Health Behaviors and Wellbeing among those  “LIVING” with Metastatic Cancer in the Deep South

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R Bail ◽  
Sumanth V Bail ◽  
Jessica Cagle ◽  
Koriann Tiesi ◽  
Jayla Caffey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Deep South ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Overweight Or Obesity

Abstract Background: Approximately 5 million Americans are living with metastatic cancer. Metastatic cancer survivors (MCS) are at risk for poor health behaviors, which may negatively influence wellbeing.Methods: Using a modified Dillman’s method, 542 MCS were mailed a survey querying physical and mental health (PROMIS® measures), health behaviors, and supportive care interest. Returned surveys were double-key entered into REDCap®. Data were analyzed using SPSS.Results: Two hundred and seventy-seven surveys were returned (51% response). Respondents (51% female; 88% Caucasian; 12% African-American; Mage=65 years; Msurvivorship=38 months; 23% female cancers, 23% melanoma, 21% gastrointestinal, 15% genitourinary, 12% pulmonary, and 6% other) reported low daily fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake (M=4.1) and weekly minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) (M=41.9), with 66% of respondents having overweight or obesity. While mean scores for physical (M=43.6) and mental (M=47.7) health were considered “good,” scores in the “fair” to “poor” ranges were observed (40% physical; 23% mental). MCS meeting PA (≥150 min per week) and dietary (≥5 daily servings of F&V) guidelines reported better physical (p=.003; p=.056) and mental (p=.033, p=.549) health respectively, compared to MCS who were not. While current supportive care use was low (12%), future interest was high (57%), with greatest interest for nutrition (46%), MCS support group (38%), and gardening (31%).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that engaging in regular PA and consuming more F&Vs may enhance physical and mental health among MCS. Future research may explore supportive care approaches with high interest, such as gardening, to aid MCS in improving key health behaviors.

scholarly journals Feelings of safety during daytime walking: associations with mental health, physical activity and cardiometabolic health in high vacancy, low-income neighborhoods in Detroit, Michigan

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber L. Pearson ◽  
Kimberly A. Clevenger ◽  
Teresa H. Horton ◽  
Joseph C. Gardiner ◽  
Ventra Asana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Spatial Data ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cardiometabolic Health ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Critical Pathway ◽  
Perceived Safety

Abstract Introduction Individuals living in low-income neighborhoods have disproportionately high rates of obesity, Type-2 diabetes, and cardiometabolic conditions. Perceived safety in one’s neighborhood may influence stress and physical activity, with cascading effects on cardiometabolic health. Methods In this study, we examined relationships among feelings of safety while walking during the day and mental health [perceived stress (PSS), depression score], moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA), Body Mass Index (BMI), and hemoglobin A1C (A1C) in low-income, high-vacancy neighborhoods in Detroit, Michigan. We recruited 69 adults who wore accelerometers for one week and completed a survey on demographics, mental health, and neighborhood perceptions. Anthropometrics were collected and A1C was measured using A1CNow test strips. We compiled spatial data on vacant buildings and lots across the city. We fitted conventional and multilevel regression models to predict each outcome, using perceived safety during daytime walking as the independent variable of interest and individual or both individual and neighborhood-level covariates (e.g., number of vacant lots). Last, we examined trends in neighborhood features according to perceived safety. Results In this predominantly African American sample (91%), 47% felt unsafe during daytime walking. Feelings of perceived safety significantly predicted PSS (β = − 2.34, p = 0.017), depression scores (β = − 4.22, p = 0.006), and BMI (β = − 2.87, p = 0.01), after full adjustment. For PA, we detected a significant association for sex only. For A1C we detected significant associations with blighted lots near the home. Those feeling unsafe lived in neighborhoods with higher park area and number of blighted lots. Conclusion Future research is needed to assess a critical pathway through which neighborhood features, including vacant or poor-quality green spaces, may affect obesity—via stress reduction and concomitant effects on cardiometabolic health.

scholarly journals Critical Review of North Korean Women and Children's Health, 2000-2019: Physical and Mental Health Challenges with a Focus on Gender

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-128
Author(s):  
Amanda Wright ◽  
Lynn Pyun ◽  
Eunhee Ha ◽  
Jungsun Kim ◽  
Hae Soon Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
North Korean Defectors ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
Mental Health Challenges ◽  
Gender Based

Women account for over eighty percent of recent North Korean defectors arriving in South Korea, yet there is dearth of gender-based research. Given the speed with which the dialogue on denuclearization with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, North Korea) has progressed since 2017, there is a surprising gap in research on possible health threats. If sanctions are eased, interactions with these previously isolated people will increase leading to potential health problems. This article reviews studies published since 2000 to understand physical and mental health faced in DPRK, among North Korean defectors to South Korea, and to provide policy recommendations. A content analysis of ninety studies found that mental health challenges are severe for North Korean defectors, and that women suffer differently than men during defection and its aftermath. We recommend a more nuanced and gendered approach for future research in order to devise tangible solutions to improve the health of North Koreans in general, and defector women and children in particular.

Longitudinal outcomes associated with significant other responses to chronic fatigue and pain

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 692-702
Author(s):  
Karen B Schmaling ◽  
Jessica L Fales ◽  
Sterling McPherson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Significant Others ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Significant Other ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Longitudinal Outcomes ◽  
Over Time

This study investigated significant others’ behavior associated with fatigue, pain, and mental health outcomes among 68 individuals with chronic fatigue (43% also had fibromyalgia) over 18 months. More negative significant others’ responses were associated with more pain, poorer physical and mental health, and more fatigue-related symptoms over time. More fibromyalgia tender points covaried with more solicitous significant others’ responses over time. Better mental health covaried with more distracting significant others’ responses over time. The results are discussed in terms of theoretical models of the role of perceived significant others’ responses on patient outcomes and recommendations for future research.

Meaning and Value of Productivity to Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 413-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary Lysaght ◽  
Hélène Ouellette-Kuntz ◽  
Carole Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Personal Projects ◽  
Social Barriers ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Meaningful Participation ◽  
Adults With Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract Involvement in productivity roles such as work, volunteerism, and personal projects plays a central role in the lives of most adults and is associated with enhanced physical and mental health. This study examined the meaning of productivity to adults with intellectual disabilities, their satisfaction with the roles they held, and contributors and barriers to achieving satisfying productivity outcomes. The results suggest a number of key areas to address in future research and practice, including systemic and social barriers to choice and meaningful participation.

scholarly journals Pet Ownership and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 332
Author(s):  
Kristel J. Scoresby ◽  
Elizabeth B. Strand ◽  
Zenithson Ng ◽  
Kathleen C. Brown ◽  
Charles Robert Stilz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
The Body ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
The Impact

Pet ownership is the most common form of human–animal interaction, and anecdotally, pet ownership can lead to improved physical and mental health for owners. However, scant research is available validating these claims. This study aimed to review the recent peer reviewed literature to better describe the body of knowledge surrounding the relationship between pet ownership and mental health. A literature search was conducted in May 2020 using two databases to identify articles that met inclusion/exclusion criteria. After title review, abstract review, and then full article review, 54 articles were included in the final analysis. Of the 54 studies, 18 were conducted in the general population, 15 were conducted in an older adult population, eight were conducted in children and adolescents, nine focused on people with chronic disease, and four examined a specific unique population. Forty-one of the studies were cross-sectional, 11 were prospective longitudinal cohorts, and two were other study designs. For each of the articles, the impact of pet ownership on the mental health of owners was divided into four categories: positive impact (n = 17), mixed impact (n = 19), no impact (n = 13), and negative impact (n = 5). Among the reviewed articles, there was much variation in population studied and study design, and these differences make direct comparison challenging. However, when focusing on the impact of pet ownership on mental health, the results were variable and not wholly supportive of the benefit of pets on mental health. Future research should use more consistent methods across broader populations and the development of a pet-ownership survey module for use in broad, population surveys would afford a better description of the true relationship of pet ownership and mental health.

A brief new measure of trauma, relationship security, and affect across the lifespan: Development and initial validation of the Lifespan Negative Experiences Scale (LiNES)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Mayberry ◽  
Markus Reuber ◽  
Glenn Waller ◽  
Liat Levita
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotional Processing ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Interpersonal Trauma ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Negative Experiences

Background. Negative experiences across the lifespan – particularly interpersonal trauma (e.g., abuse/neglect), negative affective states (e.g., feeling afraid or anxious), and relationship insecurity (e.g., not feeling secure) have been associated with a range of adverse physical and mental health outcomes in adulthood. However, negative previous life experiences are not always assessed when people present to services, particularly physical health services, and there are problems with existing measures, which are long and intrusive, and only ask about either current or childhood experiences without capturing other factors likely to affect resilience. Methods. Based on existing research, items were generated for a new measure called the Lifespan Negative Experiences Scale (LiNES), which was designed to retrospectively assess experiences of interpersonal trauma, relationship security, and affect at three developmental stages – childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Principal components analysis and regression were used to refine and validate the LiNES using data from a non-clinical sample. Results. The final version of the LiNES contains 13 items, optionally used to ask about three developmental stages. It was found to be reliable and valid. In addition, LiNES scores at each developmental stage significantly predicted both physical symptom reporting and emotional processing difficulties in adulthood. Conclusions. The LiNES is a brief new measure of negative life experiences capable of retrospectively capturing data from three developmental stages. This study provides an initial indication, based on non-clinical data, that the LiNES could be relevant in a range of settings, including physical and mental health settings, and for future research applications.

scholarly journals Housing and Health among Young First Nations Children Living Off Reserve: Results from the 2006 Aboriginal Children’s Survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Guevremont ◽  
Evelyne Bougie ◽  
Dafna Kohen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Parental Satisfaction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Age And Sex

First Nations children in Canada often experience poorer housing conditions than other Canadian children. This study used the 2006 Aboriginal Children’s Survey to examine the relationship between housing and physical and mental health for First Nations preschool-aged children living off-reserve. This study provides evidence that the physical, spatial, and psychological aspects of housing in which young off-reserve First Nations children live are associated with their physical and mental health, even after controlling for family socioeconomic factors, area of residence, and child’s age and sex (analyzed with regression models). In particular, homeownership, parental satisfaction with housing, and number of moves per year were all associated with multiple physical and mental health outcomes. Future research is needed to further investigate the mechanisms at play.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document