Self-reported impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, affective responding, and subjective well-being - A Swedish survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Gröndal ◽  
Karl Ask ◽  
Timothy John Luke ◽  
Stefan Winblad
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cognitive Reappraisal ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Work Study ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Personal Consequences ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
Life Work

A rapid stream of research confirms that the COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat to mental health and psychological well-being. It is therefore important to identify both hazardous and protective individual factors during the pandemic. The current research examined the relationships between self-reported affective responding, perceived personal consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and subjective well-being. An online survey (N = 471) conducted in Sweden between June and September, 2020, showed that higher levels of irritability, impulsivity, and the tendency to experience and express anger were generally associated with more severe personal consequences of the pandemic, particularly in areas related to family life, work/study, and finances. While more severe impacts of the pandemic in these areas of life were directly associated with lower subjective well-being, emotion regulation through cognitive reappraisal appeared to moderate the extent to which consequences of the pandemic in other areas of life (i.e., social, free-time and physical activities) translated into decreased well-being. This suggests that cognitive reappraisal may serve to protect against some of the debilitating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. Overall, the results indicate that the perceived consequences of the pandemic are multifaceted and that future research should examine these consequences using a multidimensional approach.

scholarly journals Subjective Well-being, Mental Health and Concerns During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From the Global South

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Lina Martínez ◽  
Valeria Trofimoff ◽  
Isabella Valencia
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Global South ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Study Results

COVID-19 pandemic is harming many social and economic spheres beyond physical health. The subjective well-being of the population (positive emotions and life satisfaction) and the prevalence of stressors affecting good mental health like worry, depression, and anxiety are increasing worldwide. This analysis presents evidence of subjective well-being and mental health in Colombia, South America, during the current crisis. The data for this analysis comes from an online survey released after one month of quarantine. In total, 941 adults participated in the study. Results show that women are more affected by their well-being and experience more often worry, depression, and anxiety than males. In particular, younger women and from the lower socioeconomic strata. Respondents identify three primary concerns because of the pandemic: i) financial consequences, ii) health (personal and loved one's health), and iii) productivity. Respondents are, on average, more concerned for the health of loved ones than their health. 49% of study participants report having an income reduction as a consequence of the pandemic, but women in all subgroups analyzed are more affected than males. In terms of productivity –working remotely-, educated people, and from 50+ age range, feels more productive working from home. Evidence from this analysis contributes to the broader research of the consequences of COVID-19 on the well-being of the population. Evidence comes from a country in the global South with high population ratings of subjective well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction before the pandemic. 

Economic Perspective on the Value of Cats and Dogs

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 595-613
Author(s):  
Ruben Hoffmann ◽  
Carl-Johan Lagerkvist ◽  
Malin Hagberg Gustavsson ◽  
Bodil Ström Holst
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Economic Values ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Use Values ◽  
Good Starting Point

AbstractAlthough various benefits of cats and dogs have been extensively studied, their fundamental economic value is poorly understood. Economic values are, in contrast to monetary values, determined subjectively and guide individuals in their decisions. This study presents a conceptual economic model of the value of cats and dogs which provides a basis for future research. Benefits of cats and dogs identified in the literature are categorized in relation to the model. The multidimensional value of these nonhuman animals includes different use and non-use values, for caretakers and other humans. Data from an online survey on the salience (importance of attributes in memory) of cats and dogs in Sweden provide support for the proposed model. It is argued that the subjective well-being approach developed in psychology provides a good starting point for estimating many of the economic values of these animals, but that different types of values may require different approaches.

scholarly journals Community Gardening: Stress, Well-Being, and Resilience Potentials

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6740
Author(s):  
Way Inn Koay ◽  
Denise Dillon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Community Gardening ◽  
Home Gardening ◽  
Mental Health Benefits

The financial and health burdens of stress associated with increased urbanization have led to a demand for mental health enhancement strategies. While some extant literature details mental health benefits of community gardening, a coherent narrative on the construct of resilience and its relationship with the mental health benefits of community gardening is lacking. The present study examined the relationship between community gardening and a number of mental health benefits, in the forms of subjective well-being, stress, resilience potentials, and resilience factors (self-esteem, optimism, and openness). A total of 111 residents in Singapore completed a survey. Results from Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and Pearson’s correlation analyses show that, after controlling for age and levels of connection to nature, community gardeners reported significantly higher levels of subjective well-being than individual/home gardeners and non-gardeners, indicating that engagement in community gardening may be superior to individual/home gardening or non-gardening outdoor activities. Community gardeners reported higher levels of resilience and optimism than the non-gardening control group. These novel results indicate some potential for mental health benefits in urban environments, specifically in terms of subjective well-being and resilience. These findings have implications for future research in clinical psychology, mental health promotion, and policy.

Emotion Regulation and Job Satisfaction as Predictors of Subjective Well-being in Doctors

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Prachi Sharma ◽  
Urmila Rani Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Cognitive Reappraisal ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Expressive Suppression ◽  
Specialty Hospitals ◽  
Intrinsic Job Satisfaction

This study examined the role of emotion regulation and job satisfaction in predicting affective (positive and negative affect) and cognitive (life satisfaction) components of subjective well-being (SWB) in doctors. The predictors used were the dimensions of job satisfaction—intrinsic, extrinsic job satisfaction as well as the total score of job satisfaction and the following dimensions of intra-personal emotion regulation—cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. The participants included in the study were doctors from multi-specialty hospitals in Gurgaon district of Haryana. A total of 102 doctors were included in the study using convenience sampling. Correlational and step-wise multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the predictions. The results of the analysis confirmed the predictions as intrinsic job satisfaction and cognitive reappraisal significantly and positively predicted life satisfaction. The findings were discussed in the light of available research along with implications of the study and possible avenues for future research.

scholarly journals Engagement in Digital Mental Health Interventions: Can Monetary Incentives Help?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliane M. Boucher ◽  
Haley E. Ward ◽  
Amelia C. Mounts ◽  
Acacia C. Parks
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Monetary Incentives ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

Digital mental health interventions (DMHI) are scalable and cost-effective strategies for increasing access to mental health care; however, dropout rates associated with digital interventions are high, particularly for open-access digital interventions. While some studies have focused on predictors of dropout from digital mental health programs, few studies have focused on engagement features that might improve engagement. In this perspective article, we discuss whether monetary incentives (MI) are one avenue to increasing user engagement in DMHI. We begin by reviewing the literature on the effects of MI for behavior change in health domains (e.g., dietary behaviors, substance use, and medication adherence). Then, drawing on a pilot study we conducted to test the effects of different levels of MI on usage and improvement in subjective well-being among users of a DMHI (Happify), we discuss the potential applications of MI for DMHI, the potential drawbacks of financial incentives in this context, and open questions for future research.

scholarly journals Preprint

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Schlosser
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Meditation Practice ◽  
Repetitive Negative Thinking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Thinking

So far, the large and expanding body of research on meditation has mostly focussed on the putative benefits of meditation on health and well-being. However, a growing number of reports indicate that psychologically distressing and difficult experiences can occur in the context of meditation practice. Very little is known about the prevalence and potential causes of these experiences. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of distressing meditation-related experiences in a large international sample of regular meditators, and to explore the association of distressing meditation-related experiences with demographic characteristics, meditation practice, and mental health variables (here measured by repetitive negative thinking, mindfulness, and self-compassion). Using a cross-sectional online survey, 1,264 regular meditators (mean age = 44.7 years, SD = 13.9, 53.8% female) responded to one question about distressing meditation-related experiences (98.7% of the total sample). A total of 321 participants (25.4%, 95% CI: 23.0 to 27.8) reported distressing meditation-related experiences. Logistic regression models indicated a positive association between distressing meditation-related experiences and having meditation retreat experience (odds ratio = 1.65, p < 0.001) and higher levels of repetitive negative thinking (OR = 1.17, p = 0.015). A negative association was found between distressing meditation-related experiences and identifying as religious (OR = 0.64, p = 0.001) and being female (OR) = 0.77, p = 0.045). The high prevalence of distressing meditation-related experiences reported here points to the importance of expanding the scientific conception of meditation beyond that of a (mental) health-promoting and self-regulating technique. We conclude with an overview of methodological and conceptual considerations that could be used to inform future research on distressing meditation-related experiences.

Self-Efficacy as a Mechanism Linking Daily Stress to Mental Health in Students: A Three-Wave Cross-Lagged Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 2074-2095 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pia Schönfeld ◽  
Julia Brailovskaia ◽  
Xiao Chi Zhang ◽  
Jürgen Margraf
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Life Stressors ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
General Self Efficacy

Background and Objectives While stress is generally well established to be predictive for different indicators of mental health, little is known about the longitudinal effects of daily life stressors and the role of self-evaluation factors. We tested whether perceived general self-efficacy is a mediator for the association between daily life stressors and psychopathological symptoms as well as subjective well-being. Methods Data derived from 2160 Chinese university students was assessed at three time points with one-year intervals. We used the Brief Daily Stressor Screening, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Positive Mental Health Scale, and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales. Total, direct, and indirect effects were estimated using 95% bootstrapped confidence intervals and structural equation modeling. Results Latent variable mediation analyses showed that daily stressors were associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress and with decreased subjective well-being. All cross-lagged mediational paths via self-efficacy were significant in predicting positive and negative mental health. Conclusions Considering stress of daily life as well as including the two dimensions of mental health may be important for future research and practice. This study provides novel evidence for mediating stress effects by perceived self-efficacy, which should be focused in intervention- and prevention-based approaches.

scholarly journals Walking on sunshine: scoping review of the evidence for walking and mental health

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 800-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Kelly ◽  
Chloë Williamson ◽  
Ailsa G Niven ◽  
Ruth Hunter ◽  
Nanette Mutrie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
National Guidelines

Background/objectivesWalking has well-established positive relationships with, and effects on, physical health. In contrast, while poor mental health contributes substantially to global health burden, an overview of the benefits from walking has not previously been published. We aimed to scope the literature and present what is known, and highlight what is not known, about walking and mental health.MethodsDesign: Scoping review.Data sources: Ovid (Medline), ProQuest, Web of Science.Screening and reporting: 13 014 records were identified and screened by a team of researchers. Included full texts were analysed and reported according to mental health outcome.ResultsFor the 8 mental health outcomes (identified a priori), there were a total of 5 systematic reviews and 50 individual papers included. Depression had the most evidence and existing systematic reviews were reported. Evidence for anxiety, psychological stress, psychological well-being, subjective well-being and social isolation and loneliness varied in volume and effectiveness, but no harmful effects were identified. There were no studies for walking and resilience. The setting and context of walking seems to be important variables.ConclusionThe evidence base that suggests walking benefits mental health is growing, but remains fragmented and incomplete for some important outcomes. Policy and national guidelines should promote the known mental health benefits of increased walking and future research should directly address the gaps we have identified.

scholarly journals Individual Differences in the Association Between Celebrity Worship and Subjective Well-Being: The Moderating Role of Gender and Age

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ágnes Zsila ◽  
Gábor Orosz ◽  
Lynn E. McCutcheon ◽  
Zsolt Demetrovics
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Moderating Role

The association of celebrity worship with mental health concerns has been extensively studied in the past two decades. However, there is a lack of research on basic demographic characteristics that can potentially alter the link between celebrity admiration and different aspects of mental health. The present study investigates the possible moderating role of gender, age, and opposite/same-gender celebrity selection on the association of celebrity worship with general well-being, self-esteem and perceived daytime sleepiness. A total of 1763 Hungarian adults (66.42% men, Mage = 37.2 years, SD = 11.4) completed an online survey focusing on attitudes and behaviors relating to celebrities and mental well-being. The moderation analysis showed that (i) the negative association between celebrity worship and self-esteem was slightly stronger for women than for men, and (ii) the association between celebrity worship and perceived daytime sleepiness was slightly stronger for younger individuals than for older ones. Although both gender and age were particularly weak moderators, these results draw the attention to some potential individual differences when interpreting links between celebrity worship and different aspects of mental health.

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