Subjective happiness and health behavior among a sample of university students in India

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 1045-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Supa Pengpid
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Personal Mastery ◽  
Normal Sleep ◽  
Asian Indian Population ◽  
Age Range

The aim in this study was to establish the associations between health behaviors and happiness in an Asian (Indian) population. In a cross-sectional survey we assessed happiness and health behavior among a sample of 800 randomly selected university students taking nonhealth (mainly engineering and sciences) undergraduate courses at Gitam University, Visakhapatnam in India. The students were 541 (67.6%) males and 259 (32.4%) females in the age range of 17 to 20 years (M age 18.2 years, SD = 1.0). We performed multivariate analysis and found that better social support, better personal mastery, normal sleep duration, no current tobacco use, and eating breakfast daily or almost daily were associated with happiness. The findings partially confirmed the association between happiness and several health behaviors mediated by social factors. Our findings can be utilized in programs designed to improve overall well-being of university students in India.

scholarly journals Possible Selves Across the Lifespan

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 449-449
Author(s):  
Victoria Chen ◽  
Alysson Light
Keyword(s):  
Possible Selves ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Midlife Adults ◽  
Age Range ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Possible selves are defined as “personalized representations of one’s self in future states” (Cross & Markus, 1991). Research has also found that thinking frequently about possible selves predicts lower well-being, whereas thinking clearly about possible selves is associated with higher well-being (McElwee & Haugh, 2010). However, possible selves differ across the lifespan (Hooker & Kaus, 1994; Cross & Markus, 1991) and life stages can impact exploration of possible identities (Arnett, 2000). Thus we hypothesize that the relationship between thought about possible selves and well-being differs across the lifespan. In a cross-sectional survey, 240 participants (age range: 18-92) reported on frequency and clarity of possible selves, as well as general self-clarity (Campbell et al., 1996). Results indicate curvilinear moderation by age of the link between possible self-clarity and well-being, with the association being stronger among midlife adults than among younger adults and older adults. Also, as clarity of feared possible selves increases, self-concept clarity decreases. Similarly, frequency of thinking about feared possible selves was negatively correlated with self-concept clarity. However, clarity and frequency of thought about hoped-for positive possible selves had no correlation with self-concept clarity.

scholarly journals Longitudinal stability and interrelations between health behavior and subjective well-being in a follow-up of nine years

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0259280
Author(s):  
Säde Stenlund ◽  
Niina Junttila ◽  
Heli Koivumaa-Honkanen ◽  
Lauri Sillanmäki ◽  
David Stenlund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Cross

Background The bidirectional relationship between health behavior and subjective well-being has previously been studied sparsely, and mainly for individual health behaviors and regression models. In the present study, we deepen this knowledge focusing on the four principal health behaviors and using structural equation modeling with selected covariates. Methods The follow-up data (n = 11,804) was derived from a population-based random sample of working-age Finns from two waves (2003 and 2012) of the Health and Social Support (HeSSup) postal survey. Structural equation modeling was used to study the cross-sectional, cross-lagged, and longitudinal relationships between the four principal health behaviors and subjective well-being at baseline and after the nine-year follow-up adjusted for age, gender, education, and self-reported diseases. The included health behaviors were physical activity, dietary habits, alcohol consumption, and smoking status. Subjective well-being was measured through four items comprising happiness, interest, and ease in life, and perceived loneliness. Results Bidirectionally, only health behavior in 2003 predicted subjective well-being in 2012, whereas subjective well-being in 2003 did not predict health behavior in 2012. In addition, the cross-sectional interactions in 2003 and in 2012 between health behavior and subjective well-being were statistically significant. The baseline levels predicted their respective follow-up levels, the effect being stronger in health behavior than in subjective well-being. Conclusion The four principal health behaviors together predict subsequent subjective well-being after an extensive follow-up. Although not particularly strong, the results could still be used for motivation for health behavior change, because of the beneficial effects of health behavior on subjective well-being.

Prevalence of health behaviors and their associated factors among a sample of university students in India

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Supa Pengpid ◽  
Krishna Mohan
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Behavior Index

Abstract Objective: With advances in knowledge about health promotion, public health professionals are in search for the determinants of personal health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of health behaviors and its associated factors in a sample of Indian university students. Materials and methods: Using a cross-sectional survey, we assessed health behavior among a sample of randomly selected university students. The sample included 800 university students from non-health (mainly engineering and sciences) undergraduate courses of Gitam University, Visakhapatnam in India. The students were 541 (67.6%) males and 259 (32.4%) females in the age range of 17–20 years (Median age=18.2 years, SD=1.0). Results: On average, students engaged in 15.8 out of 25 health behavior practices. There was a high rate of overweight and obesity (26.8% and 10.7%, respectively), low rate of brushing teeth at least twice a day (28.6%), annual dental check-up (25.8%), habitual seatbelt use (23%), and poor dietary patterns (79% ate less than the recommended fruit and vegetable consumption of five servings a day, and 68.5% did not avoid eating fat and cholesterol). In multivariate analysis among men, personal constraints (Odds Ratio=OR 1.75, Confidence Interval=CI 1.09–2.82), health benefits (OR=2.01, CI=1.27–3.17), and not suffering from depression (OR=0.60, CI=0.22–0.94) were associated with the health behavior index. Among women, those who were living away from their parents or guardians (OR=1.94, CI=1.06–3.55), economically better off (OR=2.16, CI=1.00–4.63), and had higher social support (OR=3.65, CI=1.75–7.63), were associated with the health behavior index. Discussion: Students had a high proportion of health behavior practices. Several high health risk practices were identified, including overweight, poor dental practices, poor dietary and sleeping habits. It is hoped that the gender-specific predictors identified, including sociodemographics as well as social and mental health variables, can also be utilized in designing health promotion programs.

scholarly journals PaLS Study of Sleep Deprivation and Mental Health Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9581
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Gruba ◽  
Przemysław Seweryn Kasiak ◽  
Joanna Gębarowska ◽  
Natalia Adamczyk ◽  
Zuzanna Sikora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Short Sleep Duration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Short Sleep ◽  
Sleeping Habits

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many people live. To assess its impact on sleep quality and quantity, blue light exposure, and the mental health of Polish university students, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. Almost half of the participants were medical students (47.62%; n = 630). The majority of students were suffering from insomnia (58.13%, n = 769). Almost every third student was sleeping less than 7 h a day (30.39%, n = 402). Our study showed that a short sleep duration correlates with poorer mental health outcomes. Respondents who declared sadness and depression were more likely to suffer from insomnia (OR = 5.6997, 95% CI: 4.3641–7.4441). Difficulty with tasks was also more likely to co-occur with insomnia (OR = 5.4723, 95% CI: 4.3007 to 6.9630). The results of this study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the deterioration of sleep quality and quantity as well as the psychological well-being of Polish students. It is important to take steps to promote proper sleeping habits to alleviate the risk of mental health disorders in this group of people.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional survey of internet use among university students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Adorjan ◽  
Simon Langgartner ◽  
Maximilian Maywald ◽  
Susanne Karch ◽  
Oliver Pogarell
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Information Searches

AbstractThe last 2 decades have seen an increase in the number of reports of excessive internet use. Therefore, this study aimed to examine internet use among university students to gain more insight into the novel phenomenon of addictive internet use (AIU). Data were collected by the means of an online questionnaire sent to 4391 students. Approximately 10% of the 4391 students could be included in the statistical analysis. Of those 483 students, almost all (99.2%) used the internet, and a quarter (24.8%) showed AIU. The students used the internet mostly for information searches, random browsing, social networking, and online shopping; however, AIU was seen most often in the areas of social networking, random browsing, information searches, gaming, and pornography. One in four of the respondents showed addictive behavior in at least one area of internet use. Students with AIU in the area of random browsing were significantly less far advanced in their studies than those without AIU, and well-being was significantly poorer across AIU groups than in those who did not show AIU. The study confirms the importance of AIU, as reflected in the high prevalence of AIU among the students and the significantly lower level of well-being in those with AIU. Undifferentiated consideration of AIU does not do justice to its various facets, and future research should consider all areas of internet use, with the aim to increase understanding of the underlying mechanisms of AIU and develop more differentiated treatment approaches.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices towards COVID-19 during the Rapid Rise Period: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Public University Students of Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-128
Author(s):  
Md Mostafizur Rahman ◽  
Jannate Mehjabin Jhinuk ◽  
Nadia Habib Nabila ◽  
Mir Taj Mira Yeasmin ◽  
Ifta Alam Shobuj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
University Students ◽  
Print Media ◽  
Public University ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Control Effort ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Government

Bangladesh has experienced long term COVID-19 impact in the education sector where university students have suffered a lot. This cross-sectional study intended to evaluate the health behavior of public university students towards the COVID-19. The convenience sampling technique was employed during the rapid COVID-19 period. A total of 952 public university students participated in the KAP survey. Statistical analyses were performed depending on the data type. Study population demonstrated exemplary COVID-19 knowledge along with positive attitudes and preventive practices towards the COVID-19. Gender, university year, and major were determined as associating factors with their overall KAP. Female students reported better knowledge and practice regarding COVID-19 than their counterpart male students. Students living in the capital Dhaka city did not show positive attitudes towards COVID-19 compared to the students living outside the city. Students who were without their families demonstrated better attitudes compared to the students with their families. Broadcast media, print media, the internet, university, and social media were identified as sources of COVID-19 precautionary measures information for these students. Students showed better knowledge and attitude levels when used print media and university respectively compared to the students who used surrounding people as a source of information. This study enhances our understanding of the health behavior of public university students of Bangladesh. It has also determined the associating factors with their KAP level. The outcome of this study can assist the government, organizations, and the university to prepare for a comprehensive pandemic control effort. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0302-4 Full Text: PDF

scholarly journals Gratitude and Adaptive Coping Among Chinese Singaporeans During the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eddie M. W. Tong ◽  
Vincent Y. S. Oh
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Positive Coping ◽  
Age Range

We report results of a cross-sectional survey conducted during March–April 2020 which marked the start and escalation of the COVID-19 crisis in Singapore. Our purpose was to examine whether reported feelings of gratitude among Chinese Singaporeans (N = 371; 124 males, 247 females; Mage = 22.54, SDage = 3.63, age range: 18–53 years) could be linked to adaptive responses to the pandemic. The results revealed that gratitude was associated with stronger endorsement of virus-prevention measures (β = 0.25, p = 0.001) that are necessary for protecting the physical health of oneself and others but disruptive to daily lives. Gratitude was also positively related to the tendency to perceive meaningful benefits in the crisis (β = 0.25, p = 0.002). Importantly, demonstrating the uniqueness and robustness of gratitude as a predictor of positive coping in response to the pandemic, these relationships remained significant when controlling for other protective psychological factors (resilience and optimism), emotions, and key demographic variables. Among the emotions measured, gratitude was also reported the most strongly. The findings support theoretical models that gratitude facilitates prosocial inclinations and openness to different ways to support the well-being of others and suggest that in a collectivistic culture, gratitude could be a key resource enabling adaptation to a crisis.

scholarly journals How Different Health Literacy Dimensions Influences Health Status and Well-being among Men and Women: The Mediating Role of Health Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Peggy Pui-Lai Or ◽  
Joanne Wai-Yee Chung
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women

Abstract Background. Health literacy, the ability to access, understand, evaluate, and apply health information, was found to contribute to positive health outcomes, possibly via promoting healthy behaviors. However, the specific pathways linking different health literacy skills to health and well-being has remained unclear.Methods. A cross-sectional survey with structural questionnaires was administered among 2236 community-based adults in Hong Kong (mean age = 46.10 ± 19.05). Health literacy was measured by HLS-Asian-47. Participants' health behavior, physical conditions, and well-being were reported.Results. With structural modeling path analysis, health literacy in finding and understanding information showed a direct effect on enhancing physical health. While applying information capacity had an indirect positive effect via promoting health behaviors, which was moderated by gender. Only among women this indirect effect in predicting fewer physical symptoms and greater well-being was significant.Conclusions. Although similar patterns were found in physical condition and well-being, distinct direct and indirect pathways were found of different health literacy dimensions for men and women. Based on the findings, by targeting specific health literacy skills, education programs should be developed to enhance women’s health knowledge, and men's application of the knowledge in healthy lifestyle.

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