scholarly journals Neighborhood Environment and Self-Rated Health among Adults in Southern Sri Lanka

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 2102-2112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bilesha Perera ◽  
Truls Østbye ◽  
Chandramali Jayawardana
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Environmental Stressors ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Stray Dog

The prevalenceof different neighborhood environmental stressors and associations between the stressors and self-rated health are described in a representative sample of 2,077 individuals, aged 18-85 years, in southern Sri Lanka. Mosquito menace (69.4%), stray dog problems (26.8%), nuisance from neighbors (20.3%), and nuisance from drug users (18.7%) were found to be the most prevalent environmental stressors. None of the stressors investigated were associated with self-rated physical health, but nuisance from neighbors, nuisance from drug users, shortage of water and having poor water/ sewage drainage system were associated with self-rated mental health among the respondents.

scholarly journals Assessing the perceived changes in neighborhood physical and social environments and how they are associated with Chinese internal migrants’ mental health

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Yang ◽  
Julian Hagenauer ◽  
Martin Dijst ◽  
Marco Helbich
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
General Health Questionnaire ◽  
Variable Importance ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Social Environments ◽  
Reverse Causality ◽  
Registration System ◽  
Individual Level

Abstract Background Migrants experience substantial changes in their neighborhood physical and social environments along their migration journeys, but little is known about how perceived changes in their neighborhood environment pre- and post-migration correlate with their mental health. Our aim was to examine the associations between recalled changes in the perceived neighborhood physical and social environments and migrants’ mental health in the host city. Methods We used cross-sectional data on 591 migrants in Shenzhen, China. We assessed their risk of mental illness using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Neighborhood perceptions were collected retrospectively pre- and post-migration. We used random forests to analyze possibly non-linear associations between GHQ scores and changes in the neighborhood environment, variable importance, and for exploratory analysis of variable interactions. Results Perceived changes in neighborhood aesthetics, safety, and green space were non-linearly associated with migrants’ mental health: A decline in these characteristics was associated with poor mental health, while improvements in them were unrelated to mental health benefits. Variable importance showed that change in safety was the most influential neighborhood characteristic, although individual-level characteristics—such as self-reported physical health, personal income, and hukou (i.e., the Chinese household registration system)—appeared to be more important to explain GHQ scores and also strongly interacted with other variables. For physical health, we found different associations between changes in the neighborhood provoked by migration and mental health. Conclusion Our findings suggest that perceived degradations in the physical environment are related to poorer post-migration mental health. In addition, it seems that perceived changes in the neighborhood environment play a minor role compared to individual-level characteristics, in particular migrants’ physical health condition. Replication of our findings in longitudinal settings is needed to exclude reverse causality.

Health and Voting in Young Adulthood

2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 1163-1186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Ojeda ◽  
Julianna Pacheco
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Physical Limitations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Do changes in health lead to changes in the probability of voting? Using two longitudinal datasets, this article looks at the impact of three measures of health – physical health, mental health and overall well-being – on voting trajectories in young adulthood. The results show that self-rated health is associated with a lower probability of voting in one’s first election, depression is related to a decline in turnout over time and physical limitations are unrelated to voting. Some familial resources from childhood are also found to condition when the health–participation effect manifests.

scholarly journals What challenges do UK adults face when adhering to COVID-19-related instructions? Cross-sectional survey in a representative sample

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Keyworth ◽  
Tracy Epton ◽  
Lucie Byrne-Davis ◽  
Jessica Leather ◽  
Chris Armitage
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The People ◽  
The Uk

AimsAdherence to government COVID-19-related instructions is reported to be high, but the psychosocial impacts of measures such as self-isolation and physical distancing could undermine adherence in the longer term. The first step in designing interventions to mitigate the impacts of adhering to COVID-19 related instructions is to identify what are the most prevalent challenges and what characterises the people facing them.MethodA cross-sectional survey was administered to a representative sample of the UK population (N=2,252), of whom n=2,139 (94.9%) reported adhering to the UK government's COVID-19-related instructions, and were included in the final analysis. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression.ResultsOf the people who reported adhering to UK government's COVID-19-related instructions, 80.3% reported experiencing challenges. Adults aged 55 years or over (OR=1.939, 95%CI 1.331-2.825) and men (OR=0.489, 95%CI 0.393-0.608) were least likely to report challenges. Adjusting to changes in daily routine (reported by 48.7% of the sample), mental health (reported by 41.4% of the sample) and physical health (reported by 31.5% of the sample) were the most prevalent challenges. ConclusionsFor the first time, the present study quantifies the extent to which people experienced challenges in relation to adhering to government COVID-19-related instructions. Few people reported experiencing no challenges when adhering to COVID-19-related instructions. Interventions to address the effects of changes in daily routine, mental health challenges, and physical health challenges should be prioritised, with a focus on women and adults aged younger than 55 years.

scholarly journals In the Subtropical Monsoon Climate High-Density City, What Features of the Neighborhood Environment Matter Most for Public Health?

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (24) ◽  
pp. 9566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Gao ◽  
Ruoxiang Tu ◽  
Hao Li ◽  
Yongli Fang ◽  
Qingmin Que
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
City Development ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Monsoon Climate ◽  
Physiological Functions ◽  
Subtropical Monsoon Climate

Urbanization and climate change have been rapidly occurring globally. Evidence-based healthy city development is required to improve living quality and mitigate the adverse impact of the outdoor neighborhood environment on public health. Taking Guangzhou as an example to explore the association of neighborhood environment and public health and preferably to offer some implications for better future city development, we measured ten environmental factors (temperature (T), wind-chill index (WCI), thermal stress index (HSI), relative humidity (RH), average wind speed (AWS), negative oxygen ions (NOI), PM2.5, luminous flux (LF), and illuminance (I)) in four seasons in four typical neighborhoods, and the SF-36 health scale was employed to assess the physical and mental health of neighborhood residents in nine subscales (health transition(HT), physiological functions (PF), general health status (GH), physical pain (BP), physiological functions (RP), energy vitality (VT), mental health (MH), social function (SF), and emotional functions (RE)). The linear mixed model was used in an analysis of variance. We ranked the different environmental factors in relation to aspects of health and weighted them accordingly. Generally, the thermal environment had the greatest impact on both physical and mental health and the atmospheric environment and wind environment had the least impact on physical health and mental health, respectively. In addition, the physical health of the resident was more greatly affected by the environment than mental health. According to the results, we make a number of strategic suggestions for the renewal of the outdoor neighborhood environment in subtropical monsoon climate high-density cities and provide a theoretical basis for improving public health through landscape architecture at the neighborhood scale.

scholarly journals Determinants of self-rated health among an older Tibetan population in a Chinese plateau area: analysis based on the conceptual framework for determinants of health

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yajie Li ◽  
Qucuo Nima ◽  
Bin Yu ◽  
Xiong Xiao ◽  
Peibin Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Plateau Area ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background Self-rated health (SRH) has been frequently used in population health surveys. However, most of these studies only focus on specific factors that might directly affect SRH, so only partial or confounding information about the determinants of SRH is potentially obtained. Conducted in an older Tibetan population in a Chinese plateau area, the aim of our study is to assess interrelationships between various factors affecting SRH based on the conceptual framework for determinants of health. Methods Between May 2018 and September 2019, 2707 Tibetans aged 50 years or older were recruited as part of the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study (CMEC) from the Chengguan District of Lhasa city in Tibet. The information included SRH and variables based on the conceptual framework for determinants of health (i.e., socioeconomic status, health behaviors, physical health, mental health, and chronic diseases). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to estimate the direct and indirect effects of multiple factors in the conceptual framework. Results Among all participants, 5.54% rated their health excellent, 51.16% very good, 33.58% good, 9.12% fairly poor and 0.59% poor. Physical health (β = − 0.23, P <  0.001), health behaviors (β = − 0.44, P <  0.001), socioeconomic status (β = − 0.29, P <  0.001), chronic diseases (β = − 0.32, P <  0.001) and gender (β = 0.19, P <  0.001) were directly associated with SRH. Socioeconomic status, physical health and gender affected SRH both directly and indirectly. In addition, there are potential complete mediator effects in which age and mental health affect SRH through mediators, such as physical health, health behaviors and chronic diseases. Conclusions The findings suggested that interventions targeting behavioral changes, health and chronic disease management should be attached to improve SRH among older populations in plateau areas without ignoring gender and socioeconomic disparities.

scholarly journals AIR QUALITY AND WELL-BEING AMONG MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER ADULTS IN EAST ASIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S266-S267
Author(s):  
Takashi Yamashita ◽  
Giyeon Kim ◽  
Darren Liu ◽  
Anthony R Bardo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
East Asia ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Self Rated Health

Abstract There is a well-established link between air quality, an important component of one’s local living environment, and well-being. However, the link between well-being and air quality is largely based on findings from western nations, and evidence from East Asia (where air pollution is a major challenge) is scant. Thus, the present study sheds much needed light on the association between well-being and air quality in four East Asian countries (i.e., China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan). Data for this study were drawn from the internationally representative 2010 East Asian Social Survey Health Module. The sample was limited to middle-age and older adults (i.e., 50 years and older) to account for differential exposure across the life course (N = 4,052). Linear regression models with robust standard error estimation and full information maximum likelihood were used to examine associations between four well-being indicators (self-rated health, SF-12 physical health and mental health, and happiness) and self-reported air quality. Results showed that air quality was negatively associated with well-being across East Asian nations --- with self-rated health in Japan (b = -0.09, p &lt; 0.05) and Taiwan (b = -0.14, p &lt; 0.05); physical health in Japan (b = -0.96, p &lt; 0.05); mental health in China (b = -1.05, p &lt; 0.05) and Japan (b = -1.49 , p &lt; 0.05); and happiness in China (b = -0.07, p &lt; 0.05). Possible explanations underlying these distinct national patterns and strategies to enhance well-being through environmental and behavioral interventions are discussed.

scholarly journals Heterogeneous Influences of Social Support on Physical and Mental Health: Evidence from China

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Yang ◽  
Yao Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Heterogeneous Effects ◽  
Individual Self

Employing a national representative survey (the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey 2016, CLDS2016) data (N = 14246), this paper examines the heterogeneous influences of social support on individual physical and mental health in China. Social support is characterized by four dimensions: emotional support, tangible or instrumental support, interaction or exchange support, and community support. Physical health is measured by self-rated health and body mass index (BMI), while mental health is measured by depression, hopelessness, failure, fear, loneliness, and meaninglessness. The results indicate that different dimensions of social support have heterogeneous effects on individual physical and mental health. Specifically, the correlation between emotional support and individual physical health is not significant, but emotional support is significantly related to some mental health variables. Tangible or instrumental support is significantly related to individual self-rated physical health but not to BMI or mental health. Interaction or exchange support is significantly correlated with individual self-rated health and some mental health variables. In general, there are significant correlations between community support, and individual physical and mental health. The results also suggest that the influences of social support on physical and mental health of individuals at different ages (<60 years and ≥60 years) are heterogeneous. The results of this study provide direction for the dimension selection of social support to promote individual health.

scholarly journals Examining Mental and Physical Health Status Among Sandwich Generation Caregivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 451-451
Author(s):  
Hansol Kim ◽  
Richard Schulz ◽  
Scott Beach ◽  
Heidi Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Sandwich Generation ◽  
Housing Status ◽  
Gender And Race ◽  
Poor Physical Health ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
The Past ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Abstract With a sample of 54,076 caregivers, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS, 2015-2017) provides an opportunity to assess the impact of caregiving on U.S. adults varying in age, gender, and race. We focused on sandwich generation (SG) caregivers, aged 30-59, with childcare and eldercare responsibilities (n=8,805). In multivariate regression models of mental and physical health, we evaluated the association of age, gender, race and caregiving factors controlling for marital status, education, housing status, income, employment status, and self-rated health status. SG caregivers were predominantly female (65.6%), white (69.6%), black (13%) and were caring for a parent/parent-in-law (50%) or another relative (26.4%). Age, gender, and race were associated with mental health outcomes such that SG caregivers who were younger (aged 30-39), female, and white reported poorer mental health during the past month (p&lt;.05). Older (aged 50-59), female, and white SG caregivers reported poorer physical health during the past month (p&lt;.05). Caregiving factors were not associated with mental health, but SG caregivers who had been providing care for a longer period of time were more likely to report poor physical health in the past month. Finally, education, income, employment, housing status, and self-rated health status were statistically significant covariates in both models (p&lt;.05). These findings demonstrate that young caregivers are at risk for poor mental health; older caregivers for poor physical health. Being female, white, with lower socioeconomic status is associated with poor mental and physical health. Future research should address the unique needs of SG caregivers with dual caregiving responsibilities.

scholarly journals Everyday Ageism and Health: Evidence From the National Poll on Healthy Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 723-723
Author(s):  
Julie Ober Allen ◽  
Erica Solway ◽  
Matthias Kirch ◽  
Dianne Singer ◽  
Jeffrey Kullgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
National Poll ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Sample Age

Abstract This study examined the prevalence of everyday ageism, routine types of age-based discrimination, prejudice, and stereotyping that older adults encounter in their daily lives, and its relationships with health in a nationally representative sample age 50-80 (N=2,048, 52% female, 71% White). Nearly all older adults said they sometimes or often experienced everyday ageism (96% age 65-80, 92% age 50-64). The most common types were beliefs that health problems were an inevitable part of getting older (78%), hearing jokes about aging/older people (61%), and seeing material suggesting that older adults were unattractive/undesirable (38%). Those reporting more experiences with everyday ageism (&gt;3 types) were less likely than those reporting fewer types to have excellent/very good physical health (31% vs. 50%); similar results were found for mental health (60% vs. 80%). This poll documented the ubiquity of minor, but not inconsequential, everyday ageism reported by older adults and its potential ramifications for health.

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