scholarly journals Becoming Resilient: Promoting the Mental Health and Well-Being of Immigrant Women in a Canadian Context

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith A. MacDonnell ◽  
Mahdieh Dastjerdi ◽  
Nimo Bokore ◽  
Nazilla Khanlou

This paper reports on grounded theory findings that are relevant to promoting the mental health and well-being of immigrant women in Canada. The findings illustrate how relationships among settlement factors and dynamics of empowerment had implications for “becoming resilient” as immigrant women and how various health promotion approaches enhanced their well-being. Dimensions of empowerment were embedded in the content and process of the feminist health promotion approach used in this study. Four focus groups were completed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 35 racialized immigrant women who represented diverse countries of origin: 25 were from Africa; others were equally represented from South Asia (5), Asia (5), and Central or South America and the Caribbean (5). Participants represented diverse languages, family dynamics, and educational backgrounds. One focus group was conducted in Somali; three were conducted in English. Constructivist grounded theory, theoretical sampling, and a critical feminist approach were chosen to be congruent with health promotion research that fostered women’s empowerment. Findings foreground women’s agency in the study process, the ways that immigrant women name and frame issues relevant to their lives, and the interplay among individual, family, community, and structural dynamics shaping their well-being. Implications for mental health promotion are discussed.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikki Du Preez ◽  
Retha De La Harpe

BACKGROUND Changes noted within the aging population are physical, cognitive, as well as emotional. Social isolation and loneliness are also serious problems that the aging population may encounter. As technology and apps become more accessible, many basic services, such as those offered by social services, well-being organizations, and health care institutions, have invested in the development of supportive devices, services, and Web-based interactions. Despite the perceived benefits that these devices and services offer, many aging individuals choose not to engage, or engage in a limited manner. To explore this phenomenon, we developed a theory to describe the condition for engagement. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to understand the perceptions of an aging South African population regarding Web-based services and technologies that could support aging in place (AiP). Although the concept of AiP speaks to a great number of everyday activities, this paper explores aspects of health and well-being as being central to AiP. METHODS The study used a grounded theory (GT) methodology, relying on an iterative and simultaneous process of data collection, coding, category development, and data comparisons. Data were collected through qualitative methods, including interviews (13 participants aged between 64 and 85 years), 2 participatory workshops (15 participants), and observations. The study focused on Charmaz’s approach to constructivist GT, which puts forward the premise that theory or knowledge cannot take shape in a purely objective manner. Instead, theory is constructed through the interaction of the researcher and research participant. Coding and data analysis were supported with ATLAS.ti (ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development GmbH). RESULTS The study resulted in a substantive theory exploring the process of interaction and engaging factors through user insights and experiences. The emerging design theory, Ageing User Decision-Driven Engagement (AUDDE), explored the elements that support engagement with technology and supportive apps, which could offer access to required health and wellness services. CONCLUSIONS In AUDDE, the perceived value of the interaction is a crucial catalyst for engagement. Aging users continuously make meaning of their experiences, which affects their current and future actions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine Przybylko ◽  
Darren Morton ◽  
Jason Morton ◽  
Melanie Renfrew

BACKGROUND The global prevalence of mental health disorders is at a crisis point, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, prompting calls for the development of digital interdisciplinary mental health promotion interventions (MHPIs) for nonclinical cohorts. However, the influence of gender and age on the outcomes of and adherence to MHPIs is not well understood. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the influence of gender and age on the outcomes of and adherence to a 10-week digital interdisciplinary MHPI that integrates strategies from positive psychology and lifestyle medicine and utilizes persuasive systems design (PSD) principles in a nonclinical setting. METHODS This study involved 488 participants who completed the digital interdisciplinary MHPI. Participants completed a pre and postintervention questionnaire that used: (1) the “mental health” and “vitality” subscales from the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey; (2) the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21); and (3) Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWL). Adherence to the digital interdisciplinary MHPI was measured by the number of educational videos the participants viewed and the extent to which they engaged in experiential challenge activities offered as part of the program. RESULTS On average, the participants (N=488; mean age 47.1 years, SD 14.1; 77.5% women) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all mental health and well-being outcome measures, and a significant gender and age interaction was observed. Women tended to experience greater improvements than men in the mental health and well-being measures, and older men experienced greater improvements than younger men in the mental health and vitality subscales. Multiple analysis of variance results of the adherence measures indicated a significant difference for age but not gender. No statistically significant interaction between gender and age was observed for adherence measures. CONCLUSIONS Digital interdisciplinary MHPIs that utilize PSD principles can improve the mental health and well-being of nonclinical cohorts, regardless of gender or age. Hence, there may be a benefit in utilizing PSD principles to develop universal MHPIs such as that employed in this study, which can be used across gender and age groups. Future research should examine which PSD principles optimize universal digital interdisciplinary MHPIs. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619000993190; http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377889 and Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001009101; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12619001009101.aspx


10.2196/29866 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e29866
Author(s):  
Geraldine Przybylko ◽  
Darren Morton ◽  
Jason Morton ◽  
Melanie Renfrew

Background The global prevalence of mental health disorders is at a crisis point, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, prompting calls for the development of digital interdisciplinary mental health promotion interventions (MHPIs) for nonclinical cohorts. However, the influence of gender and age on the outcomes of and adherence to MHPIs is not well understood. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the influence of gender and age on the outcomes of and adherence to a 10-week digital interdisciplinary MHPI that integrates strategies from positive psychology and lifestyle medicine and utilizes persuasive systems design (PSD) principles in a nonclinical setting. Methods This study involved 488 participants who completed the digital interdisciplinary MHPI. Participants completed a pre and postintervention questionnaire that used: (1) the “mental health” and “vitality” subscales from the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey; (2) the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21); and (3) Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWL). Adherence to the digital interdisciplinary MHPI was measured by the number of educational videos the participants viewed and the extent to which they engaged in experiential challenge activities offered as part of the program. Results On average, the participants (N=488; mean age 47.1 years, SD 14.1; 77.5% women) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all mental health and well-being outcome measures, and a significant gender and age interaction was observed. Women tended to experience greater improvements than men in the mental health and well-being measures, and older men experienced greater improvements than younger men in the mental health and vitality subscales. Multiple analysis of variance results of the adherence measures indicated a significant difference for age but not gender. No statistically significant interaction between gender and age was observed for adherence measures. Conclusions Digital interdisciplinary MHPIs that utilize PSD principles can improve the mental health and well-being of nonclinical cohorts, regardless of gender or age. Hence, there may be a benefit in utilizing PSD principles to develop universal MHPIs such as that employed in this study, which can be used across gender and age groups. Future research should examine which PSD principles optimize universal digital interdisciplinary MHPIs. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619000993190; http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377889 and Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001009101; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12619001009101.aspx


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristiina Puolakka ◽  
Anne Konu ◽  
Irma Kiikkala ◽  
Eija Paavilainen

While developing mental health work in schools, it is very important to consider the viewpoint of pupils. Parents can also give remarkable information on their children’s viewpoint. The purpose of this study was to produce a description of the concepts used by schoolchildren aged 12–16 years and their families associated with promoting mental health in schools. The research material comprised interviews with schoolchildren and mothers, and verbal answers from the school well-being profile survey(n=426). The analysis was conducted by applying the grounded theory method as introduced by Strauss. The study was conducted in a Finnish comprehensive school.


2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 522-530
Author(s):  
Fiona H. McKay ◽  
Hayley McKenzie

The value of incorporating arts-based approaches into health promotion programs has long been recognized as useful in affecting change. Such approaches have been used in many schools across Australia and have been found to promote general well-being and mental health. Despite these positive findings, few programs have used or evaluated an integrated arts-based approach to achieve health and well-being goals. This article presents the findings of an evaluation of an integrated arts-based program focused on creativity and improving well-being in students. The findings of this evaluation suggest that students who took part in the program were more interested in art and music at the end of the program and had gained an overall increase in awareness and mindfulness and a positivity toward leisure activities. This evaluation provides some evidence to suggest that this type of program is a promising way to promote well-being in schools.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Wüstner ◽  
C Otto ◽  
F Reiss ◽  
C Voss ◽  
A-K Meyrose ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mental health problems in children, adolescents and young adults are highly prevalent and cause a significant burden for both individuals and society, resulting in a high relevance to public health. Longitudinal studies are needed to provide profound population-based data on mental health and well-being. In the present study, first results of the 11-year follow-up of the German BELLA study are presented. These include age- and gender-specific courses of general health and well-being, long-term health outcomes of mental health problems, and the utilisation of mental health services. Methods The longitudinal BELLA study is the module on mental health and well-being within the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). The BELLA study has gathered data since 2003 at five measurement points using standardised measures. In the most recent 11-year follow-up, N = 3,492 young people aged 7 to 31 years participated. Individual growth modeling, linear regression and descriptive analyses were conducted. Results Self-reported general health and well-being were both better in younger than older and in male compared to female participants using data from all five measurement points. Mental health problems in childhood and adolescence (measured at baseline) were associated with adverse general, mental and physical health outcomes at 6-year and 11-year follow-ups. About 75 % of children and adolescents with a diagnosed mental disorder were under mental health treatment. Conclusions With its 11-year follow-up, the longitudinal BELLA study provides new data on mental health and well-being in German children, adolescents and young adults. Our findings are important for the development of targeted mental health promotion and early prevention strategies. Promising future analyses are planned. Key messages The BELLA study provides data on developmental trajectories of mental health from childhood to adulthood, on long-term health outcomes of mental health problems and on mental health care use. The findings of the present study are of great relevance for the development of targeted health promotion and prevention programs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002216782097965
Author(s):  
Junhyoung Kim ◽  
Se-Hyuk Park ◽  
May Kim

Little information exists on the application of stress-related growth as a theoretical framework in the lives of international students studying in an Eastern culture. The purpose of this study is to capture positive outcomes associated with acculturation among international students living in South Korea. Using constructivist grounded theory, 18 participants took part in this study. The findings identified four main themes: (a) the experience of cultural growth, (b) the creation of inter–intra group friendships, (c) the experience of personal growth, and (d) improved life satisfaction. It appeared that these benefits indicate that acculturation can produce a context in which people can promote their social and psychological well-being.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-23
Author(s):  
Chiara Samele

Prevention of mental illness and mental health promotion activities across Europe have gathered some pace since the launch of the European Union's Pact for Mental Health and Well-Being in 2008. Within the context of a large treatment gap in mental health and limited resources to meet the high demand for mental healthcare, a concerted effort is now needed to ensure that initiatives in both mental illness prevention and mental health promotion become a fundamental part of where we are educated, work and live. Cost-effective, evidence-based approaches in prevention and promotion make these initiatives more accessible.


PLoS Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. e1003606
Author(s):  
Long Khanh-Dao Le ◽  
Adrian Cuevas Esturas ◽  
Cathrine Mihalopoulos ◽  
Oxana Chiotelis ◽  
Jessica Bucholc ◽  
...  

Background The prevention of mental disorders and promotion of mental health and well-being are growing fields. Whether mental health promotion and prevention interventions provide value for money in children, adolescents, adults, and older adults is unclear. The aim of the current study is to update 2 existing reviews of cost-effectiveness studies in this field in order to determine whether such interventions are cost-effective. Methods and findings Electronic databases (including MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EconLit through EBSCO and Embase) were searched for published cost-effectiveness studies of prevention of mental disorders and promotion of mental health and well-being from 2008 to 2020. The quality of studies was assessed using the Quality of Health Economic Studies Instrument (QHES). The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (# CRD42019127778). The primary outcomes were incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) or return on investment (ROI) ratio across all studies. A total of 65 studies met the inclusion criteria of a full economic evaluation, of which, 23 targeted children and adolescents, 35 targeted adults, while the remaining targeted older adults. A large number of studies focused on prevention of depression and/or anxiety disorders, followed by promotion of mental health and well-being and other mental disorders. Although there was high heterogeneity in terms of the design among included economic evaluations, most studies consistently found that interventions for mental health prevention and promotion were cost-effective or cost saving. The review found that targeted prevention was likely to be cost-effective compared to universal prevention. Screening plus psychological interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT]) at school were the most cost-effective interventions for prevention of mental disorders in children and adolescents, while parenting interventions and workplace interventions had good evidence in mental health promotion. There is inconclusive evidence for preventive interventions for mental disorders or mental health promotion in older adults. While studies were of general high quality, there was limited evidence available from low- and middle-income countries. The review was limited to studies where mental health was the primary outcome and may have missed general health promoting strategies that could also prevent mental disorder or promote mental health. Some ROI studies might not be included given that these studies are commonly published in grey literature rather than in the academic literature. Conclusions Our review found a significant growth of economic evaluations in prevention of mental disorders or promotion of mental health and well-being over the last 10 years. Although several interventions for mental health prevention and promotion provide good value for money, the varied quality as well as methodologies used in economic evaluations limit the generalisability of conclusions about cost-effectiveness. However, the finding that the majority of studies especially in children, adolescents, and adults demonstrated good value for money is promising. Research on cost-effectiveness in low-middle income settings is required. Trial registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019127778.


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