Influence of individualism and collectivism on self-reported health of retired military cadres / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the effects of individualism and collectivism on the self-reported health of military retired cadres. Methods The Chinese version of the European quality life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), the individualism-collectivism scale, and the Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness were used to survey 112 retired military cadres from military cadre sanatoria in Shanghai, Suzhou and so on. The data were analyzed by SPSS 22.0 software. Results A total of 112 questionnaires were sent out, and 71 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective rate of 63.39%. The scores of individualism and collectivism of retired military cadres (n＝71) were lower than those of college students (n＝403), the difference was statistically significant (t＝－4.81 and －7.95, both P＜0.01). Correlation analysis results showed that there was no significant correlation between gender, age, education level, marital status, children's number, residence status and self-reported health status, subjective well-being, individualism and collectivism (all P＞0.05); subjective well-being, individualism and self-reported health were positively correlated (r＝0.44, P＜0.01; r＝0.29, P＜0.05), collectivism and self-reported health were not significantly correlated (r＝0.19, P＞0.05), and individualism and collectivism were positively correlated (r＝0.67, P＜0.01). Hierarchical multiple regression showed that the inclusion of individualism and collectivism improved the model interpretation rate (ΔR2＝0.08, F＝3.41, P＜0.05) after controlling subjective well-being. Individualism could predict health status (β＝0.34, P＜0.05), while collectivism could not (β＝－0.09, P＝0.55). Conclusion Individualistic cultural orientation is the main factor that affects the health of retired military cadres, while collectivist cultural orientation has no obvious effect.

Infuence of individualism and collectivism on self-reported health of retired military cadres / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To investigate the effects of individualism and collectivism on the self-reported health of military retired cadres. Methods: The Chinese version of the European quality life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), the individualism-collectivism scale, and the Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness were used to survey 112 retired military cadres from military cadre sanatoria in Shanghai, Suzhou and so on. The data were analyzed by SPSS 22.0 software. Results: A total of 112 questionnaires were sent out, and 71 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective rate of 63.39%. The scores of individualism and collectivism of retired military cadres (n = 71) were lower than those of college students (n=403), the difference was statistically significant (t= -4.81 and -7.95, both P0.05); subjective well-being, individualism and self-reported health were positively correlated (r=0.44, P0.05), and individualism and collectivism were positively correlated (r=0.67, P<.0.01). Hierarchical multiple regression showed that the inclusion of individualism and collectivism improved the model interpretation rate (ΔR =0.08, F=3.41, P<0.05) after controlling subjective well-being. Individualism could predict health status (β=0.34, P<0.05), while collectivism could not (β= -0.09, P = 0.55). Conclusion: Individualistic cultural orientation is the main factor that affects the health of retired military cadres, while collectivist cultural orientation has no obvious effect.

Salud, optimismo y afrontamiento en trabajadores profesionales y no profesionales que trabajan en contextos altamente estresantes / Health, optimism and coping style in professionals and non professionals working in highly stressful environments / Saúde, otimismo e enfrentamento em trabalhadores profissionais e não profissionais que trabalham em contextos muito estressantes

El objetivo de la presente investigación es identificar la relación entre salud, optimismo disposicional y estilos de afrontamiento en trabajadores, profesionales y no profesionales que trabajan en contextos altamente estresantes, en la ciudad de Talca, Chile. Se evaluaron 119 trabajadores de diversas instituciones dedicadas a la atención de personas vulnerables socialmente, con los siguientes instrumentos: el General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), el Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), y la Escala de Evaluación de Técnicas de Afrontamiento (COPE). Los resultados indican que un 18% de la muestra presenta una alteración en su funcionamiento emocional normal, siendo la mayoría trabajadoras no profesionales. No se encontró relación entre estado de salud reportada y optimismo disposicional; sin embargo, sí se observaron correlaciones entre estas variables y algunos estilos de afrontamiento. En el caso de la sintomatología de salud reportada, se observaron correlaciones negativas con algunos estilos que conforman el afrontamiento centrado en el problema, y correlaciones positivas con algunos estilos que conforman el afrontamiento de evitación. Por su parte, el optimismo disposicional presenta una correlación positiva con algunos estilos del factor de afrontamiento centrado en el problema, y una correlación negativa con la desconexión conductual. Estos resultados muestran que existen estilos favorecedores de la salud, como la reinterpretación positiva y el crecimiento personal, que podrían ser considerados en planes de intervención de salud y autocuidado para los trabajadores. Es necesario seguir profundizando la investigación en este contexto, incluyendo elementos organizacionales con el fin de comprender mejor las diferencias entre los trabajadores profesionales y no profesionales.

The aim of this research is to identify the relationship between health status, dispositional optimism and coping style in professionals and non professionals working in highly stressful environments in the city of Talca-Chile. 119 professionals and non professionals from different institutions dedicated to the care of socially vulnerable people were assessed with the following questionnaires: the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Life Orientation Test (LOR-R) and the Stress-Management Evaluation Scale (COPE for its Spanish acronym). Results show that 18% of the participants have an alteration in their emotional well-being, a group where the majority was mainly non professional women workers. No relationship was found between self-reported health status and dispositional optimism. However, correlations were found between these variables and coping styles. In the case of reported health symptoms, there were negative correlations with coping styles that involve problem-focused coping, and positive correlations with some styles that involve avoidance coping. Meanwhile, dispositional optimism shows a positive correlation with problem-focused coping and with some styles that make up this factor, and a negative correlation with behavioral disengagement. Results show that there are health-promoting coping styles, such as positive reinterpretation and personal growth, which could be used for developing health plans and self-care interventions for these workers. It is necessary to further deepen the research in this context, including organizational elements in order to better understand the differences between professional and nonprofessional workers.

O objetivo da presente pesquisa é identificar a relação entre saúde, otimismo disposicional e estilos de enfrentamento em trabalhadores profissionais e não profissionais que trabalham em contextos altamente estressantes, na cidade de Talca, Chile. Avaliaram-se 119 trabalhadores de diversas instituições dedicadas ao atendimento de pessoas vulneráveis socialmente, com os seguintes instrumentos: o General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), o Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), e a Escala de Avaliação de Técnicas de Enfrentamento (COPE). Os resultados indicam que 18% da mostra apresenta uma alteração no seu funcionamento emocional normal, sendo a maioria trabalhadoras não profissionais. Não foi encontrada relação entre o estado de saúde informado e otimismo disposicional; porém, foram observadas correlações entre essas variáveis e alguns estilos de enfrentamento. No caso da sintomatologia de saúde informada, observaram-se correlações negativas com alguns estilos que formam o enfrentamento centrado no problema, e correlações positivas com alguns estilos que foram o enfrentamento de evitação. Por sua parte, o otimismo disposicional apresenta una correlação positiva com alguns estilos do fator de enfrentamento centrado no problema, e uma correlação negativa com a desconexão conductual. Estes resultados mostram que existem estilos favorecedores da saúde, como a reinterpretação positiva e o crescimento pessoal, que poderiam ser considerados em planos de intervenção de saúde e autocuidado para os trabalhadores. É necessário continuar aprofundando a pesquisa neste contexto, incluindo elementos organizacionais com o objetivo de compreender melhor as diferenças entre os trabalhadores profissionais e não profissionais.

Fatores associados à saúde positiva autorreferida em jovens ativos na região nordeste, Brasil / Factors associated with self-rated positive health in active young men from Sergipe state, Brazil

INTRODUÇÃO: A autoavaliação negativa da saúde parece estar associada a alguns tipos de neoplasias e à mortalidade na população em geral. OBJETIVO: O referido trabalho buscou verificar os fatores associados à autoavaliação positiva da saúde em jovens adultos e ativos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: A amostra deste estudo, de corte transversal, foi composta por 695 rapazes, retirados da população de jovens, com 18 anos de idade, em processo de alistamento militar. As variáveis do estudo foram: classe socioeconômica, estado civil, escolaridade, trabalho, tabagismo, consumo de álcool, estresse, prática de atividade física habitual e autoavaliação da saúde. Para análise dos dados realizaram-se os testes da razão de verossimilhança e regressão logística hierarquizada. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se associação entre autoavaliação positiva da saúde com maior escolaridade (OR = 3,38; IC 95%; 1,83-6,23) e não tabagismo (OR = 3,42; IC 95%; 1,69-6,92). Na análise ajustada para as variáveis sociodemográficas - escolaridade (mais que oito anos de estudo) (OR = 3,05; IC 95%; 1,63-5,73) e não ser fumante (OR = 3,03; IC 95%; 1,47-6,25), permaneceram associados à autoavaliação positiva da saúde. CONCLUSÃO: Os achados apontam para a necessidade de enfatizar outros fatores comportamentais associados à autoavaliação da saúde em jovens do sexo masculino.

INTRODUCTION: Self-reported positive health seems to be associated with various factors in the general population. Among active men, the association with such traits seems to be unclear. OBJECTIVE: This work has aimed to verify the factors associated with self-reported positive health in active young men. Material and METHODS: cross sectional research was carried out with a sample of 695 male conscripts, taken from the male population (age of 18 years), in the mandatory army enlisting process. The study variables were: socioeconomic status, marital status, education, work, smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, regular physical activity practice and self-reported health. In order to analyze the data likelihood, ratio tests were calculated and hierarchical logistic regression analysis applied. RESULTS: Association between self-reported positive health and high education - eight or more years (OR=3.38; IC 95%; 1.83-6.23), and non- smoking (OR=3.42; IC 95%; 1.69-6.92) was found. When the analysis was adjusted to social-demographic variables, high education (OR=3.05; IC 95%; 1.63-5.73), and non-smoking (OR=3.03; IC 95%; 1.47-6.25) kept on the model being associated with self-reported positive health. CONCLUSION: Such findings suggest the need to develop intervention strategies in an intersectional and multi-professional manner in the public health departments, related to risk behavior and social factors.

Autopercepção de saúde em adolescentes, adultos e idosos / Self-reported health status in adolescents, adults and the elderly

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a prevalência e os fatores associados a autopercepção de saúde regular/ruim em adolescentes, adultos e idosos. O estudo foi transversal, de base populacional, realizado em Pelotas. A amostra compreendeu 820 adolescentes, 2715 adultos e 385 idosos. Autopercepção de saúde foi investigada pela pergunta: "Como o Sr(a) considera sua saúde?" Características demográficas, socioeconômicas, comportamentais e de saúde foram coletadas. Razões de prevalência ajustada foram estimadas pela Regressão de Poisson. A prevalência de autopercepção regular ou ruim de saúde foi de 12,1%, 22,3% e 49,4% entre adolescentes, adultos e idosos, respectivamente. Adolescentes com menor nível econômico e com escolaridade não adequada relataram pior autopercepção de saúde. Entre os adultos e idosos, relataram pior autopercepção de saúde: as mulheres, aqueles com maior faixa etária, menor nível econômico e os que possuíam alguma morbidade. Conclui-se que a população percebe saúde não apenas como ausência de doença, mas também como um constructo relacionado com aspectos sociais e demográficos, e em menor magnitude, com aspectos comportamentais. Abordagens em saúde devem superar o modelo simplista onde saúde é dicotomizada em doente e não-doente.

The scope of this study was to verify the prevalence and associated factors of self-reported health status as regular/bad. A cross-sectional, population-based study was conducted in Pelotas. The sample size comprised 820 adolescents, 2715 adults and 385 elderly. Self-reported health status was investigated via the question: "How do you rate your health?" Data on demographics, socioeconomic, behavioral, and health-related characteristics of individuals were gathered. Adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated through the Poisson regression. Prevalence of reporting health status as regular or bad was 12.1%, 22.3% and 49.4% in adolescents, adults and the elderly, respectively. Adolescents with lower economic status and schooling had higher prevalence of regular/bad self-reported health. Among adults and the elderly, women and older men with lower economic status and some morbidity presented a higher proportion of regular/bad self-reported health. In conclusion, individuals perceive health not only as the absence of a disease, but also as a construct related to social, demographic and, to a lesser extent, behavioral aspects. Health approaches must recognize this fact and transcend the simplistic model where health is dichotomized into the sick and the non-sick.

Application of health vignettes in correcting self-reported health condition / 中华流行病学杂志

To introduce the application of vignettes in the survey on health condition,we took the Hangzhou health survey as an example. We tried to find the respondents' health judgment standard by using vignettes first and discovered the population' s demographic characteristics as sex,age, years of schooling and income etc. could influence the self-reported health condition on the response category cut-points. Then the cut-points were corrected through hierarchical ordered probit model in order to reflect the respondents' self-reported health condition based on the same standard,making the result suitable for comparison. Data from our research discovered that the level of health condition of females was lower than that of males among the residents living in Hangzhou and the higher income they received, the better health condition they had. Thus, the health vignettes seemed very essential in the survey on health condition.

Major health related problems among adolescents in Seoul area

BACKGROUND: Adolescence offers unique opportunities for investment in health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the common physical symptoms and diseases and medical utilization rate and the prevalence of health behaviors among school-aged adolescents. METHODS: This study was carried in 1998. Subjects consisted of 3,771 adolescents (ages 10 to 18) who attended an elementary, middle, and high school in Seoul and 3,246 parents. Self-report questionnaire was administered to the students and their parents to measure self-reported physical and psycho\social problems, practice of health behavior, medical care utilization rate, and the most common diagnosis. RESULTS: 1) Academic performance was the most common psycho\social problem for adolescents and their parents. 2) The perceived health status was highest in middle school students, lowest in female high school students. 3) As adolescents went to higher grades, the medical institute and dental clinic utilization rate tended to be decreased, and oriental clinic utilization rate did not change. The most common diagnosis during the past year was dental caries. The next most common diagnosis was respiratory infection. Accidents (males), headache (females) were more common in high school than middle school. 4) The most frequently reported symptom was fatigue in middle and high school students. More than half of female high school students reported fatigue, dizziness, headache, dysmenorrhea, hypersomnia during the last month. 5) The higher their grade was, the less adolescents practiced health behaviors. 21.9% of males and 1.9% of female high school students were smokers. 34.5% of males and 13.3% of female high school students drank alcohol on a regular basis. The prevalence of obesity was 12.0% in males, 10.0% in female high school students. Male adolescents tended to deal with stress with leisure activities, female adolescents did by talking about their problems with related people. CONCLUSION: This overview of health associated issues among adolescents provided a unique view of differences in health care needs between younger and older teens and between male and female teens. These data have meaningful implications for health promotion program for adolescents.