Identifying elderlies at risk of becoming more depressed with Internet-of-Things

Singapore National Research Foundation; Singapore Ministry of National Developmen

Well-being status, unmet healthcare needs, and changes in health behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic within the senior european citizens

Antecedentes: A doença de Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) é uma infecção pandémica com risco substancial de morte, deixando a população idosa na Europa numa situação bastante terrível, especialmente nos idosos. Métodos: Foram recolhidos dados demográficos por país sobre os idosos na Europa com mais de 50 anos de idade. A análise descritiva dos dados (ou seja, média, desvio padrão [DP], frequências e proporções [%]) foi realizada para traçar o perfil e examinar os resultados. Os dados foram comparados entre 4 grupos de estudo: (1) o estado de saúde física de pessoas com idade superior a 50 anos antes e depois do surto de COVID-19 (2) o estado de saúde mental de pessoas com idade superior a 50 anos antes e depois do surto de COVID-19 (3) o tratamento e qualidade do serviço médico de pessoas com idade superior a 50 anos após o surto de COVID-19 (4) as mudanças nos seus comportamentos de saúde que exerceram nas suas vidas desde o surto de COVID-19 Resultados: O impacto da COVID-19 na vida das pessoas idosas pode ser visto em mudanças no seu estado de saúde física, no seu estado de saúde mental, na sua experiência de serviços de saúde, e no seu comportamento de saúde. Tipicamente, um terço da população idosa europeia já está a experimentar alguns sintomas de doença física. Um quarto da população idosa europeia já apresenta sintomas de doenças mentais tais como fadiga, stress e problemas de sono, para além dos quais quase 77% ainda precisam de tomar medicação regularmente. Com base na experiência médica, a Eslováquia e a Lituânia necessitam de melhorar a qualidade dos serviços médicos, e todos os países europeus adoptaram a prática de adiar, cancelar e negar serviços médicos ou cirúrgicos, a fim de deixar recursos médicos para a COVID-19. Conclusão: Este estudo mostra que a pandemia da COVID-19 está a ter um impacto substancial em todos os aspectos da vida das pessoas idosas na Europa. Como resposta individual, cada vez mais cidadãos idosos estão a decidir mudar os seus estilos de vida relacionados com a saúde e a ser mais cautelosos nos seus padrões de saúde. No futuro, será possível saber se os governos e as autoridades de saúde prestarão mais atenção à saúde física e mental das pessoas idosas.Background: Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic infection with substantial risk of death, leaving the elderly population in Europe in a rather dire situation, especially in the elderly. Methods: Country-based demographic data were collected elderly people in Europe over 50 years of age. Descriptive analysis of the data (i.e., mean, standard deviation [SD], frequencies and proportions [%]) was performed to profile and examine the results. The data were compared between 4 study groups: (1) the physical health status of people age above 50 before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 (2) the mental health status of people age above 50 before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 (3) the treatment and quality of medical service of people aged above 50 after the outbreak of COVID-19 (4) the changes in their healthcare behaviours that they have exerted into their lives since the outbreak of COVID-19 Results: The impact of COVID-19 on the lives of older people can be seen in changes in their physical health status, their mental health status, their experience of health services, and their health behaviour. Typically, one-third of the European elderly population is already experiencing some symptoms of physical illness. One quarter of the European elderly population already shows symptoms of mental illnesses such as fatigue, stress and sleep problems, in addition to which almost 77% still need to take regular medication. Based on medical experience, Slovakia and Lithuania need to improve the quality of medical services, and all European countries have adopted the practice of postponing, cancelling and denying medical or surgical services in order to leave medical resources for COVID-19. In the worst-case scenario, half of the planned medical appointments were postponed in Luxembourg and Portugal. Conclusion: This study shows that the pandemic of COVID-19 is having a substantial impact on all aspects of the lives of older people in Europe. As an individuals' response, more and more senior citizens are deciding to change their health-related lifestyles and to be more cautious in their health standards. It will soon remain to be seen whether governments and public assistance will pay more attention to the physical and mental health of older people

A CASE STUDY ON SAUDI’S HEALTH–RELATED ATTITUDE, BEHAVIOR, AND CONSCIOUSNESS

ABSTRACT The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is progressively increasing in Saudi Arabia. Tackling the common risk factors of NCDs is an urgent priority to ensure the population’s health. Even though healthcare is free of charge in Saudi Arabia, the issue of non-compliance or non-adherence from the public still exists. The current research addressed the factors that affect Saudi’s health related attitudes and behavior, which has so far been lacking in the scientific literature. This qualitative case study provided an in-depth analysis of Saudis’ health consciousness phenomena. The findings are based primarily on themes that emerged from the data analysis of 1618 qualitative survey responses and 18 personal interview transcripts. Major themes that emerged from this study were: health beliefs, health awareness, health motivation, and health barriers. The data described the participants’ health-related knowledge, practices, and challenges. Participants correctly identified the relation between healthy lifestyles and disease prevention. Yet, many participants failed at maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The data clearly presented a dichotomy between Saudis’ health-related knowledge and practice. Saudis’ health understanding is based on a broad range of cultural domains, and not solely on health perceived knowledge. Hence, Saudis’ health behavior is influenced by personal, social, environmental, and economic factors. Saudis must reflect on their health reality, by addressing the influential factors, and change the myth or the misunderstood health concepts. Understanding the concept of health consciousness as a personal attribute will have greater power in predicting diverse health behaviors among Saudis. The Health Conscientization Model calls for a need to foster critical health consciousness to build collective action to improve the health status of the Saudi population. It is only by reaching critical health consciousness that the health status of Saudis will improve. The model defined Saudis’ ability to recognize and analyze influential forces shaping health status and their willingness to change unhealthy behaviors. The Health Conscientization Model speaks to health policymakers, leaders, educators, and the Saudi community at large to empower Saudis in changing their risky behaviors to improve their health. Keywords: Saudis’ health, health attitude, health behaviors, health consciousness, Saudi Arabia healthcare system, health awareness, health information, healthcare utilization, Paulo Freire’s notion of level of consciousness, critical consciousness, Health Conscientization Model

The Promise and Purpose of Love and Belonging in Shaping the Spiritual Destiny of Sixth Graders

The consilience of interpersonal neurobiology and theology is the template for the viscidity of faith throughout one’s lifetime. The congruence of disciplines conclude that what is experienced and believed before the age of thirteen determines how one will live their life. The loss of connection to parents at home and adults within the faith community, is cultivating isolation, loneliness, and the loss of love and belonging in each emerging generation. Chapter One introduces the deprecating beliefs that are practiced during the first twelve years of one’s life that ultimately lead young believers away from homes and communities of faith and in many cases to reject the gospel of Jesus Christ. Chapter Two explores what it means to be a person. Through the lens of ontology and scripture, Yahweh’s kind intentions and divine purposes for imago Dei are discovered anew, showing that love and fidelity in the home and within the faith community are imperative for faith to thrive and endure. As breakthroughs in neuroscience reveal what the mind is and how it develops and grows, Chapter Three explores how interpersonal neurobiology and theology are aligned toward the common goal of one’s health and overall development. Chapter Four looks at the promise of a nurturing secure attachment. Beginning in utero, the mother first, and then the loving presence of other caregivers, leads to the health and wellbeing of a child. Sadly, far too many children struggle as teens and adults because of the devastating effects of early childhood trauma. Chapter Five shows how empathy can be acquired, even late in life. It also celebrates the gift of passion that God has graced each person with and shows how passion is key to one’s faith. It also explores the benefits of play developing the brain and emerging mind. Finally, the unique neurobiological and theological design of the first twelve years of one’s life uniquely makes the sixth-grade year the epicenter of promise and destiny. Chapter Six emphasizes specific ways that homes and the faith community can love and lead children toward a lifetime of faith

Women's Mental Health

Clinical psychology based on gender medicine is a core topic of this Special Issue. In general, consideration of women’s mental health is limited; however, it is important to consider subjective wellbeing factors connected with cultural, environmental, epigenetic and personality aspects. Many factors, such as the roles assigned to women nowadays in social and work contexts, can act as predisposing conditions in the etiology of the psychopathological frame, particularly affective disorders. Furthermore, in the developmental life of a woman, important risk factors can be highlighted, such as the vulnerability to psychological distress in women and couples. In particular, the topic addresses the individual maternal requirements for successful transition to healthy motherhood and innovative programs based on gender medicine in the life cycle considering student and elderly experiences. The connection of psychological vulnerability to the environment and repercussions for relationships have been studied in connection with the COVID-19 lockdown, induced changes in women’s psychological distress and research regarding sexual arousal, self-image and mental wellbeing. Psychological and emotional forms of violence in couples, such as IPV, is another point highlighting new trend of assessments (i.e., Intimate Partner Violence EAPA-P) and ad hoc treatment in emotional regulation and resilience. Psychological support for women is central to the prevention of psychopathology, especially in relation to subthreshold traits; finally, the topic offers an overview of ad hoc treatments in clinical contexts

Generativity and Aspirational Dignity in Old Age - The Engagement of Older People for Younger People among Elite Professionals in Delhi and other Indian Cities

The dissertation titled, “Generativity and Aspirational Dignity in Old Age – Engagement of Older People for Younger People among Elite Professionals in Delhi and other Indian Cities” is an empirical study that seeks to study occupational and personal potential of older people who chose to work after retirement. The study explores the questions on the extent to which the elderly can use their expertise and personal strengths in intergenerational relations, the extent to which elderly are actively involved in work post-retirement, the interest of the elderly in such an engagement and the importance of this commitment for the individual's emotional condition. The study also examines how far older people in the commitment described here see an opportunity to realize their personal criteria of a good life. The theoretical framework of the study takes into consideration the fundamental and pertinent concepts of ageism, generativity, ageing with dignity, respect and social inclusion, cultural values and attitudes, health and wellbeing, meaningful involvement and productive ageing. In this study ‘Generativity’ theory of human development stages by Erikson (1950/1963), by McAdams and de. St. Aubin (1992) and dignity of older people by Nordenfelt (2003) have been adopted to explain the meaningful engagement of older people in work environment in the changing intergenerational relations in urban Indian societies. The research design chosen for the study is “descriptive” as it involves quantitative data and qualitative data. The composites of independent variables in the form of scales are used to learn Generativity using Loyola Generativity Scale (LGS) and Well-being using Ryff’s Scale. Indepth interviews are conducted to understand respondents’ and employers’ perspectives and views. The study is based on the responses of 83 retired professionals who took up second inning and 14 select employers. The respondents were selected based on identified criteria and the supposition that they possess the required knowledge and experience and they will be able to provide information that is both detailed (depth) and generalizable (breadth) on motives for engagement in job post retirement. Also, who would make first cautious statements about possible influences of individual personality characteristics on this engagement. The samples were selected from services, public and industry sectors including startups from different zones in India. The sample was also designed keeping in mind socio-demographic factors (extrinsic factors) and to represent the industrial, service and the public sectors. The purposive sampling method is deployed to help reach the target group. The interviews were conducted in person or on phone. The data is collected from the field and the analysis is based on the field data. The quantitative data relates to the study of generativity and well-being of the sampling units, both individually and on an average basis. Data is analysed from the responses of the Ryff’s Scale and The Loyola Generativity Scale. The overall score from the Ryff’s Scale is a measure of well being and that from the Loyola Generativity Scale is a measure of generativity. In order to create composite index scores different questions are added together and the scores compared across respondents in order to assess their overall performance. The scores can be interpreted as High Scores and Low Scores. The qualitative data is collected through in-depth interviews, which were conducted to explore respondents’ perspective and views vis a vis the research questions. The questions revolved on the themes of Generativity and wellbeing. The participants were observed during the interview and field notes taken. In the research study selective employers were interviewed in depth in order to understand their perspective and to provide information on possible support of the elderly in new workplace. In addition, information about the assessment of this support by the employers was also collected qualitatively. The employers were categorized into two categories, those who hired the retired elderly and those elderly who were the business owners. The result based on responses of the employers elicited that the employers perceived certain qualities of elderly positively, while some qualities negatively vis-à-vis productivity and relations with co-workers. Across sectors there doesn’t exist any policy for hiring the retired. Individuals retiring from influential posts with strong networks are headhunted and mid-performers are hired through references. For the analysis of generativity, the respondents, based on the mean scores were divided into two groups, namely high performers (those who scored equal to or above the Mean score on LGS) and low performers (those who scored below the Mean score on LGS). The scores were substantiated with the qualitative findings from in-depth interviews and the scaled statements described. The interview responses and LGS scores threw light on commonalities among various groups of respondents, their distinct characteristics and at the same time highlighted issues and challenges. The results indicated that elderly feel responsible for the young generation and that generativity at work has several relationships while the low scoring respondents faced issues with relationships at work. Statistically, the results showed that average scores of low and high scoring respondents significantly differ in overall LGS score and its subcategories. Each subcategory is significantly associated with each other which shows that improvement in one category can lead to improvement in other category. But Job type doesn’t have a significant effect on average LGS score. The qualitative data on wellbeing was collected with the help of in-depth interviews based on the objectives and quantitative data was collected from the responses using Ryff’s Scale. Based on the Mean scores, the respondents under each subcategory were divided into two groups, namely high performers (those who scored equal to or above the Mean score on Ryff’s Scale) and low performers (those who scored below the Mean score on Ryff’s Scale). In-depth interviews were taken and the Ryff’s Scale scores and interview responses threw light on commonalities among various groups of respondents, their distinct characteristics and at the same time highlighted issues and challenges. The results also showed that wellbeing at workplace meant more than working and performing. Dignity was found to be important to the retired rehired and it was seen as a multidimensional notion while the low scoring respondents faced unfavourable work conditions. Statistically, the results showed that average scores of low and high scoring respondents significantly differ in overall Ryff’s Scale score and its subcategories. Each subcategory is significantly associated with each other which shows that improvement in one category can lead to improvement in other category. But Job type doesn’t have a significant effect on average Ryff’s Scale score. Further, it was found the respondents with high performance or scores in Personal Growth and Autonomy have a better chance to perform well in Generativity, whereas the high scoring respondents in Self-Acceptance and Positive Relations too have a chance to perform well with two subcategories of LGS. Same holds for high scorers in Purpose in Life who stand a chance to perform well on one subcategory of LGS. For qualitative data analysis, the Ideal typical grouping technique conceptualised and methodology developed by Uta Gerhardt (1994) is used. The study deals with the three objectives; to understand the extent to which elderly people in India have an opportunity to use their expertise and personal strengths in intergenerational relations; to examine the extent to which elderly people are actively involved in the reemployment/second innings, the interest of the elderly in such an engagement and the importance of this commitment, above all, for the individual’s emotional condition and; to what extent older people in the commitment described here see as opportunity to realize their personal criteria of good life. It emerged that five ideal typical groups may be identified based on similarity in psychological wellbeing, generativity, psychological characteristics and sociodemographic factors. And factors such as past professional life, age, organizational support, personal resources, circumstantial second innings and past unfulfilled professional lives are important determinants. The analysis, however does not represent the whole population of elderly in India. Rather, this study represents the experiences of relatively privileged elderly. Overall, the result confirms that our Hypothesis is met. The result confirms that the high scoring elderly in India avail opportunity to use their expertise and personal strengths in intergenerational relations. The high scoring elderly are actively involved in the reemployment, they have interest in such an engagement and this commitment is important for their emotional condition. The high scoring elderly in the commitment see this opportunity to realize their personal criteria of good life. The low scoring elderly don’t avail opportunity fully to use their expertise and personal strengths in intergenerational relations and they are not performing well in terms of active involvement in reemployment/second innings, they have low interest in such an engagement and it is not favoring their emotional condition, thereby failing them to realize their personal criteria of good life. It is recommended that it is a joint responsibility of the government, private sector and the individuals to make structured plans and open up for meaningful engagement in work-life post retirement. Physical, social and cultural opportunities be provided for the elderly. Efforts to promote generativity and wellbeing of the elderly at workplace will help improve their work efficiency and organizational productivity, bring the young and old generations together for better work environment and positively affect health of the elderly, thereby reducing economic burden on the government machinery. The government and the corporate would have to work in tandem to create Age-friendly environment. At the same time the elderly should practice self-actualization and be ready to take up work post retirement. Those in active service should perform and maintain the mindset that basis their past performance they could apply for extension or continue to work post retirement in some other organization or in form of being self-employed. Lastly, the potential of elderly should be utilized by the society through voluntary service or unpaid work

The effect of technology upskilling on the quality of life of elderly people in Iran : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University

The impact of smartphones and social media apps on lifestyle, Quality of Life, and well-being among elderly people is an important issue with digital communication becoming the predominant communication mode. The effect of using social media apps on the elderly people’s Quality of Life in developing countries including Iran is an important area to address, to understand what future interventions should be recommended to policy makers. A mixed-methods study was designed to determine the impact of training in using smartphone social media apps (including Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram) on the Quality of Life of the elderly citizens in Shiraz-Iran. The population of the study was all the senior residents registered in local public health centres located in Shiraz, Fars, Iran in 2018-2019. The qualitative results were based on the analysis of semi-structured interviews, while the quantitative results were based on the changes in the mean scores of the CASP-19 scale and subscales (p-value) in the intervention population measured before the study, after the intervention and again one month later. In the quasi-experimental quantitative study, the intervention group in the CASP-19 questionnaire sub-scales (control, autonomy, pleasure, self-realization) mean values increased and the overall mean score of Quality of Life increased between the pre-test and the post-test and between the pre-test and the follow-up test. The control sub-scale had the lowest effect size (η2 =0.11), followed by autonomy (η2=0.13) and self-realization (η2=0.14). The highest size of the effect was for pleasure (η2 =0.42) and Quality of Life (η2=0.46) variables. The control group showed no significant changes in the control, autonomy, pleasure, self-realization, and the level of the Quality of Life variables for the duration of the study. It can be concluded that the significant changes in the level of the Quality of Life in the intervention group was due to the educational program. The result of the qualitative study reinforces this conclusion

Breaking the silence: Exploring women's experiences of the #MeToo movement

The #MeToo movement encourages breaking the social silence about sexual violence online; survivors share their experiences of sexual violence under the hashtag #MeToo across social media platforms, joining with other survivors in a network of empowerment, resistance, and empathy. This thesis focuses on women’s participation in #MeToo through their video blog (vlog) postings on YouTube. I analyze 12 of the most viewed vlogs posted on YouTube under #MeToo between September 19th, 2019, and September 19th, 2020, addressing how women in this online forum represent their experiences of sexual violence, silencing, and participation in the #MeToo movement. Particularly, I investigate the affordances of participation that these women identify, as well as how they represent the #MeToo movement’s goals, what drawbacks they experience in relation to breaking the silence, and how they imagine their experiential narratives may affect other survivors of sexual violence. Through their detailed testimony on YouTube, vloggers voice and resist the structures that silenced them while encouraging other survivors to recognize and resist these structures in their own experiences. Analyzing these vlogs contributes to a greater understanding of how individual women think and feel about the #MeToo movement as they interact under the hashtag on YouTube, an online domain that is currently under-represented in research on digital feminist social movements

Unmet goals of tracking: within-track heterogeneity of students' expectations for

Educational systems are often characterized by some form(s) of ability grouping, like tracking. Although substantial variation in the implementation of these practices exists, it is always the aim to improve teaching efficiency by creating homogeneous groups of students in terms of capabilities and performances as well as expected pathways. If students’ expected pathways (university, graduate school, or working) are in line with the goals of tracking, one might presume that these expectations are rather homogeneous within tracks and heterogeneous between tracks. In Flanders (the northern region of Belgium), the educational system consists of four tracks. Many students start out in the most prestigious, academic track. If they fail to gain the necessary credentials, they move to the less esteemed technical and vocational tracks. Therefore, the educational system has been called a 'cascade system'. We presume that this cascade system creates homogeneous expectations in the academic track, though heterogeneous expectations in the technical and vocational tracks. We use data from the International Study of City Youth (ISCY), gathered during the 2013-2014 school year from 2354 pupils of the tenth grade across 30 secondary schools in the city of Ghent, Flanders. Preliminary results suggest that the technical and vocational tracks show more heterogeneity in student’s expectations than the academic track. If tracking does not fulfill the desired goals in some tracks, tracking practices should be questioned as tracking occurs along social and ethnic lines, causing social inequality

Health Promotion in Health Care - Vital Theories and Research

This Open Access textbook represents a vital contribution to global health education, offering insights into health promotion as part of patient care for bachelor’s and master’s students in health care (nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, radiotherapists, social care workers etc.) as well as health care professionals, and providing an overview of the field of health science and health promotion for PhD students and researchers.  Written by leading experts from seven countries in Europe, America, Africa and Asia, it first discusses the theory of health promotion and vital concepts. It then presents updated evidence-based health promotion approaches in different populations (people with chronic diseases, cancer, heart failure, dementia, mental disorders, long-term ICU patients, elderly individuals, families with newborn babies, palliative care patients) and examines different health promotion approaches integrated into primary care services.  This edited scientific anthology provides much-needed knowledge, translating research into guidelines for practice. Today’s medical approaches are highly developed; however, patients are human beings with a wholeness of body-mind-spirit. As such, providing high-quality and effective health care requires a holistic physical-psychological-social-spiritual model of health care is required. A great number of patients, both in hospitals and in primary health care, suffer from the lack of a holistic oriented health approach: Their condition is treated, but they feel scared, helpless and lonely. Health promotion focuses on improving people’s health in spite of illnesses. Accordingly, health care that supports/promotes patients’ health by identifying their health resources will result in better patient outcomes: shorter hospital stays, less re-hospitalization, being better able to cope at home and improved well-being, which in turn lead to lower health-care costs.  This scientific anthology is the first of its kind, in that it connects health promotion with the salutogenic theory of health throughout the chapters. the authors here expand the understanding of health promotion beyond health protection and disease prevention. The book focuses on describing and explaining salutogenesis as an umbrella concept, not only as the key concept of sense of coherence. publishedVersio