Distinct aspects of human connection associated with subjective well-being

Well-being balance and lived experiences: understanding the impact of life situations on human flourishing

Background

This study aimed to determine the most significant indicators of positive well-being and understand differences in sources of well-being across different life situations, age groups, genders, and income levels, utilizing a novel measure of positive well-being, the Well-being Balance and Lived Experiences (WBAL) Assessment, which evaluates the frequency of various positive experiences and feelings across a range of activation and arousal levels that have previously been demonstrated to affect subjective well-being and human flourishing.

Methods

A sample of 496 evaluable subjects aged 20-69 and census-balanced for gender were recruited from a U.S. population panel. Differences in well-being and sources of well-being were analyzed across subgroups via MANOVA analysis followed by post-hoc ANOVA and Tukey's HSD analyses using Cohen's d to determine size and direction of effects between categorical subgroups.

Results

Life situations, including relationship, parenting and employment status, were shown to have a more significant effect on overall well-being than the demographic variables of age, gender and household income. Reported well-being improved significantly with life situations, including companionate relationships (d=0.38, p<0.001) and parenting (d=0.35, p<0.001), that provide greater opportunities for more frequent social connection (d's=0.25, p<0.01 to 0.62, p<0.001) and purposeful contribution to others' well-being (d's=0.34 to 0.71, p<0.001), associated with increased feelings of significance (d's=0.40 to 0.45, p<0.001) and efficacy (d's=0.37 to 0.44, p<0.001). An age-related positivity effect was observed, with older adults reporting more frequent positive feelings than younger age groups (d=0.31, p<0.01). Measures of mindset positivity, variety of positive experiences and feelings, and frequency and range of positive feelings across arousal levels each corresponded closely with overall well-being.

Conclusion

Life situations, including relationship, parenting and employment status, had a more broad and significant effect on wellbeing than age, gender or income. Across life situations, purposeful contribution and social connection, with associated feelings of efficacy and significance were key drivers of differences in well-being. Mindset positivity and variety of positive experiences and feelings correspond closely with overall well-being. Findings from this study can help guide the design and implementation of intervention programs to improve well-being for individuals and targeted subgroups, demonstrating the utility of the WBAL Assessment to evaluate discrete modifiable sources of positive well-being.

Using lifestyle interventions and the gut microbiota to improve PTSD symptoms

Posttraumatic stress disorder is part of a spectrum of psychological symptoms that are frequently linked with a single defining traumatic experience. Symptoms can vary over the lifespan in intensity based on additional life stressors, individual stability, and connectedness to purpose. Historically, treatment has centered on psychotropic agents and individual and group therapy to increase the individual's window of tolerance, improve emotional dysregulation, and strengthen relationships. Unfortunately, there is a growing segment of individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder who do not respond to these traditional treatments, perhaps because they do not address the multidirectional relationships between chronic cortisol, changes in the brain gut microbiota system, neuroinflammation, and posttraumatic symptoms. We will review the literature and explain how trauma impacts the neuroendocrine and neuroimmunology within the brain, how these processes influence the brain gut microbiota system, and provide a mechanism for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Finally, we will show how the lifestyle psychiatry model provides symptom amelioration.

Integrating wellness into curricula using the ten dimensions of wellness as a framework

Burnout is a public health crisis that persists at the expense of clinician well-being, the healthcare workforce, and the quality of care provided. Clinician well-being is a professional imperative, yet nursing students still report higher levels of burnout than non-nursing students. Cultivating an academic learning environment that supports the development of resiliency, well-being, and improved student mental health requires a coordinated and sustained effort from nurse educators and academic leaders. This article aims to inspire nurse educators to take the first or next steps toward integrating wellness into nursing curricula. The ten dimensions of wellness provide a framework for wellness programming. Practical strategies aligned with each dimension are offered. As an exemplar, the Banding Together for Wellness program is summarized, including innovative incentives for student participation. Over the past five years, 426 (approximately 54 %) undergraduate nursing students voluntarily completed the program. While best practices may vary by institution, the strategies and resources offered herein can support nurse educators in the classroom, lab, and clinical setting as we all work to foster personal and professional well-being in nursing students. Nurse educators can be instrumental in cultivating the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for life-long self-care, well-being, and nursing practice.