Cultural diversity and mental health : the relationship between leisure experiences and wellbeing in an ageing Italian community in Australia

One of the population health implications for Australia’s ageing population is that a larger proportion of the Australian community will be retired and have more time for leisure pursuits. Meaningful leisure activities for this group are thought to be a factor in promoting positive mental health. However, a search of health literature revealed a paucity of research on how older adults make use of their leisure time, what meaning these pursuits have to them, and whether their chosen leisure activities are health enhancing and promote wellbeing. Australia’s population is diverse with many cultures represented. As the population ages, mental health workers will be called upon to provide culturally-appropriate mental health services to clients from a range of ethnic groups. Literature on how people of culturally diverse backgrounds understand leisure activities is also limited. This paper reports on a study carried out in an Italian community in a large regional centre. The participants were selected based on the following criteria; aged 65 years and over, born in Italy, independently living in the community, ambulant, and retired from paid workforce. This study explored how a well-elderly group from an ethnic community derived meaning from their leisure activities and how this impacted on their mental health. Establishing the relationship between leisure and mental health in an ageing ethnic community is important because it sheds light on potential intervention strategies that can be used to maintain the mental health of people living independently in the community. Participants were interviewed using semi-structured questions about their perceptions of leisure, the meanings they derived from these activities, and their perceived impact of these activities on their health. Participant observation was also used to add trustworthiness to the data. Themes arising from the interviews and participant observation will be related to the participants’ sense of health. Results also revealed how older Italians engaged in leisure activities. Implications of the research findings will be directed towards mental health practice with older ethnic clients in community settings. The promotion of healthy lifestyles and positive mental health for Australia’s ageing population will also be discussed.

Using the personal wellbeing index in Lao PDR : issues of equivalence

Lao PDR is one of the 50 countries included in the International Wellbeing Group study which uses Cummin's (2001) Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) to draw cross-national comparisons of subjective wellbeing. Lau, Cummins & McPherson (2005) found a statistically significant difference in PWI scores between Australian & Hong Kong. They ask whether this is a real reflection of lower quality of life in Hong Kong or whether there exists a cultural response bias which predisposes the Hong Kong population to be less willing to admit to high levels of satisfaction in the seven domains of the index. If the difference reflects cultural response bias, what factors contribute to that bias & how common is this phenomenon in the countries of South-east Asia & IndoChina? The paper addresses these questions with particular attention to Lao PDR where responses to the PWI from both urban & rural populations suggest a similar reticence about expressing high levels of satisfaction. The paper explores the sources of resistance to reporting positive subjective wellbeing & what adaptations may be needed to the Index to allow for such bias.

Deakin University wellbeing index

Discussion concerning the results of a survey by Deakin University and Austn Unity, about why Sydney is the saddest city in Australia.

Australian unity wellbeing index

Discussion concerning the Australian Unity wellbeing index.

Deakin University wellbeing index

Discussion concerning the results of the Deakin University and Austn Unity survey which highlighted that Victoria is the happiest state in Australia.

Wellbeing Index

Discussion concerning the Wellbeing index and the 'national happiness scorecard' produced by Deakin University.

Regional people more content : wellbeing index

Are you feeling happier, safer and are more connected to your community? You should be, if you're living in rural and regional Australia, according to the latest research from Deakin University. Nine of the top ten happiest electorates are in rural Australia, and all of them report feeling safer and having a stronger sense of belonging to their communities, compared to their city counterparts. Rural Social researcher from Charles Sturt University in Wagga, Margaret Alston, says even bad events like drought and bushfires tend to bring people together. "I'd have to agree that there are certain factors that actually lead to people in the country being on average happier than those in cities. The community where I live, we're just recovering from quite a significant bushfire. People have come forward and offered adjistment for stock for the affected farmers, there's been community drives to support the people who've lost their houses, some real moves from the community to make sure the incident didn't scar people unnecessarily." Deakin University researcher, Liz Eckerman, says when it comes to feeling connected to your community, rural and regional people come out on top. She also agrees difficult circumstances like drought often bring out the best sense of community.

Wellbeing index

Discussion concerning Deakin University's Wellbeing index.

Wellbeing index

Discussion concerning the results of Deakin University's Well being index.

Wellbeing index

Discussion concerning Deakin University's Wellbeing index and why Perth residents feel separated from the rest of Australia.