scholarly journals “It’s Changed My Life Not To Have the Continual Worry of Being Warm” – Health and Wellbeing Impacts of a Local Fuel Poverty Programme: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Sawyer ◽  
Nigel Sherriff ◽  
Mary Darking ◽  
Jörg W. Huber
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Heating Systems ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Living in a cold home and being fuel poor can contribute to adverse physical and mental health. Energy efficiency interventions are considered the simplest ways of tackling fuel poverty and preventing associated negative health, wellbeing, and socio-economic consequences. The overall aim of the current study was to provide a greater understanding of the impact of a locally administered programme, which funded the installation of major heating/insulation measures in areas of high fuel poverty, on the health and wellbeing of beneficiaries of the programme. Methods A mixed-methods approach to explore the health and wellbeing impacts of a fuel poverty programme in East Sussex that took place between October 2016 and March 2018. Beneficiaries completed the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale before and after any heating/insulation work had been completed in their home. Beneficiaries were also asked to retrospectively rate their health pre- and post-installation. Interviews with 23 beneficiaries of the programme were conducted to explore in-depth the impact of the programme on people’s health and wellbeing and the wider social determinants of health. Results A major heating/insulation measure was installed in 149 homes. The majority of measures installed were boilers (57.7%) and new central heating systems (32.2%). Self-rated health and wellbeing were significantly higher post-installation. Interviewees described clear examples of the positive impacts on physical health and wellbeing such as fewer chest infections, reduced pain, feeling less anxious and depressed, and generally feeling happier and more relaxed. Interviews also highlighted broader areas of impact such as reduced social isolation and increased use of domestic space. Many of the beneficiaries also reported a reduction in their energy bills since their new heating systems had been installed. Conclusions The findings from the evaluation suggest that the installation of major heating or insulation measures such as new boilers have substantial benefits for the health and wellbeing of beneficiaries. The findings also suggest that the programme had a positive impact on wider determinants of health including reduction in stress and isolation that are likely to be part of the pathways between fuel poverty interventions and mental and physical health outcomes.

scholarly journals Impact of the recreational use of virtual reality on physical and mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Siani ◽  
Sarah Anne Marley
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
Physical Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Recreational Use

AbstractThe Covid-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes to most aspects of our lives. As a result of the quarantine enforced by governments and authorities worldwide, people had to suddenly adapt their daily routines, including work, study, diet, leisure and fitness activities to the new circumstances. A growing body of research indicates that the engagement with virtual reality (VR) activities can have a positive impact on users’ mental and physical wellbeing. This study aims to evaluate the impact of VR activities on users under lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. An online survey was carried out to investigate the recreational use of VR during the lockdown period and to gather users’ opinions on its impact on their physical and mental health. Non-parametric tests were used to evaluate the statistical significance of the responses provided by the 646 participants. The results of the survey show that VR use has significantly increased during the lockdown period for most participants, who expressed overwhelmingly positive opinions on the impact of VR activities on their mental and physical wellbeing. Strikingly, self-reported intensity of physical activity was considerably more strenuous in VR users than in console users. Given the current uncertainty as to the duration and course of the pandemic, as well as the possibility of intermittent lockdown in the upcoming years, the outcomes of this study could have a significant impact towards the development and deployment of VR-based strategies aimed at helping the population cope with prolonged social distancing, with particular regards to vulnerable individuals.

scholarly journals Exploring the impact of shielding advice on the health and wellbeing of individuals identified as extremely vulnerable and advised to shield in Southwest England amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods evaluation

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Lasseter ◽  
Polly Compston ◽  
Charlotte Robin ◽  
Helen Lambert ◽  
Matthew Hickman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Supplementary Information ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
The Impact

Objective: Explore the impact and responses to public health advice on the health and wellbeing of individuals identified as clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) and advised to shield (not leave home for 12 weeks at start of the pandemic) in Southwest England during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Design: Mixed-methods study; structured survey and follow-up semi-structured interviews. Setting: Communities served by Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. Participants: 204 people (57% female, 54% >69 years, 94% White British, 64% retired) in Southwest England identified as CEV and were advised to shield completed the survey. Thirteen survey respondents participated in follow-up interviews (53% female, 40% >69years, 100% White British, 61% retired). Results: Receipt of official communication from NHS England or General Practitioner (GP) was considered by participants as the legitimate start of shielding. 80% of survey responders felt they received all relevant advice needed to shield, yet interviewees criticised the timing of advice and often sought supplementary information. Shielding behaviours were nuanced, adapted to suit personal circumstances, and waned over time. Few interviewees received community support, although food boxes and informal social support were obtained by some. Worrying about COVID-19 was common for survey responders (90%). Since shielding had begun, physical and mental health reportedly worsened for 35% and 42% of survey responders respectively. 21% of survey responders scored 10 or more on the PHQ-9 questionnaire indicating possible depression and 15% scored 10 or more on the GAD-7 questionnaire indicating possible anxiety. Conclusions: This research highlights the difficulties in providing generic messaging that is applicable and appropriate given the diversity of individuals identified as CEV and the importance of sharing tailored and timely advice to inform shielding decisions. Providing messages that reinforce self-determined action and assistance from support services could reduce the negative impact of shielding on mental health and feelings of social isolation.

scholarly journals The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the medical care and healthcare-behaviour of patients with lupus and other systemic autoimmune diseases: a mixed methods longitudinal study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Sloan ◽  
Caroline Gordon ◽  
Rupert Harwood ◽  
Elliott Lever ◽  
Chris Wincup ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Multiple Measures ◽  
Medical Security ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective To explore the self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes to care and behaviour in UK patients with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, to help ensure that patient experiences are considered in future pandemic planning. Methods This was a longitudinal mixed methods study, with a cohort completing baseline surveys in March 2020 and follow-up surveys in June 2020 (N = 111), combined with thematic analysis of the LUPUS UK forum and participant interviews (N = 28). Results Cancellations of routine care and difficulties accessing medical support contributed to some participants deteriorating physically, including reports of hospitalisations. The majority of participants reported that fear of COVID-19 and disruptions to their medical care had also adversely impacted their mental health. Feeling medically supported during the pandemic correlated with multiple measures of mental health and perceptions of care, including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Score (r = 0.44, p = 0.01). Five themes were identified: 1. Detrimental reduction in care; 2. Disparities in contact and communication, (medical security vs abandonment sub-theme); 3. Perceived and actual endangerment; 4. The ‘perfect storm’ of reduced clinician ability to help, and increased patient reticence to seek help; and 5. Identifying the patients most vulnerable to reduced medical care. Conclusion The diversion of resources away from chronic disease care was perceived by many participants to have caused adverse outcomes. Fear about increased vulnerability to COVID-19 was high, contributing to healthcare-avoidant behaviours. This study also highlights the influence of clinician accessibility and patients feeling medically supported on multiple measures of physical and mental health.

scholarly journals Beyond the Pandemic: COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the Face of Life

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5645
Author(s):  
Shaden A. M. Khalifa ◽  
Mahmoud M. Swilam ◽  
Aida A. Abd El-Wahed ◽  
Ming Du ◽  
Haged H. R. El-Seedi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Population Movements ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Impacts

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious challenge for societies around the globe as entire populations have fallen victim to the infectious spread and have taken up social distancing. In many countries, people have had to self-isolate and to be confined to their homes for several weeks to months to prevent the spread of the virus. Social distancing measures have had both negative and positive impacts on various aspects of economies, lifestyles, education, transportation, food supply, health, social life, and mental wellbeing. On other hands, due to reduced population movements and the decline in human activities, gas emissions decreased and the ozone layer improved; this had a positive impact on Earth’s weather and environment. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has negative effects on human activities and positive impacts on nature. This study discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on different life aspects including the economy, social life, health, education, and the environment.

scholarly journals The Influence of Human–Animal Interactions on Mental and Physical Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown Phase in the U.K.: A Qualitative Exploration

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Shoesmith ◽  
Lion Shahab ◽  
Dimitra Kale ◽  
Daniel S. Mills ◽  
Catherine Reeve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Human Animal Interaction ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents an opportunity to explore the role of animals as sources of emotional and physical support during a period when most of the population is experiencing social and environmental challenges. We investigated how companion animal owners perceived the influence of human–animal interaction on their physical and mental health during the first COVID-19 lockdown phase in the U.K., and what concerns they had regarding their animals at this time. We also explored the impact of participants’ interaction with non-companion animals during this phase. A cross-sectional online survey of U.K. residents aged over 18 was conducted between April and June 2020. The final item of the survey invited open-ended free-text responses, allowing participants to describe any experiences and/or perceptions of their human–animal relationships during the COVID-19 lockdown phase. A qualitative thematic analysis of responses was undertaken. Four main themes related to the following aspects of human–animal interactions during the COVID-19 lockdown phase were identified: the positive impact of animal ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., amelioration of wellbeing and mental health), concerns relating to animal ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., concerns over animals carrying the COVID-19 virus), grief and loss of an animal during the COVID-19 lockdown and the impact of engaging with non-companion animals during the COVID-19 lockdown. The findings complement and extend previous insights into the impact of human–animal interaction with both companion and non-companion animals. They also highlight the challenges of caring for an animal during the lockdown phase and indicate the need to consider the development of further targeted support strategies, such as “day care” for the companion animals of key workers in this context.

The impact of child maltreatment on the mental and physical health of child victims: a review of the evidence

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Eileen Vizard ◽  
Jenny Gray ◽  
Arnon Bentovim
Keyword(s):  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Child Victims ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Female Genital

SUMMARY This article gives a general overview of the current situation in relation to a range of widely recognised and also newly identified types of child maltreatment. The academic and clinical evidence relating to the impact of child maltreatment on the mental and physical health of child victims is substantial and steadily increasing in volume. New types of abuse are being identified, and changing environmental circumstances, which exacerbate the possibility of widely recognised types of child maltreatment occurring, are also being described. These include multi-type maltreatment, female genital mutilation and online child maltreatment. Serious questions may arise regarding neglect of the moral and social development of children and young people who become addicted to online gaming and pornography. Multiple national and local definitions of each of these existing and new forms of maltreatment have been created, some of which are covered here. The impact of these abuses on the physical and mental health and development of child victims in families or settings where abuse or neglect has occurred is discussed.

scholarly journals Impact of the Peace Agreement on the social determinants of health in Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edna Johana Mondragón-Sánchez ◽  
Reinaldo Gutiérrez Barreiro ◽  
Marcos Venícios de Oliveira Lopes ◽  
Ana Karina Bezerra Pinheiro ◽  
Priscila de Souza Aquino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Peace Process ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Structural Determinants ◽  
Peace Agreement ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze the impact of the Colombian Peace Agreement on the structural social determinants of health. Methods: a descriptive, ecological study, based on documentary data from 2008 to 2018. The records of victims, epidemiological indicators, and structural social determinants of health in Colombia were analyzed. Results: there was a correlation between the period in which the Peace Agreement process was developed and the indicators of structural determinants in health with p<0.05. With the Poisson regression analysis, the favorable correlations between the peace process and the determinants were confirmed, besides allowing the understanding of the changes in these indicators before the Peace Agreement. Conclusions: the implementation of the peace process has a positive impact on structural social determinants of health, which is observed by the beginning of the decrease of economic, educational, health, and social inequalities and inequities, a fact that offers the possibility of living in peace.

Contribution of the co.LAB Framework to the Collaborative Design of Serious Games: Mixed-Methods Validation Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Jaccard ◽  
Laurent Suppan ◽  
Félicia Bielser
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Multidisciplinary Design ◽  
Design Teams ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to the successful development of serious games, albeit difficult to achieve. The co.LAB serious game design framework was created to support collaboration within serious game multidisciplinary design teams. Its use has not yet been validated in a naturalistic context. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to perform a first assessment of the impact of the co.LAB framework on collaboration within multidisciplinary teams during serious game design and development. METHODS This was a mixed-methods study based on two serious game design projects in which the co.LAB framework was used. The first phase was qualitative and carried out using a general inductive approach. To this end, all members of the first serious game project team who used the co.LAB framework were invited to take part in a focus group session (N=6). Results inferred from qualitative data were then used to define a quantitative instrument (questionnaire) which was designed according to the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys. Members of both project teams (N=11) were then asked to answer the questionnaire. Quantitative results were reported as median [Q1;Q3] and appropriate non-parametric tests used to assess for between group differences. Finally, results gathered through the qualitative and quantitative phases were integrated. RESULTS In both phases, the participation rate was 100%. Verbatim transcripts were classified into 4 high level themes: influence on collaborative dimensions; impact on project course, monitoring and efficiency; qualitative perceptions of the framework; and influence of team composition on the use of the framework. Accordingly, the web-based questionnaire was then developed according to Burhardt's seven dimensions of collaboration. In both projects, the co.LAB framework had a positive impact on most dimensions of collaboration during the multidisciplinary design and development of serious games. When all collaborative dimensions were aggregated, the overall impact of the framework was rated on a scale from "-42" to "+42" (very negative to very positive). The overall score was 23 [20;27], with no significant difference between groups (P=.58). Most respondents also believed that all serious game design teams should include a member possessing a significant expertise in serious game design frameworks to guide the development process. CONCLUSIONS The co.LAB framework has a positive impact on collaboration within serious game development teams. However, expert guidance seems necessary to maximize development efficiency. Whether such guidance can be provided by means of a collaborative web platform remains to be determined.

scholarly journals What Can We Obtain from Mental Health Care? The Dynamics of Physical and Mental Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (17) ◽  
pp. 3098
Author(s):  
Sung-Joo Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Mental Problems ◽  
Physical Health Problems ◽  
The Impact

This study analyzes the dynamic interaction of an individual’s physical and mental health using the German Socio-Economic Panel and the Cross-National Equivalent File of Germany. Its main objective is to find a way to reduce people’s health expenditure by examining the magnitude of the interdependence between physical and mental health. For the analysis, this study develops a dynamic correlated random effects model. We create two aggregate health measures (aggregate physical health and aggregate mental health) with four submeasures each, which provides a better understanding of changes in an individual’s health status by capturing additional information that cannot be analyzed at the aggregate level. There is clear evidence that the persistence of a mental health condition is less than that of a physical health condition. Moreover, the impact of previous mental health on current physical health is greater than that of previous physical health on current mental health. This suggests that individuals can reduce their expenditures on physical health problems by focusing on the treatment of mental problems when they first arise. Finally, the Government’s attention and support toward mental health care would lead to a reduction in health expenditures and eventually improve the sustainability of the nation’s health system.

scholarly journals Exploring the impact of social inequality and poverty on the mental health and wellbeing and attainment of children and young people in Scotland

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Gaynor Mowat
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Inequality ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Impact

The poverty-related attainment gap is an internationally recognised problem. There is growing recognition that it cannot either be understood or addressed without taking cognisance of children’s mental health and wellbeing. The focus of this conceptual article is to examine the impact of social inequality and poverty on the mental health and wellbeing and attainment of children and young people in Scotland through the lens of resilience. While not a ‘state of the art’ literature review, a systematic approach was adopted in the selection of the literature and in the identification of themes to emerge from it. A range of risk and protective factors at the individual, social, societal and political levels emerged as impacting on the mental health and wellbeing and attainment of children living in poverty, and three important mediating variables are the negative impact of social stratification and adverse childhood experiences and the positive impact of a supportive adult. Schools alone cannot solve the problem. The findings revealed that there is a need to build a strong infrastructure around families and schools and to examine how economic, social, health and educational policy interact with each other as a starting point in addressing the problem, supported by inter-disciplinary research.

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