International Journal of Wellbeing

Cold water immersion: Exploring the effects on well-being – scoping review

2024-10-14T08:34:05-07:00

Background. As the prevalence of mental health disorders continues to rise, there is a growing need for effective and accessible holistic approaches to promote well-being. Cold-water immersion (CWI) has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential health benefits. This scoping review aimed to investigate the qualitative benefits of CWI through the experiences of healthy individuals. Methods. A systematic search of seven databases was conducted and included both peer-reviewed and grey literature from the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Psychinfo, SPORTDiscus, Proquest Health and Medical, Proquest Dissertation and Theses Global, and CINAHL. Quantitative studies examining CWI and its effects on well-being, along with the CWI parameters were included to complement the qualitative findings. A qualitative content analysis was conducted through an inductive approach. Results. In the initial search, 419 records were identified, out of which 13 studies were selected for inclusion in this review. A total of 34 unique codes were derived and grouped into eight content categories. Four overarching themes related to the CWI experiences were revealed: 1) physical and psychological health benefits, 2) connection to nature, 3) sense of connectedness, 4) personal growth. Conclusion. The experiences individuals gain from CWI are profound and can exert both direct and indirect influences on the promotion of well-being. However, further research is needed to establish the specific parameters that promote well-being through CWI.

The mediating effect of positive and negative religious coping, compassion and resilience on the relationship between negative life events and wellbeing among women in Kenya, the Philippines, Nicaragua and Spain

2024-10-06T17:35:02-07:00

The current study explores the mediating effect of positive and negative religious coping on the relationship between negative life events and wellbeing, via its link with compassion and resilience among women who are involved in women’s empowerment programs run by a US faith-based non-profit humanitarian and disaster relief organisation, Convoy of Hope. The sample includes women from four countries (N = 1041), Kenya, the Philippines, Nicaragua and Spain, who took part in a digital survey. A mediation analysis was used, and the results revealed a full mediation effect, so that the number of negative life events was linked to wellbeing via an increase in both positive and negative religious coping strategies, compassion and then resilience. It also revealed other mediation paths via religious coping and resilience. Positive religious coping was linked to higher resilience and then higher wellbeing, whereas negative religious coping was linked to lower resilience and then lower wellbeing. The results highlight the role of compassion in adaptive religious coping and delineate the overall benefits of religious coping in the context of adversity.

A scoping review of factors associated with Australian university student wellbeing

2024-10-20T23:27:03-07:00

Universities have a social obligation to support student wellbeing. Given that university experiences differ across countries, synthesising student wellbeing research within specific national contexts can assist policy makers in identifying research most relevant to local students. A scoping review was conducted to (i) map the factors associated with Australian university student wellbeing, (ii) identify knowledge gaps, and (iii) assess the response rates reported in this literature. 160 studies were included in the review. Associations were reported between wellbeing and 242 different factors. Factors were thematically grouped into psychological, social, demographic, university-specific, lifestyle, aversive life-events, and work-related/financial categories. Several knowledge gaps were identified. These included: Inconsistent wellbeing measurement, non-representative sampling, limited understanding of university-specific factors, limited research identifying at-risk student groups, and absence of interventional studies addressing features of university environments or experiences. Excluding whole-of-university studies, the average response rate was 37.7%, although response rates were lower in online surveys (24.8%) and in studies recruiting whole-of-university samples (5.6%). In-class surveys received the highest response rates (57.3%). Further research is needed to address knowledge gaps identified in this review.

Human-nature relationships and deep connections: An exploration of how a women’s swimming group increased their relationship to nature, to themselves and to other women

2024-11-01T10:34:05-07:00

Scholarly interest in has grown over time to address how vegetation (‘green space’) and water bodies (‘blue space’) contribute to health and wellbeing and to social connectedness (Bates & Moles, 2022, 2023; Finlay et al., 2015) and potentially impact health and behaviour through the provision of aesthetic spaces for relaxation, socialisation and physical activity (Geneshka M et al., 2021). During the enforced lockdowns of COVID19 green and blue space became a focus of individual and small group activity. Using a qualitative methodology, this research sought the views of thirty-nine women, located in an Australian, Victorian bayside suburb who formed in response to COVID19 restrictions and who continue to swim regularly. The research sought to understand how and if individual health and wellbeing and human connections increased or changed as a result of their belonging to the swimming group. Findings affirm that access to blue space during and beyond the COVID19 increased women’s health and wellbeing. Findings also affirm that the blue space evoked and engendered in the women new ‘entanglements’ and connection with the blue space.

Understanding wellbeing from the perspective of youth with chronic conditions: A group concept mapping approach

2024-07-29T18:06:12-07:00

Promoting wellbeing for youth is a global health priority and young people with chronic conditions demonstrate disproportionately low wellbeing compared to their peers. However, wellbeing is variably defined, and little is understood as to what wellbeing means for this population. The aim of this study was to develop a conceptualisation of wellbeing that is rooted in the perspectives of young people with chronic conditions. Group concept mapping, a structured, mixed method, and participatory based technique, was conducted with 11 participants aged 16-25 with various health conditions. Youth advisors were involved from the initial planning of the research to the final interpretation of the data. In a series of focus groups, participants generated statements that encapsulated their sense of wellbeing. From the generated ideas, a refined list of 62 statements was finalised in consultation with a youth advisory group. Participants then individually sorted the 62 statements into groups that made sense to them; individual data were combined, then analysed using multidimensional scaling to create a visual map of the ideas. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to group the mapped ideas into clusters, resulting in seven ‘domains’ of wellbeing: (1) ‘Embodying authentic self’; (2) ‘Being a young person’; (3) ‘Abilities and capacities’; (4) ‘Self-understanding and nurturing’; (5) ‘Hopeful future outlook’; (6) ‘Supportive systems and communities’; and (7) ‘Emotional support and validation’. These findings demonstrate the importance of considering inter-personal, intra-personal, and systemic factors in understanding wellbeing for youth with chronic conditions. The high level of participation throughout the research process allowed us to develop a concept of wellbeing that is nuanced and highly specific to this unique group. Implications for measurement, intervention and healthcare delivery for youth with chronic conditions are discussed.