Physical activity and wellbeing of 8–9 year old children from social disadvantage: An all-Ireland approach to health

BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) has been shown to improve psychological wellbeing in adults, however less is known about this relationship in children. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between PA and wellbeing in children for the first time across Ireland and to explore potential differences by gender, jurisdiction (Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) and region of Ireland.MethodA sample of 673 8–9 year olds attending school in socially disadvantaged areas took part. Participants completed a measure of PA and the KIDSCREEN-27 quality of life questionnaire.Results18% of children accumulated the recommended 60 min of MVPA per day for health, with 18% of boys (n = 63) and 17% girls (n = 55) achieving this level. Children in Northern Ireland reported higher wellbeing scores than those in Republic of Ireland. Children achieving the recommended level of MVPA scored significantly higher on measures of wellbeing than less active children. Gender differences in wellbeing were found for perceived parental, social and school support with girls scoring higher than boys.ConclusionsChildren who meet the recommended MVPA guidelines and those who live in Northern Ireland report a higher level of wellbeing than their peers who live in the Republic of Ireland.     

“It’s a lifeline”: Generating a sense of social connectedness through befriending parents of disabled children or children with additional need

ObjectivesThis study explored the influence of a parent-to-parent peer support scheme on the wellbeing of parents of disabled children or children with additional need who joined a befriending scheme.MethodsA longitudinal concurrent mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) research design collected data (telephone interviews, Footsteps Tool, Resilience Scale-14) with 33 befriendees (1:1 or group support) and 33 befrienders at time-point 1 (TP1). TP2 data were collected from 20 befriendees and 16 befrienders 6–9 months after recruitment.ResultsThere was some improvement on average scores between TP1 and TP2 on both tools. The strongest evidence of change - ‘a sense of positivity and hope’ and ‘connection, belonging and sharing’ - was in the parents' reports of how the scheme helped them to build secure and valued social connections within a community of other parents who understood their lives.ConclusionBoth the befriendees and befrienders reported the sense of hope and a feeling of belonging as key benefits that resulted from the social connections they gained from the scheme.Practice implicationsSocial connectedness is likely to be a more useful concept than resilience in examining change.     

Maternal Stressors, Maternal Wellbeing and Children's Wellbeing in the Context of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

The purpose of the present study was to examine the level of maternal stressors associated with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and to explore the relationship between maternal wellbeing and children's wellbeing in the context of JIA.

The sample (n=60) comprised 30 children with JIA and their mothers. Children and mothers completed self-administered questionnaires independently in outpatient clinics.

Mothers had a mean age of 37.73 (SD=5.50), 73% were married, all were White/European. Child participants (20 female and 10 male) had a mean age of 11.46 (SD=2.93), 61% had oligoarticular idiopathic arthritis, 26% had polyarticular juvenile arthritis and 13% systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Compared to normative data, mothers were at risk of anxious and depressed mood, respectively. The highest rated stressors concerned the side effects of medication, the child's future and becoming over-protective of the child. There was a robust association between maternal wellbeing and children's physical functioning that was partially mediated by maternal self-efficacy. In contrast, maternal wellbeing appeared to be independent of children's ratings of pain, anxiety, depression and self-esteem.

Maternal stress regarding JIA warrants further investigation, particularly in terms of mother's concern about children's physical functioning, the side effects of medication, visibility of the child's condition, and becoming over-protective.     

Assessment of the effectiveness of a phase IV cardiac rehabilitation programme

Background

Cardiovascular rehabilitation is a low-cost, effective mechanism for the enhanced health and wellness of sufferers of cardiac diseases. There is little information on the effectiveness of such programmes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a phase IV cardiac rehabilitation programme on selected health, fitness, and psychological variables.

School differences in adolescent health and wellbeing: Findings from the Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study

The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between student- and school-level factors and student health and wellbeing outcomes, and to estimate the variability present at each of the student and school levels for each of three selected health-related outcomes.     

Relationships between mindfulness practice and levels of mindfulness,medical and psychological symptoms and well-being in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program

Relationships were investigated between home practice of mindfulness meditation exercises and levels of mindfulness, medical and psychological symptoms, perceived stress, and psychological well-being in a sample of 174 adults in a clinical Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. This is an 8- session group program for individuals dealing with stress-related problems, illness, anxiety, and chronic pain. Participants completed measures of mindfulness, perceived stress, symptoms, and well-being at pre- and post-MBSR, and monitored their home practice time throughout the intervention. Results showed increases in mindfulness and well-being, and decreases in stress and symptoms, from pre- to post-MBSR. Time spent engaging in home practice of formal meditation exercises (body scan, yoga, sitting meditation) was significantly related to extent of improvement in most facets of mindfulness and several measures of symptoms and well-being. Increases in mindfulness were found to mediate the relationships between formal mindfulness practice and improvements in psychological functioning, suggesting that the practice of mindfulness meditation leads to increases in mindfulness, which in turn leads to symptom reduction and improved well-being.     

‘Moving on’ Violence,wellbeing and questions about violence in antenatal care encounters. A qualitative study with Somali-born refugees in Sweden

BackgroundSomali-born women constitute one of the largest groups of childbearing refugee women in Sweden after more than two decades of political violence in Somalia. In Sweden, these women encounter antenatal care that includes routine questions about violence being asked. The aim of the study was to explore how Somali-born women understand and relate to violence and wellbeing during their migration transition and their views on being approached with questions about violence in Swedish antenatal care.MethodQualitative interviews (22) with Somali-born women (17) living in Sweden were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsA balancing act between keeping private life private and the new welfare system was identified, where the midwife’s questions about violence were met with hesitance. The midwife was, however, considered a resource for access to support services in the new society. A focus on pragmatic strategies to move on in life, rather than dwelling on potential experiences of violence and related traumas, was prominent. Social networks, spiritual faith and motherhood were crucial for regaining coherence in the aftermath of war. Dialogue and mutual adjustments were identified as strategies used to overcome power tensions in intimate relationships undergoing transition.ConclusionsIf confidentiality and links between violence and health are explained and clarified during the care encounter, screening for violence can be more beneficial in relation to Somali-born women. The focus on “moving on” and rationality indicates strength and access to alternative resources, but needs to be balanced against risks for hidden needs in care encounters. A care environment with continuity of care and trustful relationships enhances possibilities for the midwife to balance these dual perspectives and identify potential needs. Collaborations between Somali communities, maternity care and social service providers can contribute with support to families in transition and bridge gaps to formal social and care services.     

Complementary health approaches for health and wellness in midlife and older US adults

ObjectivesTo characterize the use of complementary health approaches (CHA) and examine the perceived benefits of using CHA by reason for use among midlife and older adults.Study designAnalysis of 2012 National Health Interview Survey data, a nationally representative US sample using cross-tabulations with design-based F-tests and multiple logistic regression. The analytic sample included adults aged over 50 years (N = 14,849).Main outcome measuresThe proposed benefits of using CHA included: (1) better control over health, (2) reduced stress/relaxation, (3) better sleep, (4) feeling better emotionally, (5) coping with health problems, (6) improved health/feeling better, and (7) improved relationships.ResultsOverall, 31% of this sample of midlife and older US adults had used CHA in the past year. Among users, 15% had used CHA for treatment only, 40% for wellness only, and 45% for combined wellness and treatment. Herbs (60%), chiropractic (28%), massage (22%), and yoga (19%) were the most common CHA. Wellness-only and combined users had significantly higher odds of reporting that CHA conferred benefit compared with treatment-only users.ConclusionsCHA are used by nearly a third of midlife and older adults and are perceived to provide substantial benefit. Integrating CHA as part of a healthy lifestyle has the potential to contribute to healthy aging among midlife and older adults.     

Predicting healthy lifestyle patterns among retirement age older adults in the WELL study: A latent class analysis of sex differences

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify subgroups of retirement age older adults with respect to their lifestyle patterns of eating, drinking, smoking, physical activity and TV viewing behaviors, and to examine the association between these patterns and socio-demographic covariates.

Methods

The sample consisted of 3133 older adults aged 55–65 years from the Wellbeing, Eating and Exercise for a Long Life (WELL) study, 2010. This study used latent class analysis (stratified by sex), with a set of lifestyle indicators and including socio-demographic covariates. Statistical analyses were performed by generalized linear latent and mixed models in Stata.

Results

Two classes of lifestyle patterns were identified: Healthy (53% men and 72% women) and less healthy lifestyles. Physical activity, TV-viewing time, and fruit intake were good indicators distinguishing the “Healthier” class, whereas consumption of vegetables, alcohol (men) and fast food (women) could not clearly discriminate older adults in the two classes. Class membership was associated with education, body mass index, and self-rated health.

Conclusions

This study contributes to the literature on lifestyle behaviors among older adults, and provides evidence that there are meaningful sex differences in lifestyle behaviors between subgroups of older adults. From a policy perspective, understanding indicators or “markers” of healthy and less healthy lifestyle patterns is important for identifying target groups for interventions.