Vitality Revisited: The Evolving Concept of Flourishing and Its Relevance to Personal and Public Health

Brain Wave Oscillations as an Objective Neurophysiological Biomarker of Homeopathic Subjective Well-Being

BACKGROUND

 Homeopathy uses the "similitude principle" to arouse a therapeutic reaction in the body against its own disorders. For this to occur optimally, the medicinal pathogenetic effects must present similarity with the totality of the individual's symptoms. To assess if this similarity has been successfully achieved, Hahnemann states that "improvement in the disposition and mind"-i.e., subjective well-being-is the most important parameter to consider.

AIM

 Our aim was to perform a narrative review of the literature, exploring what is known about subjective well-being as a marker of therapeutic action, and to formulate ways in which subjective well-being might be quantifiable and applied in future homeopathy research.

RESULTS

 The concept of subjective well-being has been extensively studied in the complementary and conventional medical literature. Improved well-being has been observed in clinical trials, including those in the fields of positive psychology and meditation. Positive subjective outcomes of this nature are supported by objective evidence through associated changes in brain oscillatory activity using electroencephalography and/or "brain mapping" by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Neurophysiological responses in the brain have been identified in subjects after they ingested a homeopathic medicine.

CONCLUSIONS

 The concept of subjective well-being is supported by a body of literature and is a measurable entity. When viewed from the perspective of electrophysiological changes, brain activity is an objective neurophysiological biomarker with a potential to quantify individual well-being in the context of homeopathy research.

Effects of intra-class peer mentorship intervention programme on the academic performances of academically underperforming medical students in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

A significant gap exists in understanding the effectiveness of intra-class (same-class) level peer mentorship programmes designed to enhance academic performance, well-being, and student involvement among underperforming medical students. This study assessed the effectiveness of intra-class (same-class) peer mentorship programme on the academic performances, subjective well-being and school engagement of academically underperforming medical students in Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a quasi-experimental research consisting of the pretest-posttest control design at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. Preclinical medical students from same class level were categorised into three groups: 7 academically underperforming students (mentees) scoring below 45% on the continuous assessment test (CAT), 12 mentors scoring 70% or above, and 30 controls scoring between 50% and 70%. Participants completed the Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS) and the self-University Student Engagement Inventory (USEI) before and after the 6-month programme, led by an experienced educationist. A post-programme CAT assessed academic performance, and quantitative data were analysed using paired-samples t-tests to evaluate changes in academic performance, SVS and USEI. The dimensions of students' subjective vitality and the school engagement were considered in the analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 49 students were included in the study, with 7 (14.3%) in the mentee group, 12 (24.3%) in the mentor group and 30 (61.2%) in the control group. The same-class peer mentorship intervention led to a significant improvement in CAT scores for the mentee group, with their median score rising from 40.0 to 70.0% (p = 0.003), while the control group's median slightly decreased. The mentee group's SVS (p = 0.722) and USEI (p = 0.388) scores non-significantly improved post-intervention. However, specific USEI items revealed significant post-intervention improvements in mentees' classroom engagement or increased participation in discussions (p = 0.001) and enjoyment of school (p = 0.031). SVS items showed non-significant differences between groups post-intervention.

CONCLUSION

The same-class peer mentorship intervention significantly improved CAT scores among academically underperforming medical students, with modest gains in SVS and USEI scores. While overall vitality and engagement changes were not significant, classroom engagement improved. These findings support intra-class peer mentorship in medical education.

Metabonomics and physiology revealed the critical function of 5-Phosphoribosylamine and antioxidant enzymes in enhancing aged oat seed germination

Effective Microorganism (EM) is widely employed as a growth promoter in agricultural practices. The aging of oat seeds not only directly impairs agricultural production but also exerts adverse effects on biodiversity. The mechanism through which EM influence the germination of aging seeds remains unclear. In this experiment, the EM bacterial solution underwent pretreatment, which included the original-solution treatment (OrT), supernatant treatment (SuT), and sterile treatment (StT). Aging of oat seeds was induced using the pretreated EM bacterial solution. In this study, the EM bacterial solution facilitated the enhancement of the germination rate, germination index, and vitality index of aged seeds, with SuT demonstrating the most pronounced effects. Specifically, SuT resulted in a significant increase in APX and POD activities, while significantly reducing the malondialdehyde content. In addition, metabolic profiling highlighted the significance of 5-phosphoribosylamine in the purine metabolic pathway. Particularly in the SuT, the upregulation of 5-phosphoribosylamine facilitated the synthesis of (R)-Allantoin, consequently augmenting antioxidant enzyme activity.

Combating the mental health challenge of loneliness among urban youth: could finding meaning in life and experiencing thriving enhance their well-being?

OBJECTIVE

Loneliness is a growing mental health challenge among youth specially who are residing in urban areas. Factors that might help them combat loneliness need to be investigated. This study investigates the impact of meaning in life on loneliness, thriving, and well-being.

METHOD

A cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected from 328 urban youth aged 18-30 via an online survey. The survey included scales to measure presence of meaning, search for meaning, loneliness, thriving, and social, psychological, and emotional well-being. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the relationships between these variables.

RESULTS

Presence of meaning was significantly positively associated with loneliness and thriving. While search for meaning had no association with loneliness but was significantly positively associated with thriving. Loneliness was significantly negatively associated with social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Thriving was significantly positively associated with social, emotional, and psychological well-being.

DISCUSSION

The findings suggest that cultivating a sense of meaning in life is crucial for reducing loneliness and promoting well-being among urban youth. Educational institutions and mental health agencies should develop programs that help individuals find and pursue meaningful activities to foster thriving. Future research should explore these dynamics in various cultural contexts and utilize longitudinal designs to confirm causality.

Planetary health: A new approach to healing the Anthropocene

The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch reflecting the large-scale impact of human activity on the Earth's natural systems. This era is also characterized by other significant threats to ecologic well-being that are less evident in the sedimentary records. Extensive environmental changes with industrialization and urbanization have also contributed to declining biodiversity and microbial dysbiosis in essential ecosystems-the original and foundational lifeforms that continue to sustain virtually all ecosystems today, including our own. These changes, along with numerous other social and ecologic disruptions at all scales are implicated in the rising rates of physical and mental ill-health, particularly the immune dysregulation and noncommunicable diseases that characterize the Anthropocene. This narrative review considers how urgent structural changes in how we live are essential to the future of human health and the flourishing of all life on Earth. It explores planetary health as a solutions-oriented, transdisciplinary field and social movement aimed at addressing these interconnected global challenges through integrated ecologic approaches. Planetary health considers not only the vital biophysical "planetary boundaries" required to support human flourishing, but also the upstream social, political, and economic ecosystems that support (or undermine) well-being at all scales. The value systems and the worldviews that have contributed to our global challenges are a central consideration in the planetary health agenda-emphasizing the imperative to address structural inequalities, injustices, and the social, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of unrealized human potential. Promoting these inner assets is essential to human flourishing and fostering the cultural capacities necessary to ensure sustainable planetary health.

Flourishing levels among health and non-health profession students in Saudi Arabian colleges

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the levels of flourishing among university students, compare these levels between students in health-related and non-health-related colleges, and identify factors that predict flourishing.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, involving 1,148 students from the first to fourth year across both academic sectors. Data were collected utilizing the self-reported Global Flourishing Study Questionnaire (GFS) during the period from September 2023 to June 2024. Multistage sampling techniques were employed to ensure a representative sample, with data collection facilitated through a self-administered electronic link on QuestionPro resulting in a response rate of 51.7%. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, incorporating descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and regression analysis to identify predictors of flourishing. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed using Cronbach's alpha and Pearson's correlation analysis.

Results

The study included nearly equal proportions of students from health (51.0%) and nonhealth (49.0%) colleges. The average flourishing score was 85.6 (SD=18.6), with a slight increase in health colleges (85.7) compared with non-health colleges (85.4). Factors that significantly affected flourishing included gender, employment status, exercise frequency, experiences of abuse, and income. In the multiple regression analysis, well-being emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by external factors, disposition, and behavior. Gender exhibited a positive association with flourishing, whereas religion had a negative influence. Furthermore, employment and higher income levels were found to positively contribute to flourishing.

Conclusion

This study revealed elevated levels of flourishing among university students in Saudi Arabia, with a notable average score of 85.6. Although the differences between students enrolled in health-related and non-health-related colleges were minimal, significant predictors of flourishing were identified, including well-being, external factors, disposition and behavior, gender, religious affiliation, employment status, income, frequency of exercise, and experience of abuse. These findings underscore the complexity of flourishing and highlight the necessity of considering a range of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors to promote student well-being.

The relationship between physical activity environment, mental wellbeing, flourishing and thriving: A mixed method study

Research shows that mental wellbeing contributes to a greater quality of life and longevity, superior overall health, life success, and fulfillment. High mental wellbeing, such as flourishing and thriving, is associated with a sense of meaning and purpose, mastery and accomplishment, social connectedness, optimism, and contribution to society. Nature-based physical activity participation has been linked with mental wellbeing enhancement over and above the impact of physical activity alone. The present study sought to address a gap in the research by exploring whether the environment in which physical activity takes place and one's gender moderate the relationship between activity time and various indices of mental wellbeing. Using a mixed methods design, participants (N = 235) aged 18 to 76 (M = 33.41, SD = 13.41) completed an online survey. We divided participants into three groups based on their preferred type of physical activity: indoor, outdoor non-nature-based, and outdoor nature-based physical activity. The moderation analyses highlight the importance of the environment in physical activity, with outdoor nature-based settings consistently showing positive associations with flourishing and thriving. These findings suggest that engaging in physical activities in natural environments can significantly predict an individual's mental wellbeing, for both males and females. Qualitative data supported the findings and also revealed that nature-based physical activity achieves these benefits through developing positive affect, social closeness and engagement, purpose, enhanced experiences, and interests beyond oneself. Findings from this study demonstrate the importance of nature-based physical activity for mental wellbeing promotion and protection, indicating that opportunities for nature-based physical activity should be more effectively provided, perhaps across multiple domains of life such as education, sport, public health, and urban planning.

Flourishing among undergraduate nursing students: Insights from a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia

AIM

This study aimed to examine the factors that influence the level of flourishing among nursing students.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit 328 undergraduate nursing students from a nursing college. Data were collected from February to June 2023 using the Global Flourishing Study (GFS) questionnaire, which assesses six domains of flourishing and their determinants. To ensure reliability and validity, a pilot study was conducted and a thorough validation process was employed.

RESULTS

The Flourishing Index ranged from 24.0 to 100.0, with an average score of 74.2 (SD = 14.8). Well-being, disposition and behaviour, as well as external factors, correlated strongly positively with the Flourishing Index (r = 0.741, r = 0.565, r = 0.596, all p < 0.001). The Flourishing level was significantly negatively correlated with religion (r = -0.381, p < 0.001). Married participants had a significantly negative association with flourishing (p = 0.009). Disposition and behaviour were significantly and positively associated with flourishing (p = 0.017). The regression model had goodness of fit (R2  = 0.628) and was significant overall (F = 108.703, p = 0.001). The Flourishing model was established based on well-being, external factors, religion, disposition and behaviour, and marital status.

CONCLUSION

Positive correlations between flourishing and well-being, disposition and external factors suggest areas of improvement. Conversely, the negative association with religion emphasizes the necessity of culturally sensitive approaches. Future studies with larger and more diverse samples, as well as additional variables, are crucial to obtain a deeper understanding of the factors that influence flourishing among nursing students in Saudi Arabia.

Mindfulness intervention effect on endometriosis-related pain dimensions and its mediator role on stress and vitality: a path analysis approach

Endometriosis-related pain is supposedly mainly responsible for generating psychological stress and deteriorating the quality of life. However, the interaction between these factors has not been investigated, considering its multidimensional nature and through the path of effects of psychosocial approaches. The present study aims to investigate the effect of a brief mindfulness-based intervention (bMBI) on pain dimensions and its mediator role on psychological stress and QoL-Vitality improvement. A secondary analysis of a pilot randomized controlled trial using a series of parallel and serial mediators was carried out. The results showed that bMBI improves the sensory (B = -6.09 [-9.81, -2.52], β = -0.42) and affective (B = -3.40 [-5.02, -1.80], β = -0.47) pain. The bMBI effect on psychological stress reduction was mediated by these changes in sensory (B = -2.81 [-6.06, -0.41], β = -0.21) and affective (B = -1.97 [-5.07, -0.17], β = -0.15) pain. Serial sensory pain and psychological stress reduction (B = 2.27 [0.11, 5.81], β = -0.09) mediated the bMBI effect on quality of life vitality. Meditation training promotes additional improvement in affective and sensory pain characteristics through which psychological stress is reduced. The sensory pain dimension must be positively impacted in combination with psychological stress for the bMBI improves women's vitality. Adding a psychosocial intervention like meditation training to the standard treatment plan may be required for some women to achieve the needed changes to restore well-being.