scholarly journals Relationships of Sources of Meaning and Resilience With Meaningfulness and Satisfaction With Life: A Population-Based Study of Norwegians in Late Adulthood

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torgeir Sørensen ◽  
Knut Hestad ◽  
Ellen Karine Grov

Health-promoting initiatives incorporating meaning-making to enhance the well-being of people in late adulthood are important, particularly as the number of older people is increasing. Resilience and sources of meaning may be related to individuals’ experience of meaningfulness and satisfaction with life. However, few studies have investigated these relations among people in late adulthood. In the present exploratory study, we asked the following questions: What are the differences regarding scores on sources of meaning, resilience, meaningfulness, and satisfaction between people in late adulthood (≥65) and other adults (18–64)? What is the association between sources of meaning and meaningfulness, and between resilience and meaningfulness? What is the association between sources of meaning and satisfaction with life, and between resilience and satisfaction with life? A cross-sectional design was used. A population-based sample of 925 participants (aged 18–91 years) was recruited from the National Population Register in Norway. Of these, 219 participants were 65 years old and older (mean age 73 years). Additionally, sub-analyses for the age-group ≥ 75 (N = 71) were performed. Independent-samples t-tests, chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and linear regressions adjusted for demographics, anxiety, and depression were performed utilizing standardized questionnaires. It was found that people in late adulthood (≥65 years) scored significantly higher on meaningfulness compared to younger adults (18–64). Of the sources of meaning, vertical self-transcendence, including explicit religiosity and spirituality, had the strongest relation to meaningfulness for people in late adulthood, after adjusting for demographics, anxiety, and depression. For the same group, accomplishment, including generativity and unselfish engagement with the surroundings and future generations, also stood out as a prominent source of meaning when related to meaningfulness. No sources of meaning were associated with satisfaction with life in the older group. No associations between resilience and meaningfulness, nor between resilience and satisfaction with life, were found among people in late adulthood. However, positive associations were found between resilience and meaningfulness, as well as between resilience and satisfaction with life, in the 18–64 age group. Longitudinal research and interventional studies are needed to confirm whether the designated sources contribute to meaningfulness in a Norwegian context. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Author(s):  
Pâmela Vieira Monteiro ◽  
Gabriela Silvério das Neves ◽  
Geise Ferreira da Cruz ◽  
Monica Cattafesta ◽  
Roberta Luksevicius Rica ◽  
...  

Background: Self-rated health status is a subjective indicator that is based on the body’s perception of health status, covering personal components such as, physical aspects, aspects of general well-being and satisfaction with life. Objective: To analyze the self-rated health status and factors associated with the lifestyle of higher education educators. Material and methods: This is an observational study, consisting of 85 faculty members in the area of Human and Natural Sciences of a university. For the analysis of the sample, chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used. Results: 24.7% (n = 21) self-rated their health as regular/poor. (P = 0.022), the Waist/Stature ratio (p = 0.014), the level of physical activity (p = 0.050), the time in administrative positions (p = 0.026) and stress-related symptoms (p = 0.043). Conclusion: The time in administrative position and the large number of symptoms related to stress, high PW, inadequate W/S ratio and low level of physical activity were associated with negative self-rated health, recommending strategies for promotional health and prevention of stress-related diseases.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Carlos de Oliveira ◽  
Belinda Nicolau ◽  
Rodrigo Venâncio da Silva ◽  
Ana Valéria Machado Mendonça ◽  
Dilceu Silveira Tolentino Júnior ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Related Problems (AU & ARP) among the Brazilian Maxakali indigenous people, and to examine how the prevalence varies according to sociodemographic characteristics and their associations with these characteristics. Methods A cross-sectional analytical population-based study was conducted with 1,036 Maxakali aged from nine years. A questionnaire was applied to 66 indigenous leaders who responded about alcohol consumption in 2016 and the negative consequences of this consumption among their friends in their villages. The association between consumption and consequences with the sociodemographic data of respondents was examined by applying the chi-square, Fisher's exact, and cluster analysis tests. Kappa values were calculated to assess the reproducibility of the questionnaire. Results The 12-month prevalence of alcohol use was 39.1%. The usage rate for women (17.3%) was 3.6 times lower than the usage rate for men. Male alcohol use rates increase from 8.1–64% in the age group from 09 to 14 to 15 to 19 years old. The highest proportions of alcohol use among mothers and fathers were found in extended families and associated with the negative consequences of those who use cachaça. On the other hand, nuclear families showed an association of protection against alcohol use in the age group of 9 to 14 years in females. Although alcohol use in females starts from 20 to 24 years of age, the rates of problems related to this use in women surpassed those of men during 25 to 45 years of age. Conclusions With the substantial agreement of reproducibility in the application of the questionnaire, we expect that the ease of application and the predictive power of this tool will allow the detection and monitoring of alcohol use and its consequences in the Maxakali people.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259442
Author(s):  
Prince Kubi Appiah ◽  
Hubert Amu ◽  
Eric Osei ◽  
Kennedy Diema Konlan ◽  
Iddris Hadiru Mumuni ◽  
...  

Background Children need good nutrition to develop proper immune mechanisms and psychosocial maturity, but malnutrition can affect their ability to realize this. Apart from the national demographic and health survey, which is carried out every 5 years, there have not been enough documented studies on child breastfeeding and weaning practices of caregivers in the Volta Region. We, therefore, examined child breastfeeding and weaning practices of mothers in the Volta Region of Ghana. Methods A sub-national survey method was adopted and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 396 mothers and their children. Descriptive and inferential statistics comprising frequency, percentage, chi-square, and logistic regression were employed in analysing the data. We defined exclusive breastfeeding as given only breast milk to an infant from a mother or a wet nurse for six months of life except drops or syrups consisting of vitamins, minerals, supplements, or medicines on medical advice, and prolonged breastfeeding as breastfeeding up to 24 months of age. Results The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was 43.7%. Mothers constituting 61.1% started breastfeeding within an hour of giving birth. In addition to breast milk, 5.1% gave fluids to their children on the first day of birth. About 66.4% started complementary feeding at 6 months, 22.0% breastfed for 24 months or beyond, while 40.4% fed their children on-demand. Child’s age (AOR: 0.23, 95% CI:0.12–0.43, p<0.0001), prolonged breastfeeding (AOR: 0.41, 95%CI: 0.12–0.87, p = 0.001), mother’s religion (AOR: 3.92, 95%CI: 1.23–12.61, p = 0.021), feeding practices counselled on (AOR: 1.72, 95%CI: 1.96–3.09, p = 0.023), mother ever heard about EBF (AOR: 0.43, 95%CI: 1.45–2.41, p = 0.039), child being fed from the bottle with a nipple (AOR: 1.53, 95%CI: 1.94–2.48, p = 0.003), and age at which complementary feeding was started (AOR: 17.43, 95%CI: 3.47–87.55, p = 0.008) were statistically associated with EBF. Conclusion Breastfeeding education has been ongoing for decades, yet there are still gaps in the breastfeeding practices of mothers. To accelerate progress towards attainment of the sustainable development goal 3 of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages by the year 2030, we recommend innovative policies that include extensive public education to improve upon the breastfeeding and weaning practices of mothers.


Author(s):  
Bamikole E. Olowo ◽  
David M. Dairo ◽  
Olajide A. Adekunle

Condom usage is one of the most effective strategies for combating the spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Despite increased sexual knowledge, adolescents in Nigeria are poor condom users. They are less likely than adults to consistently use condoms or other methods of protection that could reduce their chances of infection. The objective of the study was to describe the trend in the condom usage and to determine the association between demographic variables and condom usage among youths aged 15-24 years from1999-2008. A comparative cross-sectional population based study was carried out in which a secondary data review analyses of Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 1999, 2003 and 2008 data were done. Statistical package of social science version 17.0 was used for determining frequencies, chi square and the p-values. There was a significant increase in the usage of condom from 8.2% in 1999 to 9.3% in 2008 to 10.5% in 2008 among the female youths, though the percentages are still very low. There was an insignificant increase in condom usage among the male youths from 31.1% in 1999 to 38.7% in 2003 and then a decrease to 36.8% in 2008. There was significant association between the urban dwellers, 20-24 years age group, Christians, literate and single female youths and condom usage over the years while the rural dwellers, single and literate male youths experienced significant increase in condom usage over the years at p<0.05. Condom usage by youths significantly increased over the years. However, the increase is still considered low and not enough to effectively reduce the prevalence of HIV and AIDS. Religion, marital status, age group, education and literacy are variables that influenced condom usage by young people. Campaign on the usage of condom during sexual intercourse among young people at every level of education, urban or rural residence, age group and religion should be intensified.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heide Glaesmer ◽  
Gesine Grande ◽  
Elmar Braehler ◽  
Marcus Roth

The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is the most commonly used measure for life satisfaction. Although there are numerous studies confirming factorial validity, most studies on dimensionality are based on small samples. A controversial debate continues on the factorial invariance across different subgroups. The present study aimed to test psychometric properties, factorial structure, factorial invariance across age and gender, and to deliver population-based norms for the German general population from a large cross-sectional sample of 2519 subjects. Confirmatory factor analyses supported that the scale is one-factorial, even though indications of inhomogeneity of the scale have been detected. Both findings show invariance across the seven age groups and both genders. As indicators of the convergent validity, a positive correlation with social support and negative correlation with depressiveness was shown. Population-based norms are provided to support the application in the context of individual diagnostics.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-59
Author(s):  
Josimara A. de Araújo Varela ◽  
Tatiana F.T. Palitot ◽  
Smyrna L.X. de Souza ◽  
Alidianne F.C. Cavalcanti ◽  
Alessandro L. Cavalcanti

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the presence of lesions in the skull and face and the associated factors in pedestrian victims of traffic accidents. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study carried out through the analysis of medical records of pedestrian victims of traffic accidents in an emergency service in the city of Campina Grande, Brazil, during the year of 2016. Information was collected regarding gender, age group, day of the week, time of the accident, type of vehicle involved, presence of trauma to the skull and face, and outcomes. The Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests were used, with a significance level of 5%. Results: A total of 1,884 medical records were evaluated, out of which 7.1% (n = 133) involved pedestrians. Men were the most frequent victims (68.4%), and victims of age 60 years old or over (30.5%) predominated. Almost one-third of the cases were recorded during the weekends (30.5%), and the most prevalent time was at night (52.7%). Regarding the type of vehicle involved, motorcycles predominated (47.4%). Head trauma was present in 37.6% of victims, while facial injuries corresponded to 8.2%. In 12% of cases, the victims died. The variables of gender, age group, occurrence on weekends, and trauma to the face showed a statistically significant association with the occurrence of traffic accidents (Chi-square test; p<0.05). Conclusion: Among pedestrian victims of traffic accidents, there is a predominance of men aged 65 years or over. Accidents are frequent at night, and motorcycles are the main vehicles involved. The presence of trauma to the skull and face regions is high.


Author(s):  
Joonho Ahn ◽  
So-Jung Ryu ◽  
Jihun Song ◽  
Hyoung-Ryoul Kim

This study aimed to evaluate the association between shift work and dry eye disease (DED) in the general population. The 2011 Korea Health Panel (KHP) was used. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between shift work and DED. Stratification analysis was conducted by sex and age. Overall, the odds ratio (OR) of DED according to shift work did not showed significant results (adjusted OR = 1.230, 95% CI 0.758–1.901). When findings were stratified based on age older or younger than 40 years, the OR of DED increased to 2.85 (95% CI: 1.25–5.90) in shift workers under 40 years of age. Our results show an association between shift work and DED in a group of younger subjects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingsi Gao ◽  
Yu-Ligh Liou ◽  
Yang Yu ◽  
Lingxiao Zou ◽  
Waixing Li ◽  
...  

AbstractThis cross-sectional study investigated the characteristics of cervical HPV infection in Changsha area and explored the influence of Candida vaginitis on this infection. From 11 August 2017 to 11 September 2018, 12,628 outpatient participants ranged from 19 to 84 years old were enrolled and analyzed. HPV DNA was amplified and tested by HPV GenoArray Test Kit. The vaginal ecology was detected by microscopic and biochemistry examinations. The diagnosis of Candida vaginitis was based on microscopic examination (spores, and/or hypha) and biochemical testing (galactosidase) for vaginal discharge by experts. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4. Continuous and categorical variables were analyzed by t-tests and by Chi-square tests, respectively. HPV infection risk factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Of the total number of participants, 1753 were infected with HPV (13.88%). Females aged ≥ 40 to < 50 years constituted the largest population of HPV-infected females (31.26%). The top 5 HPV subtypes affecting this population of 1753 infected females were the following: HPV-52 (28.01%), HPV-58 (14.83%), CP8304 (11.47%), HPV-53 (10.84%), and HPV-39 (9.64%). Age (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1–1.01; P < 0.05) and alcohol consumption (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.09–1.56; P < 0.01) were found to be risk factors for HPV infection. However, the presence of Candida in the vaginal flora was found to be a protective factor against HPV infection (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.48–0.8; P < 0.001). Comparing with our previous study of 2016, we conclude that the subtype distribution of HPV infection is relatively constant in Changsha. Our data suggest a negative correlation between vaginal Candida and HPV, however, more radical HPV management is required in this area for perimenopausal women and those who regularly consume alcohol.


Author(s):  
Milena Kostadinovic ◽  
Dejan Nikolic ◽  
Ivana Petronic ◽  
Dragana Cirovic ◽  
Mirko Grajic ◽  
...  

We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sociodemographic factors with the presence and different degrees of walking difficulties in elderly above 65 years, and to analyze association between evaluated variables and the presence and degree of waking difficulties. In the population based study, 3540 individuals age above 65 years from Serbia were recruited. Further predictors were analyzed: gender, age, level of education, marital status, body mass index (BMI), index of well-being and place of residence. We assessed difficulty in walking half a km on level ground without the use of any aid (Group-1); and difficulty in walking up or down 12 steps (Group-2). Walking difficulties were categorized as no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty and cannot do at all. For present difficulty significant predictors were: age (Group-1 (OR-3.022)/Group-2 (OR-3.825)), gender (Group-1 (OR-0.337)/Group-2 (OR-0.311)), educational level (Group-1 (OR-0.689)/Group-2 (OR-0.556)) and place of residence (Group-2 (OR-1.523)) while for non-performing the task, significant predictors were: age (Group-1 (OR-1.998)/Group-2 (OR-2.096)), gender (Group-1 (OR-0.629)/Group-2 (OR-0.495)), BMI (Group-1 (OR-1.219)/Group-2 (OR-1.305)), marital status (Group-1 (OR 0.764)/Group-2 (OR-0.769)), educational level (Group-1 (OR-0.679)/Group-2 (OR-0.719)) and index of well-being (Group-2 (OR-0.764)). Understanding of predictors, and their role on functional decline in elderly is of great importance for the development of specific population-based health programs to prevent further functional loss and preserve achieved functional gains.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026988112096787
Author(s):  
Alan K Davis ◽  
Frederick S Barrett ◽  
Sara So ◽  
Natalie Gukasyan ◽  
Thomas C Swift ◽  
...  

Background: Several measures have been developed to examine acute psychedelic effects (e.g. mystical-type and challenging experiences), but no measure assesses acute psychologically insightful experiences that may occur during psychedelic experiences. Aim: The purpose of this study was to develop and examine the psychometric properties of the Psychological Insight Questionnaire. Method: A cross-sectional survey study among psilocybin and LSD users. Respondents ( n=1661; Mage=22.9, standard deviation=8.5; Caucasian/White=83%; non-Hispanic=91%; men=72%; United States resident=66%) completed an Internet-based survey. Results: The Psychological Insight Questionnaire consists of 23 items with two subscales: (a) Avoidance and Maladaptive Patterns Insights and (b) Goals and Adaptive Patterns Insights. Construct validity of the Psychological Insight Questionnaire was supported by strong correlations of the Psychological Insight Questionnaire (and Avoidance and Maladaptive Patterns Insights and Goals and Adaptive Patterns Insights subscales) scores with the insight subscale of the Session Impacts Scale, and weak-to-moderate correlations with the Mystical Experiences and Challenging Experiences Questionnaires. Furthermore, Psychological Insight Questionnaire (and Avoidance and Maladaptive Patterns Insights and Goals and Adaptive Patterns Insights subscales) scores were moderately-to-strongly correlated with retrospectively reported increases in psychological flexibility, and well-being/life satisfaction that were attributed to a memorable psychedelic experience. Lastly, incremental validity was established showing that the Psychological Insight Questionnaire (and Avoidance and Maladaptive Patterns Insights subscale) scores predict unique variance in changes in psychological flexibility, and Psychological Insight Questionnaire (and Avoidance and Maladaptive Patterns Insights and Goals and Adaptive Patterns Insights subscales) scores predict changes in well-being and life satisfaction, beyond measures of acute mystical-type and challenging effects. Conclusions: The Psychological Insight Questionnaire has the potential to extend the understanding of the acute and enduring effects of psychedelics. Further longitudinal research is necessary to determine the long-term predictive validity of the Psychological Insight Questionnaire and to examine the role of psychological insight in predicting therapeutic outcomes.


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