scholarly journals HOW AN INDIVIDUAL’S SENSE OF CONTROL INFLUENCES THEIR PERCEPTION OF SUCCESSFUL AGING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S341-S341
Author(s):  
Alexandra P Harris ◽  
Alexandria Nuccio ◽  
Ashely M Stripling
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Sense Of Control ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
The Us ◽  
Demographic Correlates ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Factors like physiology, mental health, personal resources, and social support have been identified to contribute to perceived successful aging (Cosco, Prina, Perales, Stephan & Brayne, 2015); however, sense of control’s role in these relationships remains underexplored. Studying the impact of sense of control is crucial, given that many factors associated with well-being are correlated with later life success. The current study investigates associations among sense of control and constructs known to define successful aging. The data was derived from the Survey of Midlife in the US database (MIDUS3). Participants were primarily Caucasian (88.7%) and female (54.9%) with a mean age of 63.64 years (SD=11.35). A series of hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that sense of control impacts physical health (F = 87.734, p<0.001), depression (F =43.944, p<0.001), anxiety (F =24.680, p<0.001), social actualization (F = 66.450, p<0.001), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (F = 135.963, p<0.001) over demographic correlates (i.e., age, sex, and race). The present findings suggest that higher levels of control results in increased comfort in social atmospheres, absence of mood symptoms, good health, and limited issues with IADL. Implications of the current findings include a deeper understanding of how psychological factors, such as sense of control, can impact physical and mental health in order to improve care and promote wellbeing in late life.

scholarly journals Assessing the impact of the European resilience curriculum in preschool, early and late primary school children

2021 ◽  
pp. 014303432110250
Author(s):  
Celeste Simões ◽  
Anabela C. Santos ◽  
Paula Lebre ◽  
João R. Daniel ◽  
Cátia Branquinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Prosocial Behaviours ◽  
The Impact

Resilience is an individual’s ability to adapt successfully to and persevere during and after significant challenges. Resilience programmes based on a socioemotional learning approach have been associated with an increase in protextive factors (e.g., prosocial competencies), improvements in physical and mental health, and a decrease in internalised and externalised symptoms. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of the RESCUR curriculum implemented in Portuguese schools on students’ academic, behavioural, and socioemotional outcomes, based on child and teacher reports. Participants included 1,084 children (53.2% male) aged 3-15 ( M = 7.24, SD = 2.31). A quasi-experimental study compared outcomes for an experimental intervention group (AIG) with a waiting list control group (WG). The results showed the RESCUR programme decreased mental health difficulties while increasing both prosocial behaviours and well-being. In addition, academic performance increased for those in preschool after implementation. Both teachers and children consistently reported positive behavioural changes in resilience-related competencies after implementing RESCUR. Our findings contribute to the recent research on the potential of RESCUR to address key socioemotional competencies and improve relevant protextive factors. Study limitations and future recommendations are addressed.

scholarly journals Declining mental health among disadvantaged Americans

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (28) ◽  
pp. 7290-7295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noreen Goldman ◽  
Dana A. Glei ◽  
Maxine Weinstein
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Opioid Epidemic ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Modest Improvement ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Impact

Although there is little dispute about the impact of the US opioid epidemic on recent mortality, there is less consensus about whether trends reflect increasing despair among American adults. The issue is complicated by the absence of established scales or definitions of despair as well as a paucity of studies examining changes in psychological health, especially well-being, since the 1990s. We contribute evidence using two cross-sectional waves of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study to assess changes in measures of psychological distress and well-being. These measures capture negative emotions such as sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness, and positive emotions such as happiness, fulfillment, and life satisfaction. Most of the measures reveal increasing distress and decreasing well-being across the age span for those of low relative socioeconomic position, in contrast to little decline or modest improvement for persons of high relative position.

scholarly journals Trajectories of material living standards, physical health and mental health under a universal pension

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-368
Author(s):  
Joanne Allen ◽  
Fiona M Alpass
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Material Hardship ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

ObjectiveAged pension schemes aim to support material and non-material well-being of older populations. The current work aimed to describe dominant trajectories of material living standards in the decades prior to and following eligibility for an aged pension, and describe associated trajectories of physical and mental health.MethodsLongitudinal data on living standards and indices of health Short Form 12 were collected over 2–12 years follow-up from 4811 New Zealand adults aged 55–76. Growth mixture models were used to identify dominant trajectories of living standards with age. Latent growth curve models were used to describe trajectories of physical and mental health associated with each living standards trajectory class.ResultsA group characterised by good living standards with age (81.5%) displayed physical and mental health scores comparable to those of the general adult population. Smaller groups experienced hardship but increasing living standards (11.8%) and hardship and declining living standards (6.8%). While both groups in hardship experienced poor health in the decade prior pension eligibility, mental health improved among those with increasing living standards, while physical and mental health declined among those with declining living standards.ConclusionUnder the current policy settings, a majority of older adults in New Zealand maintain a good level of living standards and health in later life. However, significant proportions experience material hardship and poor health in the decade prior to pension eligibility. Alleviation of material hardship may reduce health inequalities in later life.

scholarly journals Successful Aging in Individuals From Less Advantaged, Marginalized, and Stigmatized Backgrounds

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Myriam Verena Thoma ◽  
Shauna Ledean Mc Gee
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Resilience ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

Health and well-being in later life are heavily influenced by behaviors across the life course, which in turn are influenced by a variety of wider contextual, social, economic, and organizational factors. There is considerable potential for inequalities in health-promoting behaviors and health outcomes, arising from poverty, social, and environmental factors. This suggests that individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and circumstances may have more exposure to (chronic) stressors, coupled with reduced access to resources, and increased susceptibility to risk factors for ill-health and mental disorders in later life. This drastically decreases the likelihood for successful aging in individuals from less advantaged backgrounds. Nevertheless, despite these adverse circumstances, some high-risk, disadvantaged individuals have been shown to achieve and maintain good health and well-being into later life. This scientific update provides an overview of recently published research with samples that, against expectations, demonstrate successful aging. Favorable personality traits, cognitive strategies, and a high-level of intrinsic motivation, paired with a supportive social environment, have been found to build a prosperous basis for successful aging and positive health outcomes in later life for individuals living in aversive environmental circumstances. For clinical psychologists, the movement towards the investigation of underlying mechanisms of successful aging from a psychological perspective, particularly in disadvantaged individuals, may be a critical step towards understanding the vast heterogeneity in aging. Successful aging is possible in disadvantaged individuals. Psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage. The application of multi-level resilience models can aid future research on successful aging. Successful aging is possible in disadvantaged individuals. Psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage. The application of multi-level resilience models can aid future research on successful aging.

scholarly journals The Effects of Spirituality and Religiosity on Better Symptom Control in Patients With Covid-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 49-53
Author(s):  
Gilberto Campos Guimarães Filho ◽  
Maria Emília Figueiredo Teixeira ◽  
Idiberto José Zotarelli Filho ◽  
Patrícia Maluf Cury ◽  
Giancarlo Lucchetti
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Religious Faith ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Practice Meditation

The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), whose disease is COVID-19, in March 2020, spread around the world. To minimize the deleterious effects of emotional vulnerability, many strategies are in use worldwide, such as support groups, online courses, use of social networks, web meetings, yoga practice, meditation, and other contemplative religious and spiritual activities. Religious and spiritual beliefs have been used to deal with tough situations and, through scientific literature is still not so clear about the role of spirituality and religiosity (S/R) in physical and mental health during the pandemic. Therefore, this article proposes a discussion about the physiopathological mechanisms of COVID-19 and how S/R could be useful in this context. In this sense, religious faith can be a powerful resource for good health and well-being with a positive impact verified in mental health outcomes it is plausible to suggest that S/R should be an important tool in minimizing the population suffering at this moment. Spiritual care has long been recognized as one of the domains of quality palliative care, but every health care professional is ultimately responsible for ensuring spiritual care to deal with spiritual distress and improve quality of life in the scenarios inherent to COVID-19.

scholarly journals The Impacts Of Socio-Economic Challenge On Long-Term Physical and Mental Health In Retirement Age

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1057-1058
Author(s):  
Ilan Kwon ◽  
Sojung Park ◽  
BoRin Kim ◽  
ByeongJu Ryu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Latent Class Analysis ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The United States ◽  
Class Analysis ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Despite consistent evidence on the negative effect of social and economic challenges on health, little is known about the pattern of economic difficulties people experience and the impact of those challenging patterns on long-term health in later life. This study used the national data, Mid Life in the United States (MIDUS 3 in 2013-2014), to identify the different patterns of socio-economic challenges that older Americans (50-64 ages old) experienced during the Recession in 2008 and to examine the impact of past challenging experiences on physical and mental health in their later life. Socio-economic challenges included twenty-six items such as losing or moving a job, missing rent, selling or losing a home, bankruptcy, having debts, and cutting spending. We conducted the latent class analysis and regression while controlling other social determinant factors (e.g., education, employment status, poverty, etc.). The latent class analysis result found five patterns during the Recession: people who experienced various difficulties during the Recession, who moved their jobs, who experienced financial difficulties, who bought a home with decreased debts, and who experienced no difficulty. Compared to people with no challenging experience, those who needed to move their jobs but could make debt off during the Recession reported physically healthier, but not mentally healthier in later life. Interestingly, among this group, women reported more long-term physical health problems than men. The findings suggest the close connection between physical and mental health and the importance of long-term care for mental health among older adults in recovering from socio-economic challenges.

scholarly journals Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call for Action

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 411-412
Author(s):  
G. Kalcev ◽  
A. Preti ◽  
G. Orrù ◽  
M.G. Carta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Burnout Syndrome ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Health Response ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
The Impact

The current COVID-19 pandemic is likely to affect the physical and mental health and the well-being of people globally. The physicians and nurses on the frontline of patients care will be among the most affected in their psychosocial well-being, being exposed to trauma consequences and burnout syndrome. It is still unknown whether the COVID-19 infection will have direct neuropsychiatric consequences. The impact of the quarantine lockdown on mental health, too, has to be taken into account. The inclusion of mental health as part of national public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic is mandatory in assisting all those in need.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health of Asians: A study of seven middle-income countries in Asia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246824
Author(s):  
Cuiyan Wang ◽  
Michael Tee ◽  
Ashley Edward Roy ◽  
Mohammad A. Fardin ◽  
Wandee Srichokchatchawan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
General Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the economy, livelihood, and physical and mental well-being of people worldwide. This study aimed to compare the mental health status during the pandemic in the general population of seven middle income countries (MICs) in Asia (China, Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam). All the countries used the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R) and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to measure mental health. There were 4479 Asians completed the questionnaire with demographic characteristics, physical symptoms and health service utilization, contact history, knowledge and concern, precautionary measure, and rated their mental health with the IES-R and DASS-21. Descriptive statistics, One-Way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression were used to identify protective and risk factors associated with mental health parameters. There were significant differences in IES-R and DASS-21 scores between 7 MICs (p<0.05). Thailand had all the highest scores of IES-R, DASS-21 stress, anxiety, and depression scores whereas Vietnam had all the lowest scores. The risk factors for adverse mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic include age <30 years, high education background, single and separated status, discrimination by other countries and contact with people with COVID-19 (p<0.05). The protective factors for mental health include male gender, staying with children or more than 6 people in the same household, employment, confidence in doctors, high perceived likelihood of survival, and spending less time on health information (p<0.05). This comparative study among 7 MICs enhanced the understanding of metal health in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Preserving mental health and well-being

2017 ◽  
pp. 1289-1296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osvaldo P. Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cognitive Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Health ◽  
High Plasma ◽  
Plasma Homocysteine ◽  
Modifiable Risk Factors ◽  
Health And Well Being

Well-being is a state characterized by contentment with one’s emotional, physical, and social circumstances that is undermined by the presence of depression, dementia, and frailty. Numerous potentially modifiable risk factors have been associated with these common conditions of later life, and there is growing evidence that multidomain interventions that target them in a systematic fashion hold potential to reduce the incidence and prevalence of frailty, dementia, and depression in older age. Some of the potential targets for interventions include physical inactivity, suboptimal education or cognitive activity, smoking, harmful alcohol use, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high plasma homocysteine, low vitamin D, and testosterone. These interventions are still in their infancy, but preliminary data offer hope that an increasing number of people will be able to enjoy good health and well-being in their later years.

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