scholarly journals Qigong Exercise in Frailty, Psychological Health, and Spiritual Well-Being of Middle-Aged and Older Blacks

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 178-178
Author(s):  
Pei-Shiun Chang ◽  
Yvonne Lu ◽  
Susan Ofner ◽  
Chi Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Interventions are needed to address the frailty and psychological health in middle-aged and older African Americans. Qigong, a traditional medicine exercise, consists of gentle body movements, breathing exercise, and meditation. The benefits of Qigong exercise have been widely reported in Asian adults but there have been no known studies testing Qigong exercise in the African American population. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the potential benefits of an 8-week Qigong exercise in physical and functional ability, balance, frailty, depression and anxiety, and spiritual well-being in community-dwelling middle-aged African Americans using a single group design. Fifteen African Americans aged 45 to 85 years were recruited to receive Qigong exercise over 16 bi-weekly, one-hour sessions. The Layers Module that unfolds the complex multidimensional benefits of Qigong exercise on physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions was used to guide the outcome measures. Data were collected at baseline and 14 days post intervention. Results showed positive trends in repeat chair stands, physical function, and spiritual well-being (p<0.05) with effect sizes ranging from 0.45 to 0.87. Despite no significance, over 52% of the participants showed improved depression scores, fast gait speed, and standing balance than baseline. Nearly 42% demonstrated some levels of frailty improvement than the baseline. No adverse events related to Qigong exercise intervention was reported. Qigong exercise is a potentially promising intervention which needs further testing in a randomized clinical trial.

scholarly journals Effects of Qigong Exercise on Physical and Psychological Health among African Americans

2020 ◽  
pp. 019394592095906
Author(s):  
Pei-Shiun Chang ◽  
Yvonne Lu ◽  
Chi Mai Nguyen ◽  
Youngnok Suh ◽  
Mary Luciani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
College Level ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Physical Ability ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health ◽  
And Function

Interventions are needed to address physical and psychological health in middle-aged and older African Americans (AAs). The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of an eight-week Qigong exercise on physical ability and function, balance, frailty, depression and anxiety, and spiritual well-being in AAs using a single-group design. Fifteen AAs with a mean age of 64 years received Qigong exercise over 16 semi-weekly, one-hour sessions. The majority were female (93.3%) and college-level educated (53.3%). Repeat chair stands, physical function, and spiritual well-being improved significantly ( p < .05) with effect sizes ranging from .45 to .87. Over 52% of participants showed improved depression scores, fast gait speed, and standing balance. Nearly 42% demonstrated some frailty improvement over baseline. No adverse events were reported. Qigong exercise potentially improves the physical ability and function, and spiritual well-being of AAs and needs further testing in a randomized clinical trial.

scholarly journals Using the Life Story Book With Mentally Alert Residents of Nursing Homes

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 487-487
Author(s):  
Theresa Chrisman
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Wilks Lambda ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Hispanic White

Abstract Depression and lack of meaning in life (MIL) are common among residents of nursing homes (NHs) and contribute to a reduction in overall health and well-being. Life Story Book (LSB), a reminiscence intervention, is designed to provide a person with the opportunity to review their past and capture their life stories and photographs into a book. LSB has demonstrated positive outcomes for residents of NHs with dementia, yet little is known for residents without dementia. A switching replication design was used to examine the effects of LSB among 21 mentally alert residents from two NHs (NH-A and NH-B) in Houston, Texas. Participants in NH-A received three weeks of the LSB intervention, while NH-B received three weeks of care-as-usual; the intervention was then switched. The GDS-12R and the MIL questionnaire (MLQ) were used to measure depressive symptoms and MIL respectively. Participants from NH-A (n =11) and NH-B (n = 10) had a mean age of 75 years (SD =11.34); 81% female; 52% non-Hispanic white and 33% African American. Results from a one-way MANCOVA found no statistically significant difference on the GDS-12R and MLQ (F(3, 14) = 2.50, p = .102; Wilks’ Lambda = .652; η2 = .35). Further analyses comparing the pre-intervention and post-intervention scores for the entire sample (N =21) found a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (M = 2.67; SD = 2.52) and (M =1.67, SD = 2.29); (t (20) = 2.21, p = 0.039). The potential benefits of LSB for mentally alert residents of NHs warrants further research.

scholarly journals The Psychological Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic Restrictions in Italy. The Mediating Role of the Fear of COVID-19 in the Relationship between Positive and Negative Affect with Positive and Negative Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 697-710
Author(s):  
Andrea Zammitti ◽  
Chiara Imbrogliera ◽  
Angela Russo ◽  
Rita Zarbo ◽  
Paola Magnano
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

Italy was quickly hit hard by the coronavirus. ‘Lockdown’ has significantly impacted the psychological health, personal wellbeing and quality of life of the people. The study aims to explore the relationship between positive and negative affect, as well as positive (spiritual well-being and flourishing) and negative outcomes (psychological distress caused by a traumatic life event in terms of perception of PTSD symptoms) on Italian adults during the lockdown period. Data was collected between April and May 2020. The participants were 281 Italian adults aged between 18 and 73 years. The survey was composed of the following measures: Flourishing Scale, Jarel Spiritual Well-Being scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Impact of Event Scale—Revised, Fear of COVID-19. The mediational analysis shows that fear of COVID-19 fully mediates the relationship between negative affect and spiritual well-being and flourishing; fear of COVID-19 partially mediates the relationship between negative affect and PTSD symptoms; the positive affect shows only direct effects on positive outcomes. Therefore, fear of COVID-19 does not play any mediation role. Implications for psychological interventions and future research will be discussed.

scholarly journals Spiritual Well-Being and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Coppola ◽  
Nadia Rania ◽  
Rosa Parisi ◽  
Francesca Lagomarsino
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Great Difficulty ◽  
Coping Resources ◽  
Stress Factors ◽  
Difficult Situation ◽  
Spiritual Well Being

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, people and families experienced a new and sudden situation that forced them to stay in their homes for a long period (February 25- May 26). In this context, many people found themselves in great difficulty, not only because of the fear of contagion or the economic problems deriving from the closure of production activities but also because the virus profoundly changed the way of life in society. The “Social distancing” concept became central in all personal relationships, including close family relationships. In this situation, our paper seeks to understand the role of spirituality and religiosity in reacting to this difficult situation and in particular on the physical and psychological health of the people involved. The data we present here are part of a multidisciplinary research with a quantitative theoretical framework. As the data was collected during the first Italian lockdown, a total of 1,250 adults from all over Italy participated in the on-line questionnaire. Among the main results it emerged that the participants perceived lower levels of spiritual well-being and mental health than the pre-pandemic situation with a significant gender difference; in fact, women perceived lower mental health than men. At the same time, it is evident that spirituality and religious practices are a protective factor connected not only with psychological and mental but also physical health. Finally, it appears evident that the family is a protective factor with respect to mental health, even in a period so full of stress factors, those who did not live alone and especially those who had to take care of small children reported higher perceived mental health and a greater ability to activate coping resources.

Clinically Relevant Levels of Depressive Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Middle-Aged African Americans

2004 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 741-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas K. Miller ◽  
Theodore K. Malmstrom ◽  
Seema Joshi ◽  
Elena M. Andresen ◽  
John E. Morley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Middle Aged

scholarly journals Age Moderates Perceived COVID-19 Disruption on Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Knepple Carney ◽  
Allyson S Graf ◽  
Grace Hudson ◽  
Ellen Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives It is not fully understood how large-scale events affect well-being. Older adults showed the highest levels of resilience following the September 11th (9/11) terrorist attacks, but during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak, there were no age-related differences in well-being. The current study examined the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) disruption on well-being throughout adulthood. Research Design and Methods Perceived stress and affect were examined in 166 community-dwelling adults (Mage = 35.65; SD = 15.53; range = 18–79) in relation to the perceived disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic to their lives. Results A significant moderation was found for age and COVID-19 disruption on perceived stress [F(5, 153) = 8.88, p &lt; .05, R2 = .22] and negative affect [F(5, 154) = 4.91, p &lt; .05, R2 = .14], but not for positive affect. For participants over 50, those who rated COVID-19 as a low or high disruption had similar scores on stress and negative affect, but with younger aged participants, perceiving high disruption corresponded with higher levels of stress and negative affect. Discussion and Implications Findings are consistent with the strength and vulnerability integration (SAVI) model, wherein older adults try to maintain positive emotional well-being, with middle-aged and older adults in the current study having experienced less negative impact on well-being. Middle-aged and older adults may be better able to regulate negative emotions from COVID-19 than younger adults. SAVI proposes a greater negative impact on older adults when they experience sustained stressors; as the challenges with COVID-19 continue, further data will need to be examined.

scholarly journals Get(ting) to the Start Line – the evaluation of an innovative intervention to address adolescents’ school-related stress and anxiety

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 642-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Cale ◽  
Jo Harris ◽  
Oliver Hooper
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
School Based ◽  
East Midlands ◽  
Start Line ◽  
School Based Interventions ◽  
Related Stress

There are growing concerns over young people’s mental health, the academic pressures they face, and the association between school-related stress and health. Given this, alongside the known benefits of physical activity for psychological health, the need for school-based interventions with a physical activity focus seems justified. This paper reports on findings from the evaluation of a pilot of ‘Get to the Start Line’, an innovative school-based programme designed to address adolescents’ school-related stress and anxiety. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach and a pre- and post- design. Six schools from the East Midlands, UK, and selected year 11 pupils (aged 15–16) identified as experiencing examination-related stress and anxiety, participated in the programme. The programme was coordinated by a school champion (a staff member), delivered by an athlete mentor, and comprised six workshops. Data were collected from school champions and athlete mentors via an online survey following each workshop, and via semi-structured focus groups and interviews with pupils and school champions, respectively, pre-, mid- and post-intervention. Schools also provided relevant pupil data. The findings revealed the programme to be positively received by most pupils and to result in positive outcomes such as reported reductions in examination-related stress and anxiety for some, and fewer pupil well-being referrals. However, various challenges and limitations of the programme were identified, and recommendations were made for its future development. Therefore, whilst some of the findings were encouraging, further research into the implementation and impact of this and other such programmes is needed.

Measuring anxiety in the elderly: psychometric properties of the state trait inventory of cognitive and somatic anxiety (STICSA) in an elderly Italian sample

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 999-1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Balsamo ◽  
Marco Innamorati ◽  
Nicholas T. Van Dam ◽  
Leonardo Carlucci ◽  
Aristide Saggino
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The State ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Psychiatric Research ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Somatic Anxiety ◽  
Excellent Internal Consistency

ABSTRACTBackground:Despite its increasing personal and societal impact, assessment of late-life anxiety has received relatively little attention in psychiatric research. Differential symptom presentation and physical comorbidities among the elderly, relative to younger cohorts creates a need for anxiety measures that are psychometrically validated in the elderly.Methods:The present study examined the factor structure and discriminant validity of the state-trait inventory for cognitive and somatic anxiety (STICSA) in a sample of Italian middle-aged and older adults. Participants were 396 community-dwelling middle-aged (50–64 years) and older (≥65 years) adults. In addition to the STICSA, participants completed two depression measures and a general well-being survey with physical and mental health subscales.Results:Factor analysis supported the validity of both state–trait and cognitive–somatic distinctions underlying the STICSA, all dimensions exhibited excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α coefficients ≥ 0.86), and correlations with depression measures provided limited evidence for differentiation of anxious and depressive symptoms. The STICSA also showed evidence of discriminating anxious symptoms from physical health symptoms, a particularly relevant feature of a valid anxiety measure in elderly samples.Conclusions:The STICSA appears to be a valid measure of cognitive and somatic anxiety in the elderly.

scholarly journals Dynamic Associations Between Lifestyle Factors and Positive and Negative Affect in Middle-Aged African Americans

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 364-364
Author(s):  
Raheem Paxton ◽  
Chuong Bui ◽  
Rebecca Allen ◽  
Edward Sazonov
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Positive Effect

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the dynamic association between lifestyle factors and both positive and negative effect in middle-aged African Americans. Methods Study participants (N = 69, Mean age=51 years, 80% female) were recruited from two African American churches in the Deep South. Participants completed daily surveys on positive and negative effect, physical activity, sedentary behavior, diet quality, and sleep quality daily for up to 10-days. Mixed-effect models were used to examine associations between the variables of interest. Results On days that participants were more active, they experienced higher mean positive effect (P = .015) and lower mean negative effect (P = .028) scores. Conversely, more time spent sitting in lagged models (i.e., T-1) was associated with higher mean negative effect (P = .001) and lower mean positive effect (P = .040) scores. In lagged models, better sleep quality was associated with higher positive effects (P = .007) scores but reported lower negative effects (P &lt; .0001) scores on the same day. Lastly, on days where diet quality was higher, positive effect scores were higher (P &lt; 0.05). Association between diet quality and positive effect was moderated by age (P = .025). Conclusion The data suggest that same and previous day health behaviors may have a significant impact on the health and well-being of middle-aged African Americans. More research is needed to determine whether these behaviors can be targeted in real-time as a means of improving mental health outcomes in this population.

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