scholarly journals A nature-based health intervention at a military healthcare center: a randomized, controlled, cross-over study

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10519
Author(s):  
Rezvan Ameli ◽  
Perry Skeath ◽  
Preetha A. Abraham ◽  
Samin Panahi ◽  
Josh B. Kazman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Military Health ◽  
Urban Road ◽  
Medical Treatment Facility ◽  
Military Healthcare ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Study Intervention ◽  
The Impact

We describe a mixed qualitative and quantitative research study in a military facility regarding the role of nature in well-being. Study intervention included two 20-minute walks. One walk was in an intentionally designed woodland environment (Green Road) and the other was on a busy campus road in a medical treatment facility (Urban Road). Twelve volunteers from a military facility participated in both walks in a cross-over experimental design. The two walking sessions were randomly ordered and preceded by pre-walk instructions appropriate to each road’s characteristics and incorporated focused attention and present moment orientation. A semi-structured post-walk interview, the primary outcome, was conducted after the conclusion of each walk. Qualitative data analyses consisted of sentiments and themes by using NVivo 12 software. The Green Road was unanimously rated as positive (100%). Responses to Urban Road were evenly distributed among positive (33.3%), negative (33.3%), and neutral/mixed (33.3%) sentiments. The Green Road yielded predominantly positive themes such as enjoyment of nature, relaxation, and feelings of privacy and safety. Urban Road produced significantly more negative themes such as concerns for safety, dislike of noise and other noxious experiences. Quantitative assessment of distress and mindfulness with Distress Thermometer (DT) and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale-state version (MAAS) demonstrated that a walk on the Green Road significantly decreased distress and increased mindfulness compared to a walk on the Urban Road. We also observed that pre-walk instructions could direct attention to both obvious and subtle elements of experience and enhance awareness. Results support the notion that an intentional nature-based environment may produce significantly more positive experiences and result in health-promoting benefits in a military health-care setting compared to an urban environment. Future studies with clinical populations could advance our understanding of the healing value of nature-based interventions. The impact of intentional green environments may be enhanced by well-designed instructions for both recreational and therapeutic use.

scholarly journals Indefinite vs. fixed-term work contracts: the impact over the teachers’ work-engagement

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 893-905
Author(s):  
Sorina Ioana Mişu
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Work Engagement ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Strategic Human Resources ◽  
School Year ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
The Impact

AbstractA teacher’s work during the school year should be seen as a marathon or as a sprint? This paper intends to contribute to the expanding body of literature on the work-engagement issues of education employees from a perspective of strategic human resources management. It investigates how the length of their working contracts influences the level of engagement shown for their work. It was assumed that the existence of an indefinite or a fixed-term work contract brings up aspects such as stability, predictability and coherence for a teacher’s work, all thought to be parts of a positive engagement state of mind. Nevertheless, the acknowledgement and the acceptance of a short time collaboration could bring just as good results if the focus remains on the present moment. In order to gain a better understanding it was performed a quantitative research materialized in a questionnaire, answered by school teachers employed under both forms of contracts. The findings of this study are of value for any of the educational field stakeholders as the system’s human resources are the most valuable asset for a qualitative result. In the end, implications of a predominant engaged or disengaged stuff will be discussed and human resources management suggestions will be made.

Adding to the Truth of the Matter: The Case for Qualitative Research

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 296-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine L. Florczak
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Translational Research ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

The purpose of this column is to discuss the impact that qualitative research has on translational research, whose aim is to improve the health and well-being of individuals. To that end, rigorous qualitative research is examined; translational research is entertained and the manner in which qualitative research can be a co-equal partner with quantitative research is proposed.

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IN SCHOOLS

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 116-125
Author(s):  
Gunita Elksne ◽  
Zanda Rubene
Keyword(s):  
Learning Process ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Passive State ◽  
Human Organism ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Impact

The goal of the paper was to research the emotional well-being of students, teachers, and factors that impact it using quantitative research methods. Research was a case study and reflects a situation in one particular school. Emotional well-being plays an important role in personality development. Presence or absence of emotions like joy, satisfaction, trust, and reliance determines the perception, thinking, and actions of students. Positive emotions cause energetic and functional mobilization of the central nervous system and the whole human organism, promotes purposeful actions by connecting cognitive processes with fulfillment of student’s current needs. Emotions either enable or disable the learning process for a student. If positive emotions are absent, brain is in a passive state - active learning starts when emotions activate the brain. The impact of emotions on a student in the learning process can be mainly observed through attention that is payed towards studying; however, positive emotions that are connected to studying can also promote student’s interest in the study subject. Positive emotions can encourage several abilities like interest, enthusiasm, optimism, loyalty and the motivation to act. In addition, thinking can also be enabled, as well as an improvement in the ability to learn new things. These abilities make the learning process more productive. As a large part of students day is spent at school their emotional well-being is directly related to emotional well-being of pedagogues. It is crucial that a pedagogue is able to be aware of their own emotions and feelings and knows how to accept them and use them in solving pedagogical situations, as well as improving of his/her own life while still acting within professional ethical norms.  

scholarly journals The Sharing Economy towards Sustainable Tourism: An Example of an Online Transport-sharing Platform

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 10955
Author(s):  
Dalia Perkumienė ◽  
Milita Vienažindienė ◽  
Biruta Švagždienė
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Tourism Sector ◽  
The Impact

The sharing economy enables the sustainable development of tourism and at the same time contributes to social well-being and economic growth. It also helps to reduce negative impact on the environment and society, and at the same time reduces costs. The purpose of this study is to find out how the sharing economy can contribute to the development of sustainable tourism. This article is intended to identify the opportunities and benefits of the sharing economy in the tourism sector and to describe the impact of the sharing economy on the travel and tourism sector. To achieve this goal, a systematic scientific analysis of literature and quantitative research methods was applied. Seeking development of sustainable tourism, the authors present a theoretical conceptual model that illustrates the contribution of the sharing economy through benefits and factors influencing sharing economy perspectives in tourism. Empirical research was conducted based on factors influencing sharing economy perspectives in tourism transportation services as one of the sharing economy areas. Analysis of the empirical research results showed that the most important factors influencing the respondents’ choices of the ORSC transport sharing platform were price, general approach and comfort.

scholarly journals Islamic Faith-Based Content and Religious Social-media Motives

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Khairil Anwar ◽  
Abdul Mujib
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Islamic Faith ◽  
The Impact

The predominance and use of social media for sacred and secular purposes have made it imperative to understand the role of social media in people’s religious motives and life. Therefore, grounded in gratification theory, the current study examines the impact of social media usage intensity, social media usage frequency, and religious appreciation in developing and strengthening different motives, i.e., ministering, spiritual enlightenment, religious information, relaxing entertainment, and well-being, among the followers of social media pages/accounts/sites for faith-based content. Following a quantitative research methodology, data were collected from the 562 followers of social media, i.e., Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in SmartPLS3 software. The results revealed that social media usage intensity and frequency positively influenced all five motives of individuals with a higher impact on individuals’ motive of gaining religious information followed by spiritual enlightenment and well-being. Likewise, religious appreciation positively impacted all five motives of individuals to assess the faith-based content on social media pages/accounts/sites. However, the intensity of the impact varied from well-being, relaxing entertainment, ministering, religious information to spiritual enlightenment from the highest to lowest level, respectively. Moreover, the unique concept, theoretical and practical implications, and future research insights of the study are major advances to literature in the field.

scholarly journals The Impact of English Learning Motivation and Attitude on Well-Being: Cram School Students in Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 131
Author(s):  
Chih-Fong Lo ◽  
Chin-Huang Lin
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
English Learning ◽  
School Students ◽  
Learning Attitude ◽  
Cram Schools ◽  
Cram School ◽  
The Impact

As English is a global language, it is important for students to learn it effectively and efficiently. Learning English from English cram schools is very popular in Taiwan. Most students have studied in English cram schools for some period of time of their English learning experience. The present study concerns about how English cram school learners’ English learning attitudes related to their learning motivation and learning well-being in Taiwan. By using the quantitative research methodology, an empirical research model has been proposed and 277 valid questionnaires were collected. The research results show that learning motivation has a significant impact on learning attitude and learning well-being. Then, the English learning attitude provides mediated effects between learning motivation and well-being. Learning attitude is the key to English learning well-being. Furthermore, a participant’s gender has a significant moderating effect between learning intrinsic motivation and attitude. According to research findings, some suggestions such as using e-learning tools were provided for teachers and educators of the cram schools in Taiwan.

scholarly journals The Impact of Having a Child With Special Healthcare Needs on Length of Military Service

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M Perkins ◽  
Ian Sorensen ◽  
Apryl Susi ◽  
Elizabeth Hisle-Gorman
Keyword(s):  
Military Service ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Service Member ◽  
Military Health ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Healthcare Coverage ◽  
Military Healthcare ◽  
The Military ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Introduction In 2010, the National Survey of Children with Special Healthcare Needs revealed that parents of children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) report employment decisions are influenced by healthcare coverage needs. The U.S. military healthcare system arguably offers service member parents of CSHCN with the most comprehensive, inexpensive, long-term healthcare in the country—potentially increasing their incentive to remain in the military. This study explored the effect of having a CSHCN on the length of parental military service. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort was formed using the Military Health System database from 2008 to 2018. Included children were <10 years in 2010 and received ≥1 year of military healthcare between 2008 and 2010. The Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm categorized children as having special healthcare needs via ICD 9/10 codes as having complex chronic (C-CD), non-complex chronic (NC-CD), or no chronic disease (CD). Families were classified by the child with the most complex healthcare need. Duration of military healthcare eligibility measured parental length of service (LOS). ANOVA and linear regression analysis compared LOS by category. Logistic regression determined odds of parental LOS lasting the full 8-year study length. Adjusted analyses controlled for child age and sex, and military parent sex, rank, and marital status. Results Over 1.45 million children in 915,584 families were categorized as per the algorithm. Of individual children included, 292,050 (20.1%) were CSHCN including those with complex chronic and non-complex chronic conditions. After grouping by family, 80,909 (8.8%) families had a child/children with C-CD (mean LOS 6.39 years), 170,787 (18.7%) families had a child/children with NC-CD (mean LOS 6.41 years), and 663,888 (72.5%) families had children with no CD (mean LOS 5.7 years). In adjusted analysis, parents of children with C-CD and NC-CD served 0.4 [0.37-0.42] and 0.33 [0.31-0.34] years longer than parents of children with no CD; odds of parents serving for the full study period were increased 33% (1.33 [1.31-1.36]) in families of children with C-CD and 27% (1.27 [1.26-1.29]) in families of children with NC-CD. Conclusions Findings indicate that military parents of CSHCN serve longer military careers than parents of children with no chronic conditions. Continued provision of free, high-quality healthcare coverage for dependent children may be important for service member retention. Retaining trained and experienced service members is key to ensuring a ready and lethal U.S. military.

scholarly journals “Mummy, Can I Join a Sports Club?” A Qualitative Study on the Impact of Health-Promoting Schools on Health Behaviours in the Home Setting

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 12219
Author(s):  
Marla T. H. Hahnraths ◽  
Maartje Willeboordse ◽  
Annick D. H. M. Jungbauer ◽  
Corina de Gier ◽  
Carlien Schouten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
School Based ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

Information regarding school-based health-promoting interventions’ potential effects in the home environment is scarce. Gaining more insight into this is vital to optimise interventions’ potential. The Healthy Primary School of the Future (HPSF) is a Dutch initiative aiming to improve children’s health and well-being by providing daily physical activity sessions and healthy school lunches. This qualitative study examines if and how HPSF influenced children’s and parents’ physical activity and dietary behaviours at home. In 2018–2019, 27 semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents from two HPSFs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data were coded and interpreted through thematic analysis. HPSF resulted in various behavioural changes at home, initiated by both children and parents. Parents reported improvements in healthy behaviours, as well as compensatory, unhealthy behaviours. Reasons for behavioural change included increased awareness, perceived support to adopt healthy behaviours, and children asking for the same healthy products at home. Barriers to change included no perceived necessity for change, lack of HPSF-related information provision, and time and financial constraints. Both child-to-adult intergenerational learning and parent-initiated changes play an important role in the transfer of health behaviours from school to home and are therefore key mechanisms to maximise school-based health-promoting interventions’ impact.

scholarly journals Proactive Coping and Mindfulness are Associated with Less Stress in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 909-909
Author(s):  
Lyndsey Graham ◽  
Shevaun Neupert
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Proactive Coping ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Life Event ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Abstract We examined the consequences of both chronic and life-event stressors for older adults, as well as antecedent strategies, such as proactive coping and mindfulness, that may mitigate stress. Given the potential negative outcomes associated with stress in older adulthood, exploring strategies to reduce or mitigate the negative impact of stress may be useful in promoting well-being in adulthood. Proactive coping involves an accumulation of resources that leads to reduced or avoided stressors in the future (Aspinwall & Taylor, 1997). Mindfulness calls an individual’s attention to the present moment, or may be characterized as an open, accepting attitude (Brown & Ryan, 2003). Using data from the Mindfulness and Anticipatory Coping Everyday study (English et al., 2019; Neupert & Bellingtier, 2017), 296 older adults in the United States, aged 60-90 years (M = 64.67, SD = 4.36), participated in relevant online survey measures. Results from multiple regression analyses suggested that people high in both chronic stress and life event stress had worse health, and that people high in proactive coping and mindfulness reported less stress. Study results underscore the impact of stress on health outcomes, and provide support for the use of antecedent strategies to address negative impacts of stress.

scholarly journals Physical Activity, Natural Environment, Present Moment Awareness and Its Consideration: A Qualitative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8436
Author(s):  
Ivan Uher ◽  
Alena Buková ◽  
Milena Švedová ◽  
Tatiana Kimáková ◽  
Zuzana Küchelová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Qualitative Review ◽  
Perspective Model ◽  
The Impact

Longstanding research suggests a plausible relation between physical activity, the natural environment, and overall health. However, when investigating this relationship, most studies focused on the absence of disease or frailty as health indicators. The relation between physical activity (PA), subjective well-being (SWB), natural environment, and present moment awareness (PMA) remains unexplored. The presented qualitative review offers a perspective model of the relationship between physical activity, natural environment, and awareness of the present moment that helps us explore its underlying, relating pathways. Our review concludes that present moment awareness can be worthy of attention to detect the impact of physical activity, subjective well-being and staying in a natural environment on selected samples, as well as its influence on maximizing related benefits for health and well-being. The challenge after that is to consider how to monitor the complex interactions that will occur within the multiple levels of influence. Essentially, a unified model of research and practice which incorporates physiological and psychological theories is undoubtedly needed. If that happens, we can understand the role of the diverse regulators upon behavior and proceed to convey this evidence into future health-promoting interventions.

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