽  
Wafa Hammedi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual

Purpose This study aims to develop a better understanding of how online health community (OHC) members with different health literacy (HL) levels benefit from their participation, through the analysis and comparison of their resource integration (RI) processes. It investigates through a RI lens how the vulnerability of community members – captured as their level of HL – affects the benefits they derive from participation. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to investigate the effects of healthcare service users’ vulnerability. Data were collected about their profiles and levels of HL. Furthermore, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted. Findings The study demonstrates how low levels of HL act as a barrier to the integration of available online health resources. Participation in OHCs appears less beneficial for vulnerable users. Three types of benefits were identified at the individual level, namely, psychological quality-of-life, physical quality-of-life and learning. Benefits identified at the community level were: content generation and participation in the development of the community. Originality/value This study has implications for the understanding of how service users’ activities affect their own outcomes and how the vulnerability of users could be anticipated and considered in the design of the community.

scholarly journals Mindfulness in informal caregivers of palliative patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Kögler ◽  
Monika Brandstätter ◽  
Gian Domenico Borasio ◽  
Veronika Fensterer ◽  
Helmut Küchenhoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Psychological Well Being

AbstractObjectives:Mindfulness is a concept of growing impact on psychotherapy and has been shown to be effective for stress reduction and to improve psychological well-being. Existential Behavioural Therapy (EBT) was developed to support relatives of palliative care (PC) patients to cope with their situation during caregiving and bereavement. Mindfulness training was a core element of the intervention.We investigated the relationship between mindfulness, mental distress, and psychological well-being in informal caregivers, and evaluated if the effects of the intervention were mediated by mindfulness.Methods:Relatives of PC inpatients took part in a randomized-controlled EBT trial and completed the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised, items from the Five Facets of Mindfulness as well as the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the WHOQOL-BREF, a numerical rating scale on quality of life (range 0–10), and the Schedule for Meaning in Life Evaluation at pre- and post-intervention, and a 3- and 12-months follow-up.Results:One-hundred-and-thirty carers were included, most of them (71.6%) recently being bereaved at the beginning of the intervention. High correlations between mindfulness and mental distress (r = −0.51, p < 0.001) as well as life satisfaction (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) were found. Mindfulness was a significant predictor of improvement in psychological distress, meaning in life and quality of life three months after the intervention. The EBT effects were partly mediated by mindfulness.Significance of results:Mindfulness seems to be a promising concept in supporting informal caregivers of PC patients. Further research is needed to identify the required format and intensity of mindfulness practice necessary for improvement.

scholarly journals Individual Differences in Search for Meaning: The Role of Religion/Spirituality and Social Support-An Indian Perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Shweta Tandon ◽  
Dr. Seema Mehrotra
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Search For Meaning ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Role Of Religion

Background: The diagnosis of cancer can shake the equanimity of the strongest individual and the onset of symptoms and eventual diagnosis are occasions for questions such as “Why me?”, “Why now?”, and “How did I get this illness?” Aims: The purpose of the present research on a sample of 103 recently diagnosed cancer patients was to investigate the extent of preoccupation with search for meaning, to document individual differences when one is confronted with a cancer diagnosis and to record changes if any in preoccupation during an interval of one month. Secondly to assess the role of religion/spirituality as well as social support in individual encounters with cancer by examining the effects of these two variables among individuals facing a common stressful situation. Lastly to examine relationship of search for meaning with psychological outcomes (anxiety, depression and quality of life). Results: The results indicated that individual differences did exist in the degree of preoccupation with “why me”, social support scores significantly differentiated between subgroups with different levels of preoccupation with “why me?” and that patients with highest engagement with “why me” had poorer quality of life and elevated distress levels. Conclusion: Findings highlighted the important role of meaning making issues and the need to address them in intervention. Secondly dialoguing with treating physicians regarding the important role of psychological variables and their relation to distress levels and quality of life.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Well-Being. A Nationwide Online Survey Covering Three Pandemic Waves in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mateusz Babicki ◽  
Krzysztof Kowalski ◽  
Bogna Bogudzińska ◽  
Agnieszka Mastalerz-Migas
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Subjective Quality Of Life

The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant impact on human life. This study aims to assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and the assessment of the quality of life in different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic based on an online nationwide survey. The study was based on a voluntary, anonymous, and authors' own questionnaire. The first section assesses sociodemographic status. Then, standardized psychometric tools were used such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7), and the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA). The study was conducted in three stages corresponding to the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. The survey involved 5,790 respondents; 2,457, 1,626, and 1,707 for the first, second, and third pandemic wave, respectively. It was found that anxiety and depressive symptoms increased as the pandemic progressed. There was no significant effect on the subjective quality-of-life assessment. Moreover, there was a gradual decrease in anxiety about being infected with COVID-19 as well as reduced adherence to the Minister of Health's recommendations. As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, depressive and anxiety symptoms increased among Poles. Women, singles, and people with prior psychiatric treatment are more likely to develop the aforementioned symptoms.

scholarly journals Quality of Life as an Indicator for Care Delivery in Clinical Oncology Using FHIR

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal N.L. Beutter ◽  
Jan Ross ◽  
Patrick Werner ◽  
Dilyana Vladimirova ◽  
Uwe M. Martens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Element ◽  
Waiting Room ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
First Results ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Individual

Introduction: Health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) as a parameter for patient well-being is becoming increasingly important.[1] Nevertheless, it is mainly used as an endpoint in studies rather than as an indicator for adjustments in therapy. In this paper we will present an approach to gradually integrate quality of life (QoL) as a control element into the care delivery of oncology. Concept: Acceptance, usability, interoperability and data protection were identified and integrated as key indicators for the development. As an initial approach, a questionnaire tool was developed to provide patients a simplified answering of questionnaires and physicians a clearer presentation of the results. Implementation: As communication standard HL7 FHIR was used and known security concepts like OpenID Concept were integrated. In a usability study, first results were achieved by asking patients in the waiting room to answer a questionnaire, which will be discussed with the physician in the appointment. This study was conducted in 2019 at theSLK Clinics Heilbronn and achieved 86% participation of all respondents with an average age of 67 years. Discussion: Although the evaluation study could prove positive results in usability and acceptance, it is necessary to aim for longitudinal surveys in order to include QoL as a control element in the therapy. However, a longitudinal survey through questionnaires leads to decreasing compliance and increasing response bias. [2] For this reason, the concept needs to be expanded. With sensors a continuous monitoring can be carried out and the data can be mapped to the individual, interpreted by machine learning. Conclusion: Questionnaires are a concept that has been successfully applied in studies for years. However, since care delivery poses different challenges, the integration of new concepts is inevitable. The authors are currently working on an extension of the use of questionnaires with patient generated data through sensors.

scholarly journals Well-being, capabilities and philosophical practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 105-120
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Bulatovic
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Philosophical Practice ◽  
The Social ◽  
Unique Definition ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Assess Quality

The concept of well being has become the main criterion to assess quality of life in contemporary society. Individual well-being describes the individual quality of life, while social well-being refers to quality of life in a society. Given that well-being has a multitude of dimensions, a unique definition of it is elusive to scholars. In this article social well-being is conceptualised as a dynamic process within the context set by social integration as one?s relationship to society and the community. This includes the quality of interaction between the individual and society and one?s ?social actualisation? understood as the realisation of one?s social capacities. Social actualisation also involves one?s ability to influence social processes and to benefit from social cohesion, which consists, in any society, of the quality, organisation and functioning of the social world. Hence the ability to impact society is an integral part of individual well being. This paper suggests that philosophical practice as a new paradigm in the humanities holds out promise for the improvement of both individual and social well-being.

scholarly journals Tinjauan Literatur Kesan Obesiti ke atas Psikososial Remaja

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
NORFADILAWATI ALIAS ◽  
FUZIAH SHAFFIE
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Adolescent Development ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Obese Adolescent ◽  
Drastic Increase

Obesity is a health problem that threatens all aspects of human life. While rising rates of obesity involving adolescents do not show such a drastic increase, this problem should not be underestimated. In addition to grappling with the issue of adolescent development, adolescent obesity is also facing with the problem of physical health, social and psychological caused by obesity. If the issue is not addressed with appropriate intervention, obese adolescent will have the quality of life and well-being of poor and disrupt their functioning in society. Therefore, this paper will try to discuss about the health effects of psychological and social (psychosocial) experienced by obese adolescents based on the literature review and proposed interventions that can be used to help them.  

The Quality of Life

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Kraut
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
No Value ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Robert Nozick ◽  
Experience Machine ◽  
The World ◽  
Better Than

The Quality of Life: Aristotle Revised presents a philosophical theory about the constituents of human well-being. It begins with Aristotle’s thoughts about this topic, but often modifies and sometimes rejects them. The principal idea is that what Aristotle calls “external goods” (wealth, reputation, power) have at most an indirect bearing on the quality of our lives. A good internal life—the way in which we experience the world—is what well-being consists in. Pleasure is one aspect of this experience, but only a small part of it. Far more valuable is the quality of our emotional, intellectual, social, and perceptual experiences. These aspects of our existence make it potentially richer and deeper than the quality of life available to many other animals. A good human life is immeasurably better than that of a simple creature that feels only the pleasures of nourishment. Even if it felt pleasure for millions of years, human life would be superior. Contemporary discussions of well-being often appeal to a thought experiment devised by Robert Nozick, which holds that we should not attach ourselves to an “experience machine”—a device that manipulates our brains and gives us any illusory experiences of our choosing. This is thought to show that one’s interior life has little or no value on its own; that we must live in “the real world” to live well. In fact, however, this thought experiment supports the opposite conclusion: the quality of our lives consists in the quality of our experiences.

scholarly journals A qualitative study on cancer patientś experiences with financial burden and financial distress

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S L Schröder ◽  
N Schumann ◽  
M Richter
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Money Management ◽  
Financial Toxicity ◽  
Financial Decline ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background Financial toxicity was hardly examined in the context of public health. It is proven that financial distress following a cancer diagnosis can have an impact on the quality of life and mortality. Additionally, it was found that subjective indicators of financial toxicity have a stronger effect than objective indicators. Nevertheless, less is known about how higher costs can impact on the individual patient’s well-being. The aim of this study was to analyse the major drivers that lead from financial consequences to subjective financial distress in a country with statutory health insurance. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 39 cancer patients, aged between 40 and 86 years, in Germany. Inductive content analysis of data was performed and the individual patient's pathways are recently compared and contrasted. Results Above all, we found that financial distress is not only induced by higher costs and lower available money. Moreover, independently of whether patients experienced any financial decline, they experienced making financial adjustments and feeling financially stressed. The preliminary results show that the patient's ability of good money management and trust in one’s own skills being able to get along with less money might predict psychosocial consequences. Conclusions Screening instruments for financial toxicity are important to effectively detect patients whose quality of life might be worsened by their financial situation. It might be that rather financial skills than the amount of costs are important indicators of financial distress. Key messages Even cancer patients experiencing almost no financial decline during the period of cancer treatment might experience lower quality of life caused by financial distress. The ability and trust in oneself money management might have the strongest impact on subjective financial stress.

Nutritional issues and potential interventions in older people

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 286-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine R Hankey ◽  
Wilma S Leslie
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older People ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Community Setting ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Improve Health

SummaryThe prevalence of undernutrition in older individuals, living independently in a community setting, or living in a supported setting, is considerable. The negative health effects of undernutrition are wide ranging, with implications for quality of life (QOL), well-being and general health, through to the individual's ability to recovery from acute disease. There are a number of key measures that indicate both nutritional status and the effectiveness of any intervention. These include conventional anthropometric and biochemical measures of nutrient status, as well as measures of QOL, well-being and depression. The latter have huge importance to the life of the individual, and to date appear to have undergone only preliminary investigation. This review suggests that the efficacy of interventions to address undernutrition and improve health in older people living in a variety of settings is highly variable, and that considerable opportunities for research in this area exist.

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