Relevance of Gender and Social Support in Self-Rated Health and Life Satisfaction in Elderly Spanish People

The Moderating Effect of Personal Assets in the Relationships between Subjective Health, Housing Expense, and Life Satisfaction for Korean Middle and Old-Aged

The proportion of the elderly in Korea has increased. Given the circumstances, this research is intended to explore the characteristics of the elderly. The aim of this research is to explore the antecedents of life satisfaction in the Korean elderly using subjective health. Next, the goal of this research is to appraise the moderating effect of personal assets in the relationship between life satisfaction and housing expenses. The study data consist of 7199 observations from the 2018 and 2020 waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLOSA). This research uses econometric analysis to test the research hypotheses, which include ordinary least squares, fixed-effects, and random-effects regression analyses. Following ordinary least squares, fixed-effects, and random-effects regression analyses, the results indicate a positive influence of subjective health on older Koreans' life satisfaction. Additionally, personal assets positively moderate the association between housing expense and life satisfaction, the most valuable finding of the study. This research sheds light on the literature by revealing the moderating effect on the relationship between housing expense and life satisfaction. Moreover, the results could be used for better policy design with respect to the middle- and old-aged members Korean society.

Predictors of Unmet Needs in Chilean Older People with Dependency: A Cross-Sectional Study

Approximately one in five Chilean older adults has some degree of dependency. Limited evidence is available on self-perceived needs in Latin-American older people. The main aim of this study was to identify predictors of unmet needs of dependent older persons without cognitive impairment, considering personal and primary informal caregivers' factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 77 dyads of older people with dependency and their caregivers. A survey was administered, evaluating sociodemographic characteristics, anxious and depressive symptomatology, health-related quality of life, and social support. Older people's self-reported met and unmet needs and caregivers' burden and self-efficacy were also assessed. To determine predictors of unmet needs, a multiple regression analysis was carried out. Most participants had mild to moderate levels of dependency. The most frequent unmet needs were "daytime activities" (33.8%), "company" (23.4%), "benefits" (23.4%), and "psychological distress" (24.7%). Older people's higher level of dependency and anxious symptomatology were predictors of a higher number of unmet needs, with a model whose predictive value was 31%. The high prevalence of anxious symptomatology and its relationship with the presence of unmet needs highlight the importance of making older people's psychological and social needs visible and addressing them promptly.

The mental health of rural older adults: the role of the built environment in Jintang County

The mental health of older adults has become one of the major health challenges facing society today, which has attracted wide concerns from scholars in urban areas, but research in rural areas has been neglected. Therefore, this paper took rural older adult residents of 11 sample villages in Jintang County, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, as the research object. After controlling the demographic characteristics of older adults in rural areas, this paper attempted to explore the effects of the rural built Environment on the mental health of older adults. Through field investigation in the sample villages, 515 valid questionnaires were obtained. The results from the Binary Logistic Regression Model show that good marital status, physical health, education level, well-constructed roads, and safe neighborhoods had significant positive effects on the mental health of rural older adults. Rural older adults who prefer to walk, cycle, and use public transport have better mental health, and accessibility to the periodic market, health station, bus station, village committee, supermarket, and the main road is positively correlated with the mental health of rural older adults, while the distance from home to the town center and coach terminal has a significant negative impact on the mental health of rural older adults. The research results provide a theoretical reference for further construction of rural aging environments.

The Czech version of the life satisfaction index for the third age-short form (LSITA-SF12): Psychometric properties

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of life satisfaction of older people using standardised tools can play a crucial role in evaluating the effectiveness of policy measures aimed at mitigating the effects of population aging.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to verify the psychometric properties of the Czech version of a 12-item scale (the Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age) for older people living in the community.

METHODS

The research involved 1113 older people from the Moravian-Silesian Region over 60 years of age living in a home environment. For the newly created Czech version of LSITA-SF12, we tested validity (construct validity and convergent validity) and reliability (internal consistency).

RESULTS

We confirmed a single-factor model for the LSITA-SF12 scale (χ²  = 71.33, p <  .001, CFI = 0.995, TLI = 0.994, RMSEA = 0.065, SRMR = 0.056, GFI = 0.999) by confirmatory factor analysis and load factor analysis (values of explorations ≥0.45). The internal consistency of the scale was satisfactory (α = 0.878). Furthermore, there was a medium correlation rate (r = 0.592; p <  .001) between the overall score of the LSITA-SF and quality-of-life score (OPQoL-Brief).

CONCLUSIONS

We found the Czech version of the LSITA-SF12 questionnaire to have satisfactory psychometric properties. The questionnaire is suitable for use in research and clinical practice to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive measures.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov. PRS Protocol Registration and Results System; NCT05637177.

IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE

The LSITA_SF12 questionnaire can beadministered by a community gerontological nurse and can be used in clinicalpractice and research.

Relationship between the Engel Coefficient, Life Satisfaction, and Subjective Health for Senior Citizens in Korea: Moderating Effect of COVID-19

The purpose of this study was to explore the determinants of life satisfaction for Korean senior citizens. Subjective health and the Engel coefficient were used as the explanatory variables. This research also aimed to examine the moderating effect of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the relationship between the Engel coefficient and life satisfaction for Korean senior citizens. Archival data (Korean longitudinal study of aging) were used for this work. The study period is 2018 and 2020; the number of observations was 3879. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the research hypotheses. To examine further, this research performed additional analyses: sub-sample analysis, median split, and independence tests. The results indicated that the Engel coefficient is negatively associated with life satisfaction, while subjective health is positively related to life satisfaction. Moreover, Korean senior citizens' life satisfaction was higher during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research provides information for building policy for senior Korean citizens.

Self-Rated Health and Life Satisfaction among Elderly Migrants in China: A Moderated Mediation Model of Resilience and Upward Intergenerational Support

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to test whether resilience mediates the association between self-rated health and life satisfaction and the moderated effect of upward intergenerational support among elderly migrants in China.

METHOD

We used self-reported data collected from 654 elderly migrants in Nanjing. The regression analysis using bootstrapping methods was conducted to explore the mediating and moderating effects.

RESULTS

Resilience mediated the relationship between self-rated health and life satisfaction among elderly migrants in China. The moderated mediation analysis indicated that the upward intergenerational support moderated the path between self-rated health and resilience. Specifically, compared with those with a low level of emotional support, the self-rated health of elderly migrants with a high level of emotional support has a stronger effect on resilience. Moreover, the self-rated health of elderly migrants with a low level of financial support has a stronger effect on resilience than those with a higher level of financial support.

CONCLUSION

Resilience could partially mediate the effect of self-rated health on life satisfaction among elderly migrants in China, and upward intergenerational support moderated the indirect relationship between self-rated health and life satisfaction via resilience.

Emotional Universe of Nurse Case Managers Regarding Care for Elderly at Risk in Spain: A Hermeneutical Study

The role of nurse case managers (NCM) involves a rarely visible emotional labor, even more when their role focuses on the care of elders at risk (EAR). Motivated by the lack of qualitative research on the emotional universe of NCM, this study explores the emotional universe (EU) of NCM regarding the care they provide to EAR in primary health care as well as the reasons that generate these emotions. An interpretative-phenomenological approach was implemented in southern Spain, with a purposive sampling that included nurses playing the NCM role for at least three years. Data collection was conducted in two periods (between September 2019 and July 2022). The primary collection tool was the semi-structured individual interview, with starting categories based on Bisquerra's EU taxonomy. The analysis followed Ricoeur's considerations, using the Nvivo software. In the NCM's EU, the recognition of the social phenomena stands out, with an open feeling of empathy regarding the desire of the EAR to continue living at home. However, there was also helplessness, resignation, disappointment, and frustration when EAR rejected their proposals. Furthermore, the system's limitations aroused compassion in the NCM and made them go beyond the limits of their role. This EU requires that their role be valued more, and higher responsiveness must be enforced to improve EAR care.

The Relationship between Social Participation and Subjective Well-Being among Older People in the Chinese Culture Context: The Mediating Effect of Reciprocity Beliefs

It is demonstrated that the subjective well-being (SWB) of older people greatly relies on their social participation. However, there are few studies on reciprocity beliefs as a mediating mechanism between social participation and SWB. In this study, 297 participants aged 60 and over in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, completed a questionnaire of social participation, reciprocity beliefs, and SWB. We used multiple linear regression and mediation analyses to verify the mediating effect of reciprocity beliefs. Results showed that social participation was positively relative to SWB and reciprocity beliefs, and reciprocity beliefs played an intermediary role in social participation and SWB. These findings suggest the importance of social participation for SWB, with reciprocity beliefs (behaviors) playing a positive mediating role, particularly in China. In conclusion, analysis of the mediating effect of reciprocity beliefs provides us with knowledge that could help in achieving a healthy old age. Additionally, this study opens up new perspectives of research.

Predictors of Satisfaction With Life and Health Status of Older People in Brunei: A Gender Comparative Study

Objective: To investigate predictors of life satisfaction and healthy aging with focus on gender differences among older people in Brunei Darussalam.

Methods: A cross-sectional study on older people recruited by proportionate sampling. Multiple linear regression stratified by gender was applied.

Results: 45.6% of life satisfaction of older women were strongly associated with self-perceived health, social relationship, and education level. For older men, 26.3% of the variance of life satisfaction was predicted by physical functioning or disability, and social relationship. For older women, 38.9% of the variance of health status can be explained with satisfaction with life, and difficulty to do daily tasks. For older men, 33.1% of the variance of health status can be accounted by income, number of children, presence of chronic illness, and diabetes.

Conclusion: This paper discusses the unique gender differences of older people from a global perspective. Policymakers and stakeholders need to account for local and contextual differences before adopting international guideline. Particularly, on the maintenance or further promotion social interactions, active engaging elderly in health maintenance, and physical and mental functioning of the older population.

Family Networks, Social Networks, and Life Satisfaction of Older Adults in China

Older adults’ family networks and social networks are important factors that influence life satisfaction, but their transmission mechanisms have not been adequately discussed. The objective of this study was to examine the mechanisms through which family networks and social networks influence the life satisfaction of older adults. We empirically examined the effects and mechanisms of older adults’ family networks and social networks on their life satisfaction using the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey with a sample size of 11,418 older adults aged 60 years and older. In the research sample, 6.47% of older adults were subjected to at least one form of mistreatment. The research results indicate that family networks (β = 0.0060, p < 0.05) and social networks (β = 0.0122, p < 0.01) have a significant positive effect on older adults’ life satisfaction. The mechanism-of-action test found that family networks and social networks enhance older adults’ life satisfaction, mainly by reducing the level of physical mistreatment they experience, but these networks cannot improve the life satisfaction of the elderly by reducing their emotional mistreatment. Further research found that community-provided medical escorts, home chores, and meal delivery services can all alleviate the decline in life satisfaction among older adults due to emotional mistreatment. This study deepens our understanding of how older adults’ family and social networks affect their life satisfaction as we examine the mediating role of the physical and emotional mistreatment of older adults and discuss the effects of potential policy interventions.

Effects of Health-Related Behaviors and Changes on Successful Aging among Indonesian Older People

Whether changes in health behaviors can improve successful aging has not been well explored. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of health-related behaviors and changes on successful aging in Indonesian older adults. Data were from the fourth and fifth waves of the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS), the participants were aged 60 years and older and who completed both waves (n = 1289). Successful aging indicators were defined as no chronic diseases, no physical function difficulties, no depressive symptoms, intact cognitive function, with social support, and with social participation. Health-related behaviors focused on smoking, physical activities, and protein intake. A logistic regression analysis was conducted. The overall successful aging rate in 2007 was 23.6%, and it had decreased to 5.6% by 2014. There were gender differences in smoking, physical activities, and behavioral changes, including promoting increased physical activity, no smoking/smoking cessation, and adequate protein intake by older adults. Quitting smoking, performing medium physical activity, and increasing protein intake were protective factors for successful aging, but the effects of behavioral changes differed by gender. Health-related behaviors and changes may impact successful aging among older adults. A healthy lifestyle is suggested to be adopted as early as possible in one's life course.

Relationship between subjective socioeconomic status and sense of gain of health-care reform and the mediating role of self-rated health: a cross-sectional study in China

BACKGROUND

The sense of gain has gradually become the main evaluation index for the effectiveness of China's deepening reform and is affected by many factors. However, there is no relevant research on the sense of gain of health-care reform (SGHR) and its influencing factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of subjective socioeconomic status (SSS) on SGHR and the mediating role of self-rated health (SRH) between them.

METHODS

Data (25,149 samples total) from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2018 were included in the analysis. A nonparametric test was used to explore the differences in demographic characteristics of SGHR, and a correlation analysis and mediating effect model were used to explore the influence of SSS on SGHR and the mediating effect of SRH.

RESULTS

Demographic characteristics such as age, urban and rural areas, educational background, marriage and choice of medical treatment had significant differences in the distribution of perceived acquisition of medical reform. SSS, SRH and SGHR are statistically positively correlated with each other. SSS has a positive statistical correlation with SGHR, and may have an indirect effect through SRH.

CONCLUSIONS

SSS is an important predictor of SGHR, and SRH may play a partially mediating role in SGHR.

Caregiving and Caregiver Health 1 Year into the COVID-19 Pandemic (CUIDAR-SE Study): A Gender Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of informal care and shown that women continue to shoulder the brunt of responsibilities in this area. In this study, we analyzed differences in caregiving and self-perceived health in a group of informal male and female caregivers 1 year into the COVID-19 pandemic. We performed a cross-sectional survey of 261 informal caregivers (165 women and 96 men) in two regions of Spain using computer-assisted telephone interviewing between February and April 2021. We performed descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses to calculate the odds of poor self-perceived health according to different caregiver, care recipient, and caregiving characteristics. We also analyzed the perceived effects of the pandemic on caregiving, caregiver health, and other aspects of life. Compared with male caregivers, female caregivers were more likely to experience increases in caregiving intensity and burden and a decline in self-perceived health as a result of the pandemic. Men providing high-intensity care, however, also reported deteriorated health. Men experienced fewer reductions in informal support, a factor that exerted a protective health effect. Women, by contrast, experienced a reduction in all support systems and in this case, a third-level education exerted a protective effect. Our results provide key insights that should be taken into account to design gender-based interventions aimed at supporting already stretched and burdened caregivers. A greater sharing of responsibilities and more resources are needed.

A cross-sectional study of disability and quality of life in patients with low back pain: Focus on sex and gender

BACKGROUND

Sex and gender affect responses to pain, but little is known about disability and quality of life.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of sex and gender on disability and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with low back pain.

METHODS

Ninety-three patients with low back pain were included in this cross-sectional survey study. Disability, HRQOL and gender identity were respectively assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form-36 and Bem Sex Role Inventory. The participants were classified into four gender role orientations (masculinity, femininity, androgyny and undifferentiated). One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze both the sex and the gender role orientation.

RESULTS

Females had higher disability than males (p< 0.05), but in gender identity, no significant difference was found. Seven domains of HRQOL were lower than the healthy norms. Males experienced greater impacts than females on vitality and mental health (p< 0.05). For gender identity, five domains of HRQOL had significant differences (p< 0.05). Masculinity orientation had the least impact on four domains (p< 0.05), while undifferentiated orientation had the largest impact on all domains.

CONCLUSION

Sex and gender effects can be used to analyze disability and HRQOL in patients with low back pain. Females have higher disability, while HRQOL is greatly influenced by different gender role orientations.

Institutional Satisfaction and Anxiety Mediate the Relationship Between Social Support and Depression in Hypertension Patients in Elderly Caring Social Organizations: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Depression is a prevalent health condition among hypertension patients in elderly caring social organizations (SOs). Patients with hypertension and depression symptoms have worse health outcomes than those without depression. As the population ages, chronic and mental health issues such as depression of hypertension patients in elderly caring SOs have become prominent. However, the combined effects of social support, institutional satisfaction, and anxiety on depression among hypertension individuals in elderly caring SOs remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the mediating effects of institutional satisfaction and anxiety on the relationship between social support and depression among hypertension patients in elderly caring SOs in Anhui Province, China.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. A questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic characteristics, the satisfaction of elderly caring SOs, social support, anxiety, and depression. A multiple linear regression model was utilized to investigate depression-related factors, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the relationships between social support, institutional satisfaction, anxiety, and depression among patients with hypertension in elderly caring SOs.

Results: Our results indicated that the mean scores of social support were 20.19 ± 6.98 and 1.92 ± 3.18 for anxiety, and 6.24 ± 5.03 for depression; besides, 33.3% of participants were very satisfied with elderly caring SOs, 48.5% were satisfied, and only 6.0% were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Comorbid chronic diseases were significantly associated with depression. Institutional satisfaction was directly negatively related to depression, whereas anxiety was directly positively correlated with depression. Social support had an indirect negative association with depression by the mediating effects of institutional satisfaction and anxiety.

Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of social support in maintaining mental health among hypertension patients residing in elderly caring SOs. To alleviate depression among hypertension patients in elderly caring SOs, strategies that target enhancing social support, institutional satisfaction, and anxiety reduction should be prioritized. More importantly, more attention should be paid to patients with comorbid chronic diseases.

Is Loneliness an Undervalued Pathway between Socio-Economic Disadvantage and Health?

Loneliness is a growing public health issue. It is more common in disadvantaged groups and has been associated with a range of poor health outcomes. Loneliness may also form an independent pathway between socio-economic disadvantage and poor health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the contribution of loneliness to socio-economic health inequalities. These contributions were studied in a Dutch national sample (n = 445,748 adults (≥19 y.o.)) in Poisson and logistic regression models, controlling for age, gender, marital status, migration background, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity. Loneliness explained 21% of socioeconomic health inequalities between the lowest and highest socio-economic groups in self-reported chronic disease prevalence, 27% in poorer self-rated health, and 51% in psychological distress. Subgroup analyses revealed that for young adults, loneliness had a larger contribution to socioeconomic gaps in self-rated health (37%) than in 80+-year-olds (16%). Our findings suggest that loneliness may be a social determinant of health, contributing to the socioeconomic health gap independently of well-documented factors such as lifestyles and demographics, in particular for young adults. Public health policies targeting socioeconomic health inequalities could benefit from integrating loneliness into their policies, especially for young adults.

The central role of social support in the health of Chinese and Korean American immigrants

Prior research contends that social support positively influences health by optimizing individuals' psychological processes such as appraisals, emotions, and sense of control-known as stress-buffering effects. This study tests this theoretical concept by examining whether the association between social support and health can be explained by the psychological processes of perceived stress and distress among Chinese and Korean American immigrants. Furthermore, we examine what predicts social support in this population, with a particular focus on factors related to immigration. Using a total sample of 400 Chinese and Korean American immigrants, we examine the association between social support and self-rated health (SRH), accounting for demographic factors, socioeconomic status, perceived stress, and perceived distress using multivariable logistic regression models. We conducted a mediation analysis using the Karlson, Holm, and Breen (KHB) method to determine whether perceived stress and distress partly explained the association between social support and SRH. Findings showed a strong total effect of higher social support on better SRH. Furthermore, mediation was detected, with perceived stress and distress explaining 42.98% of the total effect of social support on SRH. Multivariable linear regression models revealed that social support among Chinese and Korean American immigrants was associated with marital status, employment, ethnic identity, and acculturative stress. This study highlights the centrality of social support for Chinese and Korean American immigrants, which lowers perceived stress and distress, leading to better overall health. By confirming these stress-buffering effects, our findings suggest that bolstering social support among vulnerable Chinese and Korean American immigrant populations can have a positive effect on health by optimizing stress appraisals.

Health, Work, and Social Problems in Spanish Informal Caregivers: Does Gender Matter? (The CUIDAR-SE Study)

(1) Background: The aim of this study was (i) to analyze problems faced by informal caregivers in three areas of their life: health, work and finances, and family and social relationships, (ii) to investigate the main determinants of these problems, and (iii) to explore differences between men and women. (2) Methods: The study population consisted of people aged ≥18 years living in a family home who were providing unpaid care to a dependent person in the same or another home and who were registered as caregivers with the Primary Health Care District of Granada or the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. Several logistic regression models were built to analyze the likelihood of caregivers experiencing health, work-related, or social problems as a result of their caregiving responsibilities. (3) Results: Informal female caregivers were more likely to experience problems attributed to caregiving than their male counterparts, particularly in the areas of health and work. Additional factors associated with an increased likelihood of problems were low perceived social support, performance of ungratifying tasks, and fewer years as a caregiver. (4) Conclusions: Informal caregivers in Spain face significant problems as a result of their caregiving duties, and the impact on men and women is different. Policies and interventions to mitigate the negative effects of unpaid caregiving should incorporate differential strategies to meet the specific needs of male and female caregivers in different caregiving contexts.

Art and Cultural Participation and Life Satisfaction in Adults: The Role of Physical Health, Mental Health, and Interpersonal Relationships

Many different forms of art and cultural participation, for example, visiting museums and galleries, have received increasing attention as an important new focus for public health. While a growing body of evidence suggests that art and cultural participation enhance human health and well-being in the West, the research is just in the infancy in the East. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of art and cultural participation of museums and galleries on life satisfaction intervened and controlled by physical and mental health and interpersonal relationships and individual's background. This study adopted large-sample data from the seventh period of the Taiwan Social Change Survey. The sample population comprised 2,034 adult participants, involving 1,042 males and 992 females. The average age of the respondents was 47.67 ± 17.48 years. The results showed that individuals aged 30–64 years with an average monthly income between NT$20,000–NT$40,000 had a higher frequency of art and cultural participation of museums and galleries. Women under 29 years reported better life satisfaction. Individuals with a higher frequency of art and cultural participation of museums and galleries affected life satisfaction not only directly but also indirectly through interpersonal relationships, particularly among women and the elderly. Individuals who visited museums and galleries more frequently had greater life satisfaction and higher frequency of interpersonal contact. This was particularly evident in older females. Art and cultural participation of museums and galleries directly affected individual's life satisfaction and indirectly affected it via interpersonal relationships after controlling for gender, age, and monthly income. These findings indicate that visiting museums and galleries can enhance the frequency of interpersonal interactions and life satisfaction.

Psychosocial Resources for Hedonic Balance, Life Satisfaction and Happiness in the Elderly: A Path Analysis

We explored possible paths from physical and mental health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, optimism, and social support to happiness in older adults, considering hedonic balance and life satisfaction as mediators. A total of 154 Spanish male and female (50%) older adults (65–96 years old, M = 77.44, SD = 8.03; 64% noninstitutionalized elderly) voluntarily participated in this correlational, cross-sectional study. The participants completed self-reports on their perceived health status, self-efficacy, social support, optimism, and global subjective well-being (SWB) as well as its dimensions. Path analysis was used to examine direct and indirect relationships. The final model had an excellent fit with the data (χ2(10) = 11.837, p = 0.296, χ2/df = 1.184; SRMR = 0.050, CFI = 0.994, RMSEA = 0.035), revealing the unique causal effects of all the included predictors on happiness. With the exception of self-efficacy, the psychosocial resources predicted older adults’ current happiness, and this relationship was fully mediated by hedonic balance and life satisfaction, which were found to be putative intermediary factors for SWB. Self-efficacy in turn predicted the remaining psychosocial resources. Our findings extend the existing evidence on the influences of health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, optimism, and social support on SWB. Furthermore, they support the proposal of hedonic balance and life satisfaction as dimensions of SWB, thus supporting the tripartite hierarchical model of happiness. These results may inform future interventions seeking to improve happiness in late adulthood.

The Importance of Work-Related Events and Changes in Psychological Distress and Life Satisfaction amongst Young Workers in Spain: A Gender Analysis

A relentless stream of social, technological, and economic changes have impacted the workplace, affecting young people in particular. Such changes can be a major source of stress and can cause a threat to health and well-being. The aim of this paper is to understand the importance of work-related events and changes in the psychological distress and life satisfaction of young workers in Spain. A transversal study was carried out on a sample comprising 509 men and 396 women aged between 26 and 35 years old. The results showed that there were no differences between the men and women in the number of work-related events and changes experienced in the last 12 months, nor in terms of job satisfaction. The results from the multiple regression analysis showed that a greater number of work-related events and changes experienced during the last 12 months were associated with increased psychological distress and reduced life satisfaction amongst men, but this was not the case for women. Although job satisfaction was independent from the men and women’s psychological distress when self-esteem and social support was included in the regression equation, greater job satisfaction was associated with greater life satisfaction for both men and women. It concludes that work-related events and job satisfaction are important for the health and well-being of young people, even though a larger number of work-related events and changes is associated with increased psychological distress and reduced life satisfaction for men only.

Gender difference in the association of coping styles and social support with psychological distress among patients with end-stage renal disease

Objectives

The study aimed to explore the association of coping styles and social support with psychological distress among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) as well as gender differences in these associations.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 769 ESRD patients was conducted at 25 hospitals in Qiqihar City, China. All information was collected using structured questionnaires that were self-administered by the patients. Patients' psychological health status, coping styles and perceived social support were measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Student's t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and binary logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis.

Results

A total of 72.3% of participants reported psychological distress, and the prevalence of distress was higher in females (77.0%) than in males (68.8%). The usage of the acceptance-resignation coping style was positively related to psychological distress (B = 0.459, P < 0.001). Social support level was negatively associated with psychological distress (B = -0.049, P < 0.001). The use of the confrontation style was negatively related to psychological distress in females (OR = 0.87, 95% CI [0.78-0.96]) but not in males (OR = 0.98, 95% CI [0.91-1.06]) (P for interaction term = 0.007).

Conclusions

Greater use of the acceptance-resignation style and lower social support are related to a higher risk of psychological distress. Greater use of the confrontation style is related to a lower risk of psychological distress in females but not in males.