Evaluation of a natural workspace intervention with active design features on movement, interaction and health

BACKGROUND: There is increasing focus on designing workspaces that promote less sitting, more movement and interaction to improve physical and mental health. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates a natural intervention of a new workplace with active design features and its relocation to a greener and open space. METHODS: An ecological model was used to understand how organisations implement change. Pre and post survey data from 221 matched cases of workers and accelerometery data (n = 50) were analysed. RESULTS: Results show a decrease in occupational sitting (-20.65 mins/workday, p = 0.001) and an increase in workplace walking (+5.61 mins/workday, p = 0.001) using survey data, and accelerometery data (occupational sitting time: –31.0 mins/workday, p = 0.035, standing time: +22.0 mins/workday, p = 0.022, stepping time: +11.0 mins/workday, p = 0.001). Improvements in interaction, musculoskeletal pain and mental health were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Application of the ecological model shows that the organisation understands how to target the built environment and social/cultural environment but not how to target behaviour change at the individual level.

Download Full-text

Gender-specific typologies of older adults’ sedentary behaviors and their associations with health-related and socio-demographic factors: a latent profile analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32418/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sofie Compernolle ◽

Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽

Greet Cardon ◽

Delfien Van Dyck

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Television Time ◽

Health Related

Abstract Background. Some types of sedentary behaviors tend to cluster in individuals or groups of older adults. Insight into how these different types of sedentary behavior cluster is needed, as recent research suggests that not all types of sedentary behavior may have the same negative effects on physical and mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify gender-specific typologies of older adults’ sedentary behavior, and to examine their associations with health-related and socio-demographic factors. Methods. Cross-sectional data were collected as part of the BEPAS Seniors, and the Busschaert study among 696 Flemish older adults (60+). Typologies of self-reported sedentary behavior were identified using latent profile analysis, and associations with health-related and sociodemographic factors were examined using analyses of variances. Results. Five distinct typologies were identified from seven sedentary behaviors (television time, computer time, transport-related sitting time, sitting for reading, sitting for hobbies, sitting for socializing and sitting for meals) in men, and three typologies were identified from six sedentary behaviors (television time, transport-related sitting time, sitting for reading, sitting for hobbies, sitting for socializing and sitting for meals) in women. Typologies that are characterized by high television time seem to be related to more negative health outcomes, like a higher BMI, less grip strength, and a lower physical and mental health-related quality-of-life. Typologies that are represented by high computer time and motorized transport seem to be related to more positive health outcomes, such as a lower body mass index, more grip strength and a higher physical and mental health-related quality-of-life.Conclusions. Although causal direction between identified typologies and health outcomes remains uncertain, our results suggests that future interventions should better focus on specific types of sedentary behavior (e.g. television time), or patterns of sedentary behavior, rather than on total sedentary behavior.

Download Full-text

Perceptions of mental illness in the Somali community in Minnesota

International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care ◽

10.1108/ijmhsc-04-2014-0011 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 16-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Rebekah Pratt ◽

Ayan Fadumo ◽

Mikow Hang ◽

Sirad Osman ◽

Nancy Raymond

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Ecological Model ◽

Religious Leaders ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Content Type ◽

Community Assets ◽

Somali Immigrants ◽

The Social ◽

The Impact

Purpose – Somali immigrants are a strong, vibrant community in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. However, the legacy of resettlement and the challenges of adjustment can lead to complex physical and mental health challenges. The Somali community is considered to be underserved, particularly with regard to mental health, but the health system must understand the perception of mental health in the Somali community in order to address current disparities. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative research drew on the Social Ecological Model (SEM) and was conducted with the goal of learning more about how mental illness is perceived in the Somali community living in Minnesota. Four focus groups were held, with a total of 35 participants, 19 female and 16 male. Findings – Several main themes emerged from the data. The community’s foundations of the perceptions of mental health inform and shape their perspective on mental illness, including the way mental illness is defined. Historical experiences, the impact of trauma, strong religious beliefs, and stigma toward mental illness influenced both the perceived causes of mental illness and views on seeking treatment. Originality/value – This research suggests there is value in drawing on the SEM to as the perception of mental illness is both layered, and shaped by the Somali community’s historical and social context. Forming community partnerships that address concerns about mental illness are essential next steps toward improving mental health in the Somali community. These partnerships should build on existing community assets, particularly religious leaders.

Download Full-text

Physical Activities in Public Squares: The Impact of Companionship on Chinese Residents’ Health

Land ◽

10.3390/land10070720 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 720

Author(s):

Xiuhai Xiong ◽

Lingbo Liu ◽

Zhenghong Peng ◽

Hao Wu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Open Space ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Chinese People ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Public Open Space ◽

Ordered Logistic Regression ◽

New Perspective ◽

Daily Physical Activities ◽

The Impact

Companionship is the most important social support factor in physical activities, but the influence of companionship on the daily physical activities of Chinese people in the square is not clear. The ordered logistic regression was conducted to identify the companionship and physical activities associated with the physical and mental health of residents (n = 196). The results show that companionship has direct and indirect effects on mental health, and companionship acts on physical health through physical activity in public squares. Our research understands the use of public open space (POS) from the perspective of companionship and provides a new perspective for improving the sociality of POS design.

Download Full-text

“This Pandemic Is Making Me More Anxious about My Welfare and the Welfare of Others:” COVID-19 Stressors and Mental Health

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115680 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5680

Author(s):

Ramey Moore ◽

Melissa J. Zielinski ◽

Ronald G. Thompson ◽

Don E. Willis ◽

Rachel S. Purvis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Ecological Model ◽

Social Environments ◽

Social Phenomena ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Individual Level ◽

The Social ◽

The Individual

COVID-19 and subsequent social distancing guidelines have changed many aspects of people’s daily lives including the way that they interact within their social environment. Pandemics are inherently social phenomena, and public health measures intended to curtail transmission of COVID-19 (e.g., quarantine and social distancing) have consequences for individuals with anxiety and depression. Using qualitative methods, respondents with previously diagnosed anxiety or depression identified ways in which COVID-19 affected their symptoms at multiple levels of the social ecological model (SEM). Key themes reported were organized following the SEM. Emergent themes at the individual level are isolation/loneliness, fear of contracting COVID-19, and uncertainty about the future. Themes at the interpersonal level are: fears of family contracting COVID-19, separation from family members, and domestic relationships. Themes at the level of community and societal stressors are: employment, community and societal systems, media, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings demonstrate the ways that mental health, physical health/safety, and social environments are interrelated in the experience of COVID-19 for individuals diagnosed with anxiety or depression. These findings make a significant contribution to the literature as this is the first article to document mental health stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with diagnosed anxiety and depressive disorders.

Download Full-text

Knowledge, Attitude and Awareness about Eating, Sleeping, Weight, Diet and Other Lifestyle Changes during COVID Pandemic

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i50b33422 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 31-38

Author(s):

Jeswin Immanuel ◽

R. Gayatri Devi ◽

A. Jothi Priya

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Sitting Time ◽

P Value ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional

Background and Aim: COVID pandemic lockdown has been constantly associated with psychological changes which have resulted in an increase in stress level and other diseases. So the main aim of this study is to create knowledge about the lifestyle, sleeping and other changes happening during pandemic situations. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among the dental population with a sample size of 100 to 150. The survey was done in an online questionnaire pattern through Google forms and circulated. The statistics were done using SPSS software, chi square test was used to check the association and P value of 0.05 was said to be statistically significant. Results: 36.63% responded to intake of vegetables as slight increases and 36.63% responded to significant increase of fruits and vegetables. There were many positive as well as negative changes were observed like increase in screen time and low physical activity were considered to be negative and positive changes like decrease in smoking and drinking alcohol. COVID-19 marginally improved the eating behavior, yet one-third of participants gained weight as physical activity declined significantly coupled with an increase in screen and sitting time. Mental health was also adversely affected. Intake of a balanced diet was significantly increased in females than males. Nearly 42% of them significantly increased their sleeping hours. Conclusion: The increase of COVID virus all over the world at a faster rate may distract people from attention over lifestyle, physical and mental health. The mental issues may result in severe consequences. People must be aware that a healthy lifestyle change may cause severe health issues. A detailed understanding of these factors can help to develop interventions to mitigate the negative lifestyle behaviors that have manifested during COVID-19.

Download Full-text

State School Policies as Predictors of Physical and Mental Health: A Natural Experiment in the REGARDS Cohort

American Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/aje/kwz221 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 189 (5) ◽

pp. 384-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Willa D Brenowitz ◽

Jennifer J Manly ◽

Audrey R Murchland ◽

Thu T Nguyen ◽

Sze Y Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Racial Differences ◽

School Quality ◽

Causal Effect ◽

Short Form ◽

State School ◽

Natural Experiments ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

School Policies ◽

Individual Level

Abstract We used differences in state school policies as natural experiments to evaluate the joint influence of educational quantity and quality on late-life physical and mental health. Using US Census microsample data, historical measures of state compulsory schooling and school quality (term length, student-teacher ratio, and attendance rates) were combined via regression modeling on a scale corresponding to years of education (policy-predicted years of education (PPYEd)). PPYEd values were linked to individual-level records for 8,920 black and 14,605 white participants aged ≥45 years in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study (2003–2007). Linear and quantile regression models estimated the association between PPYEd and Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) from the Short Form Health Survey. We examined interactions by race and adjusted for sex, birth year, state of residence at age 6 years, and year of study enrollment. Higher PPYEd was associated with better median PCS (β = 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40, 1.49) and possibly better median MCS (β = 0.46, 95% CI: –0.01, 0.94). Effect estimates were higher among black (vs. white) persons (PCS × race interaction, β = 0.22, 95% CI: –0.62, 1.05, and MCS × race interaction, β = 0.18; 95% CI: –0.08, 0.44). When incorporating both school quality and duration, this quasiexperimental analysis found mixed evidence for a causal effect of education on health decades later.

Download Full-text

Sex-specific typologies of older adults’ sedentary behaviors and their associations with health-related and socio-demographic factors: a latent profile analysis

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02011-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sofie Compernolle ◽

Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽

Greet Cardon ◽

Delfien Van Dyck

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Television Time ◽

Health Related

Abstract Background Some types of sedentary behaviors tend to cluster in individuals or groups of older adults. Insight into how these different types of sedentary behavior cluster is needed, as recent research suggests that not all types of sedentary behavior may have the same negative effects on physical and mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify sex-specific typologies of older adults’ sedentary behavior, and to examine their associations with health-related and socio-demographic factors. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected as part of the BEPAS Seniors, and the Busschaert study among 696 Flemish older adults (60+). Typologies of self-reported sedentary behavior were identified using latent profile analysis, and associations with health-related and sociodemographic factors were examined using analyses of variances. Results Five distinct typologies were identified from seven sedentary behaviors (television time, computer time, transport-related sitting time, sitting for reading, sitting for hobbies, sitting for socializing and sitting for meals) in men, and three typologies were identified from six sedentary behaviors (television time, transport-related sitting time, sitting for reading, sitting for hobbies, sitting for socializing and sitting for meals) in women. Typologies that are characterized by high television time seem to be related to more negative health outcomes, like a higher BMI, less grip strength, and a lower physical and mental health-related quality-of-life. Typologies that are represented by high computer time and motorized transport seem to be related to more positive health outcomes, such as a lower body mass index, more grip strength and a higher physical and mental health-related quality-of-life. Conclusions Although causal direction between identified typologies and health outcomes remains uncertain, our results suggests that future interventions should better focus on specific types of sedentary behavior (e.g. television time), or patterns of sedentary behavior, rather than on total sedentary behavior.

Download Full-text

Factors contributing to emotional distress in Sierra Leone: a socio-ecological analysis

International Journal of Mental Health Systems ◽

10.1186/s13033-021-00474-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca Horn ◽

Stella Arakelyan ◽

Haja Wurie ◽

Alastair Ager

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sierra Leone ◽

Emotional Distress ◽

Ecological Model ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Emotional Wellbeing ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Men And Women ◽

Individual Level ◽

Individual Family

Abstract Background There is increasing global evidence that mental health is strongly determined by social, economic and environmental factors, and that strategic action in these areas has considerable potential for improving mental health and preventing and alleviating mental disorders. Prevention and promotion activities in mental health must address the needs prioritised by local actors. The aim of this study was to identify stressors with the potential to influence emotional wellbeing and distress within the general population of Sierra Leone, in order to contribute to an inter-sectoral public mental health approach to improving mental health within the country. Methodology Respondents were a convenience sample of 153 respondents (60 women, 93 men) from five districts of Sierra Leone. Using freelisting methodology, respondents were asked to respond to the open question ‘What kind of problems do women/men have in your community?’. Data analysis involved consolidation of elicited problems into a single list. These were then organised thematically using an adaptation of the socio-ecological model, facilitating exploration of the interactions between problems at individual, family, community and societal levels Results Overall, respondents located problems predominantly at community and societal levels. Although few respondents identified individual-level issues, they frequently described how problems at other levels contributed to physical health difficulties and emotional distress. Women identified significantly more problems at the family level than men, particularly related to relationships with an intimate partner. Men identified significantly more problems at the societal level than women, primarily related to lack of infrastructure. Men and women were equally focused on problems related to poverty and lack of income generating opportunities. Conclusion Poverty and inability to earn an income underpinned many of the problems described at individual, family and community level. Actions to address livelihoods, together with improving infrastructure and addressing gender norms which are harmful to both men and women, are likely key to improving the wellbeing of the Sierra Leone population.

Download Full-text

Gender-specific typologies of older adults’ sedentary behaviors and their associations with health-related and socio-demographic factors: a latent profile analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32418/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sofie Compernolle ◽

Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽

Greet Cardon ◽

Delfien Van Dyck

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Latent Profile Analysis ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Television Time ◽

Health Related

Abstract Background. Some types of sedentary behaviors tend to cluster in individuals or groups of older adults. Insight into how these different types of sedentary behavior cluster is needed, as recent research suggests that not all types of sedentary behavior may have the same negative effects on physical and mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify gender-specific typologies of older adults’ sedentary behavior, and to examine their associations with health-related and socio-demographic factors. Methods. Cross-sectional data were collected as part of the BEPAS Seniors, and the Busschaert study among 696 Flemish older adults (60+). Typologies of self-reported sedentary behavior were identified using latent profile analysis, and associations with health-related and sociodemographic factors were examined using analyses of variances. Results. Five distinct typologies were identified from seven sedentary behaviors (television time, computer time, transport-related sitting time, sitting for reading, sitting for hobbies, sitting for socializing and sitting for meals) in men, and three typologies were identified from six sedentary behaviors (television time, transport-related sitting time, sitting for reading, sitting for hobbies, sitting for socializing and sitting for meals) in women. Typologies that are characterized by high television time seem to be related to more negative health outcomes, like a higher BMI, less grip strength, and a lower physical and mental health-related quality-of-life. Typologies that are represented by high computer time and motorized transport seem to be related to more positive health outcomes, such as a lower BMI, more grip strength and a higher physical and mental health-related quality-of-life.Conclusions. Although causal direction between identified typologies and health outcomes remains uncertain, our results suggests that future interventions should better focus on specific types of sedentary behavior (e.g. television time), or patterns of sedentary behavior, rather than on total sedentary behavior.

Download Full-text

Analysis of the influence of parents' going out on the mental health of left-behind children in rural areas

Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences ◽

10.52711/2321-5828.2021.00023 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 141-148

Author(s):

Tao Guoqing

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Survey Data ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Lower Socioeconomic Status ◽

Left Behind ◽

Migrant Laborers ◽

Lower Socioeconomic ◽

The Impact

With the continuous and deepening of urbanization in my country, more and more migrant laborers appear, accompanied by the emergence of left-behind children. As a representative of children with lower socioeconomic status, left-behind children in rural areas have different degrees of problems in physical and mental health and learning. This article uses China’s education tracking survey data to empirically analyze the impact of parents’going out on the mental health of left-behind children in rural areas. The study found that mothers play an indispensable role in the growth of children and have a significant impact on the development of children’s mental health. Therefore, in the policy of focusing on the protection of left-behind children, it is necessary to rationally allocate the arrangements for parents to take care of home and work outside to create a normal and suitable family atmosphere for the left-behind children.

Download Full-text