Food insecurity and affective well-being during COVID-19 in the Middle East and North Africa

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic and climate crises have led to unprecedented food insecurity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with ramifications for people's affective well-being. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between food insecurity and affective well-being in Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt, considering varied social protection responses across these countries.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household Panel Survey (2020-2021) and employed hybrid mixed-effects models to differentiate within-person and between-person associations between food insecurity and affective well-being.

RESULTS

The findings show that higher food insecurity is associated with worse affective well-being, with significant cross-country differences. In Jordan, where extensive social protection was enacted during the pandemic, there is no significant within- or between-person association between food insecurity and affective well-being. By contrast, significant between-person associations are found in Morocco and Egypt, while within- and between-person associations are evidenced in Tunisia. These associations hold strong after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and household circumstances.

LIMITATIONS

Given COVID-19 restrictions, the sample was limited to the universe of working-age (18-64) mobile phone users, a demographic that often corresponds to higher levels of education and income. Therefore, the results of this study likely provide conservative estimates of the association between food insecurity and affective well-being in the full population.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings emphasize the critical role of food security in maintaining affective well-being, particularly in non-Western contexts during global crises. They underline the importance of integrating food security considerations into mental health care strategies and interventions.

Chinese calligraphic handwriting practice promotes positive affect in adolescents: Converging evidence from correlational and experimental designs

Chinese calligraphic handwriting (CCH) practice has proven to be beneficial to several aspects of psychological health and has been considered a complementary therapy for mental disorders. However, less is known about whether CCH practice benefits an individual's positive affect, a core component of affective well-being. Therefore, we examined this question in Chinese adolescents by combining correlational and experimental methods. In Study 1 (N = 1460), we found that high school students who practiced CCH had higher positive affect in their daily lives than those who did not practice CCH. In Study 2, a training experiment was conducted with college students, who were randomly assigned to receive either CCH training or no treatment. A six-day short-term CCH training led to a significant benefit in positive affect in the training group (N = 23) relative to the control group (N = 27). Together, our study provides converging evidence that CCH practice can promote positive affect in adolescents, further supporting the promotion of CCH in mental health practice.

Affective well-being of Chinese urban postpartum women: predictive effect of spousal support and maternal role adaptation

Due to shortage of childcare facilities while high social expectations for mothering, becoming a mother is a big life challenge for most women in urban China. The understandings on Chinese postpartum women's affective well-being and its relation with spousal support and maternal role adaptation remain limited. This study aims to investigate the affective well-being (including both positive and negative affect) of Chinese urban postpartum women and how it is associated with spousal support and maternal role adaptation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Shanghai, China, between June and July 2019. A total of 498 urban mothers whose babies were 0 to 1 year old participated in this survey. They completed the Postpartum Social Support Questionnaire (PSSQ), the Maternal Role Adaptation Scale, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and reported socio-demographic information. Results showed that positive and negative affect of postpartum women were not significantly associated with each other. Positive affect had a positive correlation with spousal support and maternal role adaptation. Negative affect was negatively associated with maternal role adaptation, while not significantly associated with spousal support. Maternal role adaptation partially mediated the relationship between spousal support and positive affect of the participants, controlling for age, household income, education, birth order, and inter-generational support. The findings indicate that intervention programs towards mental health of postpartum women should focus more on positive affect cultivation; moreover, clinical services should help postpartum women to adapt to maternal role by encouraging new fathers' or partners' involvement in daily childcare-giving.

Impact of stroke on affective well-being: findings from a large longitudinal nationally representative study

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether the incidence of stroke influences affective well-being (positive affect and negative affect), and whether such a relationship is moderated by general self-efficacy.

METHOD

Longitudinal data from 2008, 2011 and 2014 were used from a population-based sample of community-residing individuals ≥ 40 years in Germany (n = 9,659 in regression analysis). Affective well-being was quantified using the established Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). A well-established scale by Schwarzer and Jerusalem was used to assess general self-efficacy. General practitioner diagnosed stroke was reported.

RESULTS

Fixed effects regressions showed that the incidence of stroke was associated with a decrease in positive affect in the total sample (β = -.17, p < .001) and in both sexes (men: β = -.16, p < .05; women: β = -.19, p < .01). In contrast to these findings, the incidence of stroke was not associated with changes in negative affect (total sample; stratified by sex). Moreover, general self-efficacy moderated the relation between stroke and positive affect.

CONCLUSION

Panel regression models showed that the incidence of stroke was associated with a decline in positive affect in the total sample and in both sexes. As the general self-efficacy moderated this association, it may be beneficial to enhance self-efficacy and prioritize coping strategies among stroke survivals.

The More We Are in Control, the Merrier? Partner Perceived Control and Negative Affect in the Daily Lives of Older Couples

OBJECTIVES

It is well established that daily perceived control is closely associated with lower negative affect (NA) among older adults. However, it is an open question whether control perceptions of one's partner are also uniquely associated with one's own NA.

METHOD

To examine such associations in dyads of older long-term partners, we make use of data obtained 6 times a day over 7 consecutive days as participants went about their everyday lives (N = 87 couples; mean age = 75 years; mean relationship length = 46 years). Our multilevel actor-partner models for dyadic data analyses covary for relevant individual and couple differences in sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported physical health, and cognitive functioning.

RESULTS

Corroborating and extending earlier reports, results reveal that higher momentary perceived control was associated with lower NA. Most importantly, we found that higher momentary perceived control of the partner is additionally and uniquely associated with lower NA of the actor.

DISCUSSION

We discuss possible mechanisms and underlying pathways of how perceived control may help both partners downregulate their negative emotions in daily life. We close by considering conceptual and practical implications.

Feeling too old? Consequences for subjective well-being. Longitudinal findings from the German Ageing Survey

OBJECTIVES

A lack of longitudinal studies exists where the difference between chronological age and perceived age (feeling older/feeling younger) and its association with subjective well-being (SWB) is examined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether these differences are associated with SWB.

METHOD

Longitudinal data (year 2002-2017; n = 18,373 observations in the analytical sample) were taken from the nationally representative German Ageing Survey. To capture SWB comprehensively, positive and negative affect as well as life satisfaction was considered. The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule was used to assess positive and negative affect. Life satisfaction was quantified using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The difference between chronological age and perceived age was used to quantify our main independent variable. More specifically, asymmetric effects were used, i.e. we tested whether changes in negative (chronological age was lower than perceived age, "feeling older") and positive age comparisons (otherwise, "feeling younger") are associated with changes in SWB differently.

RESULTS

Fixed effects regressions showed that feeling younger was associated with a slight increase in life satisfaction (β = .15, p < .001) and positive affect (β = .15, p < .001). Moreover, feeling younger was associated with a slight decrease in negative affect (β=-.07, p < .05). Feeling older was associated with a considerable decrease in life satisfaction (β=-.65, p < .01) and positive affect (β=-.45, p < .01), was well as a considerable increase in negative affect (β = .49, p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlight the importance of negative age comparisons (feeling older) for SWB. Strategies to shift age perceptions may be beneficial for SWB in older individuals.

Demands, Control, Goal-related Feedback, and Case Managers' Affective Well-being: A Two-sample Mediation Study

Purpose: An understudied, but important, topic within the social work literature is the affective well-being of human service case managers. The groundbreaking demand-control (DC) model predicts additive effects for job demands and job control on job-related affective well-being. Meta-analytic data and comprehensive literature reviews report inconclusive findings for this classic additive model.Method: This two-sample cross-sectional field survey study sought to address both issues by testing a recently introduced modified additive model using 810 human service case managers from the state of New York.Results: Mediational analyzes (i.e., structural equation modelling and bootstrapping) confirmed goal-related feedback's intervening role on the job control-wellbeing relationship for each sample.Discussion: Results not only contribute uniquely to the evidence-based social work literature, but also help clarify forty years of inconsistent classic additive model findings.

Adjustment to multiple sclerosis and identity satisfaction among newly diagnosed women: what role does motherhood play?

The present study aimed to describe the levels of depressive symptoms, affective well-being and identity satisfaction in a group of women recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), accounting for differences in age, motherhood, and disease duration. Moreover, the role of identity satisfaction in depressive symptoms and affective well-being was evaluated, examining the moderating effect of motherhood. The study involved 74 women, aged between 19 and 57 years (Mean = 37.7 years, SD = 10.7 years). Thirty-two women (43.2%) had children, aged between 2 and 29 years. All women had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and mild to moderate disability. Mothers experienced greater depressive symptoms than childless women. Moreover, motherhood moderated the effect of disease duration on adjustment, with mothers reporting greater depressive symptoms, less affective well-being and less identity satisfaction than childless women as time passed since the diagnosis. Finally, greater identity satisfaction was related to less depressive symptoms and greater affective well-being, with a moderating effect of motherhood. The results outline the relevance of the process of identity redefinition for women's adjustment to MS early in the illness. Moreover, the results underscore the need to take into account the additional burden of motherhood when promoting women's adjustment to MS.

[Physical activity as therapeutic intervention for depression]

AIM

This article gives a conspectus of the present state of research on the efficiency of exercise as a treatment for patients suffering from depression.

METHODS

A systematic review of articles published between December 1980 and March 2016 was carried out. The review focused on studies that examined the effects of exercise compared to control conditions in the treatment of depression. Extracted and analyzed information from the articles included details about participants, characteristics of exercise and control conditions, assessments, study design and outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 34 of the 48 studies included in the literature search reported a significant reduction of depressive symptoms due to exercise interventions. There was a trend to reduced depressive symptoms following the exercise interventions in five studies. In nine studies no positive impact of exercise on depression and affective well-being could be detected.

DISCUSSION

This review article shows that physical activity decreases depressive symptoms and increases affective well-being in patients with depressive diseases; therefore, exercise should be recommended as a component of depression treatment within the framework of a multi-dimensional approach.

Attachment to Life: Psychometric Analyses of the Valuation of Life Scale and Differences Among Older Adults

PURPOSE OF STUDY

Examine psychometric properties of Lawton's Valuation of Life (VOL) scale, a measure of an older adults' assessment of the perceived value of their lives; and whether ratings differ by race (White, Black/African American) and sex.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The 13-item VOL scale was administered at baseline in 2 separate randomized trials (Advancing Better Living for Elders, ABLE; Get Busy Get Better, GBGB) for a total of 527 older adults. Principal component analyses were applied to a subset of ABLE data (subsample 1) and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on remaining data (subsample 2 and GBGB). Once the factor structure was identified and confirmed, 2 subscales were created, corresponding to optimism and engagement. Convergent validity of total and subscale scores were examined using measures of depressive symptoms, social support, control-oriented strategies, mastery, and behavioral activation. For discriminant validity, indices of health status, physical function, financial strain, cognitive status, and number of falls were examined.

RESULTS

Trial samples (ABLE vs. GBGB) differed by age, race, marital status, education, and employment. Principal component analysis on ABLE subsample 1 (n = 156) yielded two factors subsequently confirmed in confirmatory factor analyses on ABLE subsample 2 (n = 163) and GBGB sample (N = 208) separately. Adequate fit was found for the 2-factor model. Correlational analyses supported strong convergent and discriminant validity. Some statistically significant race and sex differences in subscale scores were found.

IMPLICATIONS

VOL measures subjective appraisals of perceived value of life. Consisting of two interrelated subscales, it offers an efficient approach to ascertain personal attributions.

Reducing psychosocial risks through supervisors' development: a contribution for a brief version of the "Stress Management Competency Indicator Tool"

With the recent changes in the world of work psychosocial risks are increasingly prevalent, causing work stress and physical and mental illnesses, which have a tremendous impact on public health and social participation. Supervisors' behaviour development was proposed as an innovative intervention that can reduce psychosocial risks. The "Stress Management Competency Indicator Tool" is one of the most important questionnaires that assess managers' preventive behaviour. However, its psychometric properties have never been evaluated and the length of the questionnaire (66 items) limits its practical applicability. The aim of this study was to contribute to the development of the questionnaire by providing psychometric evidence on a brief version of the tool focusing on the "Managing and Communicating existing and future Work" cluster of behaviours, which has been found to be the crucial one in terms of stress prevention. A questionnaire was administered to 178 employees of two Italian public organizations (a municipality and a hospital), measuring the supervisors' "Managing and Communicating existing and future Work" competency, and the affective well-being and work team effectiveness. The results showed excellent psychometric properties of the supervisors' behaviour scale and confirmed the expected relationships with criterion outcomes (affective well-being and team effectiveness). Overall, the factorial structure and dimensionality, the construct validity and reliability, and the concurrent validity of the tool were strongly supported by this study. We concluded that the brief version of the scale is a valid and reliable measure that can be easily used in practice and that can contribute to the development of research and practice on this topic.

Does performance management affect nurses' well-being?

AIM

This article focuses on employee performance-management practices in the healthcare sector. We specifically aim to contribute to a better understanding of the impact of employee performance-management practices on affective well-being of nurses in hospitals. Theory suggests that the features of employee-performance management (planning and evaluation of individual performances) predict affective well-being (in this study: job satisfaction and affective commitment).

METHODS

Performance-management planning and evaluation and affective well-being were drawn from a survey of nurses at a Flemish hospital. Separate estimations were performed for different aspects of affective well-being.

RESULTS

Performance planning has a negative effect on job satisfaction of nurses. Both vertical alignment and satisfaction with the employee performance-management system increase the affective well-being of nurses; however, the impact of vertical alignment differs for different aspects of affective well-being (i.e. job satisfaction and affective commitment).

CONCLUSION

Performance-management planning and evaluation of nurses are associated with attitudinal outcomes. The results indicate that employee performance-management features have different impacts on different aspects of well-being.