Physical activity in relation to wellbeing among newly arrived refugees in Sweden

Abstract Background In the light of the growing number of refugees that the world has faced during the last years it is reasonable to suggest that the number with both physiological and mental health needs will raise and result in increased public health challenges. Physical activity with its well documented positive impact on both mental and physical health might be one way for refugees to promote health. The importance of investigating participation in physical activity in this group and the impact it might have on their health and wellbeing cannot be underestimated. Few studies exists in the field and therefore, this study aimed to investigate physical activity in relation to mental well-being, vitality, stress and sleep quality among newly arrived refugees in Sweden. Methods The study was based on the results from a survey, conducted in 2015 - 2016 among newly arrived adult refugees who spoke Arabic, Pashto, Somali or Dari, participated in a mandatory public integration support programme in the Scania region of Sweden and agreed to participate in the survey. Ultimately 681 participants completed the survey (a response rate of 39,5%). Results We found a significant association between physical activity and mental well-being, vitality, stress and sleep quality among newly arrived refugees. Conclusions Newly arrived refugees need to be informed about the importance of prioritising physical activity for their health and wellbeing, regardless of their external circumstances, and supported in their attempts to do so. Key messages There is a significant association between physical activity and mental well-being, vitality, stress and sleep quality among newly arrived refugees. Newly arrived refugees need to be informed about the importance of prioritising physical activity for their health and wellbeing, and supported in their attempts to do so.

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Physical Activity in Relation to Wellbeing Among Newly Arrived Refugees in Sweden: A Quantitative Study

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2020.532883 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Katarina Sjögren Forss ◽

Elisabeth Mangrio ◽

Matti Leijon ◽

Mathias Grahn ◽

Slobodan Zdravkovic

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Quantitative Study ◽

Response Rate ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Health And Wellbeing ◽

Support Programme ◽

The Relationship ◽

Do So

Background: Little is known about physical activity among newly arrived refugees and what impact physical activity might have on their health, as measured by mental wellbeing, vitality, stress and sleep quality. Thus, this study sought to investigate the relationship between physical activity and wellbeing among refugees who were newly arrived in Sweden.Methods: The present study was based on the results from a survey, conducted in 2015–2016 among newly arrived adult refugees who spoke Arabic, Pashto, Somali or Dari, participated in a mandatory public integration support programme in the Scania region of Sweden and agreed to participate in the survey. Ultimately 681 participants completed the survey (a response rate of 39.5%).Results: We found a significant association between physical activity and mental wellbeing, vitality, stress and sleep quality among newly arrived refugees.Conclusions: Newly arrived refugees need to be informed about the importance of prioritizing physical activity for their health and wellbeing, regardless of their external circumstances, and supported in their attempts to do so.

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COVID-19 Impact on Behaviors across the 24-Hour Day in Children and Adolescents: Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep

Children ◽

10.3390/children7090138 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. 138 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Lauren C. Bates ◽

Gabriel Zieff ◽

Kathleen Stanford ◽

Justin B. Moore ◽

Zachary Y. Kerr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Behavior Change ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Ecological Model ◽

Well Being ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

The Impact ◽

Health And Well Being

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, social restrictions to contain the spread of the virus have disrupted behaviors across the 24-h day including physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep among children (5–12 years old) and adolescents (13–17 years old). Preliminary evidence reports significant decreases in physical activity, increases in sedentary behavior, and disrupted sleep schedules/sleep quality in children and adolescents. This commentary discusses the impact of COVID-19-related restrictions on behaviors across the 24-h day in children and adolescents. Furthermore, we suggest recommendations through the lens of a socio-ecological model to provide strategies for lasting behavior change to insure the health and well-being of children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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News Consumption and Its Unpleasant Side Effect

Journal of Media Psychology Theories Methods and Applications ◽

10.1027/1864-1105/a000224 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 137-147 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mark Boukes ◽

Rens Vliegenthart

Keyword(s):

Positive Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Television Programs ◽

News Consumption ◽

Soft News ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Curve Modeling ◽

Entertainment Value ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being

Abstract. Following the news is generally understood to be crucial for democracy as it allows citizens to politically participate in an informed manner; yet, one may wonder about the unintended side effects it has for the mental well-being of citizens. With news focusing on the negative and worrisome events in the world, framing that evokes a sense of powerlessness, and lack of entertainment value, this study hypothesizes that news consumption decreases mental well-being via negative hedonic experiences; thereby, we differentiate between hard and soft news. Using a panel survey in combination with latent growth curve modeling (n = 2,767), we demonstrate that the consumption of hard news television programs has a negative effect on the development of mental well-being over time. Soft news consumption, by contrast, has a marginally positive impact on the trend in well-being. This can be explained by the differential topic focus, framing and style of soft news vis-à-vis hard news. Investigating the effects of news consumption on mental well-being provides insight into the impact news exposure has on variables other than the political ones, which definitively are not less societally relevant.

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Associations of physical activity and sedentary behaviors with child mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11805-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amanda S. Gilbert ◽

Laurel Schmidt ◽

Alan Beck ◽

Maura M. Kepper ◽

Stephanie Mazzucca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

School Closures ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Perceived Change ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in public health and policy measures to reduce in-person contact and the transmission of the virus. These measures impacted daily life and mental well-being (MWB). The aims of this study were to explore the MWB impacts of COVID-19 on children and assess the associations among perceived changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB), with perceived MWB changes, using a mixed-methods approach. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods design consisting of an online survey with a convenience sample and interviews was conducted from May through July 2020 with parents/caregivers of kindergarten through 5th graders in the St. Louis region. Survey domains assessed included child MWB, PA, and SB. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and qualitatively analyzed using a code book developed to elicit themes. Survey data was analyzed with chi-squared tests and logistic regressions. The dependent variable was perceived change in child MWB due to the impact of COVID-19. Independent variables included perceived changes in PA, SB, and child concerns about COVID-19. Results Sample size consisted of 144 surveys and 16 interviews. Most parents reported a perceived decrease in child MWB (74%), a decrease in child PA (61%), and an increase in child SB (91%). Discontentment with stay-at-home orders and concern about COVID-19 were associated with a perceived decrease in MWB. Children whose PA decreased were 53% less likely to have the same or better MWB (OR 0.47) and children whose outside PA decreased were 72% less likely to have the same or better MWB (OR 0.28). Common qualitative themes included difficulty in adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions due to school closures and lack of socializing, child concerns about family getting sick, and PA benefits for improving MWB. Conclusions Based on parent perceptions, MWB decreased with COVID-19. Maintained or increased child PA improved the chances MWB would remain the same or improve. Parent interviews provide context to these findings by showing how COVID-19 impacted MWB and the associations between PA and MWB. Understanding protective factors for child MWB during COVID-19 is important to offset negative long-term health outcomes from this ongoing pandemic.

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Social and Psychological Consequences of COVID-19 Online Content at a Lockdown Phase—Europe and Asia Comparison

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13169198 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (16) ◽

pp. 9198

Author(s):

Marta R. Jabłońska ◽

Karolina Zajdel ◽

Radosław Zajdel

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Media ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Consequences ◽

Everyday Functioning ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being

After more than a year in a pandemic world, more than 171 million people worldwide have been infected and over 3.5 million have died. The number of those who have suffered mentally due to the pandemic is well above this number. The virus, lockdowns, forced quarantines, and problems related to jobs and everyday functioning have left their mark on mental health. Additionally, the massive spread of COVID-19 content of varying quality in social media is exacerbating this impact. On the other hand, in times of social distancing, these media are an important link with other people and a source of social support. The impact of the COVID-19 content in social media still requires further exploring. This influence on mental health may also vary geographically. There are more and more reports of discrimination against Asians due to COVID-19. We conducted a survey during lockdown in which 1664 respondents took part. After analyzing the impact of COVID-19 content in social media on the level of life satisfaction, anxiety, and depression, we compared this impact between European and Asian respondents. The results showed that dealing with these contents affects the level of anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction. Although most often these relations turned out to be negative, we have also identified those indicating a positive impact. This was particularly noticeable among Asian respondents, who additionally showed a lower relationship between reading COVID-19 content and their mental well-being than European respondents.

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What is the Impact of Physical Activities in Home Isolation on Residents’ Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Survey During the COVID-19 Social Quarantine

10.21203/rs.3.rs-200461/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yifan Zuo ◽

Mu Zhang ◽

Shaogui Xu ◽

Liqi Liang ◽

Xiaoyuan Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

World Health ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Health Values ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: During isolation, physical activity can enhance residents’ well-being. The objective of the present study was to examine the associations between residents’ physical activity, health values, and well-being during isolation.Methods: Based on the physical activity rating scale, health values scale, subjective well-being scale, and the satisfaction with life scale, 505 valid questionnaires were collected online from 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China. A series of multiple linear regression models were established to study the relationship between variables, and the bootstrap confidence interval was selected to test the mediating effect.Results: The results showed that during the period of isolation, physical activity directly(b =0.463, p < 0.001) or indirectly(b =0.358, p < 0.001) had a positive impact on residents’ well-being through the mediating effect of health values. There is a positive correlation between physical activity and health values(b =0.710, p < 0.001), while health values had a direct positive impact on well-being(b =0.504, p < 0.001). In addition, moderate amount of physical activity is more likely to improve the well-being of residents during home isolation compared to small and large amount of physical activity.Conclusions: Moderate exercise at home and regular physical activity are beneficial to our physical and mental health, especially to improve the overall well-being. At the same time, it is necessary for the World Health Organization and governments at all levels to strengthen the guidance and publicity of health values, so as to eliminate the impact of COVID-19 on people to a greater extent.

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COVID-19 as ‘Game Changer’ for the Physical Activity and Mental Well-Being of Augmented Reality Game Players During the Pandemic: Mixed Methods Survey Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.25117 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Louise A Ellis ◽

Matthew D Lee ◽

Kiran Ijaz ◽

James Smith ◽

Jeffrey Braithwaite ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Video Games ◽

Video Game ◽

Well Being ◽

Harry Potter ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Pokémon Go ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being

BACKGROUND Location-based augmented reality (AR) games, such as Pokémon GO and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, have been shown to have a beneficial impact on the physical activity, social connectedness, and mental health of their players. In March 2020, global social distancing measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the AR games developer Niantic Inc to implement several changes to ensure continued player engagement with Pokémon GO and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. We sought to examine how the physical and mental well-being of players of these games were affected during the unprecedented COVID-19 restriction period as well as how their video game engagement was affected. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to examine the impact of COVID-19–related social restrictions on the physical and mental well-being of AR game players; to examine the impact of COVID-19–related social restrictions on the use of video games and motivations for their use; and to explore the potential role of AR games (and video games in general) in supporting well-being during COVID-19–related social restrictions. METHODS A mixed methods web-based self-reported survey was conducted in May 2020, during which COVID-19–related social restrictions were enforced in many countries. Participants were recruited on the web via four subreddits dedicated to Pokémon GO or Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. Data collected included quantitative data on demographics, time spent playing video games, physical activity, and mental health; qualitative data included motivations to play and the impact of video games on mental health during COVID-19 lockdown. RESULTS We report results for 2004 participants (1153/1960 male, 58.8%, average age 30.5 years). Self-reported physical activity during COVID-19–related social restrictions significantly decreased from 7.50 hours per week on average (SD 11.12) to 6.50 hours (SD 7.81) (<i>P</i><.001). More than half of the participants reported poor mental health (925/1766, 52.4%; raw World Health Organization–5 Well-Being Index score <13). Female gender, younger age, and reduced exercise were significant predictors of poor mental health. Participants reported a significant increase in video game play time from 16.38 hours per week on average (SD 19.12) to 20.82 hours (SD 17.49) (<i>P</i><.001). Approximately three quarters of the participants (n=1102/1427, 77.2%) reported that playing video games had been beneficial to their mental health. The changes made to Pokémon GO and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite were very well received by players, and the players continued to use these games while exercising and to maintain social connection. In addition to seeking an escape during the pandemic and as a form of entertainment, participants reported that they used video games for emotional coping and to lower stress, relax, and alleviate mental health conditions. CONCLUSIONS AR games have the potential to promote physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Used by populations under isolation and distress, these games can improve physical and mental health by providing virtual socialization, sustained exercise, temporal routine, and mental structure. Further research is needed to explore the potential of AR games as digital behavioral interventions to maintain human well-being in the wider population.

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COVID-19 as ‘Game Changer’ for the Physical Activity and Mental Well-Being of Augmented Reality Game Players During the Pandemic: Mixed Methods Survey Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/25117 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (12) ◽

pp. e25117

Author(s):

Louise A Ellis ◽

Matthew D Lee ◽

Kiran Ijaz ◽

James Smith ◽

Jeffrey Braithwaite ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Video Games ◽

Video Game ◽

Well Being ◽

Harry Potter ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Pokémon Go ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being

Background Location-based augmented reality (AR) games, such as Pokémon GO and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, have been shown to have a beneficial impact on the physical activity, social connectedness, and mental health of their players. In March 2020, global social distancing measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the AR games developer Niantic Inc to implement several changes to ensure continued player engagement with Pokémon GO and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. We sought to examine how the physical and mental well-being of players of these games were affected during the unprecedented COVID-19 restriction period as well as how their video game engagement was affected. Objective The aims of this study were to examine the impact of COVID-19–related social restrictions on the physical and mental well-being of AR game players; to examine the impact of COVID-19–related social restrictions on the use of video games and motivations for their use; and to explore the potential role of AR games (and video games in general) in supporting well-being during COVID-19–related social restrictions. Methods A mixed methods web-based self-reported survey was conducted in May 2020, during which COVID-19–related social restrictions were enforced in many countries. Participants were recruited on the web via four subreddits dedicated to Pokémon GO or Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. Data collected included quantitative data on demographics, time spent playing video games, physical activity, and mental health; qualitative data included motivations to play and the impact of video games on mental health during COVID-19 lockdown. Results We report results for 2004 participants (1153/1960 male, 58.8%, average age 30.5 years). Self-reported physical activity during COVID-19–related social restrictions significantly decreased from 7.50 hours per week on average (SD 11.12) to 6.50 hours (SD 7.81) (P<.001). More than half of the participants reported poor mental health (925/1766, 52.4%; raw World Health Organization–5 Well-Being Index score <13). Female gender, younger age, and reduced exercise were significant predictors of poor mental health. Participants reported a significant increase in video game play time from 16.38 hours per week on average (SD 19.12) to 20.82 hours (SD 17.49) (P<.001). Approximately three quarters of the participants (n=1102/1427, 77.2%) reported that playing video games had been beneficial to their mental health. The changes made to Pokémon GO and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite were very well received by players, and the players continued to use these games while exercising and to maintain social connection. In addition to seeking an escape during the pandemic and as a form of entertainment, participants reported that they used video games for emotional coping and to lower stress, relax, and alleviate mental health conditions. Conclusions AR games have the potential to promote physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Used by populations under isolation and distress, these games can improve physical and mental health by providing virtual socialization, sustained exercise, temporal routine, and mental structure. Further research is needed to explore the potential of AR games as digital behavioral interventions to maintain human well-being in the wider population.

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The Impact of Schoolyard Greening on Children’s Physical Activity and Socioemotional Health: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020535 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 535

Author(s):

Jean C. Bikomeye ◽

Joanna Balza ◽

Kirsten M. Beyer

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Experimental Studies ◽

Well Being ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status ◽

Residential Neighborhood ◽

Socioemotional Health ◽

The Impact

Access to green schoolyards (schoolyards designed with greenery and natural elements to create a park-like environment, as opposed to asphalt-based playgrounds) are associated with many benefits for students, including improvements in physical and mental health. While many studies examining these associations are cross-sectional, some feature experimental designs that offer the possibility of causal inference. In this review, we looked at experimental studies that examine the impact of schoolyard greening on measures of physical activity and socioemotional health in children. Four electronic databases (Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, Scopus and Greenfile) were searched, and from 1843 articles retrieved, 6 articles met the inclusion criteria. Examination of the eligible studies revealed a general consensus on the positive impact of schoolyard greening on both physical activity and socioemotional health outcomes for students, suggesting that schoolyard greening is a viable intervention in reducing the health equity gaps and improving children’s health regardless of their racial or ethnic backgrounds or residential neighborhood socioeconomic status. Further experimental research on this topic should elucidate how educators, administrators, policy makers, and other stakeholders can harness the benefits of schoolyard greening to improve the health and well-being of children in their communities.

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An influence of social isolation on the level of physical activity as well as on well-being and mental state of people during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

Polish Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2478/pjph-2019-0029 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 129 (4) ◽

pp. 127-131

Author(s):

Agnieszka Parfin ◽

Krystian Wdowiak ◽

Marzena Furtak-Niczyporuk ◽

Jolanta Herda

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Population Group ◽

Well Being ◽

Small Sample ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Tract Infections ◽

The Impact

AbstractIntroduction. The COVID-19 is the name of an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). It was first diagnosed in December 2019 in patients in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The symptoms are dominated by features of respiratory tract infections, in some patients with a very severe course leading to respiratory failure and, in extreme cases to death. Due to the spread of the infection worldwide, the WHO declared a pandemic in March 2020.Aim. An investigation of the impact of social isolation introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic on selected aspects of life. The researchers focused on observing changes in habits related to physical activity and their connections with people’s subjective well-being and emotional state.Material and methods. The study was carried out within the international project of the group „IRG on COVID and exercise”. The research tool was a standardized questionnaire.Results. Based on the data collected and the analysis of the percentage results, it can be observed that the overwhelming majority of people taking up physical activity reported a better mood during the pandemic. However, statistical tests do not confirm these relationships due to the small sample size.Conclusions. Isolation favours physical activity. Future, in-depth studies, by enlarging the population group, are necessary to confirm the above observations.

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