Humor and well-being: A little less is quite enough

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilona Papousek
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health It ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
General Evaluation ◽  
The Face

Abstract Paul McGhee, one of the most influential pioneers in the field of humor research has been engaged for decades in exploring how humor can be used for the maintenance or improvement of well-being in the face of adversity. The present paper reviews recent empirical research corroborating several of his propositions. Undeniably, the benefits of humor can be much greater when one generates his or her own humor compared to just passively consuming humor. The active use of humor can be a potent tool to successfully cope with and appropriately recover from stressful situations, especially if it becomes a habitual response to adverse circumstances. While the ice is thin with regard to any beneficial effects of humor on physical health, it certainly may enhance the quality of life of patients. The paper concludes with the general evaluation that the documented potential of humor for the maintenance of well-being is impressive, thereby rendering exaggerations and insufficiently substantiated claims of additional effects unnecessary. Paul McGhee, one of the most influential pioneers in the field of humor research, as well as of structured humor training, has been insisting for decades that using humor can have many benefits beyond being fun, and many followed his lead. Moreover, he had always taken care to systematically collect relevant empirical, scientific evidence and to expertly evaluate it. Not all of his followers took his lead on this matter.

scholarly journals Benefits of Equine-Based Therapy for Individuals with Dementia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lauren Fearn
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Energy Level ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Functional Capacity ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equine Assisted

Individuals living with dementia typically experience progressive, cognitive, and functional decline which limits their ability to communicate and fully perform activities (Pimouguet el al., 2019). Horses have been shown to benefit individuals with dementia by improving well-being, physical health, functional capacity, and social relationships (Fields et. al., 2019). A 6-week OT-based virtual equine-assisted activities program was conducted to determine if participation in equine-assisted activities could improve the quality of life of individuals with dementia. Outcomes of the program resulted in improvements in mood, energy level, engagement, communication, memory, socialization, and overall quality of life.

scholarly journals Parent emigration and physical health of children left behind: systematic review of the literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Racaite ◽  
G Surkiene ◽  
M Jakubauskiene ◽  
R Sketerskiene ◽  
L Wulkau
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Children Left Behind

Abstract Background Children left behind (CLB) are those, who have been left behind at their original residence while one or both parents migrate to other places for work. The aim of this study was to systematically review studies where the physical health consequences for CLB were analysed. Methods We searched the Web of Science, PubMed, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO and Cochrane databases. We included studies reporting physical health outcomes of children affected by parent migration. Results We selected 35 studies from a total of 2191. The results reveal that, overall, the absence of one or both parents is related to poorer child health - the nutrition of CLB is not healthy or balanced and is insufficient, leading to higher rates of anaemia and poor growth indicators of affected children. Boys left by parents are smaller than boys who were never left behind. CLB face lower underweight or stunted growth risks due to the additional income from remittances which ensures sufficient food for the household, this can also lead, however, to overweight and obesity. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviours such as smoking, alcohol, food preferences, lower physical activity and higher risk of injuries were more prevalent among CLB. CLB were more likely not to have completed the recommended vaccination programme than those living with their parents. Opinions vary on how emigration of parents affects children’s well-being and quality of life. CLB had higher probabilities of higher well-being than children living in non-migrant households. However, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of CLB scored significantly lower than HRQoL of non-left-behind children. Conclusions The migration of parents has negative impacts on the child’s physical health, however it can also have positive impacts on children’s well-being when basic needs for sufficient nutrition are not satisfied in the home countries. Public health interventions should be taken to ensure the health of the CLB population. Key messages This is the first systematic review on the physical health of CLB. The well-being of CLB is poorer and they are at risk of health problems, such as insufficient and/or unbalanced diet, unhealthy behaviours and incomplete vaccination status.

scholarly journals Impact of duration and treatment of arterial hypertension on health-related quality of life

Medicina ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilma Raškelienė ◽  
Marija Babarskienė ◽  
Jūratė Macijauskienė ◽  
Arvydas Šeškevičius
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
General Evaluation ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most important risk factors for development of ischemic heart disease; thus, control of AH and effective treatment are of great importance. Since arterial hypertension is commonly referred as asymptomatic condition, the question whether hypertensive condition is associated with the change of well-being and health-related quality of life is still debatable. The aim of the study. To evaluate the impact of duration and treatment of AH on health-related quality of life. Material and methods. The contingent of the study consisted of patients who arrived for a cardiologist’s consultation at the Clinic of Cardiology, Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine. The patients were randomly selected for the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: diagnosed arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and the metabolic syndrome. Diagnosed ischemic heart disease (chronic and acute coronary syndromes and their complications) and severe concomitant diseases were exclusion criteria. A total of 101 patients (19 males and 82 females) met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate in the study. Their mean age was 58.03±5.63 years. The patients’ quality of life was evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Study short form 36-item questionnaire (SF-36 questionnaire), which comprises 36 questions grouped into eight domains. The questionnaire was filled in by the subjects independently. Other methods applied to the study were inquiry (for the evaluation of risk factors, lifestyle, and medical history), analysis of medical documents (cholesterol levels and glycemia in blood), and objective examination (height, weight, waist circumference, and arterial blood pressure). Results. The subjects with AH showed lower values compared to normotensive patients in the following domains: physical functioning (P=0.014), role limitations due to physical health (P=0.012), energy/vitality (P=0.016), and general health evaluation (P=0.023). We have not determined the differences in quality of life of the patients whose AH was regulated if compared to those patients without AH. The patients whose treatment of AH was not effective reported lower quality of life in the following SF-36 domains: physical functioning (P=0.003), role limitations due to physical health (P=0.003), general evaluation of health (P=0.017), energy/vitality (P=0.008), and emotional status (P=0.015), if compared to the patients without AH. Conclusions. Patients with AH reported lower quality of life in the following domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, energy/vitality, and general evaluation of health. Compared to patients without AH, the quality of life of the patients who had the effective treatment did not differ, whereas patients with ineffective treatment had the lower quality of life. Functioning is more statistically significantly limited due to physical health in patients with AH.

Overt and Subtle Discrimination, Subjective Well-Being and Physical Health-Related Quality Of Life in an Obese Sample

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Magallares ◽  
Pilar Benito de Valle ◽  
Jose Antonio Irles ◽  
Ignacio Jauregui-Lobera
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Subtle Discrimination ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

AbstractObesity represents a serious health issue affecting millions of people in Western industrialized countries. The severity of the medical problems it causes is paralleled by the fact that obesity has become a social stigma that affects the psychological health-related quality of life of individuals with weight problems. Our study, with 111 obese patients of a Spanish hospital, focused specifically on how overt and subtle discrimination is related to subjective well-being (affect balance and life satisfaction) and physical health-related quality of life. It was shown that overt (r = –.28, p < .01 with affect balance; r = –.26, p < .01 with life satisfaction) and subtle discrimination (r = –.28, p < .01 with affect balance; r = –.27, p < .01 with life satisfaction) were negatively linked with subjective well-being, and that there was a negative correlation between overt discrimination and physical health-related quality of life (r = –.26, p < .01). Additionally, it was found that overt discrimination was a mediator variable in the relationship between physical health-related quality of life and subjective well-being using the Baron and Kenny procedure. Finally, it is discussed the relationship between discrimination, subjective well-being and physical health-related quality of life in obese people.

scholarly journals Arborização Urbana: Percepção dos Acadêmicos de Educação Física da Faculdade FMG Mogi Guaçu - SP

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
Anderson Martelli ◽  
Lucas Rissetti Delbim
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Urban Forestry ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Wind Speeds

O crescimento e urbanização das cidades têm incitado sérios danos à condição ambiental, bem como consideráveis prejuízos econômicos, nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnsociais e de qualidade de vida das pessoas. Os efeitos benéficos das áreas arborizadas, que privilegiam a prática de atividades físicas sempre foram inerentes à melhoria da qualidade de vida e bem-estar social. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi realizar um estudo descritivo frente à percepção dos acadêmicos de Educação Física da Faculdade FMG, município de Mogi Guaçu–SP quanto à arborização existente no perímetro urbano e se este tipo de vegetação favorece a prática de atividades físicas e qualidade de vida da população. Participaram desta pesquisa cinquenta e seis estudantes do primeiro ao quarto período desse curso. A pesquisa foi realizada por meio de uma entrevista semiestruturada através da aplicação de um questionário, sendo observada uma percepção positiva da arborização urbana entre os acadêmicos. Está bem estabelecida a função exercida pela arborização na redução do calor gerado no ambiente urbano, redução da insolação, evapotranspiração, redução da velocidade dos ventos e os resultados indicam que a arborização urbana é um importante fator na melhoria das condições ambientais das cidades, favorecimento da prática de exercícios físicos e qualidade de vida de seus habitantes.Palavras chave: Urbanização. Educação Física e Treinamento. Qualidade de Vida.AbstractThe growth and urbanization of cities have prompted serious damage to environmental conditions, as well as considerable economic, social losses and quality of life. The beneficial effects of wooded areas that emphasize physical activity have always been involved in improving the quality of life and social well-being. The aim of this study was to perform a descriptive study before the Scholars’ perception of of Physical Education Faculty FMG, municipality of Guaçu-SP Mogi regarding the existing trees within the city limits and if this type of vegetation promotes physical activity and the population’s quality of life. The study gathered 56 students from the first to the fourth quarter of this course. The survey was carried out using a semi-structured interview through the application of a questionnaire, and observed a positive perception of urban forestry among the scholars. It is well established the function performed by afforestation in reducing the heat generated in the urban environment, reducing insolation, evapotranspiration, reduced wind speeds and the results indicate that urban forestry is an important factor in the improvement of environmental conditions in cities, favoring physical exercise and quality of life of its inhabitants.Keywords: Urbanization. Physical Education and Training. Quality of Life.

scholarly journals Tinjauan Literatur Kesan Obesiti ke atas Psikososial Remaja

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
NORFADILAWATI ALIAS ◽  
FUZIAH SHAFFIE
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Adolescent Development ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Obese Adolescent ◽  
Drastic Increase

Obesity is a health problem that threatens all aspects of human life. While rising rates of obesity involving adolescents do not show such a drastic increase, this problem should not be underestimated. In addition to grappling with the issue of adolescent development, adolescent obesity is also facing with the problem of physical health, social and psychological caused by obesity. If the issue is not addressed with appropriate intervention, obese adolescent will have the quality of life and well-being of poor and disrupt their functioning in society. Therefore, this paper will try to discuss about the health effects of psychological and social (psychosocial) experienced by obese adolescents based on the literature review and proposed interventions that can be used to help them.  

scholarly journals Gender Differences in Self-Rated Health among University Students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Do Confounding Variables Matter?

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid EL-Ansari ◽  
Christiane Stock
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Service Use ◽  
Health Complaints ◽  
Self Rated Health

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION:</strong> We assessed gender differences in self-rated health (SRH) while considering physical health, health complaints, health service use, wider wellbeing, and health behaviours.</p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong> 3706 undergraduates at 7 Universities in the United Kingdom completed a self-administered questionnaire (2009–2008). Logistic regressions with excellent/very good SRH as dependent variable assessed the variables that explained the SRH sex difference. </p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Females had more health complaints, illness periods, lower quality of life, more burdens, and took medication/s more often. The crude (unadjusted) odds ratio (OR) proposed that females were less likely to report excellent/very good SRH than males [OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.68-0.94]. Adjusting only for physical health and health service use, females’ OR increased considerably, and the association between female sex and SRH was no longer significant. Also, when adjusting only for wider well-being or when adjusting only for health behaviour, the negative association between females and SRH was no longer significant. Adjusting for all the variables simultaneously (physical health, health service use, wider well-being, health behaviours) resulted in considerable increase of females’ OR indicating now a positive association between female sex and SRH [OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.04-1.74].  </p><p><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Females’ lower SRH found in the crude analyses was confounded by their higher stress level, lower quality of life, lower physical activity and by more illnesses or health complaints when compared with males. Gender-related SRH research should control for many potential confounders to prevent overestimation of the gender effect. Health promotion programs should consider these factors when tackling gender health disparities.</p>

Translation and Validation of the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale to Spanish

2020 ◽  
pp. 019459982096962
Author(s):  
Leire Garcia-Iza ◽  
Carlos Miguel Chiesa-Estomba ◽  
Nuria Rosell-Romero ◽  
Eneritz Ibarguren-Esnal ◽  
Maria Soriano-Reixach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Validation Study ◽  
Facial Palsy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Pilot Test ◽  
Peripheral Facial Palsy ◽  
Face Scale ◽  
The Face

Objective Peripheral facial palsy is a disabling condition; thus, assessing its impact on quality of life is one of the greatest challenges within this discipline. The Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) Scale has been validated for this purpose. The aim of this study is to translate and validate the Spanish version of the FaCE Scale. Study Design We performed a forward-backward translation of the original English FaCE Scale. A pilot test and a posterior prospective validation study were performed. Setting A pilot test and a posterior prospective validation study were conducted in a specialized facial palsy unit in a tertiary hospital. Methods A validation study was carried out in 85 patients to calculate the scale’s internal consistency and validity and to compare outcomes with the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System and the Facial Disability Index (FDI). Results Internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach’s α coefficient, which showed a value of 0.841 (95% CI, 0.786-0.886). The total FaCE Scale score correlates well with the Sunnybrook, FDI physical function, and FDI social/well-being function scores: r = 0.773, r = 0.883, and r = 0.523, respectively. The FDI social/well-being function has the highest correlation with the FaCE Scale social function domain ( r = 0.595). Conclusion The Spanish version of the FaCE Scale demonstrated a high psychometric property that allows it to be used for clinical practice to assess the quality of life of Spanish-speaking patients with peripheral facial palsy.

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