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Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2019) | Viewed by 62694

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Dr. Rosario Isabel Ferrer Cascales

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Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Health Science, University of Alicante, 03690 Alicante, Spain

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this Special Issue is based on the integration of studies focused on evaluation, prevention, and intervention for health promotion and quality of life improvement in different populations and contexts of interest. Undoubtedly, the interest of this field of study for public health is based on the dramatic increase in the prevalence of health-risk behaviors and unhealthy lifestyles, which affect population health significantly, taking into account the health costs derived from these issues. The availability of studies on this topic would allow the development of effective prevention and intervention programs in this field of study. Certainly, this fact will permit the elaboration of health policies that facilitate the implementation of adequate health strategies and, therefore, the improvement of the health-related quality of life of people throughout their life cycle. This Special Issue is open to studies focused on the analysis of health and quality of life-promoting behaviors throughout the life cycle.

Dr. Rosario Isabel Ferrer Cascales
Guest Editor

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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.

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Keywords

health promotion
health-related quality of life
protective factors
healthy habits
healthy lifestyles

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 407 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Grief Experiences in Family Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

by Jorge Bravo-Benítez, María Nieves Pérez-Marfil, Belén Román-Alegre and Francisco Cruz-Quintana

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(23), 4821; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16234821 - 30 Nov 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 8492

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyse the experience of grief and feelings of loss in family caregivers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as the perceived overload from taking on the primary caregiver role. Twenty family caregivers of children with ASD participated. The family members were assessed using an ad-hoc semi-structured interview that addressed the families’ reactions to the diagnosis, implications for daily functioning, and concerns for the immediate and long-term future of their relatives with ASD. The results indicate that family caregivers of children with ASD endure intense and continuous sorrow and grief due to the impact that having and caring for a child with these characteristics has on all aspects of their lives. These data highlight the importance of creating support and intervention programmes and services focused on the feelings and manifestations of ambiguous grief that occur in these family members, in order to improve their well-being and quality of life and reduce caregiver role overload. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

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13 pages, 393 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Level of Burden and Health-Related Quality of Life in Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients

by Juana Perpiñá-Galvañ, Núria Orts-Beneito, Manuel Fernández-Alcántara, Sofía García-Sanjuán, María Paz García-Caro and María José Cabañero-Martínez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(23), 4806; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16234806 - 29 Nov 2019

Cited by 60 | Viewed by 8260

Abstract

The complexity of palliative care means that the emotional distress and burden that primary family caregivers suffer under can be particularly high. The objective of this study was to determine the level of burden endured by these primary family caregivers and to identify the variables that predict it in the caregiving relatives of people who require home-based palliative care. A descriptive-correlational cross-sectional study was conducted. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected from caregivers through a self-administered questionnaire that included questions from the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). A total of 77 caregivers participated; 66.2% were women, and the mean age was 61.5 years. Most (62.3%) were providing care to cancer patients. From among these data, the presence of anxiety as a clinical problem (48.1%), a high average fatigue score (FAS) of 23.0 (SD = 8.5), and the prevalence of intense overload (41.6%) stood out. We found statistically significant correlations between the variables of burden, fatigue, post-traumatic growth, anxiety, and depression, with the latter two being the main predictive variables of burden. In addition, caregiver burden was associated with a worsening of health. Identifying the factors that influence the appearance of overburden will allow the specific needs of careers to be assessed in order to offer them emotional support within the healthcare environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

15 pages, 1222 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Empirical Evidence for Professional Practice and Public Policies: An Exploratory Study on Social Exclusion in Users of Primary Care Social Services in Spain

by Víctor M. Giménez-Bertomeu, Yolanda Domenech-López, Miguel A. Mateo-Pérez and Nicolás de-Alfonseti-Hartmann

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(23), 4600; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16234600 - 20 Nov 2019

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2593

Abstract

This study examines the social exclusion characteristics of a sample of users of primary care social services in two local entities in Spain. The objective of this study was to identify the intensity and scope of social exclusion in an exploratory way and to look at the typology of existing exclusionary situations to inform policy making and professional practice. Data from 1009 users were collected by primary care social services professionals, completing the Social Exclusion Scale of the University of Alicante (SES-UA). The dimensions with the greatest levels of social exclusion in the study population were those related to work/employment, income and education and training. The dimensions with an intermediate level of exclusion were those related to housing and social isolation. Social acceptance, family and social conflict and health were the dimensions with the lowest levels of exclusion. The analysis also showed the existence of five significantly different groups, that showed five different life trajectories along the continuum between social exclusion and social inclusion. The results show the importance and utility of developing professional and policy intervention protocols based on research evidence, with the objective of improving the quality of life of the users. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

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11 pages, 970 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Status and Body Mass Index in Postmenopausal Women with Fibromyalgia: A Case–control Study

by Laura Cerón Lorente, María Carmen García Ríos, Santiago Navarro Ledesma, Rosa María Tapia Haro, Antonio Casas Barragán, María Correa-Rodríguez and María Encarnación Aguilar Ferrándiz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(22), 4540; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16224540 - 16 Nov 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2674

Abstract

Reduced functional capacity is a common characteristic of fibromyalgia (FMS). We aimed to investigate the relationship between functional status and body mass index (BMI) in a population with and without FMS. A pilot case–control study was performed in 34 women with FMS and 22 healthy controls which were classified according to their BMI. The main outcome measures were: Balance (MiniBestest, One Leg Stance Test), functional mobility (Timed up and Go), physical disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index), spinal range of motion (Spinal Mouse), level of physical activity at work (Leisure Time Physical Activity Instrument), and home and leisure time (Physical Activity at Home and Work). Statistical differences were observed between overweight/obese healthy controls and women with FMS for several indicators of functional capacity. FMS patients reported worse dynamic (p = 0.001) and static balance (right: p = 0.002, left: p = 0.001), poorer functional mobility (p = 0.008), and higher levels of physical disability (p = 0.001). Functional status is altered in FMS women compared to the healthy control group, independently of nutritional status; therefore, BMI is unlikely to play a main role in functional capacity indicators in postmenopausal FMS women. Only dynamic balance seems to reduce the obesity status in this population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

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13 pages, 529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Associated with Suicide Attempts and Suicides in the General Population of Andalusia (Spain)

by Yolanda Mejías-Martín, Juan de Dios Luna del Castillo, Candela Rodríguez-Mejías, Celia Martí-García, Juan Pablo Valencia-Quintero and María Paz García-Caro

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(22), 4496; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16224496 - 14 Nov 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5200

Abstract

Discrepant results have been published by studies comparing deaths by suicide with attempted suicides. This study aimed to determine factors associated with suicides and attempted suicides in Andalusia (Spain) between 2007 and 2013, comparing sex, age, year, and suicide method between these populations. A retrospective study was conducted of data on deaths by suicide and attempted suicides over a seven-year period, calculating the sex and age rates for each behavior. Adjusted Poisson regression was used to analyze the association with study variables, and incidence rate ratios were estimated. During the seven-year study period, 20,254 attempted suicides and 5202 deaths by suicide were recorded. The prevalence of attempted suicide did not differ between the sexes, whereas the prevalence of deaths by suicide was three-fold higher among males than among females and increased with higher age. The most frequently used method was the same in males and females for suicide attempts, but differed between the sexes for suicides. The combined influence of sex and age was greater in the model for death by suicide than in the model for attempted suicide. The key differentiating factor was the method used, while the finding of greatest concern was the suicide behavior among the elderly. Preventive strategies should take these differences into account. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

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11 pages, 1970 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Fall Training Program on Automatization of Safe Motor Responses during Backwards Falls in School-Age Children

by Óscar DelCastillo-Andrés, Luis Toronjo-Hornillo and Luis Toronjo-Urquiza

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(21), 4078; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214078 - 23 Oct 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3309

Abstract

A significant number of children suffer injuries from falls. The current measures of prevention and education regarding falls are not sufficient, as falling is still the main cause of injury at this age. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of injury during a backward fall and assess the effect of the Safe Fall training program on this risk. 457 primary school children between the ages of 6 and 12 (mean age of 9) were enrolled in a 6-week randomized intervention. The program was carried out during physical education classes and consisted of an intervention group that followed the Safe Fall training program and a control group that was given equilibrium exercises. The risk of injury was assessed before and after the implementation using the Information Scale on Safe Ways of Falling observation scale, evaluating the responses of five different body parts (head, hip, knees, upper limbs and back). Students’ natural response to falls was associated with a high risk of injury in more than 90% of the cases. The implementation of the Safe Fall program resulted in a considerable decrease in this risk, with percentages lowered to levels between 8.7% and 18.3%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

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11 pages, 780 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Understanding the Occupational Adaptation Process and Well-Being of Older Adults in Magallanes (Chile): A Qualitative Study

by Oskarina Palma-Candia, César Hueso Montoro, Celia Martí-García, Manuel Fernández-Alcántara, Concepción Petra Campos-Calderón and Rafael Montoya Juárez

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(19), 3640; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16193640 - 27 Sep 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2906

Abstract

Background: Aging and longevity are important topics nowadays. Purpose: To describe how older adults perform the occupational adaptation process in the extreme region of Magallanes (Chile), and to identify the factors that might contribute to successful occupational adaptation and well-being. Method: Qualitative study, with a phenomenological interpretative approach. In-depth interviews were carried out with 16 older adults, with high or low levels of well-being, assessed with the Ryff Scale. An inductive content analysis according to Elo and Kyngäs was performed. Findings: Resilience, self-esteem and interdependence with significant others are key elements that promote well-being. Participants develop strategies to minimize the effects of environmental factors. The occupation’s function in terms of socialization, use of time, and social participation is revealed as a conditioning factor of occupational adaptation. Implications: Interventions with older people to achieve a successful occupational adaptation process must take into consideration the commitment to meaningful activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

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19 pages, 1051 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leisure Participation Behavior and Psychological Well-Being of Elderly Adults: An Empirical Study of Tai Chi Chuan in China

by Jing Li, Chia-Chien Hsu and Ching-Torng Lin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(18), 3387; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16183387 - 12 Sep 2019

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4465

Abstract

Theoretical explanation concerning the psychological well-being of elderly adults as they participate in a particular leisure activity has been rare. Based on the theory of planned behavior and the technology acceptance model, this study sought to understand the Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) participation influence factors, process, and psychological well-being of Chinese people. A self-developed questionnaire was developed to test the hypotheses of this study. Applying structural equation models, a survey of 769 TCC participations were used to test the theoretical model. The results indicated that perceived usefulness significantly and positively affect respondent attitude, family members’ influences significantly and positively affect participants’ subjective norm, and resource facilitating conditions significantly and positively affect perceived behavioral control. Perceived behavioral control, attitude, and subjective norm significantly and positively affect TCC participants. The study lends support to the notion that leisure activity participation is vital for elderly adults and their well-being, and it develops a theoretical reference model for better understanding the leisure participation perceptual reasoning processes of elderly adults. Furthermore, the results offer important implications for health policy makers, clinical prevention, and interventions using participation behavior relationships to develop well-constructed leisure programs to attract and inspire participation and, hence, improve the psychological well-being of elderly adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

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10 pages, 326 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationships between Problematic Cannabis Use and Risky Behaviors in Spanish Adolescents

by Raquel Alarcó-Rosales, Miriam Sánchez-SanSegundo, Rosario Ferrer-Cascales, Natalia Albaladejo-Blázquez, Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo, Elisa Delvecchio and Javier Oltra-Cucarella

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(17), 3029; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16173029 - 21 Aug 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2600

Abstract

This study examined the relations between problematic cannabis use, physical assault, and getting involved in a motor vehicle accident under the influence of cannabis in a sample of adolescents randomly selected from 25 public and semiprivate high schools in Alicante (Spain). Participants (n = 648) completed The Spanish National Standardized Survey about drug use in high school adolescents (ESTUDES, 2017), which includes the cannabis abuse screening test (CAST). Prevalence of cannabis use across the life-span and within the past 30 days was 37.5% and 17.4%, respectively. CAST scores were associated with an increased risk of driving under the effects of cannabis, riding shotgun, and physical assault, but not with an increased risk of having a motor vehicle accident. There were no differences between boys and girls in the association of problematic cannabis use with risky behaviors. This result highlights the importance of comprehensive prevention and education strategies for adolescents at high risk of cannabis use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

12 pages, 350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

by Natalia Albaladejo-Blázquez, Rosario Ferrer-Cascales, Nicolás Ruiz-Robledillo, Miriam Sánchez-SanSegundo, Manuel Fernández-Alcántara, Elisa Delvecchio and Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(14), 2622; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16142622 - 23 Jul 2019

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 5624

Abstract

Bullying has been traditionally related to a significant reduction in well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of adolescents. This negative impact on HRQoL seems to be modulated by the developed role in bullying (uninvolved, bully, victim or bully-victim). However, no studies have identified if these negative results are the same when other types of bullying, such as homophobic bullying, are evaluated. The main aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of different roles of bullying and homophobic bullying and the relationship between these roles in both types of bullying with HRQoL, depression and anxiety levels in a sample of 1723 Spanish adolescents. Although results exhibited lower prevalence of homophobic bullying roles when compared to traditionally bullying in general, in the case of victims, the prevalence was high in the case of homophobic bullying. When differences between roles in HRQoL, depression and anxiety were evaluated, in both types of bullying, uninvolved adolescents showed the best results and bully-victim adolescents the worst. The obtained results suppose an improvement in the understanding of the negative effects of different types of bullying on HRQoL and mental health in adolescents. Future research could advance in this comprehension, analyzing possible differences with other types of bullying, such as cyberbullying. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

Review

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12 pages, 298 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chess Practice as a Protective Factor in Dementia

by Manuel Lillo-Crespo, Mar Forner-Ruiz, Jorge Riquelme-Galindo, Daniel Ruiz-Fernández and Sofía García-Sanjuan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(12), 2116; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16122116 - 14 Jun 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 15867

Abstract

Background: dementia is one of the main causes of disability and dependency among the older population worldwide, producing physical, psychological, social and economic impact in those affected, caregivers, families and societies. However, little is known about dementia protective factors and their potential benefits against disease decline in the diagnosed population. Cognitive stimulating activities seem to be protective factors against dementia, though there is paucity in the scientific evidence confirming this, with most publications focusing on prevention in non-diagnosed people. A scoping review was conducted to explore whether chess practice could mitigate signs, deliver benefits, or improve cognitive capacities of individuals diagnosed with dementia through the available literature, and therefore act as a protective factor. Methods: twenty-one articles were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: the overall findings stress that chess could lead to prevention in non-diagnosed populations, while little has been shown with respect to individuals already diagnosed. However, some authors suggest its capacity as a protective factor due to its benefits, and the evidence related to the cognitive functions associated with the game. Conclusion: although chess is indirectly assumed to be a protective factor due to its cognitive benefits, more studies are required to demonstrate, with strong evidence, whether chess could be a protective factor against dementia within the diagnosed population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Promotion and Quality of Life Improvement Throughout the Life Cycle)

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