Relationship between psychological capital and quality of life among seniors working after retirement: The mediating role of hope of success

Better and Healthier Together? The Mediation Effect of Positive Psychological Capital on the Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older Adults

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the mediating effects of positive psychological capital (both as compound PsyCap and separate resources) in the relationship between social support and the two components of HRQoL: physical and mental health. Method: We conducted the current cross-sectional study on a sample of 319 participants (114 male; 205 female) aged 65 to 90. Results: The results indicated significant positive associations between social support, PsyCap, physical health and mental health. Compound PsyCap fully mediated the relationship between perceived social support and physical/mental health. Hope and optimism positively predicted physical health, while the same PsyCap resources, along with self-efficacy positively predicted mental health. Discussion: The retirees that perceived increased social support presented higher levels of PsyCap, which in turn increased their physical and mental health. Our results highlighted some new explanatory mechanisms regarding the relationships between variables that affect health-related quality of life among older adults.

An online intervention to increase psychological capital and wellbeing in ageing employees during COVID-19 pandemic

Findings from a number of studies indicate the importance of employees' psychological resources in coping with stress and maintaining wellbeing. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of an online psychological capital intervention in terms of changes in psychological capital and wellbeing indicators in a group of ageing workers. The intervention consisted of online group workshops conducted among employees aged 50 years and older. Two measurements were taken by 41 participants from the experimental group and 12 participants from the control group at pre-test and at follow-up. Analysis of the results of the study showed that participation in the intervention increased the level of psychological capital, affective balance, satisfaction with life, and decreased depressive symptoms in the experimental group. Although the level of perceived stress was also found to be lower in the second measurement and the level of meaning of work increased, this effect applied to both the experimental and control groups. The level of job satisfaction did not change significantly. No moderating effects were found. The analyses indicate that an intervention based on the development of the four components of psychological capital is effective both in terms of strengthening psychological capital itself and in improving certain indicators of participants' wellbeing. A limitation of the study was the high dropout rate at the final measurement stage, the small sample size, and the uneven allocation to the experimental and control conditions. Hence, the results should be interpreted with caution, and the intervention should be tested in the future with larger groups.

Psychological capital and farmer families' quality of life under the climate variability conditions

As one of the most fragile economic sectors of developing countries, the agricultural sector is constantly exposed to climate variability. In this regard, considering psychological capital and the need to adopt psychological coping strategies by the farmer families to encounter these conditions effectively has a crucial role on their quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of psychological capital on the quality of life of rural farmer families via the mediation of psychological coping strategies in the conditions of climate variability. To the best knowledge of the authors, so far no study has assessed quality of life in especially among the farmer households and none of them has investigated quality of life in rural areas. The primary research question guiding this study is, how does psychological capital impact the quality of life of rural farmer households, and what role do psychological coping strategies play as mediators in this relationship under conditions of climate variability. The statistical population of this study was rural farmer households living in Kermanshah province, Iran. Exploratory factor analysis, revealed that psychological coping strategies can be classified into three factors (belief/value-oriented coping, emotion/avoidance-oriented coping, and problem-oriented coping). Then, confirmatory factor analysis was performed via structural equation modeling with SmartPLS3 statistical software, and indicated that 27% of variance changes in the quality of life variable of farmer families were explained by the proposed research model. Findings revealed that the psychological capital variable had the strongest effect on belief/value-oriented coping. Besides, the findings showed that problem-oriented and belief/value-oriented coping, unlike emotion/avoidance-oriented coping, mediate the relationship between psychological capital and the quality of life of the studied farmer families under the conditions of climate variability. Some recommendations were provided based on the research results.

The mediating role of psychological capital in health behaviors among elderly nursing home residents

Objective

This study aims to explore the interactions between social capital, positive psychological capital, and health-promoting behaviors among elderly residents in nursing homes in the Xiangxi region of China.

Methods

A random cluster sampling method was employed to select elderly individuals from 27 nursing homes in the Xiangxi area. Data were collected using the general information questionnaire, the Social Capital Scale, the Positive Psychological Capital Scale, and the Health-Promoting Behaviors Scale. The mediating role of positive psychological capital between social capital and health-promoting behaviors was analyzed.

Results

A total of 341 questionnaires were collected from 27 nursing homes. The data reveals mean scores of 46.83 ± 10.26 for social capital, 72.48 ± 6.39 for positive psychological capital, and 68.25 ± 10.85 for health-promoting behaviors. Mediation analysis shows that the total effect of social capital on health-promoting behaviors was 0.800 (95% CI: 0.726, 0.873), with a direct effect of 0.478 (95% CI: 0.379, 0.577), accounting for 59.75% of the total effect. The indirect effect, mediated by positive psychological capital, was 0.321 (95% CI: 0.233, 0.409), contributing to 40.13% of the total effect.

Conclusion

Positive psychological capital acts as a mediating variable between social capital and health-promoting behaviors. Future interventions designed to enhance health-promoting behaviors must consider both social and psychological capitals to fully leverage their interplay and further promote healthy aging.

The Predictability of Stress Coping Strategies and Psychological Capital on the Psychological Well-Being of Autistic Spectrum Children's Mothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

There is an increasing number of studies concerned with the study of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). At the same time, there is a lack of interest in studies on their families, especially on mothers who represent the first breadwinner for a child who suffers from a deficit in social communication with others, reflected in their well-being (PWB). This study aimed to reveal the possibility of predicting the PWB of autistic spectrum children's mothers through the variables of coping strategies and psychological capital (PsyCap). The study used a predictive, descriptive research method to reveal the ability of the variables-coping strategies (problem-solving, avoidance, support, re-evaluation, remorse) and PsyCap (self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience)-in predicting the PWB of autistic spectrum children's mothers. The study sample consisted of (248) mothers, to whom coping strategies, PsyCap, and PWB measures were applied. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences between working and housewife mothers of autistic spectrum children in solving problems (t = 3.162, p < 0.002), avoidance (t = 1.973, p < 0.05), positive coping (t = 2.307, p < 0.022), self-efficacy (t = 3.667, p < 0.000), resilience (t = 3.338, p < 0.001), PsyCap (t = 2.866, p < 0.005), and PWB (t = 2.549, p < 0.011). Meanwhile, there were no statistically significant differences in social support, problem reassessment, remorse, negative coping, optimism, and hope. Also, there were no statistically significant differences due to the number of children in coping strategies, PsyCap, and PWB. The results also showed that there were statistically significant differences at the level of significance (0.05) between mothers whose age was less than 40 years and those 40 years and older in solving problems (t = 2.093, p < 0.037) in favor of mothers of the age group 40 years and older (M = 22.00, SD = 1.22), and avoidance (t = 1.987, p < 0.048) in favor of mothers under 40 years of age (M = 6.228, SD = 0.464). However, there were no statistically significant differences in social support, problem reassessment, remorse, positive coping, negative coping, self-efficacy, optimism, hope, resilience, the total degree of PsyCap, and well-being due to the variable of the mother's age. The regression analysis results showed that optimism and problem-solving contributed to (39.90%) of the total change in PWB for mothers of children with autism spectrum. The study's findings indicate the need to develop the ability of autistic spectrum children's mothers to solve problems and their PsyCap, which is represented in self-efficacy, optimism, hope, and resilience, to enhance their PWB, which may have a positive impact on their autistic spectrum child.

Relationship between job burnout and presenteeism in anesthesia nurses: mediating effect of psychological capital

BACKGROUND

Psychological capital can effectively alleviate job burnout and improve career autonomy and job satisfaction. However, there is a lack of research on the mediating role of psychological capital between job burnout and preseneeism in Chinese anesthesia nurses.

AIMS

The mediating role of psychological capital between job burnout and presenteeism based on constructing structural equation models in anesthesia nurses.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional study design. From June to July 2024, convenience sampling was used to conduct a questionnaire survey of 568 anesthesia registered nurses in different levels of hospitals in Sichuan Province. The self-designed general information questionnaire, Chinese version of Stanford Invisible Absence Scale (SPS-6), Psychological Capital Scale-Chinese Revised (PCQ) and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI) were used to investigate the status through the form of questionnaire star. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the interaction among psychological capital, job burnout and presenteeism. AMOS 26.0 software was used to further verify the mediating effect of psychological capital between job burnout and preseneeism, and to construct the corresponding path relationship model.

RESULTS

The scores of psychological capital, job burnout and preseneeism were 93.31 ± 14.33, 56.35 ± 17.67 and 18.96 ± 4.97, respectively. Job burnout of anesthesia nurses was significantly negatively correlated with psychological capital (r=-0.558, P < 0.01), and was significantly positively correlated with presences (r = 0.465, P < 0.01). Psychological capital was significantly negatively correlated with presences (r=-0.495, P < 0.01). In addition, psychological capital was identified as a partial mediating effect between job burnout and preseneeism in the mediation model, and the mediating effect was 0.279, accounting for 48.18% of the total effect.

CONCLUSION

The job burnout of anesthesia nurses has reached a moderate level, and job burnout can positively predict preseneeism. Psychological capital partially mediates the positive effect of job burnout on preseneeism, and the improvement of its level has a positive effect on reducing job burnout and preseneeism of anesthesia nurses. Therefore, enhancing psychological capital has become an important way to relieve the occupational stress and improve work efficiency of anesthesia nurses.

The impact of mind-body exercise on the quality of life in older adults: the chain mediation effect of perceived social support and psychological resilience

Background

With the intensification of the global aging trend, there is a contradiction between the extended lifespan and the decline of physiological functions among the older adult. It has become a global consensus to focus on and improve the quality of life for the older adult. Mind-body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) play a crucial role in promoting the quality of life for older adults, but the mechanisms and mediating effects are not yet clear.

Objective

This study examines the impact of mind-body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) on the quality of life in older adults, with a particular focus on exploring the chain mediating effects of perceived social support and psychological resilience.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional study that surveyed 1,087 older adults participating in mind-body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) in 13 districts of Beijing, China, from March 25 to May 3, 2024. The Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used to measure mind-body exercise, perceived social support, psychological resilience, and quality of life, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 26.0, and mediation effects were tested and effect analysis was conducted through structural equation modeling (AMOS) and the Bootstrap method.

Results

The study results show that mind-body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) are significantly and positively correlated with the quality of life in older adults (r = 0.549, p < 0.01). The path coefficients for the relationships mind-body exercise → perceived social support (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) → psychological resilience (β = 0.20, p < 0.001) → quality of life in older adults (β = 0.39, p < 0.001) are significant, indicating that perceived social support and psychological resilience have a chain mediating effect between mind-body exercise and the quality of life in older adults.

Conclusion

Mind-body exercises not only improve the quality of life for older adults but also indirectly enhance it by strengthening perceived social support and psychological resilience. This study provides significant reference for developing health intervention strategies targeted at older adults, suggesting that promoting mind-body exercises can improve their sense of perceived social support and psychological resilience, thereby increasing their quality of life.

General self-efficacy as a moderator between severity of menopausal symptoms and satisfaction with life in menopausal women

The study aimed to determine whether self-efficacy acts as a moderator between the severity of menopausal symptoms and life satisfaction. The research tools were: The Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) The Menopause - Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL), and a standardized questionnaire comprising questions on the participants' characteristics. 516 women using health care services who had menopausal symptoms took part in the study. Self-efficacy (GSES) (r = -0.176; p < 0.001) and life satisfaction (SWLS) (r = -0.106; p = 0.016) were negatively correlated with the severity of menopausal symptoms (MENQOL). The self-efficacy correlated positively with satisfaction with life (r = 0.278; p < 0.001). A low level of self-efficacy was associated with a significant and negative relationship between the severity of menopausal symptoms and satisfaction with life (p = 0.005), while at a high and moderate level of self-efficacy, the severity of menopausal symptoms was not associated with life satisfaction (p > 0.05). Self-efficacy moderates the relationship between the severity of menopausal symptoms and life satisfaction in menopausal women. The moderating function of self-efficacy is that, at its low level, an increase in the severity of menopausal symptoms reduces life satisfaction, while at medium and high levels, an increase in the severity of menopausal symptoms does not reduce life satisfaction.

Personal Competence or Environmental Characteristics? Factors Influencing Happiness among Ageing Adults in Hong Kong Around the Period of COVID-19 Pandemic

Drawing upon person-environment fit perspective, this study examines the joint and interactive influences of personal competence and environmental characteristics on the happiness of ageing adults around the period of COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected in two rounds, before and during the pandemic, with 2,028 participants aged 55 years and older in Hong Kong. Personal competence encompassed financial status, physical health, and mental capital, while environmental characteristics included experiences of ageism, perceived social conditions, and age-friendly policies. Ordinary least squares regression was used to examine personal and environmental influences on happiness. Results indicated a significant decline in happiness following the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. Mental capital was found to have the strongest positive influence on happiness, followed by physical health, financial status, and social conditions. Mental capital mitigated the negative relationship between experiences of ageism and happiness. Practical interventions are informed to improve the well-being of ageing adults during pandemic.

Turning to religion as a mediator of the relationship between hopelessness and job satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals representing the uniformed services or working in professions of public trust in Poland

INTRODUCTION

During the COVID-19 pandemic individuals performing uniformed service or working in a profession of public trust were particularly exposed to chronic stress. The exposure to stress contributes to a decrease in quality of life across various domains, including professional performance. The perceived mental difficulties can lead to a feeling of hopelessness which, in turn can generate a decrease in job satisfaction. Religiosity is a factor which, in stress-inducing conditions, not only stops the spiral of perceived resource losses but also triggers gains in the resources possessed.

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess the preference for positive religious coping strategies, namely turning to religion as a mediator for the relationship between perceived hopelessness and job satisfaction in the individuals declaring religiosity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis has been performed based on the Conservation of Resources theory (COR).

METHODS

The study encompassed 238 individuals representing the uniformed services or working in professions of public trust in Poland. The Inventory for Measuring Coping with Stress (MINI-COPE) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) were used in the research.

RESULTS

The mediating role of turning to religion in relationship between perceived hopelessness and job satisfaction was confirmed only in the group of women. The relationship found in this group indicates that perceived hopelessness is alleviated by turning to religion, which simultaneously leads to an increase in job satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

The obtained results prove that counselling should be standard practice after potentially traumatic events in the workplace; moreover, emotional and/or instrumental support should be offered along with spiritual one.

Psychological Capital and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors of Construction Workers: The Mediating Effect of Prosocial Motivation and the Moderating Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility

Due to construction industry projects' large-scale, long-period, and outdoor operation characteristics, employees' organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) plays an essential role in cost-saving, high-efficiency, and environmentally friendly development strategies. This study discusses how to improve employees' OCB from two levels of employees' psychological factors and corporate social responsibility (CSR) at the organizational level. We verified this study's hypotheses based on 336 valid questionnaires collected from 56 teams. The results indicated that (1) positive psychological capital (PsyCap) was a positive predictor of employees' OCB; (2) PsyCap was positively related to employees' prosocial motivation, and prosocial motivation partially mediated the relationship between PsyCap and employees' OCB; and (3) CSR moderated the relationship between PsyCap and prosocial motivation and played a significant moderating role between prosocial motivation and OCB. These findings provide an empirical research basis for the theories of conservation of resources (COR), self-determination, and affective events. This research also has managerial implications for improving employees' OCB in the construction industry.

Resilience in Older People: A Concept Analysis

(1) Background: Resilience has been presented as a potential protective factor to be promoted in difficult experiences in older people. However, further clarification of the concept of resilience for this population is required, as this is of critical interest for nursing care. (2) Aim: To develop the concept of resilience in older people to establish the elements that refer to the nursing outcome. Personal resilience (1309) from the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), specifically in older people. (3) Methods: Concept analysis using Beth Rodgers' evolutionary model. The attributes, antecedents, consequents, and empirical elements were described in the integrative review, with searches in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, LILACS, and Embase databases. A total of 2431 citations have been identified, and 110 studies were included. (4) Results: The concept of "resilience in older people" is composed of two attributes, available resources and positive behaviors, and is defined as positive attitudes of older people with the assistance of resources available from experiences of adversity. Conclusion: This analysis and concept development of resilience in older people provided sensitive indicators for nursing care in the context of adversity, considering available resources and with positive attitudes during this phase of life span.

Psychological capital and alienation among patients with COVID-19 infection: the mediating role of social support

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 infection continues all over the world, causing serious physical and psychological impacts to patients. Patients with COVID-19 infection suffer from various negative emotional experiences such as anxiety, depression, mania, and alienation, which seriously affect their normal life and is detrimental to the prognosis. Our study is aimed to investigate the effect of psychological capital on alienation among patients with COVID-19 and the mediating role of social support in this relationship.

METHODS

The data were collected in China by the convenient sampling. A sample of 259 COVID-19 patients completed the psychological capital, social support and social alienation scale and the structural equation model was adopted to verify the research hypotheses.

RESULTS

Psychological capital was significantly and negatively related to the COVID-19 patients' social alienation (p < .01). And social support partially mediated the correlation between psychological capital and patients' social alienation (p < .01).

CONCLUSION

Psychological capital is critical to predicting COVID-19 patients' social alienation. Social support plays an intermediary role and explains how psychological capital alleviates the sense of social alienation among patients with COVID-19 infection.

Psychological Capital and Quality of life of Refugees in Uganda During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Serial Mediation Model

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has in the past two years caused and continues to cause enormous effects on lifestyle, mental health, and quality of life. With no known treatment and vaccination, behavioral control measures became central in controlling the pandemic. However, the intensity of the pandemic and the stringent control measures were immensely stressful. The control measures became an added psychological burden to people living in precarious situations such as refugees in low-income countries. Purpose: Given the benefits of psychological capital, the present study aimed at investigating the role of psychological capital in enhancing the quality of life among refugees in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was hypothesized that the effects of psychological capital on quality of life are serially mediated through coping strategies, adherence to COVID-19 control measures, and mental health. Methods: Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire in July and August 2020 after the first lockdown. Participants were 353 South Sudanese and Somali refugees living in Kampala city suburbs and Bidibidi refugee settlement. Findings: Psychological capital was positively associated with approach coping, mental health, and quality of life. However, psychological capital was negatively associated with adherence to COVID-19 control measures. Significant indirect effects of psychological capital on quality of life through approach coping, mental health, and adherence were found. However, serial mediation effects were only substantial via approach coping and mental health. Conclusion: Psychological capital is an important resource in coping with the challenges posed by COVID-19 and maintaining a good level of psychological functioning and quality of life. Preserving and boosting psychological capital is essential in responding to COVID-19 and other related disasters and crises, which are common in vulnerable populations such as refugee communities in low-income countries.

Psychological capital, quality of life, and well-being in mother caregivers of individuals with down syndrome

Introduction

Caused by an error in cell division that produces an additional chromosome 21, Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common developmental disorders in the world. This study aims to analyze the relationship between psychological capital, quality of life and well-being of caregivers of individuals with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods

The participants were 98 caregivers (mothers, M = 52.13, SD = 11.39) of individuals with Down syndrome. The instruments used were the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (measuring self-efficacy, resilience, optimism, and hope), Quality of Life Questionnaire (including social support, general satisfaction, physical/psychological health, absence of excessive workload/free time), and Psychological Wellbeing Scale, investigating the following dimensions: self-acceptance, positive relationships with others, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth.

Results

The mediation analysis showed that self-efficacy, hope, and resilience are positively associated to quality of life, and optimism is positively associated to well-being. The total effects of psychological capital on well-being are positive and significant and quality of life mediates the relationship between psychological capital and well-being.

Discussion

These results show that psychological capital is an important inner resource for caregivers of DS individuals and must be improved through support services, so that caregivers have a higher perception of the quality of life and implicitly of well-being.

The Mediating Role of Dispositional Optimism in the Relationship between Health Locus of Control and Self-Efficacy in Pregnant Women at Risk of Preterm Delivery

Difficult situations during pregnancy, such as threatened preterm labor, trigger negative experiences in women. The levels of stress experienced and the way individuals cope with it depend on their personal resources, such as optimism, internal health locus of control, and self-efficacy, among other factors. The purpose of this paper was to determine the role of dispositional optimism in the relationship between health locus of control and self-efficacy in pregnant women with threatened preterm labor. Dispositional optimism plays the role of mediator in relationships between: (1) internal health control and self-efficacy; and (2) impact of random events on one's health and self-efficacy. Dispositional optimism does not mediate the relationship between the perceived impact of others on one's health and self-efficacy. For women with a high-risk pregnancy, dispositional optimism is a significant resource for coping with the problems they encounter. It changes the direction (from negative to positive) of the association between experiencing the impact of external factors (random events) on one's health and perceived self-efficacy. It prevents the cycle of loss caused by the interpretation of random events as having an impact on one's health, and acts as a mediator to initiate a cycle of gains that leads to greater perceived self-efficacy. Optimistic pregnant women maintain a positive outlook, even when confronted with difficult, negative experiences such as threatened preterm labor.