scholarly journals Sex-Based Differentials in the Prevalence and Determinants of Food Insecurity and Its Association With Measures of Wellbeing in Arab Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 653-653
Author(s):  
Lamis Jomaa ◽  
Marwa Diab-El Harake ◽  
Samer Kharroubi ◽  
Jumanah Zabaneh
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
American University ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Study Population

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to: 1- compare the prevalence and trends of food insecurity (FI) within Arab countries using a gender lens; and 2- explore the sociodemographic determinants of FI and its association with measures of wellbeing, by sex. Methods Data for the present study were drawn from four waves of the Gallup World Poll (GWP) surveys for years 2014–2017, covering 18 Arab countries (n = 65,903). Surveys included questions about FI, socio-demographic characteristics, social support, well-being indices (e.g., global well-being index). For this analysis, mild+ (mild, moderate and severe FI), moderate+ (moderate and severe FI), and severe FI were calculated. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the association of socioeconomic variables (e.g., education, employment and social support), emotional wellbeing and sex interactions with the likelihood of experiencing FI in the study population, whilst controlling for country and year. Results On average, 42%, 24%, and 11% of the study population experienced mild+, moderate + and severe FI, respectively. Significant sex-differences in FI prevalence were observed across Arab countries. Multiple regression analyses showed that older age females, unemployed, or those with low social support had significantly higher odds of experiencing mild+, moderate + and severe FI, whereas females with higher educational or those who were married had lower odds of FI (P < 0.05). Further, females experiencing mild+, moderate + and severe FI had significantly lower odds of reporting a thriving global well-being compared to food secure males (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0. 38, 0.48; OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0. 37, 0.49; OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.64, respectively). Conclusions Females in the Arab region experience different forms of FI and have significantly lower subjective wellbeing compared to males. Findings highlight the need for developing policies and programs that address gender disparities in employment; land and asset ownership; and access to services such as education, health care and technology. Negative gender social norms and attitudes need to be also challenged to alleviate FI and improve overall wellbeing of women in the Arab world. Funding Sources This study was partially funded by the University Research Board at the American University of Beirut.

scholarly journals Arab Countries in Transition: Gender Rights and Constitutional Reforms

1970 ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
Samira Aghacy
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equality ◽  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
American University ◽  
Lebanese American University ◽  
Constitutional Reforms ◽  
Countries In Transition ◽  
Equality And Diversity

Al-Raida is pleased to launch a special thematic issue in two parts that grew out of the international conference titled “Arab Countries in Transition: Gender Rights and Constitutional Reforms” organized by the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World at the Lebanese American University in partnership with the Women and Memory Forum-Egypt, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Rule of Law Program MENA Region, and the Danish Centre for Research and Information on Gender, Equality, and Diversity (KVINFO).

Social Support and Well-Being in Early Adolescents: The Role of Mediating Variables

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adela Yarcheski ◽  
Noreen E. Mahon ◽  
Thomas J. Yarcheski
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Nursing Practice ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Early Adolescents ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived social support and general well-being in early adolescents and to test two variables, hopefulness and self-esteem, that theoretically mediate this relationship. The final sample consisted of 142 adolescents, ages 12 to 14, who responded to instruments measuring perceived social support, hopefulness, self-esteem, and general well-being in classroom settings. Correlational analysis supported the five hypothesized relationships. A series of regression analyses described by Baron and Kenny indicated that hopefulness and self-esteem each were mediators of the relationship between social support and well-being. Implications for nursing practice are addressed.

scholarly journals Arab Countries in Transition: Gender Rights and Constitutional Reforms

1970 ◽  
pp. 2-6
Author(s):  
Samira Aghacy
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Women's Bodies ◽  
American University ◽  
International Conference ◽  
Lebanese American University ◽  
Constitutional Reforms ◽  
Countries In Transition

This second issue of Al-Raida consists of papers that were presented at the international conference “Arab Countries in Transition: Gender Rights and Constitutional Reforms” held by the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World (IWSAW) at the Lebanese American University (LAU) in June 2014 and centering on human rights, women’s bodies, power relations, violations and testimonials.

The Oil and Gas Sectors, Renewable Energy, and Environmental Performance in the Arab World

2014 ◽  
pp. 172-228
Author(s):  
Hajar El Alouani ◽  
Ahmed Driouchi
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Knowledge Economy ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Environmental Performance Index ◽  
World Markets

As most Arab countries produce and export a large share of oil and gas to world markets, it is important to focus in this chapter on these sectors to find out about the economic effects on these economies. In addition, with the development of non-renewable energies and with the major debates and actions undertaken to promote greener economies, this chapter aims to characterize the main trends affecting both renewable and non-renewable energy in Arab countries. The question related to the promotion of greener activities in this part of the world is tackled through the use of Environmental Performance Index in relation to the use of energy. Promising results are attained based on descriptive statistics, trends, and regression analyses. They show that Arab countries need to further account for the knowledge economy to diversify their use of energy and promote better environmental performance.

scholarly journals Older Men With Living Spouses Versus Men Without Spouses: An Example From the Arab World—Kuwait

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 155798832093721
Author(s):  
Yagoub Yousif Al-Kandari
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Data Entry ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Elderly Men ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
Social Support Scale ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
Health And Well Being

This research is concentrated on elderly Kuwait men and the effect that losing wife, a major determinant of social support, has on their general health. A sample of 472 older male adults aged 60 years and older have been included in this study. A questionnaire was the major tool of the study. The questionnaire included sociocultural information and social support scales (Degree of Religiosity, Social Support Scale, Frequency of Contact, and Strength of Relation scales). Health measurements also were used: two, one-item self-reported health scales in the current year and last year and a Somatic Symptoms Inventory (SSI) were used. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and glucose levels were taken. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 21) was used for data entry and analysis. t-test and regression were the major statistical procedures. Data show that there are differences between elderly men with a living wife compared to those without a living wife. Having a living wife was positively associated with better social support and health in Kuwaiti elderly men. Data show that a living wife is an important factor of men’s health and well-being in general and that a wife is one of the major social support elements of elderly men.

scholarly journals Does social support modify the relationship between food insecurity and poor mental health? Evidence from thirty-nine sub-Saharan African countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 874-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muzi Na ◽  
Meghan Miller ◽  
Terri Ballard ◽  
Diane C Mitchell ◽  
Yuen Wai Hung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to determine the relationship among food insecurity, social support and mental well-being in sub-Saharan Africa, a region presenting the highest prevalence of severe food insecurity and a critical scarcity of mental health care.DesignFood insecurity was measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Social support was assessed using dichotomous indicators of perceived, foreign perceived, received, given, integrative and emotional support. The Negative and Positive Experience Indices (NEI and PEI) were used as indicators of mental well-being. Multilevel mixed-effect linear models were applied to examine the associations between mental well-being and food security status, social support and their interaction, respectively, accounting for random effects at country level and covariates.ParticipantsNationally representative adults surveyed through Gallup World Poll between 2014 and 2016 in thirty-nine sub-Saharan African countries (n 102 235).ResultsThe prevalence of severe food insecurity was 39 %. The prevalence of social support ranged from 30 to 72 % by type. In the pooled analysis using the adjusted model, food insecurity was dose-responsively associated with increased NEI and decreased PEI. Perceived, integrative and emotional support were associated with lower NEI and higher PEI. The differences in NEI and PEI between people with and without social support were the greatest among the most severely food insecure.ConclusionsBoth food insecurity and lack of social support constitute sources of vulnerability to poor mental well-being. Social support appears to modify the relationship between food security and mental well-being among those most affected by food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals The first life skills intervention to enhance well-being amongst university students in the Arab world: ‘Khotwa’ pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 205510292110169
Author(s):  
Diana Maddah ◽  
Youssra Saab ◽  
Hani Safadi ◽  
Nermine Abi Farraj ◽  
Zeinab Hassan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Although Life Skills programs showed to improve the psychological and physical wellbeing of individuals, little attention has been paid, worldwide and in the Arab countries in specific to implementing life skills intervention for university students. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of a life skills based health promotion intervention KHOTWA (STEP) in enhancing the wellbeing of university students in Lebanon, a country that faces economic and political instability. This is a quasi-experimental study, with pre and post-test, intervention-control design. Each group was formed of 78 participants studying in a private university in Lebanon. Mixed design was used to address the process and outcomes objectives of the intervention. The program was carried online due to COVID-19 pandemic. Significant differences were observed between the intervention and the control groups for life skills, dietary habits and mental health scores at the 3-month follow-up. For the intervention group, a significant increase was observed in the mean score of each of the following Life Skills subscales: self-care ( p = 0.001), work and study ( p = 0.013), career and education planning ( p = 0.011) and looking forward/goal settings ( p < 0.001). Students also achieved a healthier eating habit compared to those in the control group by decreasing their consumption of processed food. There was no significant effect in terms of body mass index ( p = 0.827). Also, there was a significant change in the mental health status ( p = 0.012) only in the intervention group as its mean score decreased after 3 months of the intervention implementation. This intervention enhances the mental health and promotes healthy habits leading consequently to a better quality of life and more productivity amongst university students. Therefore, such interventions should be replicated in other similar context to improve university students’ well-being.

scholarly journals The Social Relationship Context of Elder Mistreatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1029-1039
Author(s):  
Jaclyn S Wong ◽  
Hannah Breslau ◽  
V Eloesa McSorley ◽  
Kristen E Wroblewski ◽  
Melissa J K Howe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Elder Mistreatment

Abstract Background and Objectives Elder mistreatment victims at risk of poor physical and psychological health may benefit from increased social support. This article identifies mistreatment victims among community-dwelling older Americans and maps their social networks to guide the design of social support interventions. Research Design and Methods Using nationally representative survey data from Wave 3 (2015–2016) of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (N = 2,334) and descriptive, latent class, and regression analyses, we estimate the prevalence of mistreatment since age 60, identify the alleged perpetrators’ relationships to the victims, and examine victims’ social networks. Results Self-reported lifetime prevalence of elder mistreatment is as high as 21%, depending on the mistreatment behavior measured. Latent class analysis reveals two mistreatment classes: 12% of older adults experienced multiple types of mistreatment (polyvictimization), and 6% experienced primarily financial mistreatment. Although alleged perpetrators are unlikely to appear in older adults’ core social networks, the most commonly reported perpetrators are children and relatives. Regression analyses show that experiencing mistreatment since age 60 is associated with having less current social support, more social strain, and fewer kin in the core social network. Older adults reporting polyvictimization also have less-dense core networks. Discussion and Implications Increasing family support should be done cautiously because children and relatives are frequently named as mistreatment perpetrators. Increasing communication across polyvictimization victims’ network members may support their well-being. Providing outside assistance with financial management could benefit financial mistreatment victims.

scholarly journals The effective of Using social support sources in Reducing Teachers’ Work Pressure in North Batina Governor in Sultanate of Oman

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah bin Ali bin Salem Al Shibli
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Organizational Climate ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Sultanate Of Oman ◽  
Support Measure ◽  
Work Pressure ◽  
The Social ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
The Relationship

  The purpose of the research is to determine the level of work pressure of a sample of Omani teachers, determine the order of their social support sources. It also, aimed to find out the existence of statistical differences between the sources of social support and the reduce of work pressures according to the educational stage, gender and experience. The study followed the descriptive analytical approach using the different statistical methods to derive the relationship between the independent variable and dependent variables. To achieve the research aims, the researcher used two questionnaires which are the teacher social support measure, which consisted of (36) phrase, and the measure of the work pressure of the teachers, which was consisted of (38) phrase. The study sample was consisted of (291) teachers divided into (136) male teachers and (155) female teachers (3%) of the study population. The results of the study showed the existence of working pressures of Omani teachers in both dimensions with an average of the work pressure (1.77), rated (large). The result revealed that the pressures associated with the learning and learning processes were average (1.79), (large), followed by the pressures associated with the organizational climate at an average of (1.74) in grade (large). The study showed the overall average of social support was (2.50) which estimated at (high).The first level of the social support was assigned to colleagues support and the supervisor support with an average of 2.99, followed by the family support at an average of 2.98 and finally friends support at an average of 2.01.Finally, the results showed that there was no statistically significant differences between the sources of social support and their role in reducing the working pressures of Omani teachers according to the educational stage, gender, and years of experience. According to the previous results, a number of recommendations and proposals were presented to increase the effectiveness of social support and to reduce the pressure of teachers in the Sultanate of Oman and the all Arab Countries.  

scholarly journals Is Baseline Physical Activity a Determinant of Participation in Worksite Walking Clubs? Data From the HealthWorks Trial

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 849-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey J. VanWormer ◽  
Jennifer A. Linde ◽  
Lisa J. Harnack ◽  
Steven D. Stovitz ◽  
Robert W. Jeffery
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Program Design ◽  
Complete Data ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Baseline Physical Activity

Background:Some evidence suggests that physical activity programs mainly attract employees who are already active. This study examined the degree to which baseline physical activity was associated with enrollment in worksite walking clubs.Methods:All variables were measured at baseline. Walking club participation was measured over 2 years. There were 642 individuals from 3 worksites with complete data available for logistic regression analyses.Results:Baseline physical activity [OR (95% CI) = 1.00 (0.99, 1.01)] was not a significant predictor of walking club participation. Participants who were older [OR = 1.03 (1.01, 1.04)] or indicated more social support for physical activity [OR = 1.13 (1.02, 1.25)] had significantly higher odds of participation relative to those who were younger or indicated less social support, respectively. In addition, men [OR = –0.25 (0.18, 0.36)] and employees from the second worksite [OR = –0.41 (0.25, 0.67)] had significantly lower odds of participation relative to women and employees from the first or third worksites, respectively. Sensitivity analyses arrived at similar conclusions.Conclusions:Worksite walking clubs were appealing across varying levels of physical activity. Future research should improve marketing and program design to engage harder-to-reach segments of the workforce, particularly young men and those with limited social support.

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