Loneliness in Malta: Findings from the first National Prevalence Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 026540752110201
Author(s):  
Marilyn Clark ◽  
Jamie Bonnici ◽  
Andrew Azzopardi
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Mortgage Payment ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
National Prevalence

Loneliness has been examined by an increasing number of scholars, being implicated in numerous detrimental outcomes for mental and physical health. However, most loneliness prevalence studies have focused on particular age groups, thus overlooking how loneliness differs across the lifespan. This study assessed loneliness prevalence in a nationally representative sample ( n = 1,009) of the Maltese population aged 11 years and above using the 11-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, while also identifying associations between loneliness and sociodemographic factors. Results demonstrate that 43.5% of the Maltese population experiences some form of loneliness. The association between loneliness and age demonstrates a nonlinear relationship, with elevated loneliness rates among adolescents, which decrease slightly in early adulthood, before slowly increasing from age 35 onward. Loneliness is also significantly associated with education level, employment status, household composition, mortgage payment status, perception of income, presence of a disability, active citizenship, as well as self-rated physical health, coping ability, and subjective wellbeing. These findings indicate that loneliness is experienced in significant rates across the lifespan, and intervention efforts should be targeted toward individuals of all ages.

scholarly journals The Contribution of Foods and Beverages of Low Nutritional Value to the Diets of Swedish Adolescents, by Food Group, Time and Place. A Nationally Representative Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2450
Author(s):  
Anna Karin Lindroos ◽  
Lotta Moraeus ◽  
Jessica Petrelius Sipinen ◽  
Eva Warensjö Lemming ◽  
Emma Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Dietary Survey ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Nationally Representative

Adolescence is a time in life when lifestyle behaviours are acquired. One indicator of poor diet quality is the intake of foods and beverages with a relatively low nutritional value. Using the Australian classification of such foods, termed “discretionary”, we classified the intakes of Swedish adolescents who participated in the Riksmaten Adolescent 2016–17 national dietary survey. From selected schools, 3099 adolescents in age groups 11–12, 14–15 and 17–18 years provided two 24-h recalls. Intakes and healthy dietary scores were calculated. Plasma ferritin, folate and 25(OH)D were available for a third. Almost 40% of total energy came from discretionary foods/beverages. Adolescents with higher intakes were more likely to be female, older, from a low socioeconomic position-household and born in Sweden. Most discretionary foods/beverages were consumed on weekend days and during in-between meals, outside of the home and at school. Percent energy from discretionary intake was associated with healthy dietary scores but not nutritional status. A substantial amount of energy was obtained from discretionary foods/beverages, and we found that consumption is pervasive across sociodemographic factors, time and place. Addressing this pattern will require a comprehensive approach to food environments and behaviours to reach all adolescents in an equitable manner.

scholarly journals Social support, self-perceived health and mental status of general population of Republic of Srpska

2015 ◽  
Vol 143 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 180-185
Author(s):  
Jelena Niskanovic ◽  
Sladjana Siljak
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Mental Status ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
National Health Survey ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Introduction. Social support is defined as perception of how other people take care of us, how they understand our needs and give us support. Social support has positive influence on health, adoption of healthy lifestyles and recovery from illness. Objective. The aim of this paper is to detect the level of social support across different socio-demographic groups and to analyze relationship between social support, self-perceived health and mental well-being. Methods. Data from the 2010 Household Survey (National Health Survey) for the Republic of Srpska were used. A specially designed questionnaire was used, developed on the basis of internationally recognized and accepted instruments. Representative sample of 4,178 persons aged 18 and older were interviewed. Results. The obtained results showed that the level of social support was the lowest among the oldest population, persons with the lowest level of education unemployed and unmarried. There was present relationship between social support, self-perceived health and mental health (distress/stress and vitality). It was detected that males mostly lived alone relying on help from neighbors, while females mostly lived with other household members and relied more on persons close to them. Conclusion. Social support appears to be related to mental status and self-perceived health. The results are intertwined with different age groups and they can provide baseline for further analysis of causal relationship between social support and mental and physical health among different age categories. Detecting a link among social support, mental and physical health could provide insight into the mechanisms of social support influencing health status and behaviour.

Correlates of Breath Alcohol Concentration Among Driving Under the Influence Program Clients in Southern California

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-295
Author(s):  
Natasia S. Courchesne ◽  
Conner M. Muth ◽  
Melanie Barker ◽  
Susan I. Woodruff
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Breath Alcohol ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Breath Alcohol Concentration

Understanding factors correlated with breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) at time of arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) may lead to informed rehabilitation programs. This study describes correlations between BrAC at time of arrest and sociodemographic, mental, and physical health, and alcohol-related characteristics among clients in a large California DUI Program. Client reported data ( n = 17,282) were collected at an intake from 2009 to 2014. BrACs ranged from 0.083% to 0.390%, with an average of 0.159% ( SD = 0.051), almost twice the legal limit in the state. Approximately 10.6% of the variance in BrAC was explained by 11 significant correlates. Two sociodemographic factors (age and race/ethnicity) as well as several alcohol-related characteristics were related to higher BrAC levels, whereas comorbid mental and physical health factors played less of a role. Factors associated with BrAC are complex and warrant further investigation to identify causality and inform future interventions.

scholarly journals Living arrangements and health at older ages in rural Malawi

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1018-1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
JACOB KENDALL ◽  
PHILIP ANGLEWICZ
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
The Family ◽  
Kin Structure ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

ABSTRACTSub-Saharan Africa's older population is projected to nearly double in size by 2030. At the same time, demographic changes have caused major shifts in the units primarily responsible for the care of older adults: the family and household. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between household composition and health at older ages in rural Malawi. We use data from the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health, which contains detailed information on household and family structure, along with measures of mental and physical health (from the Short Form-12). We focus on several measures of living arrangements that are expected to be associated with health: overall household size, sex composition and kin structure (based on co-residence with offspring and grandchildren). Results show that: (a) older women who co-reside with offspring have better mental and physical health compared to those living only with grandchildren; (b) older men who live in larger households or in households with a higher proportion of females have better physical health.

The role of perceived loneliness and sociodemographic factors in association with subjective mental and physical health and well-being in Norwegian adolescents

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482199721
Author(s):  
Unni K. Moksnes ◽  
Hanne N. Bjørnsen ◽  
Mary-Elizabeth B. Eilertsen ◽  
Geir Arild Espnes
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Family Finances ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Health And Well Being

Aims: Adolescence is a particularly salient period for understanding the role of perceived loneliness for subjective health and well-being. This study investigated sociodemographic differences (sex, age, self-reported socio-economic status (SES)) in loneliness and associations between sociodemographic factors, loneliness and self-rated health (SRH), subjective health symptoms, symptoms of depression/anxiety and mental well-being (MWB) in a sample of Norwegian adolescents. Methods: The study was based on a cross-sectional sample of 1816 adolescents aged 15–21 years. The participants reported scores on an 11-item scale assessing subjective health complaints (SHC), one item each assessing SRH and loneliness, the 10-item version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist and the seven-item version of the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. SES was assessed using perceived family economy and parents’ education. Data were analysed with descriptive, comparative and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: The multivariate results showed that boys scored significantly higher on MWB than girls did, whereas girls scored significantly higher on loneliness, depression/anxiety and SHC. Perceptions of poorer family finances were significantly associated with higher levels of SHC and depression/anxiety, lower levels of MWB and more negative SRH. Loneliness showed significant positive associations with depression/anxiety and SHC, and significant negative associations with MWB and SRH. A significant moderation effect of sex by loneliness was found in association with depression/anxiety, with stronger associations for girls. Conclusions: The findings in this study support the significant roles of sex, perceptions of family finances and loneliness in association with adolescent’s subjective mental and physical health and well-being, especially mental health.

scholarly journals PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION: FINDINGS FROM A NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF BELGIAN ADULTS AGED 16-69

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn Schapansky ◽  
Joke Depraetere ◽  
Ines Keygnaert ◽  
Christophe Vandeviver
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
The Past ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Definition Of

Background: Sexual victimization is a major public health, judicial and societal concern worldwide. Prevalence studies on sexual victimization have mostly focused on female and student samples. Overall, nationally representative and comparable studies are still lacking.Methods:We applied a broad definition of sexual violence, including hands-off and hands-on victimization, and behaviorally specific questions to assess sexual victimization. Prevalence estimates were obtained after weighting the sample according to the population proportions of men and women in three age groups. The data provide nationally representative lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates. We further conducted logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios to examine the relationship between demographic, socioeconomic, and sexuality-related variables with the likelihood of being victimized.Results: These estimates indicate that 64.1% (95% CI: 61.9-66.1) of the general population in Belgium experienced some form of sexual victimization in their lives, and 44.1% (95% CI: 41.9-46.2) experienced some form of sexual victimization in the past 12 months. Logistic regression analysis shows that women are more than five times more likely to be victimized in their lifetimes than men (aOR = 4.96, 95% CI: 4.02-6.14), with an overall prevalence estimate of 80.8% (95% CI: 78.3-83.1). Young adults between 16 and 24 years are twice as likely to be victimized in their lifetimes (aOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.36-3.35) and more than three times more likely in the past 12 months (aOR = 3.52, 95% CI: 2.82-4.18) compared to adults aged 50 to 69 years. Prevalence estimates for all forms of sexual victimization are presented and compared to other national and international studies on sexual victimization.Conclusion: This comparison suggests that prevalence rates have been underestimated . The prevalence estimates obtained in this study demonstrate that all sexes and ages are affected by sexual victimization.

scholarly journals Childhood adversities and related mental health among children in socialization centers

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Peciukaityte ◽  
M Jakubauskiene
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
High Schools ◽  
Life Course ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Criminal Behavior ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Childhood Adversities ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Abstract Background Life course paradigm provides a comprehensive overview of different determinants and mental health outcomes during the life course. Childhood adversities experienced in early adulthood are related to poor mental and physical health in the future. The aim of the study was to identify relations between experienced childhood adversities and mental health outcomes among children in socialization centers and regional high schools (HS) in Lithuania. Methods A prevalence study was conducted in all 3 socialization centers (SC) in Lithuania (n = 35) and two regional high schools (n = 96) among 13-18 year old’s. Anonymous individual interviews were conducted in 2018. Descriptive statistics using SPSS was applied for assessment of adverse life events, mental health risk factors and outcomes (%). Pearson chi square, Fisher test, Kruskal - Wallis H were applied for comparison and statistical significance (p ≤ 0,05). Results Prevalence of bullying among children in SC was 77.1% (47.9% among HS children), parental divorce - 60% (27% HS), parental criminal behavior - 40 % (2.1% HS), family violence - 48.6% (16.7% HS), physical abuse - 62.9% (9.4% HS), parental alcohol use - 40% (13.5% HS). 74.3% among children in SC experienced neglect, physical traumas (39.6% HS), prevalence of suicidal behavior was 25.7% and 6.25% accordingly. Criminal behavior, alcohol, substance abuse and smoking were much more prevalent among children in socialization centers than among high school children (p < 0.01). Conclusions Children in socialization centers had higher exposure of childhood adversities and poorer mental health outcomes. High prevalence of adversities was related to poor parenting skills as well as toxic family and social environment. Key messages Childhood adversities experienced in early adulthood are related to poor mental and physical health as well as deprivation of social performance in later life. Childhood adversities are more prevalent among children in socialization centres than in regional high schools.

Sexual satisfaction of middle-aged and older adults: longitudinal findings from a nationally representative sample

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Buczak-Stec ◽  
Hans-Helmut König ◽  
André Hajek
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sexual Satisfaction ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Random Coefficient Models ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
German Ageing Survey

Abstract Background whilst previous studies have investigated the determinants of sexual satisfaction (i) using longitudinal data or (ii) among older adults, only a few studies have done both at the sametime. Objective the purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of sexual satisfaction longitudinally among middle-aged and older adults. Design nationally representative longitudinal study (German Ageing Survey—DEAS). Setting community-dwelling individuals in Germany. Data drawn from three waves (2002, 2008, 2011). Subjects individuals aged 40–95 (36.9% age group 65+). At wave 2 in the year 2002, n = 3,843 individuals took part. Methods well-established and widely used scales were used to quantify the independent variables. We included variables such as sociodemographic factors, self-rated health, physical functioning, depression and loneliness in our analysis. Sexual satisfaction was our outcome measure. Results were stratified by age (40–64, 65+). To take into account the multilevel data structure, we used random coefficient models. Results random-effects regressions showed that increased sexual satisfaction was consistently associated with the following variables in both age groups: lower number of physical illnesses, β = −0.03, P < 0.001 (betas coefficients given for individuals 65 years and over); better self-rated health, β = −0.06, P < 0.001; absence of depression, β = −0.16, P < 0.01; and higher importance of sexuality and intimacy, β = 0.08, P < 0.001. Moreover, sexual satisfaction was associated with having a partner: β = 0.16, P < 0.001; living with a partner in the same household, β = 0.26, P < 0.001; and a lower score of loneliness, β = −.28, P < 0.001. In contrast, sexual satisfaction was, for example, not associated with cognitive functioning. Conclusions the most surprising findings were that among both middle-aged and older adults, almost the same determinants (with exception of sociodemographic factors) were associated with satisfaction with sexlife.

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