Association between psychosocial working conditions in mid-life and leisure activity in old age

2020 ◽  
pp. 140349482090140
Author(s):  
Charlotta Nilsen ◽  
Ross Andel ◽  
Neda Agahi ◽  
Johan Fritzell ◽  
Ingemar Kåreholt

Aims: Leisure activity helps people engage with life, and it promotes health and well-being as we age. This study investigated whether individuals with active jobs (high psychological demands, high control) in mid-life were more active during leisure time in old age compared with those with less active jobs. Methods: Two individually linked Swedish surveys were used ( N=776) with 23 years of follow-up. Data were analysed with logistic regression. Results: Having an active job in mid-life was associated with greater engagement in intellectual/cultural, social and physical activity in old age, even when leisure activity in mid-life was taken into account. Conclusions: The results suggest that active jobs in mid-life may be replaced by active leisure during retirement. Active job conditions may promote engagement in society in old age, which in turn may have positive health consequences.

Author(s):  
Melissa R. Marselle ◽  
Sarah J. Lindley ◽  
Penny A. Cook ◽  
Aletta Bonn

Abstract Purpose of review Biodiversity underpins urban ecosystem functions that are essential for human health and well-being. Understanding how biodiversity relates to human health is a developing frontier for science, policy and practice. This article describes the beneficial, as well as harmful, aspects of biodiversity to human health in urban environments. Recent findings Recent research shows that contact with biodiversity of natural environments within towns and cities can be both positive and negative to human physical, mental and social health and well-being. For example, while viruses or pollen can be seriously harmful to human health, biodiverse ecosystems can promote positive health and well-being. On balance, these influences are positive. As biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, research suggests that its loss could threaten the quality of life of all humans. Summary A key research gap is to understand—and evidence—the specific causal pathways through which biodiversity affects human health. A mechanistic understanding of pathways linking biodiversity to human health can facilitate the application of nature-based solutions in public health and influence policy. Research integration as well as cross-sector urban policy and planning development should harness opportunities to better identify linkages between biodiversity, climate and human health. Given its importance for human health, urban biodiversity conservation should be considered as public health investment.


2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1065-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. LaVeist ◽  
Tia L. Zeno ◽  
Ruth G. Fesahazion

This article explores the effects of being raised by married parents during childhood on health and well-being in adolescence and young adulthood in a longitudinal sample of African Americans. This study aims to address the following three questions: Does childhood with married patients lead to better health and well-being during adolescence? Does childhood with married patients lead to better health and well-being in young adulthood? Do the health effects of childhood with married patients differ for male and female? The authors found modest direct effects of childhood exposure to marriage on health for females. Having at least some childhood marriage exposure was also associated with several positive health behaviors. There is modest evidence that marriage bestows health benefits for children and that these benefits endure into young adulthood.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Cummins ◽  
Charlotte Clark ◽  
Daniel Lewis ◽  
Neil Smith ◽  
Claire Thompson ◽  
...  

Background There is limited evidence for public health policy-makers on the health impacts of urban regeneration programmes. Objectives To assess whether or not the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and related urban regeneration, were associated with an increase in physical activity and mental health and well-being; to assess whether or not any benefits were sustained over time; and to capture the experiences of residents of the Olympic host boroughs. Design Quasi-experimental prospective cohort study of adolescents and their parents/carers, with a nested qualitative longitudinal study of families. Setting London boroughs of Newham, Barking and Dagenham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney. Participants A cohort of 2254 adolescents in 25 schools; a repeat cross-sectional study of parents/carers and a sample of 20 families for the qualitative study. Intervention The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and urban regeneration primarily associated with the redevelopment of the Olympic Park for legacy use. Primary outcome measures Change in the proportion of respondents meeting physical activity recommendations (using self-reported physical activity); change in the proportion of respondents reporting depression and anxiety and change in well-being score. Main results At 6 months, adolescents who became inactive were less likely to come from the intervention borough (Newham) than from comparison boroughs [risk ratio (RR) = 0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 to 0.93]. At 18 months, there were no statistically significant differences between intervention and comparison boroughs for all adolescent physical activity and screen-time transitions. Those who visited the Olympic Park more than once a month were the least likely to remain inactive (RR 0.11, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.48) and the least likely to become inactive (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.60) compared with those who were active at baseline and at the 18-month follow-up. No impacts on parental/carer physical activity were observed. Adolescents who were ‘no longer depressed’ (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.20) or ‘remained depressed’ (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.83) at 6 months were more likely to be from the intervention borough. For well-being, there was no association between boroughs and change in well-being between baseline and the 6-month follow-up. At 18 months’ follow-up, adolescents who ‘remained depressed’ (RR 1.93, 95% CI 1.01 to 3.70) were more likely to be from the intervention borough than from comparison boroughs. No associations were observed for well-being at 18 months. There was limited evidence of change for parental mental health and well-being. The qualitative study found that residents generally welcomed the unexpected chance to live in a cleaner, safer and more unified environment. The findings suggested that the Games temporarily alleviated certain stressors in the social and physical environment. Overall, the Games lessened participants’ sense of social exclusion and appeared to generate a sense of inclusion and respite, even if this was only temporary. Study limitations include the potential for adolescents to not be assigned the correct level of exposure to urban regeneration and the effect of reductions in central and local public budgets owing to the UK Government’s deficit reduction programme. Conclusions This study provided the highest quality data to date on the short- and medium-term social and health impacts of sporting mega-events. We found limited evidence that the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games had a positive effect on adolescent or parental physical activity, mental health or well-being. Funding The National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 200-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Lee ◽  
Robin Man-biu Cheung

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze how professional cultures in schools and school systems could improve the well-being of students, with a particular emphasis on teacher-health partnerships, which would not naturally occur without a specific intentional intervention. Implemented with a whole-school approach, the Health Promoting School (HPS) is one of the most effective intentional interventions to achieve improvements in both the health and educational outcomes of students through the engagement of key stakeholders in education and health to create a healthy physical/psycho-social environment. This paper emphasizes collaboration and the building of professional cultures in schools that share collective responsibility for the whole student. Design/methodology/approach Student outcomes in schools should include both academic and health and well-being outcomes that promote positive pathways throughout adulthood. This paper connects HPS research with policy analysis drawing on Hong Kong’s unique context as being at the top of the PISA rankings and striving toward a positive health culture and well-being in its schools. Findings Evidence has been gathered extensively about what schools actually do in health promotion using the HPS framework. The HPS framework has served to assist schools and authorities to concentrate on the gaps and affirm best practices. This paper also reports how teachers have created a professional and collegial community with health partners to address outbreaks of infectious diseases in schools and obesity in students. Practical implications The concept of HPS can serve as an ecological model to promote the positive health and well-being of students, fostering their personal growth and development, and as an alternate model for school improvement. Social implications This paper has highlighted that structured school health programs such as HPS could have positive effects on educational outcomes, while also changing professional cultures and communities in schools with an emphasis on students’ physical health, emotional health, social health, or spiritual health. The Assessment Program for Affective and Social Outcomes is used as a tool by schools in Hong Kong, reflecting the affective and social developments of the students in the school under review as a whole, and how they relate to the school. It resembles the core areas of action competencies, and school social environment; the two key areas of HPS. Originality/value Hong Kong is often analyzed from an educational rankings perspective. However, it offers broader lessons on educational change, as it has in recent years emphasized dual goals in student outcomes and professional communities – the importance of whole student health and well-being as a both a precursor and key component to the educational outcomes schools seek. Globally, very few schools are able to implement HPS in its entirety. Continuing development of HPS in Hong Kong would add value to international literature in terms of which types of data would influence adoption of HPS in which types of school and policy contexts.


2020 ◽  
pp. 4-35
Author(s):  
Marsha W. Snyder

Stress and burnout are epidemic in medicine in general and neurology in particular. This has resulted in a healthcare crisis because burned-out physicians are subject to multiple adverse personal outcomes and are more likely to make mistakes in their work. The seeds of this crisis are found in the earliest stages of medical education and acculturation. Resilience is produced by a set of cognitive skills that can be taught and nurtured, building on a strengths-based rather than a deficit-based approach. Positive health and well-being is built on positive affect, engagement, positive relationships, meaning, and accomplishment (PERMA for short) according to the formulation of Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology. PERMA and positive psychology form the framework for combating stress and burnout in neurology.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Chenoweth ◽  
Jane Stein-Parbury ◽  
Danielle White ◽  
Georgene McNeill ◽  
Yun-Hee Jeon ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Cynthia Geyer

The practice of integrative and preventive medicine plays a critical role in improving the health and well-being of people, families, and communities. This chapter covers several key steps to optimize the effective practice of integrative and preventive medicine, including the importance the clinician–patient partnership; prioritizing pain, stress, and emotional distress; and clearly communicating the reasoning behind recommendations. The successful clinician should be able to engage with patients as partners through their health journey, make appropriate referrals to other members of the integrative medicine team, encourage self-efficacy and health behavior change, ensure patient understanding, and schedule periodic follow-up and reassessment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Farrants ◽  
K Alexanderson

Abstract Background As discussions about extending working lives are ongoing, more knowledge is warranted on how psychosocial working conditions are associated with labour market status in older age. Aim Among employees aged 55-64 years, explore associations between job demands/control with their labour market status 11 years later, using a job exposure matrix (JEM). Methods A population-based prospective cohort study using nationwide register data. All 616,818 individuals in Sweden who in 2001 were in paid work and aged 55-64, were categorized using JEM into 9 groups, based on tertiles. They were followed up in 2012 regarding their labour market status (main income from: paid work, old-age pension, marginalised (no income/social assistance), sickness absence >183 net days, emigrated, dead) using multinomial logistic regression for odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), controlling for labour market status and sociodemographics in 2001. Analyses were stratified by sex. Results The majority (women: 84.9%, men: 80.3%) had main income from old-age pension at the 11-year follow-up; 4.7% from paid work (women: 3.9%, men: 5.6%). Those initially in jobs with high demands were less likely to be marginalised at follow-up (OR women high demands/medium control 0.51, CI 0.38-0.68, high demands/high control 0.68, CI 0.50-0.92; OR men high demands/medium control 0.55, CI 0.31-0.96, high demands/high control 0.47, CI 0.30-0.73). Those in occupations with low demands were less likely to be in paid work (OR women low demands/low control 0.56, CI 0.51-0.62, low demands/medium control 0.63, CI 0.58-0.69; OR men low demands/low control 0.56, CI 0.51-0.63, low demands/medium control 0.63, CI 0.58-0.69). Conclusions High job demands with high job control among people aged 55-64 in 2001 were associated with higher rate and OR of having main income from paid work in 2012, and high job demands regardless of level of job control were associated with less marginalisation. Key messages Levels of job demands when aged 55-64 were associated with labour market status 11 years later for women and men, while levels of job control were less so. High job demands were associated with a higher likelihood of being in paid work and lower likelihood of being marginalised at the end of follow-up.


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