Neighborhood Walkability and Physical and Mental Health among Older Adults Living in a Deprived Community

Abstract Background Identifying the factors to improve the quality of life (QOL) is vital to decrease morbidity and mortality rates among older adults. Although unfavorable neighborhood features have a significant negative impact on QOL, few studies have investigated these relationships in a deprived community. The purpose of the study was to understand how neighborhood walkability is associated with QOL using the SF-36 among urban-dwelling older adults. Methods This is a cross-sectional survey. Participants were recruited in 2018 and 2019 at regional health clinics in Flint, MI. To be eligible, participants had to be over 65 years old and Flint residents. Results Of the 132 participants, the majority were female (66%), African American (77%), single, divorced, or widowed (75%), and educated below GED level (84%). After adjusting for gender, assistive device use, medication, and the Supplemental Security Income receipt, multiple regression analysis revealed that those with better perceptions of land-mixed use and accessibility within their neighborhood were more likely to have better physical health (β = .36, p<.05). However, the perceptions of greater pedestrian safety were associated with the poor physical and mental health (PCS; β = -0.19, p <.05; MCS; β = -0.25, p < .05). Perceptions of the presence of walking hazards and crime were not significantly associated with QOL. Discussion Findings suggest that neighborhood walkability characteristics are associated with physical health. The development of walking programs with accessible neighborhoods will be urgent to improve the health-related QOL for older adults living in a targeted community.

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The glass is not half empty: optimism, pessimism, and health among older adults

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610219000498 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 135-139 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael D. Barnett ◽

Ellen A. Anderson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Physical Health ◽

Short Form ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Life Orientation Test ◽

Health And Well Being

ABSTRACTObjectives:Optimism and pessimism are distinct constructs that have demonstrated independent relationships with aspects of health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether optimism or pessimism is more closely linked with physical and mental health among older adults.Design:Cross-sectional survey.Participants:Community-dwelling older adults (N = 272) ages 59–95 in the southern United States.Measurements:The Life Orientation Test—Revised and the Short Form 8.Results:At the bivariate level, optimism was associated with higher physical health and mental health, while pessimism was associated with lower physical health and mental health. Multiple-regression analyses as well as comparison of correlation coefficients found that pessimism was more closely associated with physical health and mental health than optimism.Conclusions:These results add to the literature suggesting that, in terms of older adults’ health and well-being, avoiding pessimism may be more important than being optimistic.

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Differential Effects of Personal-Level vs Group-Level Racial Discrimination on Health among Black Americans

Ethnicity & Disease ◽

10.18865/ed.26.3.453 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 453 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Nao Hagiwara ◽

Courtney J. Alderson ◽

Briana Mezuk

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Health ◽

Racial Discrimination ◽

Black Americans ◽

The United States ◽

Group Level ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Personal Level

Objective: Racial/ethnic minorities in the United States not only experience discrimination personally but also witness or hear about fellow in-group members experiencing discrimination (ie, group-level discrimination). The objective of our study was to examine whether the effects of group-level discrimination on mental and physical health are different from those of personal level discrimination among Black Americans by drawing upon social psychology research of the Personal/Group Discrimination Discrepancy. Design and Setting: We conducted a secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data from a larger study. Participants: One hundred and twenty participants, who self-identified as Black/ African Americans during the laboratory sessions (57.5% women, mean age = 48.97, standard deviation = 8.58) in the parent study, were included in our analyses. Main Predictor Measures: Perceived personal- level discrimination was assessed with five items that were taken from two existing measures, and group-level racial discrimination was assessed with three items. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported physical and mental health were assessed with a modified version of SF-8. Results: Perceived personal-level racial discrimination was associated with worse mental health. In contrast, perceived group-level racial discrimination was associated with better mental as well as physical health. Conclusions: Perceived group-level racial discrimination may serve as one of several health protective factors even when individuals perceive personal-level racial discrimination. The present findings demonstrate the importance of examining both personal- and group-level experiences of racial discrimination as they independently relate to health outcomes for Black Americans. Ethn Dis. 2016;26:453-460; doi:10.18865/ ed.26.3.453

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The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and residency training of family medicine residents: findings from a nationwide cross-sectional survey in Turkey

BMC Family Practice ◽

10.1186/s12875-021-01576-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hüsna Çevik ◽

Mehmet Ungan

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Family Medicine ◽

Online Survey ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Short Version ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Training Programmes ◽

Family Medicine Residents

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on resident training in different branches and affected the physical and mental health of frontline residents adversely. This nationwide cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on family medicine residents in Turkey, including the levels of depression and burnout. Methods An anonymous online survey was distributed to all family medicine residents via e-mail and a web link between 28.11.2020 and 12.12.2020. Information on sociodemographic data and the residency programme were evaluated, and factors associated with depression and burnout were examined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Burnout Measure-Short Version (BMS) respectively. Results Although the weekly average working hours of the 477 respondents increased significantly during the pandemic (p < 0.05), the average weekly working time in the Family Medicine (FM) outpatient clinic decreased. The greatest concern of 58.3% of the residents was fear of transmitting COVID-19 to their family members. 90.2% of the residents stated that training programmes were negatively or very negatively affected. According to PHQ-9 scores, 15.7% of residents had moderately severe, and 14.9% severe depression. The BMS scores of the residents demonstrated that 24.1% had a very severe burnout problem, and 23.3% should seek professional help as soon as possible. Being single, having no children, female gender, lack of personal protective equipments and increased contact time with COVID-19 patients were associated with higher scores in the depression and burnout scales (p < 0.05). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on training programmes for FM residents, who are at the forefront of the pandemic in Turkey, and this situation is closely related to depression and burnout. Due to the unpredictability of the pandemic, long-term plans should be made for the training needs of residents in order to protect their physical and mental health.

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Beyond PPE: a mixed qualitative–quantitative study capturing the wider issues affecting doctors’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050223 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e050223

Author(s):

Lyndsey Jayne Cubitt ◽

Yu Ri Im ◽

Ciaran James Scott ◽

Louise Claire Jeynes ◽

Paul David Molyneux

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Working Hours ◽

Well Being ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the medical workforce. This has put them at increased risk of burnout at a time when levels are already worryingly high in the profession, with recent studies consistently showing that around half of doctors meet the validated criteria for burnout.ObjectivesTo understand the wider factors influencing and impacting upon hospital doctors’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in England.DesignCross-sectional survey and mixed quantitative–qualitative analysis.SettingAcute National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust in England.ParticipantsAn online survey was circulated in early June 2020 to all 449 doctors employed by the Trust. 242 doctors completed the survey (54% response rate).Primary outcome measuresQuestions assessed occupational details, self-reported changes in physical and mental health, satisfaction with working hours and patterns, availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), medication and facilities, communication and sought to identify areas seen as having a significant effect on doctors’ well-being.Results96% of respondents requiring PPE were able to access it. Nearly half of the respondents felt that their mental health had deteriorated since the start of the pandemic. Over a third stated that their physical health had also declined. Issues identified as having a negative impact on doctors included increased workload, redeployment, loss of autonomy, personal issues affecting family members, anxiety around recovery plans, inadequate access to changing and storage facilities and to rest areas that allow for social distancing. Doctors appreciated access to ‘calm rooms’ that were made available for staff, access to clinical psychology support, free drinks and free car parking on site.ConclusionThe emerging themes are suggestive of increased burnout risk among doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic and encompass factors well beyond shortage of PPE. Small organisational initiatives and the implementation of changes suggested by survey respondents can have a positive impact on doctors’ well-being.

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Quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis

Journal of Patan Academy of Health Sciences ◽

10.3126/jpahs.v5i2.24018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 81-84

Author(s):

Rajani Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Physical Health ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional

Introductions: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a non-inflammatory degenerative disorder of the joint. It has negative impact on health related quality of life (QOL), both in physical and mental health. This study aimed to assess QOL of patient with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatient department of orthopedic in Patan hospital, Patan Academy of Health Sciences. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used. Data was collected from 21st July to 18th August 2017 among 125 knee osteoarthritis patients by face-to-face interview using structured interview. Results: Overall QOL of patients with knee osteoarthritis was good in mental health component mean score (62.09) and poor in physical health with a mean score of (38.18). The physical component of QOL was significantly associated with age (p<0.04) and occupation (p<0.001). There was no association between independent variable and mental component of QOL. Conclusions: The significant proportion of the patients have poor quality of life in physical health component, but majority of patients have good mental health.

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Differentiating objective and subjective dimensions of social isolation and apprasing their relations with physical and mental health in italian older adults

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-020-01864-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maddalena Fiordelli ◽

Gabriele Sak ◽

Benedetta Guggiari ◽

Peter J. Schulz ◽

Serena Petrocchi

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Health ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Elderly Population ◽

The Elderly ◽

Demographic Variables ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Face To Face

Abstract Background International research shows that social isolation is harmful for health, especially for the elderly. Its objective and subjective dimensions are important to distinguish as each stands in a different relation with health. The first aim of the present study is the validation of three scales measuring objective and subjective isolation in an Italian elderly population. The second aim is to analyze subjective and objective social isolation and to appraise their association with health among seniors. Methods This cross-sectional survey collected data from 306 over 65 s participants. Questionnaires were administered face-to-face by one author and encompassed: social disconnectedness scale; perceived isolation scale; abbreviated Lubben Social Network Scale; measures of general and mental health, and depression. Results The three scales measuring social isolation demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and validity. Objective and subjective social isolation were not directly associated with physical health, whereas subjective isolation is strongly linked to worse mental health and depression. Higher level of subjective isolation was associated with lower level of physical health through the mediation of mental health. Subjective isolation served as a mediator in the relation between objective isolation and health. Moderation analysis demonstrated that low values of objective isolation predicted high values of mental health but only when subjective isolation was low. None of these relations were moderated by socio-demographic variables. Conclusion Subjective and objective isolation are clearly two separate dimensions and the scales validated in this paper showed to be potentially culturally invariant. Researchers should work to find instruments able to depict the complexity of the construct of social isolation.

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Psychological Stress among Students in Health-Related Fields during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study at Selected Munich Universities

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126611 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6611

Author(s):

Kristina Schröpfer ◽

Nicole Schmidt ◽

Sandra Kus ◽

Clemens Koob ◽

Michaela Coenen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Stress ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Health Related

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging period of upheaval for higher education students. This study aims to assess the factors associated with psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of students in health-related fields at Munich universities in Germany. Students (n = 623) from KSH Munich and LMU Munich completed an online cross-sectional survey. Information on demographics and academic and everyday difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as data on physical and mental health were collected. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the outcome. The prevalence for higher psychological stress was 44% among the study population. Factors associated with higher psychological stress were: lower overall life satisfaction (p < 0.0001), worsened health situation (p < 0.0001), lack of social support (p = 0.0301) and social interaction (p = 0.0115), worries about financial difficulties due to loss of income (p = 0.0134), stressful thoughts about a second wave (p < 0.0001), feeling unable to positively influence the situation (p = 0.0262) and study-related effects, such as perceived study burden (p = 0.0003) and likely delay in studies (p = 0.0178)). The COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant negative impact on the mental health of students in health-related fields. Proactive efforts to support the mental health and well-being of students are needed.

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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 ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018729 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. e018729 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

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Functional Limitations and Perceived Neighborhood Walkability Among Urban Dwelling Older Adults

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.675799 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Rie Suzuki ◽

Jennifer Blackwood ◽

Noah J. Webster ◽

Shailee Shah

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

General Education ◽

Functional Limitations ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Lower Income ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

General Education Development ◽

Education Development ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neighborhood Walkability

Older adults with functional limitations (FLs) often experience obstacles to walking. Although health promotion programs targeting physical activity are available in lower-income areas, few studies have compared the walking experiences of older adults who have FLs with those who do not in the community. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to compare perceptions of neighborhood walkability among older adults living in lower-income communities with and without FLs. Participants (N = 132) were recruited in 2018 at regional health clinics in Flint, Michigan. To be eligible, participants had to be 65 years of age or older, report no cognitive decline, and be Flint residents. Of the 132 participants, the mean age was 69.74 (SD = 4.97). The majority were female (66%); African American (77%); single, divorced, or widowed (72%); educated below the General Education Development level (57%), and had a FL (67%). Older adults with FLs were significantly (p < 0.05) less likely than those without to visit many places within walking distance, to have well-lit neighborhoods at night, and to reside in neighborhoods where sidewalks were separated from the road and traffic. Multiple regression analyses revealed that having a FL was associated with poorer neighborhood perceptions of mixed-land-use (b = −0.19, p < 0.05) and more walking hazards (b = −0.26, p < 0.05). Findings suggest that a FL is associated with perceptions of walkability. It is essential to develop disability-friendly support systems and accommodations to encourage walking in lower-income communities.

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Resilience, well-being, depression symptoms and concussion levels in equestrian athletes

Journal of Public Mental Health ◽

10.1108/jpmh-08-2020-0110 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Annika McGivern ◽

Stephen Shannon ◽

Gavin Breslin

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Well Being ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Content Type ◽

Mental Health Support ◽

History Of

Purpose This paper aims to conduct the first cross-sectional survey on depression, Resilience, well-being, depression symptoms and concussion levels in equestrian athletes and to assess whether past concussion rates were associated with depression, resilience and well-being. Design/methodology/approach In total, 511 participants from Canada, Republic of Ireland, UK, Australia and USA took part in an international cross-sectional, online survey evaluating concussion history, depression symptoms, resilience and well-being. Findings In total, 27.1% of athletes met clinically relevant symptoms of major depressive disorder. Significant differences were shown in the well-being and resilience scores between countries. Significant relationships were observed between reported history of concussion and both high depression scores and low well-being scores. Practical implications Findings highlight the need for mental health promotion and support in equestrian sport. Social implications Results support previous research suggesting a need for enhanced mental health support for equestrians. There is reason to believe that mental illness could still be present in riders with normal levels of resilience and well-being. Originality/value This study examined an understudied athlete group: equestrian athletes and presents important findings with implications for the physical and mental health of this population.

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