Health and Well-Being

2021 ◽  
pp. 201-226
Author(s):  
Neal M. Krause
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Religious Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Proactive Coping ◽  
Coping Responses ◽  
The Third ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Extensive Body ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Insight Into

The goal of this chapter is to show how a sense of meaning in life acts in concert with the dimensions of religion that have been discussed so far to affect health. The discussion that follows is divided into two sections. The extensive body of research that links meaning with health and well-being is examined first. Following this, three submodels are introduced that provide further insight into how meaning in life might affect health. The first submodel brings gratitude and prayer to the foreground. The second submodel focuses on the relationships among meaning in life, proactive coping responses, and health behavior. The third submodel brings issues involving the interface between meaning in life, negative aspects of religious life (e.g., religious doubt), and health-related outcomes.

scholarly journals The Health and Well-Being of African-American Older Adults With a History of Incarceration

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 506-506
Author(s):  
Rodlescia Sneed
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
African American ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Formerly Incarcerated ◽  
Older Prisoners ◽  
Health Related ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
African American Older Adults

Abstract African-Americans are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Longer prison stays and release programs for older prisoners may result in an increased number of community-dwelling older adults with a history of incarceration. In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in research on health-related outcomes for currently incarcerated older adults; however, there has been little inquiry into outcomes for formerly incarcerated African-American older adults following community re-entry. In this study, we used secondary data from the Health and Retirement Study to describe employment, economic, and health-related outcomes in this population. Twelve percent of the 2238 African-Americans in our sample had been previously incarcerated. Those who had been previously incarcerated had higher rates of lung disease, arthritis, back problems, mobility problems, and mental health issues than their counterparts. They also had higher rates of hospitalization and lower use of dental health services. Further, while they did not experience lower employment rates than those with no criminal history, those who had been incarcerated had more physically demanding jobs and reported greater economic strain. Given the disproportionate incarceration rates among African-Americans, the aging of the prison population, and the increase in community re-entry for older prisoners, research that explores factors that impact the health and well-being of formerly incarcerated individuals has broad impact. Future work should focus on addressing the needs of this vulnerable population of African-American older adults.

scholarly journals Meaning of Life and Well-Being: Preliminary Results of the Successful Aging Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 112-112
Author(s):  
Zvi Gellis ◽  
Kim McClive-Reed ◽  
Bonnie Kenaley ◽  
Eunhae Kim
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Presence Of Meaning ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Proxy Measure ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Meaning in life for older persons has become a focal research point, with findings that a greater sense of meaning is associated with better outcomes on a range of health and well-being factors. Our study examined relationships between scores on several personality scales, including the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (Steger et al., 2009) and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, a proxy measure of mood/depression. Community-dwelling members (N=535) of Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes aged 50 and up (mean age 71.4, SD = 6.93) at 3 U.S. sites completed surveys. Higher wellness levels were significantly correlated with increased resilience, optimism, life satisfaction, and presence of meaning in life, while lower levels were associated with greater searching for meaning in life. A multivariate linear regression model (F = 55.597, df = 4, p = .000, R = .566, R2 = .320) showed that wellness scores increased with higher scores in optimism (ß = .348, p =.000), resilience (ß = .183, p = .000), and presence of meaning in life (ß = .106, p = .019). However, searching for meaning in life significantly predicted decreases in wellness scores (ß = -.084, p=.019). These results support those of previous studies, suggesting that for older persons, an ongoing search for meaning in life is linked to negative outcomes than a perception of existing meaning in life. A variety of available interventions aimed at increasing meaning and purpose in life (Guerrero-Torelles et al., 2017) may contribute to better health and well-being in older adults.

The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Health, and Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-70
Author(s):  
Kristine Klussman ◽  
Julia Langer ◽  
Austin Lee Nichols
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract. Background: Most people are comfortable asserting the beneficial effects of physical exercise on mental health and well-being. However, little research has examined how different types of physical activity affect these outcomes. Aims: The current study sought to provide a comprehensive understanding of the differential relationships between different types of physical activity and various aspects of health and well-being. In addition, we sought to understand the role of self-connection in these relationships. Method: One hundred forty-three participants completed a questionnaire designed to measure their current weekly activity as well as their current health and well-being. Specifically, we examined three intensities of activity (walking, moderate, and vigorous) and three types of activity (team-based, community-based, and not team nor community-based) on self-reported health, anxiety, depression, affect, flourishing, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and meaning in life. In addition, we examined self-connection as a possible moderator of these relationships. Results: Results suggested that physical activity was inconsistently related to health and well-being, and activity intensity and type were important to understanding these relationships. In contrast, self-connection reliably related to health and well-being and moderated the relationship between activity type and the presence of meaning. Limitations: The cross-sectional, self-report nature of the study limits its contribution. In addition, we only examined a subset of all physical activities that people engage in. Conclusion: In all, results suggest that the relationships between physical activity, mental health, and well-being are tenuous, at best. Future research needs to examine these relationships further and continue to examine self-connection to determine how to best increase health and well-being through physical activity.

6. The why of creativity

2021 ◽  
pp. 82-96
Author(s):  
Vlad Glăveanu
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Creative Expression ◽  
The Other ◽  
Creative People ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The One ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Different Levels

This chapter addresses why people engage in creativity. This question can be answered at different levels. On the one hand, one can refer to what motivates creative people to do what they do. On the other hand, the question addresses a deeper level, that of how societies today are built and how they, in turn, construct the meaning and value of creativity. Nowadays, people consider creativity intrinsically valuable largely because of its direct and indirect economic benefits. However, creative expression also has a role for health and well-being. Creativity also relates to meaning in life. The chapter then considers how creativity can be used for good or for evil.

scholarly journals Workshop: Tools and opportunities for health promotion

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Health Related ◽  
European Health ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Benchmarking System ◽  
Specific Health ◽  
Improve Health

Abstract Health promotion acknowledges the reciprocal relationship between health-related behaviours and the environments in which people live, considers that the environment is made up of different subsystems and emphasises the relationships and dependencies between these subsystems. Our workshop acknowledges the multi-faceted nature of health promotion and intends to provoke thinking, ideas and tools for health promotion to help to expand skills and knowledge to develop health promotion strategies, policies and interventions. This workshop will offer examples and provoke discussions on how to develop, evolve and improve health promotion practices. First, an overview of the European health promotion landscape is presented. This information is based on data collection conducted in 2018 in the European Joint Action Chrodis Plus. Next, we have two interlinked presentations to describe how to institutionalize health promotion thorough legislation, assess health promotion actions nationwide, and foster development in municipalities enforced by legislation. These presentations illustrate the developments in Finland, offer examples and highlight the importance of ministerial level actions for health promotion. The nationwide benchmarking system for assessment has existed for over ten years and offers an example for other countries. The two last presentations address specific health and well-being issues: (1) tobacco control in Portugal and Israel and (2) the promotion of older people’s health and well-being in Iceland. The presentation on tobacco control is an example of inter-dependencies of different stake-holders. The presentation from Iceland will stimulate a discussion on how to start and conduct the nationwide implementation of an evidence based health promotion intervention and what the role governments, municipalities, and NGOs should be. The workshop is a regular workshop. Time for discussion is offered in four spots, (1st) after the first presentation, (2nd) after the second and third presentations, (3rd) after the fourth and (4th) final discussion after the fifth presentation. Key messages Promising methods for health promotion exist. The challenge is how to implement effectively. Legislation is a powerful tool to enhance health promotion practices.

Thrive, not just survive: the experience of a fellow in the SBM Leadership Institute to enhance opportunities for success of mid-career nurse scientists

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 912-914
Author(s):  
Patricia A Kinser
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Faculty Shortage ◽  
Administrative Roles ◽  
Related Discipline ◽  
Leadership Institute ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Funding Environment ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Mid-career nurse scientists are at risk of burnout and departure from research-focused roles due to a myriad of reasons, including a nationwide faculty shortage, vacant administrative roles, and the challenging extramural funding environment. Retention and success of mid-career scientists in any health-related discipline is essential to maintain educational and research endeavors that are important for public health and well-being. This commentary provides an account of recent efforts to address these issues, from the perspective of a former fellow in the Society of Behavioral Medicine Leadership Institute. Although these efforts are focused specifically on the needs of nurse scientists, the topic is relevant to researchers in any discipline. The intent of this commentary is for others to benefit from the lessons learned and to build upon our current efforts to help mid-career scientists thrive, not just survive.

Health-enhancing Architectural Features of Modern Hanok, Experienced in and Desired by Korean Residents

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeunsook Lee ◽  
Yeakoo Lee ◽  
Miseon Jang ◽  
Myunghee Jang
Keyword(s):  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Objective Health ◽  
Architectural Features ◽  
Holistic Concept ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Interactive Relationship ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
Health And Well Being

One of the essential functions of the modern residential buildings should be to support health and well-being of occupants in a holistic way. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the health-friendly features of a Modern Hanok (Korean urban traditional house), much valued by residents of these types of homes. In this research, the factors related to ‘‘health and well-being’’ were considered as parts of a holistic concept including assessment of physical/physiological, psychological/ emotional and social health dimensions. The health friendly architectural characteristics of Modern Hanok were identified based on literature survey and classified according to the Murtha and Lee’s U.B.C Theory of three health dimensions. A questionnaire study involving 300 residents of Modern Hanok and apartment homes was conducted to analyse the various ‘‘health supportabilities’’ of Modern Hanok. The similarities and dissimilarities of the two sets of residents were analysed, together with the perceived health-related features. The study has provided a new perspective of the interactive relationship, both systematically and empirically, between objective health-related architectural features and subjective perception of occupants, to inform architects to design homes that would encompass the healthy features of Modern Hanok for modern contemporary healthy living of Korean residents.

scholarly journals Invisible Identity in the Workplace: Intersectional Madness and Processes of Disclosure at Work

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Merrick Daniel Pilling
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Multiple Identities ◽  
Work Lives ◽  
Subject Positions ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Invisible Disabilities ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health And Well Being

<p>In this article I draw on recent work regarding disabilities that are not readily apparent to analyze the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and/or trans (LGBQT) mad people in the workplace. Based on interviews with LGBQT people about madness and everyday life, I use an intersectional approach to examine participants&rsquo; work lives. I argue that decisions about disclosure of mental health related information are particularly pressing and high risk at work, given the economic stakes and the effects on health and well-being. As is the case for others with invisible disabilities, notions of authenticity shape processes of disclosure and access to accommodations for LGBQT mad people in the workplace. An intersectional analysis shows how madness cannot be considered the only salient aspect of my participants&rsquo; subject positions and how multiple identities operate together to shape their experiences.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Keywords:&nbsp;madness, invisible disability, LGBQT, intersectionality,&nbsp;workplace, race, sexuality, gender identity&nbsp;</p>

scholarly journals Advancing the Study of Resilience to Daily Stressors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Ong ◽  
Kate Leger
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Daily Stressors ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Natural Settings ◽  
Adult Resilience ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Intensive Sampling ◽  
Health And Well Being

Historically, studies of childhood and adult resilience have typically focused on adaptation to chronic life adversities, such as poverty and maltreatment, or isolated and potentially traumatic events, such bereavement and serious illness. Here, we present a complementary view, suggesting that stressors experienced in daily life may also forecast individual health and well-being. We argue that daily process approaches that incorporate intensive sampling of individuals in natural settings can provide powerful insights into unfolding adaptational processes. In making this argument, we review studies that link within-person dynamics with diverse health-related phenomena. Findings from this research provide support for a multiple-levels-analysis perspective that embraces greater unity in pivotal resilience constructs invoked across childhood and adult literatures. Drawing on insights and principles derived from life-span theory, we conclude by outlining promising directions for future work and considering their broader implications for the field of resilience.

scholarly journals Passive Sensing of Health Outcomes Through Smartphones: Systematic Review of Current Solutions and Possible Limitations (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Trifan ◽  
Maryse Oliveira ◽  
José Luís Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
English Language ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Monitoring Systems ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Being There ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Health And Well Being

BACKGROUND Technological advancements, together with the decrease in both price and size of a large variety of sensors, has expanded the role and capabilities of regular mobile phones, turning them into powerful yet ubiquitous monitoring systems. At present, smartphones have the potential to continuously collect information about the users, monitor their activities and behaviors in real time, and provide them with feedback and recommendations. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aimed to identify recent scientific studies that explored the passive use of smartphones for generating health- and well-being–related outcomes. In addition, it explores users’ engagement and possible challenges in using such self-monitoring systems. METHODS A systematic review was conducted, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, to identify recent publications that explore the use of smartphones as ubiquitous health monitoring systems. We ran reproducible search queries on PubMed, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and Scopus online databases and aimed to find answers to the following questions: (1) What is the study focus of the selected papers? (2) What smartphone sensing technologies and data are used to gather health-related input? (3) How are the developed systems validated? and (4) What are the limitations and challenges when using such sensing systems? RESULTS Our bibliographic research returned 7404 unique publications. Of these, 118 met the predefined inclusion criteria, which considered publication dates from 2014 onward, English language, and relevance for the topic of this review. The selected papers highlight that smartphones are already being used in multiple health-related scenarios. Of those, physical activity (29.6%; 35/118) and mental health (27.9; 33/118) are 2 of the most studied applications. Accelerometers (57.7%; 67/118) and global positioning systems (GPS; 40.6%; 48/118) are 2 of the most used sensors in smartphones for collecting data from which the health status or well-being of its users can be inferred. CONCLUSIONS One relevant outcome of this systematic review is that although smartphones present many advantages for the passive monitoring of users’ health and well-being, there is a lack of correlation between smartphone-generated outcomes and clinical knowledge. Moreover, user engagement and motivation are not always modeled as prerequisites, which directly affects user adherence and full validation of such systems.

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