The impact of the exercise on the social mentality of the Chinese people

OBJECTIVE

Engaging in exercise not only encompasses its intrinsic attributes but also signifies its social dimensions. It reflects an underlying emotional tone and cumulative value attributed to exercise by individuals, forming a broad, macro-level socio-psychological relationship in alignment with the conceptual definition of societal mentality. The social mentality is an indicator of a nation's governance capacity and mirrors the overall socio-psychological profile and needs of its citizens. This study, therefore, aims to investigate the influence of exercise, specifically through the lens of sports, on the sociall mentality of the Chinese population, encompassing aspects of social trust and social equity. Additionally, we explore the distinct mechanisms underlying differences in social class, generation disparities, and spatial dimensions. This inquiry aims to contribute to enhancing governance capabilities and societal stability.

METHOD

Data for this study was sourced from the 2023 China General Social Survey. We selected 20 variables and analyzed a sample of 6,746 individuals. We employed Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) multiple linear regression models to construct our analysis.

RESULTS

The findings indicate that exercise has a positive influence on the social mentality of the Chinese population. A higher frequency of participation in sports correlates with a more advanced level of social mentality development. Notably, significant disparities exist between the macro-level and micro-level impacts of exercise, suggesting ample room for improvement. Social class, generational disparities, and spatial dimensions demonstrate substantial impact, each exhibiting unique characteristics depending on the specific research question. Furthermore, the weightings of social trust orientation and social equity orientation within the societal mentality dimensions exhibit variability and fluctuations.

CONCLUSION

When exploring the topic of social mentality, it is recommended to separately discuss the various dimensions it encompasses, thus providing a comprehensive, detailed, and precise portrayal of specific issues. To bolster the influence of exercise on the social mentality, as well as to enhance governance capabilities and societal stability, the following recommendations are proposed: (1) In-depth exploration of differences within social strata to optimize the mechanisms through which exercise influences the social mentality; (2) Balancing generational disparities to establish a solid foundation for the influence of exercise on the social mentality; (3) Recognizing spatial dimensions to harness the spatial dynamism of exercise in shaping the social mentality.

Life Satisfaction Among Diverse Participants

INTRODUCTION

Mental health (MH) conditions are among the most common chronic health conditions in the United States. Previous studies suggested decreased in life satisfaction post-COVID-19 in other populations outside the United States. This study explored the correlations between life satisfaction and MH among diverse community post-COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, non-experimental, retrospective study. The primary outcome was the Satisfaction with Life Scale total score (SWLS_TS) and the characteristics of the cases from self-reported information. Statistical software SPSS was used for descriptive and inferential analyses.

RESULTS

About 218 cases were included for analysis. Many of the cases were Asian Americans (n = 185, 84.1%). The multiple linear regression model significantly predicted 5.2% of the variance in SWLS_TS. Three out of 6 predictors significantly contributed to the model (age β = .172, t = 2.42, P = .017, ethnicity β = .148, t = 2.07, P = .039, and no history of MH β = .248, t = 3.31, P = .001).

CONCLUSION

A diverse population was examined post-COVID-19 pandemic, and the findings suggest a positive correlation with age, ethnicity, and no history of MH with SWLS_TS.

Factors Associated with Professional Mental Help-Seeking Among U.S. Immigrants: A Systematic Review

Structural and cultural barriers have led to limited access to and use of mental health services among immigrants in the United States (U.S.). This study provided a systematic review of factors associated with help-seeking attitudes, intentions, and behaviors among immigrants who are living in the U.S. This systematic review was performed using Medline, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Global Health, and Web of Science. Qualitative and quantitative studies examining mental help-seeking among immigrants in the U.S. were included. 954 records were identified through a search of databases. After removing duplicates and screening by title and abstract, a total of 104 articles were eligible for full-text review and a total of 19 studies were included. Immigrants are more reluctant to seek help from professional mental health services due to barriers such as stigma, cultural beliefs, lack of English language proficiency, and lack of trust in health care providers.

Correlates of Stigma Toward Mental Health Service Use Among Filipino Americans and Korean Americans

Asian Americans are less likely than Whites to seek mental care and when they do, there is a substantial delay in help-seeking. Stigma associated with mental health service use is one of the major barriers to help-seeking among Asian Americans. However, few studies have examined multi-layered contextual predictors of stigma to examine joint as well as unique contributions of each predictor. Using a cross-sectional study of 376 Filipino and 412 Korean American parents from the Midwestern U.S., we investigated how individual, familial, ethnic cultural, and macro level factors were associated with stigma among immigrant parents. The findings from hierarchical regressions suggest that familial and ethnic cultural factors are prominent predictors of stigma among Korean Americans, whereas macro level factors are particularly pertinent to Filipino Americans. This study highlights the significance of subgroup specific interventions to be effective in addressing unmet mental care needs in distinct subgroups of Asian Americans.

Effect of body image perception and skin-lightening practices on mental health of Filipino emerging adults: a mixed-methods approach protocol

INTRODUCTION

The rampant distribution of idealised images on the internet may lead the general public to improve their body appearance in a way that is sometimes excessive, compulsive or detrimental to other aspects of their lives. There is a decreasing appreciation of body image among emerging adults and an increasing trend on skin-lightening practices linked with psychological distress. This protocol describes the mixed-method approach to assess the relationships among body image perception, skin-lightening practices and mental well-being of Filipino emerging adults and determine the factors that influence them.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

An explanatory sequential mixed-method approach will be used. A cross-sectional study design will involve an online self-administered questionnaire of 1258 participants, while a case study design will involve in-depth interviews with 25 participants. Data analysis will use generalised linear models and structural equation modelling with a Bayesian network for the quantitative data. Moreover, the qualitative data will use an inductive approach in thematic analysis. A contiguous narrative approach will integrate the quantitative and qualitative data.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The University of the Philippines Manila Review Ethics Board has approved this protocol (UPMREB 2022-0407-01). The study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed articles and conference presentations.

Conceptualising mental illness among University students of African, Caribbean and similar ethnic heritage in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVE

Students of African, Caribbean and similar ethnicity (ACE) encounter unique mental health challenges within the Western higher education system, such as feeling constrained in social spaces and perceiving greater stigma about mental health. Students of ACE are also resilient to mental health problems, such as depression, when enduring social inequality. This study aimed to conceptualise mental illness and help-seeking behaviours among university students in the United Kingdom (UK) in the context of their identity as ACE.

DESIGN

Six university students of ACE in the UK were interviewed about the meaning of mental illness, the influence of ACE culture on mental health and help-seeking by ACE students. Thematic analysis was applied from a socio-constructionist theoretical lens to interpret the interview transcripts.

RESULTS

Five main themes emerged, namely 'Perceived meanings and attitudes toward mental health problems', 'Beliefs about the non-existence of mental health problem and its spiritual attributions', 'Family dynamics and the 'silencing' of mental health problems', 'Help-seeking for mental health among people of ACE' and 'Stigma and discriminatory responses to mental health issues'. Participants expressed that mental health is an imported concept that people from ACE communities tend to shy away from. A reluctance to discuss mental health problems arose over fear of rejection from families and fear of not being understood by a mental health professional from a different cultural background.

CONCLUSION

University students of ACE and their families struggle to adopt the Western conceptualisation of mental health. Consequently, there is poor awareness of mental health issues and stigma of mental illness among university students of ACE which pose a barrier to help-seeking for mental health. The limited sample size constrains the ability to draw sound conclusions. Nonetheless, a culturally sensitive conceptualisation of mental health is needed to address poor help-seeking for mental health among people of ACE.

Preliminary Observations from The FILLED Project (FILipino Lived Experiences during COVID-19)

Health outcomes for Asian American subgroups are often aggregated, masking unique experiences and disparities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically among Filipino Americans (FilAms). The FILLED (Filipino Lived Experiences during COVID-19) Project launched a cross-sectional online survey between April-August 2021 among FilAm adults in Southern California to document community issues and outcomes during the pandemic. Among 223 participants, 47.5% were immigrants, 50.9% identified as essential workers, and 40.6% had a pre-existing health condition before the pandemic. Despite high rates of health insurance (93.3%), 24.4% of the sample did not have a regular health care provider. During the pandemic, 32.7% needed mental health help but did not get it and 44.2% did not know where to get such services. Most respondents felt that the COVID-19 vaccination was a personal responsibility to others (76.9%) and the majority had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (82.4%). Regarding COVID-19 impact, participants reported moderate-severe changes in their daily routines (73.5%), access to extended social support (38.9%), housing issues (15.4%), and access to medical care (11.6%). To our knowledge, this study is the first community-driven effort highlighting FilAm community experiences in Southern California, where the highest proportion of FilAms in the United States reside, specifically after the COVID-19 vaccine was made widely available. The observational findings may help community leaders, policy makers, and public health researchers in the design, development, and implementation of post-pandemic intervention strategies used by community-partnered projects that address FilAm and sub-Asian group health disparities at grassroots to societal levels.

Experiences of Stress and Help-Seeking Behaviors in Filipino Americans

A qualitative study using basic interpretive design identified the experiences of stress and barriers to professional help seeking among Filipino Americans (N = 12). Filipino Americans employed both engagement and disengagement strategies in response to stress characterized by Indigenous, religious, and cultural responses. Filipino Americans preferred to seek support from friends, family, and community leaders and described individual, cultural, and community barriers to pursuing professional mental health services.

Factors Associated with Mental Health Help-Seeking Among Asian Americans: a Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Asian Americans are underutilizing mental health services. The aim of the current systematic review was to identify protective and risk factors of mental health help-seeking patterns among the disaggregated Asian Americans and to classify types of help.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA guidelines. The Health Belief Model served as the theoretical framework for this review. Thirty-four articles were reviewed, and the studies investigated one of the following Asian ethnic subgroups: Chinese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Korean, or Vietnamese. Data were extracted based on the study characteristics, sample characteristics, and protective and risk factors to mental health help-seeking patterns.

RESULTS

Predisposing factors like female gender, higher levels of English proficiency, and history of mental illness increased the likelihood for help-seeking across several ethnic groups. Interestingly, cues to action and structural factors were under-examined. However, cues to action like having a positive social network did increase the likelihood of using formal support services among Chinese and Filipinx participants. Structural factors like lacking ethnic concordant providers and access to healthcare served as barriers for Korean and Vietnamese participants.

DISCUSSION

The findings showed a need for ethnic tailored approaches when supporting mental health help-seeking patterns. Asian ethnic group's immigration status, acculturation level, and psychological barriers to help-seeking should continue to be emphasized. Psychoeducational groups can be beneficial to expand the knowledge base surrounding mental illness and to link group members to culturally responsive resources.

Self-compassion promotes mental help-seeking in older, not in younger, counselors

While self-compassion and mental help-seeking are two important aspects emphasized in mental health literature and counseling practice, very little research has focused on how these two are associated particularly among counseling professionals-individuals providing mental health support to others but whose mental health are often overlooked. This cross-sectional study investigated a moderated mediation model examining the role of age and attitudes in the positive influence of self-compassion on mental help-seeking intention. Using a paper-and-pencil survey, data were collected from a total of 158 Filipino counseling professionals. Results revealed that mental help-seeking attitudes significantly and partially mediated the positive association between self-compassion and mental help-seeking intention. Additionally, age significantly moderated the positive relationship between self-compassion and mental help-seeking attitudes. The significant positive influence of self-compassion on mental help-seeking attitudes was strong among older participants, weak among middle-age, and diminished among younger participants. The findings provided insights on the importance of a self-compassion-based approach to counselor training. The implications of preserving counselors' mental health in counseling practice were discussed.