scholarly journals The Impact of the Environment on the Quality of Life and the Mediating Effects of Sleep and Stress

Author(s):  
Katherine Ka Pik Chang ◽  
Frances Kam Yuet Wong ◽  
Ka Long Chan ◽  
Fiona Wong ◽  
Hung Chak Ho ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Environment is an independent factor that affects one’s quality of life (QoL), where studies suggest that health behaviours also affect one’s quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between environmental conditions and QoL and how individual health behaviours affect this association. (2) Methods: Participants aged 20 or above were recruited from 11 tertiary planning units in the central part of Kowloon. These tertiary planning units were selected as they represented the overall living environment in Hong Kong, with a mix of the poorer urban areas alongside relatively affluent districts. A mediation analysis was implemented using multiple linear regressions to examine the effects of environmental conditions on QoL. (3) Results: Of the 607 eligible participants included for analysis, 390 were female and 217 were male, with a mean age of 47.4 years. Living within 500 m of a green space area had benefits on the physical aspect of QoL and physical activity but no effect on the psychological aspect of QoL. Moderate satisfaction with public spaces affected QoL positively. In contrast, less satisfaction with public spaces affected QoL negatively in both physical and psychological aspects through the mediating effect of stress. Poor environmental quality affected all domains of QoL negatively through the mediating effects of increased stress and poor sleep. (4) Conclusions: Environment is an important factor that affects individuals’ overall well-being. The interaction between environmental conditions and individual variables, especially perceived stress and sleep, is extremely important when assessing its impact on QoL. The findings of this study support the importance of individual stress and sleep in mediating the relationship between the environment and QoL for health. Further studies should be conducted to include objective measurements, such as those of cortisol levels for stress and physical fitness tests.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Chang ◽  
Frances K. Y. Wong ◽  
K. L. Chan ◽  
Fiona Y. Wong ◽  
H.C. Ho ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Environment is an independent factor affecting quality of life. Studies suggest that health practices consider having an impact on quality of life. The purpose of the present paper was to examine the association between environmental conditions and quality of life, and how individual health practices affected this association. Methods Participants aged 20 or above were recruited from 11 tertiary planning units in the centre of Kowloon. These tertiary planning units were selected as they represent the overall living environment in Hong Kong, with older poorer urban areas alongside relatively affluent districts. A mediation analysis was implemented using multiple linear regressions to examine the effects of environmental conditions on quality of life. The predictor variables included sociodemographic and environmental conditions, health practices and health service utilisation. Results Of the eligible 607 participants, 390 females and 217 males with a mean age of 47.4 were included for analysis. Physical, psychological and environmental factors were conducive and connected to quality of life. After adjusting for fruit and vegetable intake, gender, education level and chronic illness, perceived stress and sleep quality had significant mediating effects. Conclusion Environment is an important factor that affects the overall well-being of individuals. The interaction of environmental quality with individual variables, specifically stress and sleep is extremely important when assessing its impact on the quality of life. The findings of this study support the importance of individual stress and sleep in mediating the relationship between the environment and quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-188
Author(s):  
Rómulo Jacobo González-garcía ◽  
Paloma Escamilla-Fajardo ◽  
Samuel López-Carril ◽  
Juan Nuñez-Pomar

El sector del turismo deportivo recibe cada vez una mayor atención por parte de los distintos agentes sociales, teniendo un alto impacto en distintas esferas de la sociedad. El turismo no sólo afecta a las actitudes de los residentes hacia su desarrollo, sino también a su calidad de vida en general. Una vez que una comunidad o población se convierte en un destino turístico, la calidad de vida de los residentes locales se ve afectada por el desarrollo del mismo. Por consiguiente, es relevante conocer cuáles son las percepciones de los residentes respecto al impacto que causa el turismo deportivo. Por ello, el objetivo del presente estudio es analizar las percepciones de los residentes de Gran Canaria hacia los efectos del turismo deportivo, en ámbitos como su impacto, la calidad de vida y el apoyo al sector. Los resultados del estudio indican que, a mayores niveles de percepción positivos de los residentes sobre los impactos sociales, culturales, ambientales y económicos, hay un mayor apoyo hacia el desarrollo del turismo. Por otra parte, también se produce un efecto mediador significativo de la variable calidad de vida de los residentes, entre la relación de impactos percibidos y el apoyo al desarrollo del turismo activo y deportivo en Gran Canaria. Estos resultados posibilitan un mejor entendimiento de la perspectiva que los residentes tienen hacía el sector turístico deportivo, algo que puede ayudar a orientar futuras decisiones sobre la práctica, desarrollo y planificación del turismo deportivo. The sports tourism sector is receiving increasing attention from different social actors, having a high impact on different spheres of society. Tourism not only affects residents' attitudes towards their development, but also their quality of life in general. Once a community or population becomes a tourist destination, the quality of life of local residents is affected by its development. It is therefore important to know what residents' perceptions are of the impact of sports tourism. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse the perceptions of the residents of Gran Canaria towards the effects of sports tourism, in areas such as its impact, quality of life and support for the sector. The results of the study indicate that, at higher levels of positive perception by residents of the social, cultural, environmental and economic impacts, there is greater support for the development of tourism. On the other hand, there is also a significant mediating effect of the variable quality of life of the residents, between the relationship of perceived impacts and the support for the development of active and sports tourism in Gran Canaria. These results make it possible to better understand the perspective that residents have towards the sports tourism sector, something that can help guide future decisions on the practice, development and planning of sports tourism. O sector do turismo desportivo está a receber cada vez mais atenção por parte de diferentes actores sociais, tendo um elevado impacto em diferentes esferas da sociedade. O turismo não afecta apenas as atitudes dos residentes em relação ao seu desenvolvimento, mas também a sua qualidade de vida em geral. Uma vez que uma comunidade ou população se torna um destino turístico, a qualidade de vida dos residentes locais é afectada pelo seu desenvolvimento. Por conseguinte, é importante conhecer a percepção que os residentes têm do impacto do turismo desportivo. Portanto, o objectivo deste estudo é analisar as percepções dos residentes da Gran Canária sobre os efeitos do turismo desportivo, em áreas como o seu impacto, qualidade de vida e apoio ao sector. Os resultados do estudo indicam que, em níveis mais elevados de percepção positiva dos residentes sobre os impactos sociais, culturais, ambientais e econômicos, há maior apoio para o desenvolvimento do turismo. Por outro lado, existe também um efeito mediador significativo da variável qualidade de vida dos residentes, entre a relação de impactos percebidos e o apoio ao desenvolvimento do turismo ativo e desportivo na Gran Canária. Estes resultados permitem compreender melhor a perspectiva que os residentes têm em relação ao sector do turismo desportivo, algo que pode ajudar a orientar futuras decisões sobre a prática, desenvolvimento e planeamento do turismo desportivo. Il settore del turismo sportivo sta ricevendo un'attenzione crescente da parte di diversi attori sociali, con un forte impatto sulle diverse sfere della società. Il turismo influenza non solo l'atteggiamento dei residenti nei confronti del loro sviluppo, ma anche la loro qualità di vita in generale. Una volta che una comunità o una popolazione diventa una destinazione turistica, la qualità della vita dei residenti locali è influenzata dal suo sviluppo. È quindi importante sapere quali sono le percezioni dei residenti sull'impatto del turismo sportivo. Pertanto, l'obiettivo di questo studio è quello di analizzare le percezioni degli abitanti di Gran Canaria nei confronti degli effetti del turismo sportivo, in settori quali l'impatto, la qualità della vita e il sostegno al settore. I risultati dello studio indicano che, a livelli più elevati di percezione positiva da parte dei residenti degli impatti sociali, culturali, ambientali ed economici, vi è un maggiore sostegno allo sviluppo del turismo. D'altra parte, c'è anche un significativo effetto mediatore della variabile qualità della vita dei residenti, tra la relazione degli impatti percepiti e il sostegno allo sviluppo del turismo attivo e sportivo a Gran Canaria. Questi risultati permettono di comprendere meglio la prospettiva che i residenti hanno nei confronti del settore del turismo sportivo, cosa che può aiutare a guidare le future decisioni sulla pratica, lo sviluppo e la pianificazione del turismo sportivo.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 384-394
Author(s):  
Kawoun Seo

Purpose: This study was done to investigate the mediating effects of acceptance action on the relationship between diabetes self-stigma and quality of life in diabetes patients.Methods: For this study a descriptive research approach was used. Patients (237) with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus from a doctor of endocrinology were included. Data collection was done from March 26, to March 28, 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis, and hierarchecal multiple regression.Results: The mean scores for diabetes self-stigma, acceptance action and quality of life were 2.67±0.71, 4.12±0.38, and 3.26±0.48, respectively. Acceptance action was found to partial mediate the relationship between diabetes self-stigma and quality of life (z=-4.20, p<.001), and its explanatory power was 17.6%.Conclusion: To improve the quality of life among patients with diabetes in diabetes self-stigma situations, it is necessary to improve their acceptance action and develop step-by-step and differentiated acceptance action enhancement programs through multidisciplinary collaboration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
Hye-Rim Park ◽  
Inchae Park ◽  
Yen-Yoo You

Background/Objectives: The interest in work-life balance has increased in Korea since the low birthrate problem intensified in the 2000s, and recently, a 52-hour workweek has been implemented depending on the size of the company to ensure work-life balance. Companies are also adopting the direction and policies of the government to spread job redesign or organizational culture that can bring work-life balance. Work-life balance is seen as a paradigm for high performance in modern society. Activation of smart work, which is a system that can work anytime and anywhere without being bound by time and place, is inevitable. It is assumed that the quality of life of the members of the organization will be improved through smartwork activation, and that the improvement of the quality of life will soon increase the organizational performanceMethods/Statistical analysis: This study utilizes the original data from the 2018 Smartwork Survey conducted by the Korea Information Society Agency, targeting employees of businesses with five or more business units and CEOs of businesses or heads of departments responsible for introducing and operating smart work. The survey collected samples using stratified sampling methods, and the survey was conducted online and in writing to 1,700 people from October 8, 2018 for 27 days. Finally, 566 data were hypothesized through SPSS 21.0 and AMOS structural model analysis.Findings: As a result of analyzing the effect of smart work on organizational performance through the effect of quality on life, Smartwork activation affects organizational performance, and the improvement of quality of life through time saving and work efficiency due to smartwork affects organizational performance. Managers' interest was found to play a moderating role in the structural relationship between smartwork activation, quality of life and organizational performance.Improvements/Applications: This study suggests smartwork activation by empirically analyzing the effect of smartwork activation on organizational performance by the mediating effect of quality of life for employees of companies working in smart office environment.


2003 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALICE INMAN ◽  
KENNETH L. KIRSH ◽  
STEVEN D. PASSIK

Objective: Spirituality has been neglected when assessing the well-being of cancer patients. Traditionally, researchers have focused on areas such as physical, social, and emotional functioning. However, there is a potential for spirituality to have a large impact on quality of life in patients with cancer. The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship between spirituality and boredom, constraint, social contact, and depression.Methods: A total of 100 oncology patients completed several assessment instruments, including the Purposelessness, Under-stimulation, and Boredom (PUB) Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale–Anemia, Brief Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (BZSDS), Cancer Behavior Inventory, Systems of Belief Inventory, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Scale.Results: The average age of the sample was 62.37 years (SD = 13.43) and was comprised of 60 women (60%) and 40 men (40%). A regression analysis conducted to explore the impact of the variables on quality of life found only the BZSDS (R2Δ = .650, F = 180.392, p < .001) and the PUB Scale (R2Δ = .077, F = 26.885, p < .001) were significant predictors of quality of life. Another set of regression analyses were conducted to explore whether spirituality had a mediating effect on this relationship, but the mediated model was not supported.Significance of results: We conclude that spirituality and boredom are difficult concepts to define, operationalize, and measure, but crucial to our understanding of quality of life in advanced cancer. More research is needed to clarify the nature of the interrelationships between these important concepts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Pinto ◽  
Maria Vieira De Castro ◽  
Laura Silva ◽  
Inês Jongenelen ◽  
Angela Maia ◽  
...  

Introduction: The aim of this study was to explore the mediating effect of psychopathology between childhood adversity and trauma and quality of life (QOL) in adolescents. The second aim of the study was testing the moderation by social support of this mediation effect.Methods: Self-reports of childhood adversity and trauma, QOL, social support, and psychopathology were collected from 150 Portuguese adolescents' who had been exposed to at least one traumatic event or one childhood adversity (Mage = 16.89, SD = 1.32). The surveys were administered at two time points with an approximate time interval of 1 year.Results: Indirect effects were observed for depression (B = −0.33, CI [−0.62, −0.11]), somatization (B = −0.52, CI [−0.82, −0.23]), and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) (B = −0.23, CI [−0.45, −0.01]), but not for anxiety (B = 0.20, CI [−0.08, 0.50]). A moderated mediation was found between social support and depression (B = −0.10, CI [−16, −0.04]), and PTSS (B = 0.03, CI [−0.1, −0.05]), but not for somatization (B = −0.02, CI [−0.8, 0.05]).Conclusions: We found that depression and somatization were strong mediators of the relationship between adversity/trauma and QOL, whereas PTSS was moderately mediated this relationship. Anxiety did not mediate this relationship. The moderated-mediation effect of social support was only found for depression and PTSS. The improvement of QOL in adolescents exposed to childhood adversity and trauma should include the assessment of psychopathology symptoms and social support, with the aim of identifying risk and protective factors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 174 ◽  
pp. 04009
Author(s):  
Piotr Kosinskiy ◽  
Aleksey Kharitonov ◽  
Eduard Wolfson ◽  
Rimma Takhtayeva

The article is devoted to the study of the problems of mining industry development and its impact on the development of rural areas in the region. It is revealed that the intensive development of the mining industry is accompanied by negative environmental consequences associated with the impact on socio – economic development and the formation of a comfortable living environment and, as a result, the quality of life of the population of rural areas. The Kemerovo region characterized by a pronounced intensive development of the coal industry accompanied by air pollution, rejection of land with high fertile potential, and degradation of renewable natural resources. The activities of mining companies accompanied by the release of highly toxic and carcinogenic substances into the air. As a result, there is an increased morbidity and mortality of able-bodied residents of the region, a low life expectancy, and a decrease in the total rural population, which is faster than the urban population. To solve the identified problems, the author’s model of creating a comfortable living environment in the mining region proposed. The model makes it possible to assess the attractiveness of the territory when deciding on the future place of residence, and, also allows you to make informed management decisions aimed at improving the quality of life of people.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document