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Promoting Health and Well-Being in Individual, Families, and Communities

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (12 March 2023) | Viewed by 34419

Special Issue Editors

Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, Jana Bażyńskiego 8, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: reproductive psychology; clinical psychology; health psychology; medical neuropsychology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Faculty of Psychology, Diponegoro University, Indonesia, Jalan Prof. Soedarto, S.H., Tembalang, Semarang 50275, Central Java, Indonesia
Interests: resilience; mental health; family psychology
Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk, Poland, Jana Bażyńskiego 8, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: statistic; methodology; psychomethics
Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, Jana Bażyńskiego 8, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: mental health; family psychology; reproductive psychology; well-being
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The entire world community is facing challenges that are increasingly intensifying today, including the COVID-19 pandemic. This condition does not only threaten individuals’ physical health, but also their mental health and wellbeing. Communities and families are required to be able to respond to this condition appropriately. It takes various strategic efforts to get through all of these conditions. Thus, we welcome paper submissions with a focus on new, developing, and emerging trends in the field across a range of strategies on improving the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities in all aspects of life. Both qualitative and quantitative studies, including meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and brief reports, will be considered. Potential topics include but are not limited to: 1. promoting community wellbeing; 2. improving mental health and family's resilience during the pandemic; 3. promoting health and positive behavior in the social, educational, and organizational setting; 4. school mental health and wellbeing; 5. technology, human interaction, and mental health; and 6. measurement of mental health and wellbeing We would welcome your expertise and professional knowledge as an essential contribution to the quality of this Special Issue of IJERPH.

Prof. Dr. Mariola Bidzan
Dr. Dian Veronika Sakti Kaloeti
Dr. Paweł Jurek
Dr. Karolina Lutkiewicz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • promoting health
  • well-being in individual, families, communities

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 386 KiB  
Article
Related Factors with Depression and Anxiety in Mastectomized Women Breast Cancer Survivors
by Sergio Álvarez-Pardo, José Antonio de Paz, Ena Montserrat Romero-Pérez, José Manuel Tánori-Tapia, Pablo Alejandro Rendón-Delcid, Jerónimo J. González-Bernal, Jessica Fernández-Solana, Lucía Simón-Vicente, Juan Mielgo-Ayuso and Josefa González-Santos
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2881; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20042881 - 07 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2317
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer diagnosis with the highest mortality rate worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify factors related to depression and anxiety in mastectomized women BC survivors. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of [...] Read more.
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer diagnosis with the highest mortality rate worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify factors related to depression and anxiety in mastectomized women BC survivors. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 198 women diagnosed with BC aged 30–80 years in Mexico. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the 14-item Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The results showed that 94.44% and 69.18% of the women scored more than eight points on HADS in the anxiety and depression subscales, respectively; 70.20% and 10.60% were identified as pathological. The following variables were analyzed: age, time elapsed since the start of treatment, received treatment at the time of the evaluation, type of surgery, family history, marital status and employment status. Time elapsed since surgery, having a partner, and employment showed significant results as factors associated to levels of depression and anxiety in these patients. In conclusion, it has been shown that BCSs under 50 years of age receiving some kind of treatment, without family history, without a partner, with a job, with more than secondary education and with more than 5 years since diagnosis could have higher rates of clinical depression. On the other hand, BCSs older than 50 years receiving some kind of treatment, without family history, without a partner, with a job, with more than secondary education and with more than 5 years since diagnosis, could have higher rates of clinical anxiety. In conclusion, the variables studied provide valuable information for the implementation of psychotherapy plans in healthcare systems to reduce the risk of depression and/or anxiety in women with BC who have undergone mastectomy. Full article
22 pages, 12325 KiB  
Article
Using Co-Design to Explore New Trends in Future Kitchen Designs: An Exploratory Workshop Study of College Students in China
by Zhidiankui Xu, Yu Wu, Yixi Bao, Jiawei Li and Zhengzhong Zhou
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1550; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20021550 - 14 Jan 2023
Viewed by 2005
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the challenges facing human society. The public is increasingly concerned about the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. To enhance human health and well-being, user expectations for the future need to be understood. The kitchen, [...] Read more.
The current COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the challenges facing human society. The public is increasingly concerned about the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. To enhance human health and well-being, user expectations for the future need to be understood. The kitchen, a central area of a home, is closely related to healthy living. In this study, a series of seven exploratory workshops were held at a Chinese university using co-design to understand the expectations and thinking of Chinese college students about the future of kitchen design in terms of health and well-being. A methodological innovation was introduced in co-design workshops, where participants were asked to imagine, discuss, and sketch concepts together to stimulate creative design. A six-dimensional tentative model of future kitchen expectations, including 34 sub-themes, was constructed based on the data analysis to explore the expected characteristics of kitchens. These dimensions include intelligent technologies and interaction experiences, health and well-being, inclusivity and extensibility, ecosystem circulation and sustainability, emotional and meaningful experience, and spatial planning and aesthetic experience. The resulting model provides valuable insights into the expectations of future users, providing direction and systematic strategies for future kitchens along the six-dimensional characteristics. Future kitchens, if the younger generation is to adopt them, need to positively affect users’ lives and meet their health and well-being standards. Full article
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12 pages, 395 KiB  
Article
Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors in Relation to Age, Type of Surgery and Length of Time since First Treatment
by Sergio Alvarez-Pardo, Ena Monserrat Romero-Pérez, Néstor Camberos-Castañeda, José Antonio de Paz, Mario Alberto Horta-Gim, Jerónimo J. González-Bernal, Juan Mielgo-Ayuso, Lucía Simón-Vicente, Jessica Fernández-Solana and Josefa González-Santos
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16229; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192316229 - 04 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2119
Abstract
(1) Background: Quality of life assessment is a critical aspect of breast cancer patient outcomes, as diagnosis, prognosis and treatment can have a major impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of the sample and [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Quality of life assessment is a critical aspect of breast cancer patient outcomes, as diagnosis, prognosis and treatment can have a major impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of the sample and to verify the relationship between quality of life (QOL) in women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) and their age, type or surgery and time since treatment; (2) Methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted with 183 women diagnosed with BC, aged 30–80 years in Mexico. Women’s QOL was assessed using two questionnaires, The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and The Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-BR23). (3) Results: the results show significant differences in several items when the variable age is taken into account, indicating that younger women have poorer social and sexual function, as well as poorer sexual enjoyment and lower expectations of the future. The type of surgery also indicates a significantly better QOL in those women who receive conservative treatment versus a mastectomy; the time elapsed since surgery does not show any significant results, except for sexual functioning and breast-related symptoms where >5 years implies better scores on the items. (4) Conclusions: in conclusion, it is important to take into account the characteristics of women with BC, particularly at the time of treatment, in order to mitigate the impact of the disease on their QOL with the help of a multidisciplinary team. Full article
19 pages, 1520 KiB  
Article
Contemplative Practices Behavior Is Positively Associated with Well-Being in Three Global Multi-Regional Stanford WELL for Life Cohorts
by Tia Rich, Benjamin W. Chrisinger, Rajani Kaimal, Sandra J. Winter, Haley Hedlin, Yan Min, Xueyin Zhao, Shankuan Zhu, San-Lin You, Chien-An Sun, Jaw-Town Lin, Ann W. Hsing and Catherine Heaney
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13485; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192013485 - 18 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2114
Abstract
Positive associations between well-being and a single contemplative practice (e.g., mindfulness meditation) are well documented, yet prior work may have underestimated the strength of the association by omitting consideration of multiple and/or alternative contemplative practices. Moreover, little is known about how contemplative practice [...] Read more.
Positive associations between well-being and a single contemplative practice (e.g., mindfulness meditation) are well documented, yet prior work may have underestimated the strength of the association by omitting consideration of multiple and/or alternative contemplative practices. Moreover, little is known about how contemplative practice behavior (CPB) impacts different dimensions of well-being. This study investigates the relationship of CPB, consisting of four discrete practices (embodied somatic-observing, non-reactive mindfulness, self-compassion, and compassion for others), with multiple dimensions of well-being. As with other canonical lifestyle behaviors, multiple contemplative practices can be integrated into one’s daily routine. Thus, it is critical to holistically consider these behaviors, extending them beyond a simple uni-dimensional measure (e.g., daily mindfulness meditation practice). We developed an integrative measure of four types of contemplative practice and found it to be significantly associated with a multi-dimensional measure of well-being. Importantly, our findings were from three large global multi-regional cohorts and compared against better-understood lifestyle behaviors (physical activity). Data were drawn from California/San Francisco Bay Area, (n = 6442), Hangzhou City (n = 10,268), and New Taipei City (n = 3033). In all three cohorts, we found statistically significant (p < 0.05) positive associations between CPB and well-being, both overall and with all of the constituent domains of well-being, comparable to or stronger than the relationship with physical activity across most well-being outcomes. These findings provide robust and cross-cultural evidence for a positive association between CPB and well-being, illuminate dimensions of well-being that could be most influenced by CPB, and suggest CPB may be useful to include as part of fundamental lifestyle recommendations for health and well-being. Full article
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27 pages, 5061 KiB  
Article
An Investigation into Art Therapy Aided Health and Well-Being Research: A 75-Year Bibliometric Analysis
by Zhen Liu, Zulan Yang, Chang Xiao, Ke Zhang and Mohamed Osmani
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(1), 232; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19010232 - 26 Dec 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 11142
Abstract
Considering the physical, and psychological impacts and challenges brought about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), art therapy (AT) provides opportunities to promote human health and well-being. There are few systematic analysis studies in the fields of AT, which can provide content and direction [...] Read more.
Considering the physical, and psychological impacts and challenges brought about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), art therapy (AT) provides opportunities to promote human health and well-being. There are few systematic analysis studies in the fields of AT, which can provide content and direction for the potential value and impact of AT. Therefore, this paper aims to critically analyze the published work in the field of AT from the perspective of promoting health and well-being, and provides insights into current research status, hotspots, limitations, and future development trends of AT. This paper adopts a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative analysis including bibliometric analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis. The results indicate that: (1) the current studies on AT are mostly related to research and therapeutic methods, types of AT, research populations and diseases, and evaluation of therapeutic effect of AT. The research method of AT mainly adopts qualitative research, among which creative arts therapy and group AT are common types of AT, and its main research populations are children, veterans, and adolescents. AT-aided diseases are trauma, depression, psychosis, dementia, and cancer. In addition, the therapeutic methods are mainly related to psychotherapy, drama, music, and dance/movement. Further, computer systems are an important evaluation tool in the research of AT; (2) the future development trend of AT-aided health and well-being based on research hotspots, could be focused on children, schizophrenia, well-being, mental health, palliative care, veterans, and the elderly within the context of addressing COVID-19 challenges; and (3) future AT-aided health and well-being could pay more attention to innovate and integrate the therapeutic methods of behavior, movement, and technology, such as virtual reality and remote supervision. Full article
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11 pages, 372 KiB  
Article
Fatigue, Physical Disability and Self-Efficacy as Predictors of the Acceptance of Illness and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
by Joanna Dymecka, Rafał Gerymski, Rafał Tataruch and Mariola Bidzan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(24), 13237; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182413237 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2616
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that leads to permanent disability and many neurological symptoms, making everyday functioning difficult. The predictors of the acceptance of illness and the health-related quality of life in people with [...] Read more.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that leads to permanent disability and many neurological symptoms, making everyday functioning difficult. The predictors of the acceptance of illness and the health-related quality of life in people with MS include the degree of disability, neurological symptoms and psychosocial factors, such as personal resources. The aim of our study is to determine the relationships among disability, fatigue, self-efficacy, acceptance of illness and quality of life. The study group consisted of 137 people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis—73 women and 64 men. EDSS, GNDS, LSES, AIS and MSIS-29 were used in the present study. The results show that all tested variables were significantly correlated with each other. Disability and fatigue were significant predictors of both the physical and psychological aspects of patients’ quality of life. Self-efficacy was a significant predictor of both the acceptance of illness and the psychological aspect of patients’ quality of life. Based on the current research study, it can be concluded that factors of a biomedical nature explain other aspects of struggling with the disease, rather than psychological resources. Full article
10 pages, 352 KiB  
Article
Fear of Coronavirus, Stress and Fear of Childbirth in Polish Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Joanna Dymecka, Rafał Gerymski, Adrianna Iszczuk and Mariola Bidzan
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(24), 13111; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182413111 - 12 Dec 2021
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3267
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is the largest pandemic of an aggressive coronavirus in the human population in the 21st century. The pandemic may have a negative emotional impact on pregnant women, causing fear and stress. Negative feelings during pregnancy later affect fear of childbirth. [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic is the largest pandemic of an aggressive coronavirus in the human population in the 21st century. The pandemic may have a negative emotional impact on pregnant women, causing fear and stress. Negative feelings during pregnancy later affect fear of childbirth. Our study aimed to determine the relationship between fear of COVID-19, stress and fear of childbirth. We assume that fear of COVID-19 will be a mediator of the relationship between perceived stress and fear of childbirth. A total of 262 Polish pregnant women participated in this study. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FOC-6) and Labour Anxiety Questionnaire (KLP II) were used in the study. There was a statistically significant, moderate, and positive relationship between perceived stress, fear of COVID-19, and fear of childbirth. Fear of COVID-19 was a statistically significant mediator in the relationship between perceived stress and fear of childbirth. The COVID-19 epidemic may have a negative emotional impact on pregnant women, causing fear, stress and increased fear of childbirth. Childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic is perceived by women as a threat to their well-being and health. Therefore, it is especially important to support a woman in the perinatal period and to enable her to give birth to a child. Full article
12 pages, 381 KiB  
Article
Exploring Resiliency and Parentification in Polish Adolescents
by Piotr Połomski, Aleksandra Peplińska, Aleksandra Lewandowska-Walter and Judyta Borchet
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11454; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182111454 - 30 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2766
Abstract
Parentification is a form of distorted division of roles and responsibilities in the family where the roles of parent and child are reversed. A situation that goes beyond the child’s capabilities and exhausts resources usually yields numerous negative consequences. Nevertheless, in some circumstances, [...] Read more.
Parentification is a form of distorted division of roles and responsibilities in the family where the roles of parent and child are reversed. A situation that goes beyond the child’s capabilities and exhausts resources usually yields numerous negative consequences. Nevertheless, in some circumstances, parentification may be beneficial by shaping resiliency. The main aim of the study was to examine the relations between parentification characteristics and resiliency. There were 208 adolescents (Mage = 14.55; SDage = 1.00) who participated in the study. Resiliency was evaluated using the Polish Scale for Children and Adolescents SPP-18. Parentification level was measured with the polish Parentification Questionnaire for Youth. The analyses revealed significant relations between parentification and resiliency dimensions. The relations were different based on the participant’s gender. The obtained results underline the role of resiliency in shaping the perception of family role dysfunctions such as parentification. Full article

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15 pages, 976 KiB  
Systematic Review
Social Support and Acculturative Stress of International Students
by Ika Febrian Kristiana, Nugraha Arif Karyanta, Ermida Simanjuntak, Unika Prihatsanti, Tri Muji Ingarianti and Muhammad Shohib
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6568; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19116568 - 27 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4699
Abstract
Continuing to study abroad brings challenges, apart from academic demands. International students are prone to acculturation stress as a consequence of cultural differences. Many research reports show that social support is a great buffer against experienced stress, but there has thus far been [...] Read more.
Continuing to study abroad brings challenges, apart from academic demands. International students are prone to acculturation stress as a consequence of cultural differences. Many research reports show that social support is a great buffer against experienced stress, but there has thus far been no study that analyzes the real effect of social support on acculturation stress. This meta-analysis study aims to investigate the true effect of social support on acculturation stress of international students based on studies reporting it. A meta-analysis was performed following PRISMA. The electronic databases used were Science-Direct, ERIC, ProQuest, Google Scholar (only for ETD), and opengrey.edu, with the article year limitations being 2009–2019. Eight (8) studies were involved in the meta-analysis. There were three instruments of acculturation stress and five instruments of social support that were used in the different studies. The effect size analysis showed that there was no difference in the effects of eight studies (z = −0.553; SE = 0.497; 95% CI = −1.248–−0.699; p = 0.580). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant moderator variable, the instruments used were quite diverse. The role of a moderator, other than gender, was not used because of limited information from the studies used. Social support plays a major role in reducing acculturation stress in international students. However, studies involving moderator and confounding roles need to be conducted. Full article
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