scholarly journals Living arrangements and health at older ages in rural Malawi

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1018-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
JACOB KENDALL ◽  
PHILIP ANGLEWICZ
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
The Family ◽  
Kin Structure ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

ABSTRACTSub-Saharan Africa's older population is projected to nearly double in size by 2030. At the same time, demographic changes have caused major shifts in the units primarily responsible for the care of older adults: the family and household. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between household composition and health at older ages in rural Malawi. We use data from the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health, which contains detailed information on household and family structure, along with measures of mental and physical health (from the Short Form-12). We focus on several measures of living arrangements that are expected to be associated with health: overall household size, sex composition and kin structure (based on co-residence with offspring and grandchildren). Results show that: (a) older women who co-reside with offspring have better mental and physical health compared to those living only with grandchildren; (b) older men who live in larger households or in households with a higher proportion of females have better physical health.

scholarly journals Confidant Relations in Italy

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Isaacs ◽  
Francesca Soglian ◽  
Edward Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Family Network ◽  
The Family ◽  
Italian Culture ◽  
Opposite Sex ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Confidants are often described as the individuals with whom we choose to disclose personal, intimate matters. The presence of a confidant is associated with both mental and physical health benefits. In this study, 135 Italian adults responded to a structured questionnaire that asked if they had a confidant, and if so, to describe various features of the relationship. The vast majority of participants (91%) reported the presence of a confidant and regarded this relationship as personally important, high in mutuality and trust, and involving minimal lying. Confidants were significantly more likely to be of the opposite sex. Participants overall were significantly more likely to choose a spouse or other family member as their confidant, rather than someone outside of the family network. Familial confidants were generally seen as closer, and of greater value, than non-familial confidants. These findings are discussed within the context of Italian culture.

Loneliness in Malta: Findings from the first National Prevalence Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110201
Author(s):  
Marilyn Clark ◽  
Jamie Bonnici ◽  
Andrew Azzopardi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Mortgage Payment ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
National Prevalence

Loneliness has been examined by an increasing number of scholars, being implicated in numerous detrimental outcomes for mental and physical health. However, most loneliness prevalence studies have focused on particular age groups, thus overlooking how loneliness differs across the lifespan. This study assessed loneliness prevalence in a nationally representative sample ( n = 1,009) of the Maltese population aged 11 years and above using the 11-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, while also identifying associations between loneliness and sociodemographic factors. Results demonstrate that 43.5% of the Maltese population experiences some form of loneliness. The association between loneliness and age demonstrates a nonlinear relationship, with elevated loneliness rates among adolescents, which decrease slightly in early adulthood, before slowly increasing from age 35 onward. Loneliness is also significantly associated with education level, employment status, household composition, mortgage payment status, perception of income, presence of a disability, active citizenship, as well as self-rated physical health, coping ability, and subjective wellbeing. These findings indicate that loneliness is experienced in significant rates across the lifespan, and intervention efforts should be targeted toward individuals of all ages.

Characteristics Associated With Migration Among Older Women and Men in Rural Malawi

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Kendall ◽  
Philip Anglewicz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Migration

The older population in sub-Saharan Africa is growing rapidly, but little is known about the migration patterns of older individuals in this setting. In this article, we identify the determinants of migration for older individuals in a rural African setting. To do so, we use rare longitudinal data with information for older individuals both before and after migration. We first identify premigration factors associated with moving in the future and then identify differences in characteristics between migrants and nonmigrants after migration. In addition to basic sociodemographic information, we examine differences between migrants and nonmigrants in land ownership, number of lifetime marriages, number of living offspring, previous migration experience, household size, social and religious participation, and religious affiliation. Results show that (a) migration in older age is related to marriage, health and HIV status, household size, and religion; (b) older women who are HIV-positive are more likely to move, and older men with better physical health are more likely to move; (c) older female migrants have worse postmigration physical health; and (d) the relationship between health and migration for older men disappears after migration.

scholarly journals The cost of mental and physical health disability in childhood and adolescence to families in the UK: findings from a repeated cross-sectional survey using propensity score matching

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e018729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Solmi ◽  
Mariya Melnychuk ◽  
Stephen Morris
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Family ◽  
Additional Costs ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

ObjectiveIn the UK, families of disabled children are entitled to receive disability benefits to help meet costs associated with caring for their child. Evidence of actual costs incurred is scant, especially for mental health disability. In this study, we aimed to quantify the cost of mental and physical health disability in childhood and adolescence to families in the UK using the concept of compensating variation (CV).DesignRepeated cross-sectional survey.SettingThe UK general populationParticipants85 212 children drawn from 8 waves of the Family Resources Survey.OutcomesUsing propensity score matching we matched families with a disabled child to similar families without a disabled child and calculated the extra income the former require to achieve the same living standards as the latter, that is, their CV. We calculated the additional costs specifically associated with several definitions of mental health and physical health disability.ResultsFamilies of a child with any mental health disability, regardless of the presence of physical health comorbidity, needed an additional £49.31 (95% CI: 21.95 to 76.67) and, for more severe disabilities, an additional £57.56 (95% CI: 17.69 to 97.44) per week to achieve the same living standards of families without a disabled child. This difference was greater for more deprived families, who needed between £59.28 (95% CI: 41.38 to 77.18) and £81.26 (95% CI: 53.35 to 109.38) more per week depending on the extent of mental health disability. Families of children with physical health disabilities, with or without mental health disabilities, required an additional £35.86 (95% CI: 13.77 to 57.96) per week, with economically deprived families requiring an extra £42.18 (95% CI: 26.38 to 57.97) per week.ConclusionsMental and physical health disabilities among children and adolescents were associated with high additional costs for the family, especially for those from deprived economic backgrounds. Means testing could help achieve a more equitable redistribution of disability benefit.

scholarly journals Cohort profile: internal migration in sub-Saharan Africa—The Migration and Health in Malawi (MHM) study

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. e014799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Anglewicz ◽  
Mark VanLandingham ◽  
Lucinda Manda-Taylor ◽  
Hans-Peter Kohler
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Extensive Information ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Use Of Health Services ◽  
Migration And Health ◽  
Selection Of

PurposeThe Migration and Health in Malawi (MHM) study focuses on a key challenge in migration research: although it has long been established that migration and health are closely linked, identifying the effect of migration on various health outcomes is complicated by methodological challenges. The MHM study uses a longitudinal panel premigration and postmigration study design (with a non-migrant comparison group) to measure and/or control for important characteristics that affect both migration and health outcomes.ParticipantsData are available for two waves. The MHM interviewed 398 of 715 migrants in 2007 (55.7%) and 722 of 1013 in 2013 (71.3%); as well as 604 of 751 (80.4%) for a non-migrant reference group in 2013. The total interviewed sample size for the MHM in both waves is 1809. These data include extensive information on lifetime migration, socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, sexual behaviours, marriage, household/family structure, social networks and social capital, HIV/AIDS biomarkers and other dimensions of health.Findings to dateOur result for the relationship between migration and health differs by health measure and analytic approach. Migrants in Malawi have a significantly higher HIV prevalence than non-migrants, which is primarily due to the selection of HIV-positive individuals into migration. We find evidence for health selection; physically healthier men and women are more likely to move, partly because migration selects younger individuals. However, we do not find differences in physical or mental health between migrants and non-migrants after moving.Future plansWe are preparing a third round of data collection for these (and any new) migrants, which will take place in 2018. This cohort will be used to examine the effect of migration on various health measures and behaviours, including general mental and physical health, smoking and alcohol use, access to and use of health services and use of antiretroviral therapy.

Mindfulness, self-reported health, and cortisol: A latent profile analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 135910532093118
Author(s):  
Stephen M Leach ◽  
Amanda M Mitchell ◽  
Paul Salmon ◽  
Sandra E Sephton
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Cortisol Response ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Latent Profile

This study utilized a latent profile analysis approach to examine the relationship between mindfulness profiles and self-reported mental and physical health, as well as salivary cortisol levels in a sample of 85 undergraduate students. Consistent with theory, the Judgmentally Observing (high monitoring, low acceptance) reported poorer mental health and exhibited flatter diurnal cortisol slopes than the Unobservant Accepting (low monitoring, high acceptance) and Average Mindfulness profiles. No differences in self-reported physical health, cortisol response to awakening, or diurnal mean cortisol were observed among the profiles. Future directions are discussed.

scholarly journals Depression, obesity and their comorbidity during pregnancy: effects on the offspring’s mental and physical health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Cattane ◽  
Katri Räikkönen ◽  
Roberta Anniverno ◽  
Claudio Mencacci ◽  
Marco A. Riva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Fetal Programming ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Intrauterine Environment ◽  
Individual Effects ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

AbstractDepression and obesity represent two of the most common complications during pregnancy and are associated with severe health risks for both the mother and the child. Although several studies have analysed the individual effects of depression or obesity on the mothers and their children, the effects associated with the co-occurrence of both disorders have so far been poorly investigated. The relationship between depression and obesity is very complex and it is still unclear whether maternal depression leads to obesity or vice versa. It is well known that the intrauterine environment plays an important role in mediating the effects of both depression and obesity in the mother on the fetal programming, increasing the child’s risk to develop negative outcomes.

Self-Esteem and Perceived Health of the Family of Origin: Are There Sex Differences?

1989 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 811-814
Author(s):  
Stuart B. Bonnington
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
Family Of Origin ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Pearson Correlations

This study investigated the relationship between self-esteem and the perceived health of the family of origin and in particular focused on possible differences in correlations for men and women. 70 female and 140 male undergraduates completed the Texas Social Behavior Inventory (Short Form A) and the Family of Origin Scale. While small significant Pearson correlations were found for both men and women, no difference in their magnitude was noted.

scholarly journals TAKE ME BACK TO MOVE ME FORWARD: RE-ENACTMENT OF THE FAMILY SYSTEM AS A PATHWAY TO BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALEXITHYMIC PATIENTS IN GROUP THERAPY

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra ◽  
John S. Ogrodniczuk ◽  
Joanna Cheek ◽  
David Kealy ◽  
Ingrid Sochting
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Group Therapy ◽  
Family System ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Specific Aspect ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Clinical Literature ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Despite much attention in the clinical literature, research on alexithymia in the treatment setting has only recently gained traction. While several reports indicate limited benefit from therapy amongst patients with high alexithymia, this seems to be less so in the context of group therapy. This study considers a specific aspect of the group therapy process - family re-enactment - infacilitating improvement in overall quality of life for patients with high levels of alexithymia.Subjects and methods: Family re-enactment was examined as a potential mediator of the relationship between alexithymia and change in quality of life among 50 patients who completed treatment in an intensive, integrative group therapy programme. Patients completed three self-report measures: Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20 (baseline), Quality of Life Inventory (baseline, post-therapy), and Therapeutic Factors Inventory-Short Form (week 8). Regression with mediation analysis was employed using the change scorefor the QOLI as the dependent variable, alexithymia scores as the independent variable, and the family re-enactment score as the mediator; baseline quality of life was included in the model as a control variable.Results: Family re-enactment emerged as a significant mediator of the relationship between alexithymia and treatment outcome, implicating it as a contributing mechanism of change for alexithymic patients who participate in group therapy.Conclusion: Patients with higher levels of alexithymia (in particular, difficulty identifying and describing feelings) were more likely to positively endorse aspects of family re-enactment during group therapy, which in turn were significantly associated with greater improvement in patients’ overall quality of life.

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