Happiness and Health: Environmental and Genetic Contributions to the Relationship Between Subjective Well-Being, Perceived Health, and Somatic Illness

The Effect of Social Media Forwarding on Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Older Adults: A Moderated Mediation Model

Purpose

In the intersection of the aging and information era, the development of digital aging significantly influences the well-being of older individuals. Given the divergent findings in various studies exploring the effects of social media use on mental health, this study specifically examined the impact of forwarding, a prevalent social media behavior among older individuals, focusing on the effects of use intensity on their subjective well-being (SWB) and the specific mechanisms involved.

Materials and Methods

A total of 323 Chinese older adults completed the questionnaire. SPSS along with Hayes Process Models 4 and 7 was employed to test the hypotheses.

Results

The results indicated that social media forwarding intensity significantly and positively predicted SWB of older adults. This association was partially mediated by perceived social support (PSS) and self-esteem. Gender served as a moderator, highlighting that the positive predictive effects of forwarding intensity on PSS and self-esteem were more pronounced for older men than for older women. Further, the findings confirmed the existence of the moderated mediating effect such that the impact of forwarding on SWB was mediated through both PSS and self-esteem for older men, while, for older women, it was solely mediated by PSS.

Conclusion

This study revealed the positive impact of forwarding, a user-friendly social media function, on the well-being of older adults and elucidated the specific mechanisms through a moderated mediation model. In light of these findings, we propose customizing the development of age-friendly social media functions to address the diverse psychological needs of older adults, taking into account gender differences. These findings may offer valuable insights for constructing digital age-friendly platforms and fostering active aging development.

The mediating role of physical activity and health status between a health-supportive environment and well-being: a cross-sectional study

Objective

Based on the social-ecological systems theory and social support theory, this study aims to explore the relationship between a health-supportive environment and well-being among residents. It further examined the mediating role of physical activity and health status in the pathway between a health-supportive environment and well-being.

Methods

The study utilized data from 2,717 samples of the China General Social Survey (2021) and conducted multiple regression analysis and mediation analysis using statistical software Stata 16.0 and SPSS PROCESS 3.3.

Results

(1) A health-supportive environment had a significant impact on residents' well-being (t = 8.476, p < 0.001). (2) Among the three dimensions of natural environment, built environment, and neighborhood social environment, the influence of neighborhood social relationship environment had the strongest influence on residents' well-being (t = 8.443, p < 0.001). (3) Physical activity and health status played a mediating role in the relationship between a health-supportive environment and residents' well-being. The mediating effect was as follows: health-supportive environment → physical activity → well-being with a mediation effect of 0.020; health-supportive environment → health status → well-being with a mediation effect of 0.029; health-supportive environment → physical activity → health status → well-being with a mediation effect of 0.008.

Conclusion

A health-supportive environment not only directly influences residents' well-being but also indirectly affects it through physical activity and health status. It is essential to focus on improving both the natural and built environment as well as the neighborhood social relationship environment in enhancing residents' well-being. Physical activity serves as an important means to improve residents' health level and promote their well-being.

Moderating effects of psychological factors and frequency of experiences in the emergency department: The role of perceived quality of healthcare

The aim of this study is to identify the main moderators in the relationship between antecedents/predictors (doctors, privacy, accessibility, and availability, perceived waiting time to be called back by the doctor after the examinations and/or tests) and the perceived quality of healthcare (PQHC) in the emergency department (ED). Patients admitted to the ED of a public hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, between January and December 2016 were included in this study, with a representative sample size of 382 patients. A 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence interval were used, and all data were collected between May and November 2017. We used a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to test the moderation models. We identified 3 main moderators with different moderating roles between the antecedents (predictors) and PQHC: level of life satisfaction, level of happiness, and frequency of ED experiences. Overall satisfaction with doctors is more likely to influence the PQHC among patients with lower levels of life satisfaction. Moreover, privacy and perceived waiting time to be called back by the doctor after an examination and/or test are more likely to influence the PQHC among patients with lower levels of life satisfaction and happiness. Finally, accessibility and availability are more likely to influence the PQHC among patients with more frequent ED experiences. Thus, knowing the moderating effects of psychological factors and the frequency of ED experiences may help to better understand the relationship between PQHC and certain predictors.

Parental resources and heritability as factors shaping children's health. An analysis of twins' self-rated health using TwinLife

We assess the relative and joint contributions of genetic and environmental factors on health during childhood and assume that parental resources are part of the environmental factors shaping children's health. We discuss theoretical background and empirical evidence concerning the effects of parental resources and heritability on children's health. Based on these findings we formulate six hypotheses guiding our empirical analysis, using data from TwinLife, a nationally representative sample of same sex twin pairs in Germany. We analyze self-rated health of 1,584 twin pairs aged 4-18. We did find strong support for the idea that parental resources influence children's health: household income and fathers' education consistently show positive effects. In contrast to our expectation, we did not find that genetic factors influence the health of well-off children less than the health of children living in families with lower SES. We also did not find that the genetic influence on health increases during childhood and adolescence. On the contrary our results indicate that the role played by genetic factors diminishes whereas environmental factors gain importance for health of children while growing up. This finding is good news for those interested in improving health chances of children from lower SES backgrounds because it demonstrates the malleability of children's health.

Trends in health and health inequality during the Japanese economic stagnation: Implications for a healthy planet

Introduction

Human health and wellbeing may depend on economic growth, the implication being that policymakers need to choose between population health and the health of ecosystems. Over two decades of low economic growth, Japan's life expectancy grew. Here we assess the temporal changes of subjective health and health inequality during the long-term low economic growth period.

Methods

Eight triennial cross-sectional nationally representative surveys in Japan over the period of economic stagnation from 1992 to 2013 were used (n = 625,262). Health is defined positively as wellbeing, and negatively as poor health, based on self-rated health. We used Slope and Relative Indices of Inequality to model inequalities in self-rated health based on household income. Temporal changes in health and health inequalities over time were examined separately for children/adolescents, working-age adults, young-old and old-old.

Results

At the end of the period of economic stagnation (2013), compared to the beginning (1992), the overall prevalence of wellbeing declined slightly in all age groups. However, poor health was stable or declined in the young-old and old-old, respectively, and increased only in working-age adults (Prevalence ratio: 1.14, 95% CI 1.08, 1.20, <0.001). Over time, inequality in wellbeing and poor self-rated health were observed in adults but less consistently for children, but the inequalities did not widen in any age group between the start and end of the stagnation period.

Conclusions

Although this study was a case study of one country, Japan, and inference to other countries cannot be made with certainty, the findings provide evidence that low economic growth over two decades did not inevitably translate to unfavourable population health. Japanese health inequalities according to income were stable during the study period. Therefore, this study highlighted the possibility that for high-income countries, low economic growth may be compatible with good population health.

Internet Behavior and Satisfaction With Sleep, Health, Quality of Life and Physical Activity Self-Efficacy as Components of Subjective Well-Being: Findings From an Online Survey

This study aimed to examine the relationship between internet use (constructive and health-related internet behavior, health app usages), physical activity self-efficacy, and subjective well-being (quality of life, health satisfaction, sleep satisfaction). Participants (N = 758) were recruited to participate in an online survey. One-way MANOVA and multiple regression analyses were used to examine the hypotheses. Results showed that internet use was negatively associated with sleep satisfaction, r(738) = -.127, p < .001. Individuals who use health-related apps for movement/fitness, t(689.900) = -3.354, p < .001, nutrition, t(300.075) = -2.434, p = .016, information for self-diagnosis, t(199.768) = -2.321, p = .021, and contact with doctors, t(90.630) = -2.035, p = .045, have higher PA self-efficacy than those who do not. Overall, there was a statistically significant difference in subjective well-being based on a participants' constructive internet use, F(28, 2590) = 1.97, p = .002, with quality of life (p = .006) and sleep satisfaction (p = .025) being statistically significant components of subjective well-being. This paper discusses the important theoretical and practical implications regarding the development of health-related apps and online well-being interventions which are significantly relevant to the well-being literature.

Development and Validation of Recreational Sport Well-Being Scale

The purpose of this study is to develop the “Recreational Sport Well-being Scale”, which will be used to investigate the subjective recreational sport well-being individuals’ experience after participating in recreational sports. The study participants were Taiwanese who were over 20 years old and participated in recreational sports. Four sets of samples and 4050 questionnaires in total were collected. Using exploratory factor analysis, four factors were extracted from the scale –life satisfaction, physical and mental health, family flourishing, and positive feelings. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the scale’s overall goodness of fit, convergent validity, and composite reliability all passed the thresholds. The results of cross-validation indicated that the model passed configural invariance, metric invariance, covariance invariance, and error variance invariance, which suggested that the scale has cross validity. Nomological validity analysis was conducted, showing that Recreational Sport Well-being Scale is nomologically valid since it is positively correlated to Subjective Health Scale. Test-retest reliability analysis suggested that the test results were stable when a retest was carried out two weeks later. The developed “Recreational Sport Well-being Scale” is highly reliable and valid and can be applied to measure future recreational sports participants’ well-being.

Happiness in University Students: Personal, Familial, and Social Factors: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Survey

Happiness is the foundation of a better life and a goal that people pursue; however, happiness levels among university students are low. The purpose of this study is to explore the main factors influencing student happiness. A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted in China in 2020. Data on student happiness was collected using the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, and students' personal, familial, and social information were obtained using another questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the association between student happiness and these factors in terms of odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). A total of 2186 valid questionnaires were obtained. Firstly, student happiness was found to be associated with personal factors. The results found that happiness was significantly associated with state of health, the adjusted OR (95% CI) = 3.41 (2.01-5.79) for healthy students compared to unhealthy students, and that happiness decreased with the student's age (OR = 0.79 and 95% CI = 0.63-0.98). Secondly, the research suggested that happiness was associated with familial factors. Both frequent contact with family and a harmonious relationship with parents significantly enhanced happiness with ORs (95% CIs) 1.42 (1.17-1.71) and 2.32 (1.83-2.95), respectively. Thirdly, student happiness was associated with several social factors. Students who performed well academically, who went to sleep early, and who were in a loving relationship were found to be happier than those with poor academic performance, went to sleep late, and who were single, for which the ORs (95% CIs) were, respectively, 1.87 (1.51-2.32), 1.50 (1.24-1.81), and 1.32 (1.09-1.60). The survey identified several key personal, familial, and social factors influencing university student happiness, which can provide an effective measure to improve their happiness.

Was it all worth it? The consequences of parental migration decisions for the life satisfaction of their descendants

Does migration pay off for subsequent generations? This article applies a counterfactual logic (‘what if the parents had not migrated?’) to compare the life satisfaction of descendants of Turkish guest workers in Western Europe and return migrants with that of Turks without a migration history in the family. Using data from the 2000 Families Study, we test a theoretical model that aims to explain differences along three dimensions: personal resources, social position, and normative settings. Results show that only permanent migration was successful in terms of higher life satisfaction for descendants, as offspring of return migrants do not differ from those without a migration history in the family. The higher life satisfaction of subsequent generations in Europe is largely due to access to higher resources obtained through migration, and persists despite barriers such as a lower relative socioeconomic position and experiences of discrimination. While religiosity appears to only play a minor role in explaining differences, there is evidence that descendants whose lifestyle deviates from the normative expectations of the country-of-origin benefit in particular from the migration of their parents.

Structural differences in life satisfaction in a U.S. adult sample across age

OBJECTIVE

Many studies investigating age-related mean differences in life satisfaction disregard potential differences in the structure of the life satisfaction construct. Because developmental tasks at different life stages vary and thus the salience of specific life domains (e.g., health, finances, relationships, etc.) might differ, life satisfaction might differ between age groups in its underlying structure and meaning.

METHOD

To address this issue, we investigated the covariance structure of life satisfaction as measured by the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the domains of health satisfaction and financial satisfaction with local structural equation modeling. We analyzed data from 8341 U.S. citizens between the ages of 30 and 97 who participated in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Furthermore, we explored the association of respondents' health and financial status with life satisfaction.

RESULTS

Both the SWLS and domain items were found to be invariant across age. The health and financial status accounted for small proportions of variance in overall life satisfaction and the respective domain satisfactions significantly at all ages.

CONCLUSION

The current analysis indicates that across the adult age range, general life satisfaction is qualitatively the same, and health and financial satisfaction are equally integrated into overall life satisfaction.

Health, work, and contributing factors on life satisfaction: A study in Norway before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

The COVID-19 outbreak has posed considerable challenges for people's health, work situations and life satisfaction. This article reports on a study of the relationship between self-reported health and life satisfaction before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Norway, and examines the role of work in explaining the health-life satisfaction relationship.

Method

The study was based on survey data collected from 3185 Norwegian employees in 2019 and 3002 employees in 2020. Propensity score matching techniques were used to assess the mediating effects of work situations and income loss on the health-life satisfaction relationship. Skew-t regression models were further applied to estimate changes in life satisfaction before and during the pandemic, as well as to explore different underlying mechanisms for the health-life satisfaction association.

Results

The study found a negative association between ill health and life satisfaction. Compared to the healthy population, people with poor health were more likely to experience worsened work situations. A negative work situation is further associated with lower life satisfaction, and the pandemic aggravated life satisfaction for those who had worsened work situations. When exploring central contributing factors for life satisfaction, we found that health-related risks and work-life balance played predominant roles in predicting life satisfaction before the pandemic, while different types of household structure were among the most important predictors of life satisfaction during the pandemic.

Conclusion

A reduction in life satisfaction is explained by ill health, but different underlying mechanisms facilitated people's life satisfaction before and during the pandemic. While work situation and health risks were important predictors for life satisfaction in 2019, worries about more unstable work situations and less access to family support accentuated worsened life satisfaction in 2020. The findings suggest the necessity of labour market interventions that address the security and maintenance of proper and predictable work situations, especially in these more uncertain times.

Social Support and Academic Burnout Among University Students: A Moderated Mediation Model

Purpose

An increasing number of studies have been carried out to investigate the relationship between social support and study motivation among university students, but underlying mechanisms behind this pathway have not been fully verified. In the present study, we aimed to test the effect of social support on academic burnout (decrease in study motivation); examine the mediating effect of life satisfaction on the association between social support and academic burnout; and explore whether this mediating effect varied across (moderated mediation) students of different socioeconomic status (SES).

Materials and Methods

Data for 503 students were collected in a Chinese university through a composited survey regarding social support, life satisfaction, SES, and academic burnout. Data analysis and the investigation of combined effects in the model were carried out via conditional process modeling.

Results

Results indicated that social support was negatively associated with academic burnout. In addition, life satisfaction had a partial mediation effect on the relationship between social support and academic burnout, and SES moderated this mediation effect. Specifically, the mediation effect was found to be more significant among students in the high SES group than those in the lower one.

Conclusion

This study is novel in that it establishes empirically how academic burnout is associated with a typical society analytical variable (ie, social support) among students in tertiary education. It also investigates an alternative scenario to explain the underlying mechanism of social support on academic burnout against the most popular explaining model. Implications of the study for effective elimination of the decrease in study motivation across students with different SES are discussed.

Self-reported health-related experiences, psychological capital, and psychological wellbeing in Lithuanian adults sample

The purpose of this research was to examine psychological wellbeing and psychological capital in groups of subjectively healthy and unhealthy individuals and identify significant associations. We have analyzed the results of a Lithuanian representative sample of adults (n = 1001). Results showed that adult respondents who reported the absence of cardiovascular diseases, nervous system diseases, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, vision disorders, physical or mental disability, and substance abuse demonstrated significantly higher scores for flourishing, life satisfaction, psychological capital, self-efficacy, hope, and resilience. The model on associations between the number of reported diseases, psychological capital, and wellbeing in the representative sample of adults (χ² = 110.786, df = 16; CFI = .981; RMSEA = .077; NFI = 0.978; TLI = 0.968) indicated that a higher number of diseases (per person) predicts a weakening effect on psychological capital, while psychological capital predicts psychological wellbeing.

The Association Between Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours and Coronavirus Protective Behaviours

BACKGROUND

Based on models of cross-behavioural associations and the role of past behaviour in predicting behaviour, an association was hypothesized between healthy lifestyle behaviours prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and adherence to coronavirus protective behaviours. Self-assessed health was also examined as a potential moderator.

METHODS

A cross-sectional sample (N = 463) completed online questionnaires during a COVID-19-related lockdown that measured engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviours (e.g., exercising and eating fruits and vegetables), adherence to coronavirus protective behaviours (e.g., wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing), and self-assessed health (subjective evaluation of overall health).

RESULTS

As predicted, higher engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviours prior to the pandemic was significantly correlated with higher adherence to coronavirus protective behaviours (Pearson r(459) = .308, p < .001). Adherence levels were higher than engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviours, and self-assessed health was related to the latter but not to the former. Moderation was examined using model 1 in PROCESS for SPSS; as expected, the association was stronger among individuals with higher levels of self-assessed health (coefficient 95% CI [.04, .20]).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight cross-behavioural facilitating processes, specifically between lifestyle behaviours and adherence to recommended protective behaviours during the pandemic. They also draw attention to the need to address individuals whose poorer evaluations of their general health might prevent them from implementing their behavioural intentions.

Association between negative symptom domains and happiness in schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to examine the association between levels of self-reported happiness and different domains and subdomains of negative symptoms (NS), as well as symptomatic remission in schizophrenia.

METHODS

274 individuals with schizophrenia were assessed on the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS). Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the association between levels of happiness and increasingly specific CAINS NS domains and subdomains, as well as symptomatic remission.

RESULTS

177 (64.6%) participants rated themselves as happy. NS, specifically motivation and pleasure related to social activities (MAP Social) (B=-0.402, t=-4.805, p<0.001), and depressive symptoms (B=-0.760, t=-7.102, p<0.001) were significantly associated with levels of happiness. Individuals in symptomatic remission rated themselves happier than those who were not in remission (mean composite SHS: 5.10 [SD=1.18] versus 4.61 [SD=1.16], p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In this largest study on happiness in schizophrenia, we found that the MAP domain of NS, MAP social subdomain and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with levels of happiness. Additionally, individuals in symptomatic remission rated themselves happier than those who were not in remission. Symptom management remains important in the holistic care plan for individuals with schizophrenia.

Resilience of self-reported life satisfaction: A case study of who conforms to set-point theory in Australia

While self-reported life satisfaction (LS) has become an important research and policy tool, much debate still surrounds the question of what causes LS to change in certain individuals, while not in others. Set-point theory argues that individuals have a relatively resilient LS or “set point” (i.e. there is a certain LS level that individuals return to even after major life events). Here, we describe the extent to which LS varies over time for 12,643 individuals living in Australia who participated in at least eight annual waves of the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. We use the standard deviation (SD) of year-on-year LS by individuals (SD of LS) as a measure of instability and an inverse proxy for resilience. We then model SD of LS as the dependent variable against average LS scores over time by individual, Big Five personality scores by individual, the number of waves the individual participated in, and other control variables. We found that SD of LS was higher (lower resilience) in participants with a lower average LS and greater degrees of extraversion and agreeableness. Set-point theory thus applies more to individuals whose average LS is already high and whose personality traits facilitate higher resilience. We were able to explain about 35% of the stability in LS. These results are critical in designing policies aimed at improving people’s lives.

Measuring objective and subjective well-being: dimensions and data sources

Well-being is an important value for people’s lives, and it could be considered as an index of societal progress. Researchers have suggested two main approaches for the overall measurement of well-being, the objective and the subjective well-being. Both approaches, as well as their relevant dimensions, have been traditionally captured with surveys. During the last decades, new data sources have been suggested as an alternative or complement to traditional data. This paper aims to present the theoretical background of well-being, by distinguishing between objective and subjective approaches, their relevant dimensions, the new data sources used for their measurement and relevant studies. We also intend to shed light on still barely unexplored dimensions and data sources that could potentially contribute as a key for public policing and social development.

From surviving to thriving: factors associated with complete mental health among childhood sexual abuse survivors

BACKGROUND

Despite many negative health and social consequences of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), some of those with a history of adversity manage to thrive in adulthood and achieve complete mental health (CMH). CMH is defined as the absence of mental illness in combination with almost daily happiness and/or life satisfaction, as well as high levels of social and psychological well-being. The objectives of this study were (1) to identify the pathways linking CSA to CMH in adulthood and (2) to estimate the magnitude of risk and protective factors associated with CMH among those exposed to CSA.

METHODS

A sample of 17,014 respondents aged 20 years and older from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health was selected including 651 with a history of CSA. Path analysis was used to estimate indirect and direct pathways between CSA, a priori hypothesized risk and protective factors, and CMH. Multivariable logistic regression was then used to investigate the magnitude of effects of the same risk and protective factors on CMH among CSA survivors.

RESULTS

After controlling for age, sex, race, education, and marital status, the association between CSA and CMH was mediated by lifetime depression, anxiety, substance abuse, chronic pain, and having a confidant. The strongest predictor of past-year CMH among those with a history of CSA was lifetime depression (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.07-0.20) followed by having a confidant (OR 6.78, 95% CI 1.89-24.38). The odds of CMH was decreased by over three times among those with a history of substance misuse, and halved for those with lifetime anxiety and/or presence of pain.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that CMH among survivors of CSA is related to social and emotional factors such as social support and lifetime history of mental health conditions. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of multilevel interventions for promoting recovery among CSA survivors.

Workplace happiness, well-being and their relationship with psychological capital: A study of Hungarian Teachers

Happiness and well-being at work has been an increasingly popular topic in the past two decades in academic and business contexts alike, along with positive psychology, through which organizations aim to find out, what makes working environments engaging and motivating. Few studies have focused on education, however, especially from a solution-focused perspective, even though it is a sector where employees are highly exposed to stress and burnout. Accordingly, the purpose of his study was to investigate the relationship between teachers’ psychological resources through the concept of psychological capital, workplace well-being and perceived workplace happiness. We used both qualitative (open-ended question) and quantitative (test battery) methods to examine the relation between the various factors. Content analysis of responses in our qualitative research suggests that the main pillars of teachers’ workplace happiness were realization of goals, feedback, finding meaning in work and social relationships. The results of our quantitative study indicated that workplace well-being and happiness correlated with inner psychological resources, hope and optimism in particular. We conclude that the future focus on employee well-being must take into account positive contributing factors and adopt a positively-oriented approach to promoting well-being. Suggestions for practical implications are also discussed.

Can I Sustain My Happiness? A Review, Critique and Research Agenda for Economics of Happiness

Human beings want to live in a state of happiness and prosperity, but happiness is important not just for the well-being of individuals but for the well-being of society. To ensure the maximization of happiness, it is necessary to consider more than just money, and rather include the right understanding of happiness at the individual level, the family level, the society level, and the environmental (nature) level. This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge by consolidating the findings of the literature; grouping those into major themes and sub-themes; describing the mechanisms based on the empirical papers by highlighting the independent, dependent, control, and moderating variables, to study the causal relationships between variables under study; proposing an agenda for future research; and informing the policymakers about decisions influencing the human happiness level through legislative rules and regulations. Our results suggest prioritizing the conceptualization of happiness while computing the happiness level at the individual or collective levels. Furthermore, the study recommends governments to establish the conditions enabling individuals to report happiness independently from the political pressure to answer strategically for impressive happiness level figures at the macro level.

Attention, mindwandering, and mood

We tested the hypothesis that mindwandering and external distraction are both manifestations of a common state of reduced attention focus, and examined how both relate to reported level of happiness. We conducted real-time sampling of people's experience of mindwandering, irrelevant distraction (e.g. by music, phone, etc.), and happiness levels, in two studies with 524 people undertaking common daily-life activities. All irrelevant external distractions were positively correlated with mindwandering. Indeed mindwandering duration could be predicted from the reported duration of external distraction, when controlling for a range of background variables. An exploratory factor analysis of mindwandering and distraction reports suggested a single underlying construct. In addition, duration of irrelevant distraction by both mobile phones and mindwandering was significantly associated with reduced reported levels of happiness. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that that a state of reduced attention focus underlies both mindwandering and distractibility and clarify the link with happiness.

Healthier and Happier? A 3-Year Longitudinal Investigation of the Prospective Associations and Concurrent Changes in Health and Experiential Well-Being

Global well-being is positively correlated with health. Moreover, studies suggest that health and global well-being predict changes in one another across time. Fewer studies, however, have examined the extent to which health is associated with daily emotional experiences-especially longitudinally. The present study examined the longitudinal associations between health and both global and experiential well-being, assessed 4 times across 3 years. Moreover, we used advanced analyses-random-intercept cross-lag models-which address limitations of traditional cross-lag models. Results revealed health and well-being generally did not prospectively predict changes in one another across 1 year. In contrast, year-to-year changes in health were correlated with simultaneous changes in well-being-with effect sizes being largest for global well-being. These findings suggest that health and well-being change together in processes that unfold relatively quickly. Finally, using traditional cross-lag models, numerous potentially illusory prospective associations between health and well-being emerged, underscoring the importance of using appropriate longitudinal statistical models.

A Genetic Investigation of the Well-Being Spectrum

The interrelations among well-being, neuroticism, and depression can be captured in a so-called well-being spectrum (3-phenotype well-being spectrum, 3-WBS). Several other human traits are likely linked to the 3-WBS. In the present study, we investigate how the 3-WBS can be expanded. First, we constructed polygenic risk scores for the 3-WBS and used this score to predict a series of traits that have been associated with well-being in the literature. We included information on loneliness, big five personality traits, self-rated health, and flourishing. The 3-WBS polygenic score predicted all the original 3-WBS traits and additionally loneliness, self-rated health, and extraversion (R² between 0.62% and 1.58%). Next, using LD score regression, we calculated genetic correlations between the 3-WBS and the traits of interest. From all candidate traits, loneliness and self-rated health were found to have the strongest genetic correlations (r_g = - 0.79, and r_g= 0.64, respectively) with the 3-WBS. Lastly, we use Genomic SEM to investigate the factor structure of the proposed spectrum. The best model fit was obtained for a two-factor model including the 5-WBS traits, with two highly correlated factors representing the negative- and positive end of the spectrum. Based on these analyses we propose to include loneliness and self-rated health in the WBS and use a 5-phenotype well-being spectrum in future studies to gain more insight into the determinants of human well-being.

The influence of mastery on mother's health in middle years: Moderating role of stressful life context

Using data from 416 middle-aged mothers gathered over the course of a decade, this study examined the influence of mastery trajectories (the initial level and change), on change in physical health. Mastery is defined as one's ability to control and influence his/her life and environment to reach a desired outcome or goal. Both the initial level and change in mastery from 1991 to 1994 were associated with decreased physical health problems over the middle years (1991-2001). Contextual moderation of this association by stressful life contexts including negative life events and work-family conflict was investigated. Moderation analysis showed that under conditions of low contextual life stressors, the level and increase in mastery significantly contributed to decreases in physical health problems in middle-aged mothers. Alternatively, conditions of high contextual life stressors inhibited the ability of mastery to influence physical health of mothers, suggesting that the positive health impact of mastery on physical health is mitigated by stressful life experiences. Implications for the need to maintain important personal resources, such as mastery, during times of stress are discussed.

Genetics, personality and wellbeing. A twin study of traits, facets and life satisfaction

Human wellbeing is influenced by personality traits, in particular neuroticism and extraversion. Little is known about which facets that drive these associations, and the role of genes and environments. Our aim was to identify personality facets that are important for life satisfaction, and to estimate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the association between personality and life satisfaction. Norwegian twins (N = 1,516, age 50-65, response rate 71%) responded to a personality instrument (NEO-PI-R) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Regression analyses and biometric modeling were used to examine influences from personality traits and facets, and to estimate genetic and environmental contributions. Neuroticism and extraversion explained 24%, and personality facets accounted for 32% of the variance in life satisfaction. Four facets were particularly important; anxiety and depression in the neuroticism domain, and activity and positive emotions within extraversion. Heritability of life satisfaction was 0.31 (0.22-0.40), of which 65% was explained by personality-related genetic influences. The remaining genetic variance was unique to life satisfaction. The association between personality and life satisfaction is driven mainly by four, predominantly emotional, personality facets. Genetic factors play an important role in these associations, but influence life satisfaction also beyond the effects of personality.

Psychological Vulnerability and Subjective Happiness: The Mediating Role of Hopelessness

The current study examined the mediating role of hopelessness on the relationship between psychological vulnerability and subjective happiness. It was anticipated that hopelessness may act as a mediator in the relationship between psychological vulnerability and subjective happiness. Two hundred sixty-nine (150 women and 119 men) university students completed the Psychological Vulnerability Scale, the Subjective Happiness Scale and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Data have been collected in the 2013-2014 academic year. The present study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Correlational results indicated that psychological vulnerability and hopelessness were significantly negatively associated with subjective happiness. Results using structural equation modelling showed that hopelessness fully mediated the relationship between psychological vulnerability and subjective happiness. Implications for future research and limitations of the present study are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Cultural values: can they explain self-reported health?

PURPOSE

Self-reported health (SRH) is a measure widely used in health research and population studies. Differences in SRH have been observed between countries and cultural values have been hypothesized to partly explain such differences. Cultural values can be operationalized by two cultural dimensions using the World Values Survey (WVS), namely the traditional/rational-secular and the survival/self-expression dimension. We investigate whether there is an association between the WVS cultural dimensions and SRH, both within and between countries.

METHODS

Data from 51 countries in the WVS is used and combined with macroeconomic data from the Worldbank database. The association between SRH and the WVS cultural dimensions is tested within each of the 51 countries and multilevel mixed models are used to test differences between these countries. Socio-demographic and macroeconomic variables are used to correct for non-cultural variables related to SRH.

RESULTS

Within countries, the survival/self-expression dimension was positively associated with SRH, while in most countries there was a negative association for the traditional/rational-secular dimension. Values range between 4 and 17% within countries. Further analyses show that the associations within countries and between countries are similar. Controlling for macroeconomic and socio-demographic factors did not change our results.

DISCUSSION

The WVS cultural dimensions predict SRH within and between countries. Contrary to our expectations, traditional/rational-secular values were negatively associated with SRH. As SRH is associated with cultural values between countries, cultural values could be considered when interpreting SRH between countries.

The relationship between: occupational status, biological condition and androgen hormone level among Polish adult men: the Wroclaw Male Study

Population health and its determinants are one of the major challenges to social and economic policy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupational activity and biological condition in adult working Polish men. The participants of the study were 300 men (30-65 years), healthy inhabitants of the city of Wroclaw, Poland. Seventeen measures of biological condition were examined. The subjects were divided into three different occupational groups: professionals, soldiers and skilled workers. A comparison of biological age profiles of three occupational groups showed that in the majority of characteristics, professionals had the youngest biological age, whereas skilled workers had the highest biological age. The results for soldiers were not as unambiguous, but biological parameters were generally closer to those for professionals. Inborn biological predispositions and long-term impact of the working environment can influence on the biological condition of various professional groups. Knowledge of the determinants of biological condition might result in efficient use of predisposition to work or may be of help in extending their time of work ability.

Positive Emotions, Positive Emotionality and Their Contribution to Fortigenic Living: A Review

The term fortology refers to the origins of strength, and is used as an alternative to positive psychology. The purpose of the review is to highlight extant knowledge and the research potential of the field. In the first section of the review, positive emotions are considered as lived experiences, and their significance explained with reference to Fredrickson's Broaden-and-Build Theory. Both short-duration and longer-term effects of positive emotions are reviewed. The contributions of humour, optimism and gratitude to positive emotions are considered, as are ways of increasing the frequency of positive emotions. The second section of the review considers positive emotionality, which is the trait that forms the background to positive emotions. Finally, an overview is given of the role of genetics, the behavioural approach system, natural killer cells and dopamine — each of which plays a part in subjective experiences.

Factors Affecting Happiness: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Iranian Youth

INTRODUCTION

Happiness is one of the most important concepts in the mental health that has an impact on different aspects of young people.

AIM

The present study was conducted to identify the factors influencing on happiness among young persons in Liam, Iran during 2014.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among young population 15-29-year-old. Multistage cluster random sampling method was used to select the participants. Data were collected using two demographic and Oxford Happiness Inventory. SPSS software Package 14 was used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

A total of 500 young people, including 272 men and 228 women were enrolled. The Mean ± SD of the participants' age was 20 ± 2.18 years. There was a significant relationship between the happiness score and location in urban and rural, employment status and physical activity. There was not a significant relationship between gender, marital status and education level with happiness score among participants.

CONCLUSION

The age groups, type of occupation, physical activity and place of residence were factors associated with happiness in young persons. However, there was not significant relationship between gender, marital status and education level with a happiness score among study participants.

Life Satisfaction Among Ethnic Minorities in Europe

Although life satisfaction (LS) of ethnic minorities can be significantly undermined by several psychological and material hardships, relatively few studies have examined this issue across Europe. The aim of the present study is to examine the impact of belonging to an ethnic minority group on LS, using data from the sixth wave of the European Social Survey (ESS6), carried out in 2012 in 29 countries ( N = 54,540). About 6.7% of all the participants in the ESS6 considered themselves belonging to an ethnic minority group. Our findings show that LS is lower for the ethnic minorities than for the majority not only in the pooled ESS6 sample but also in 19 European countries, most notably in Slovakia and in the Czech Republic. Multilevel analysis indicated that the negative impact of ethnic minority status on LS tended to be enhanced in ex-Communist countries as well as in countries with higher ethnic diversity. The findings of this study show clearly that policy makers of several European countries should focus on increasing social justice and solidarity, and providing ethnic minorities real opportunities to feel more integrated into society.

The Association between Life Satisfaction and Self–Reported Health Status in Europe

Previous research has shown that life satisfaction (LS) and self–reported health status are strongly related to each other. However, it is not clear whether this association holds across different nations or whether certain country–level indicators significantly affect this association. The study was based on nationally representative samples of 32 countries from the first six rounds of the European Social Survey (N = 291 686). Results from hierarchical multilevel modelling indicated that there was a positive association between LS and self–reported health status across countries, but this association was slightly stronger in countries where governments spent less on the health care of their residents. Self–reported health ratings were also more strongly tied to LS judgements in countries where variability in LS ratings was larger. These results suggest that, especially in less wealthy European countries, policies should target reducing overall social inequality and the negative impact of governments’ underinvestment in health care on LS. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology

Anxious or Depressed and Still Happy?

This study aimed to examine cross-sectionally to what extent persons with higher symptom levels or a current or past emotional disorder report to be less happy than controls and to assess prospectively whether time-lagged measurements of extraversion and neuroticism predict future happiness independent of time-lagged measurements of emotional disorders or symptom severity. A sample of 2142 adults aged 18–65, consisting of healthy controls and persons with current or past emotional disorder according to DSM-IV criteria completed self-ratings for happiness and emotional well-being and symptom severity. Lagged measurements of personality, symptom severity and presence of anxiety and depressive disorder at T0 (year 0), T2 (year 2) and T4 (year 4) were used to predict happiness and emotional well-being at T6 (year 6) controlling for demographics. In particular persons with more depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder, social anxiety disorder and comorbid emotional disorders reported lower levels of happiness and emotional well-being. Depression symptom severity and to a lesser extent depressive disorder predicted future happiness and emotional well-being at T6. Extraversion and to a lesser extent neuroticism also consistently forecasted future happiness and emotional well-being independent of concurrent lagged measurements of emotional disorders and symptoms. A study limitation is that we only measured happiness and emotional well-being at T6 and our measures were confined to hedonistic well-being and did not include psychological and social well-being. In sum, consistent with the two continua model of emotional well-being and mental illness, a ‘happy’ personality characterized by high extraversion and to a lesser extent low neuroticism forecasts future happiness and emotional well-being independent of concurrently measured emotional disorders or symptom severity levels. Boosting positive emotionality may be an important treatment goal for persons personally inclined to lower levels of happiness.

The association of daily physical symptoms with future health

RATIONALE

Daily physical symptoms play a critical role in health and illness experiences. Despite their daily prevalence, the ability of these symptoms to predict future health status is debated.

OBJECTIVE

The current study examined whether physical symptom reports predict future health outcomes independent of trait measures of emotion.

METHODS

Participants (N = 1189) who completed both Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Surveys I and II as well as the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE) reported their daily physical symptoms at baseline and number of reported chronic conditions and functional disability nearly 10 years later.

RESULTS

Physical symptoms at baseline significantly predicted the occurrence of chronic conditions and functional impairment at long-term follow-up, even after adjusting for self-reported affect, self-reported health, and previous health status.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that daily physical symptoms are unique indicators of future health status.

The Molecular Neurobiology of Twelve Steps Program & Fellowship: Connecting the Dots for Recovery

There are some who suggest that alcoholism and drug abuse are not diseases at all and that they are not consequences of a brain disorder as espoused recently by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Some would argue that addicts can quit on their own and moderate their alcohol and drug intake. When they present to a treatment program or enter the 12 Step Program & Fellowship, many addicts finally achieve complete abstinence. However, when controlled drinking fails, there may be successful alternatives that fit particular groups of individuals. In this expert opinion, we attempt to identify personal differences in recovery, by clarifying the molecular neurobiological basis of each step of the 12 Step Program. We explore the impact that the molecular neurobiological basis of the 12 steps can have on Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) despite addiction risk gene polymorphisms. This exploration has already been accomplished in part by Blum and others in a 2013 Springer Neuroscience Brief. The purpose of this expert opinion is to briefly, outline the molecular neurobiological and genetic links, especially as they relate to the role of epigenetic changes that are possible in individuals who regularly attend AA meetings. It begs the question as to whether "12 steps programs and fellowship" does induce neuroplasticity and continued dopamine D2 receptor proliferation despite carrying hypodopaminergic type polymorphisms such as DRD2 A1 allele. "Like-minded" doctors of ASAM are cognizant that patients in treatment without the "psycho-social-spiritual trio," may not be obtaining the important benefits afforded by adopting 12-step doctrines. Are we better off with coupling medical assisted treatment (MAT) that favors combining dopamine agonist modalities (DAM) as possible histone-deacetylase activators with the 12 steps followed by a program that embraces either one or the other? While there are many unanswered questions, at least we have reached a time when "science meets recovery," and in doing so, can further redeem joy in recovery.

Effects of Psychological Capital on Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Luthans, Youssef, Sweetman, and Harms proposed a holistic approach to psychological capital that involves examining psychological capital and its effects across multiple life domains, including work, relationships, and health. This article focuses on the effects of psychological capital on objective health outcomes. Using data from a sample of 1,889 U.S. Army soldiers, we demonstrate that soldiers with higher levels of psychological capital prior to deployment were less likely to receive diagnoses for mental health problems and substance abuse postdeployment. In addition, the effects of psychological capital on mental health diagnoses were mediated by soldiers’ overall health perceptions.

Genetics of wellbeing and its components satisfaction with life, happiness, and quality of life: a review and meta-analysis of heritability studies

Wellbeing is a major topic of research across several disciplines, reflecting the increasing recognition of its strong value across major domains in life. Previous twin-family studies have revealed that individual differences in wellbeing are accounted for by both genetic as well as environmental factors. A systematic literature search identified 30 twin-family studies on wellbeing or a related measure such as satisfaction with life or happiness. Review of these studies showed considerable variation in heritability estimates (ranging from 0 to 64 %), which makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions regarding the genetic influences on wellbeing. For overall wellbeing twelve heritability estimates, from 10 independent studies, were meta-analyzed by computing a sample size weighted average heritability. Ten heritability estimates, derived from 9 independent samples, were used for the meta-analysis of satisfaction with life. The weighted average heritability of wellbeing, based on a sample size of 55,974 individuals, was 36 % (34–38), while the weighted average heritability for satisfaction with life was 32 % (29–35) (n = 47,750). With this result a more robust estimate of the relative influence of genetic effects on wellbeing is provided.

Independent and combined association of overall physical fitness and subjective well-being with fibromyalgia severity: the al-Ándalus project

PURPOSE

The present study aimed: (1) to test the associations of overall physical fitness and subjective well-being with fibromyalgia severity and (2) to determine whether the combination of overall physical fitness and subjective well-being is associated with fibromyalgia severity among adult women patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 424 participants from Andalusia, southern Spain. Overall physical fitness and the components of subjective well-being (positive affect, negative affect and cognitive well-being), and fibromyalgia severity were assessed using the Functional Senior Physical Fitness Test Battery, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, respectively.

RESULTS

Overall physical fitness (β = -.23), positive affect (β = -.18), negative affect (β = .26), and cognitive well-being (β = -.18) were all associated with fibromyalgia severity. The patients with the highest overall physical fitness and increased subjective well-being reported ~15 % lower fibromyalgia severity than those with the lowest fitness and poorest subjective well-being (Cohen's d > 1.0).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that higher levels of overall physical fitness and subjective well-being are independently associated with lower fibromyalgia severity. Moreover, patients with higher overall physical fitness and increased subjective well-being (high positive affect, low negative affect, or high cognitive well-being) reported lower fibromyalgia severity than those with low levels of overall physical fitness and subjective well-being.

The mediating roles of perceived stress and health behaviors in the relation between objective, subjective, and neighborhood socioeconomic status and perceived health

BACKGROUND

Objective, subjective, and neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with perceived health, morbidity, and mortality.

PURPOSE

We investigated whether perceived stress and health behaviors mediated the relation between the three types of SES and perceived health.

METHODS

Participants (N = 508) attending a public clinic completed a computerized survey assessing objective SES (income, education, employment); health behaviors; perceived stress; and perceived health. They also indicated their social standing relative to others (subjective SES) and provided their current address to determine neighborhood SES.

RESULTS

In a structural equation model including all three SES types, lower objective and subjective SES were related to poorer perceived health. When mediators were included in the model, there were significant indirect effects of (a) SES on health through stress and (b) SES on health through stress and health-compromising behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to reduce the impact of stressors could improve the health of socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals.

Wellness within illness: happiness in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is typically a chronic disorder and among the most severe forms of serious mental illnesses in terms of adverse impact on quality of life. Yet, there have been suggestions that some people with schizophrenia can experience an overall sense of happiness in their lives. We investigated happiness among 72 outpatients with non-remitted chronic schizophrenia with a mean duration of illness of 24.4 years, and 64 healthy comparison subjects (HCs). Despite continued treatment with antipsychotic medications, the individuals with schizophrenia manifested a mild to moderate level of psychopathology. People with schizophrenia reported lower mean levels of happiness than HCs, but there was substantial heterogeneity within the schizophrenia group. Level of happiness in persons with schizophrenia was significantly correlated with higher mental health-related quality of life, and several positive psychosocial factors (lower perceived stress, and higher levels of resilience, optimism, and personal mastery). However, level of happiness was not related to sociodemographic characteristics, duration of illness, severity of positive or negative symptoms, physical function, medical comorbidity, or cognitive functioning. Except for an absence of an association with resilience, the pattern of correlations of happiness with other variables seen among HCs was similar to that in individuals with schizophrenia. Although happiness may be harder to achieve in the context of a serious mental illness, it nonetheless appears to be a viable treatment goal in schizophrenia. Psychotherapies targeting positive coping factors such as resilience, optimism, and personal mastery warrant further investigation.

Renal function is a determinant of subjective well-being in active seniors but not in patients with subjective memory complaints

BACKGROUND

During our whole life span, factors influencing health and functioning are accumulated. In chronic kidney disease, quality of life is adversely affected. We hypothesized that biomarkers of renal function could also be determinants of subjective well-being (SWB) in Swedish elderly subjects. SWB was assessed by the Psychological General Well-Being index (PGWB index) in two study groups: Active seniors (AS) consisted of community-dwelling elderly Swedes leading an active life (n = 389), and the DGM cohort (n = 300) consisted of subjects referred to the Memory Unit at the Department of Geriatrics for memory problems, Serum creatinine, cystatin C, and eGFR (CKD-EPI) were used as biomarkers of renal function.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in cystatin C and eGFR values between the two cohorts: cystatin C medians 0.88 vs 0.86 mg/L and eGFR 73 vs 80 mL/min/1.73 m2 (AS vs DGM). In the AS cohort cystatin C was negatively related to PGWB index in women (P < 0.001, R2 ≈ 5%), and the covariates age and BMI did not improve the models. The renal biomarkers were unrelated to the PGWB index in the DGM cohort. Cystatin C in the AS cohort was adversely related to the PGWB subdimensions anxiety, depressed mood, positive well-being, and vitality in women, but in men only to depressed mood (P < 0.006; R2 ≈ 6%). In the DGM cohort, depressed mood in men was also significantly related to cystatin C (P = 0.050), but not in women.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal function even within the normal range, measured by serum cystatin C concentration, has significant and sex specific associations with subjective well-being and its subdimensions in healthy elderly subjects. Maintenance of good renal function in aging may be of importance in maintaining a high subjective well-being.