Social capital, social participation and life satisfaction among Chilean older adults

OBJECTIVE To examine factors associated with social participation and their relationship with self-perceived well-being in older adults. METHODS This study was based on data obtained from the National Socioeconomic Characterization (CASEN) Survey conducted in Chile, in 2011, on a probability sample of households. We examined information of 31,428 older adults living in these households. Descriptive and explanatory analyses were performed using linear and multivariate logistic regression models. We assessed the respondents’ participation in different types of associations: egotropic, sociotropic, and religious. RESULTS Social participation increased with advancing age and then declined after the age of 80. The main finding of this study was that family social capital is a major determinant of social participation of older adults. Their involvement was associated with high levels of self-perceived subjective well-being. We identified four settings as sources of social participation: home-based; rural community-based; social policy programs; and religious. Older adults were significantly more likely to participate when other members of the household were also involved in social activities evidencing an intergenerational transmission of social participation. Rural communities, especially territorial associations, were the most favorable setting for participation. There has been a steady increase in the rates of involvement of older adults in social groups in Chile, especially after retirement. Religiosity remains a major determinant of associativism. The proportion of participation was higher among older women than men but these proportions equaled after the age of 80. CONCLUSIONS Self-perceived subjective well-being is not only dependent upon objective factors such as health and income, but is also dependent upon active participation in social life, measured as participation in associations, though its effects are moderate.

Adaptación y validación al español del cuestionario 4CornerSAT para la medida de la satisfacción profesional del personal médico de atención especializada.

BACKGROUND Satisfaction of physicians is a concern in the healthcare sector, and it requires a multi-dimensional questionnaire in Spanish which studies their high-order needs. The objectives of this study are to adapt the 4CornerSAT Questionnaire to measure career satisfaction of physicians and to evaluate its validity in our context. METHOD The 4CornerSAT Questionnaire was adapted into Spanish, validating it among physicians of hospitals in Andalusia, Spain. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to corroborate the a priori model, and it was evaluated the internal consistency and the construct validity through the Cronbach's alpha and the correlation between the scale and the global item, respectively. RESULTS The adapted questionnaire was administrated to 121 specialist physicians. The CFA corroborated the four dimensions of the questionnaire (χ2=114.64, df=94, p<0.07; χ2/df=1.22; RMSEA=0.04). The internal consistency obtained an α=0.92 and the correlation between the summed scale and the global item verified the construct validity (r=0.77; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The 4CornerSAT questionnaire was adapted to Spanish, identifying an adequate construct validity and internal consistency.

Satisfaction with pregnancy and delivery services: The quality of maternity care services as experienced by women

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the opinions of women regarding the satisfaction about the quality of maternity care received. We hope to establish whether health care technology increases satisfaction or whether it actually interferes with the construction of personal satisfaction in the process of care. Design and setting: Information was gathered using the focus group technique. The area of study comprised the post-natal groups run as part of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme of the Catalan Health Authority. (Spain) Participants: Five focus groups were held between May 2006 and July 2007. Findings: Quality of care is a complex concept in which a number of independent core features can be identified. We have grouped these core features into three basic categories. Safety: the hospital and its technological facilities, and the technical expertise of health professionals. The other two main pillars of quality of care are the human dimension of the relationship between the carers and the patient, and finally the structural aspects that determine the context in which the heath care is provided. Key conclusions and implications for practice: The mothers of our study feel satisfied with healthcare technology and view it as a source of security; technology become indispensable features in order to reduce the anxiety provoked by the perceived lack of confidence in their ability as mothers. In this study, women, both during pregnancy and especially when giving birth, believe their feelings and values should be understood by professionals, from whom they seek empathy and a personal commitment, and not just information.

Satisfaction with pregnancy and delivery services: The quality of maternity care services as experienced by women

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the opinions of women regarding the satisfaction about the quality of maternity care received. We hope to establish whether health care technology increases satisfaction or whether it actually interferes with the construction of personal satisfaction in the process of care. Design and setting: Information was gathered using the focus group technique. The area of study comprised the post-natal groups run as part of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme of the Catalan Health Authority. (Spain) Participants: Five focus groups were held between May 2006 and July 2007. Findings: Quality of care is a complex concept in which a number of independent core features can be identified. We have grouped these core features into three basic categories. Safety: the hospital and its technological facilities, and the technical expertise of health professionals. The other two main pillars of quality of care are the human dimension of the relationship between the carers and the patient, and finally the structural aspects that determine the context in which the heath care is provided. Key conclusions and implications for practice: The mothers of our study feel satisfied with healthcare technology and view it as a source of security; technology become indispensable features in order to reduce the anxiety provoked by the perceived lack of confidence in their ability as mothers. In this study, women, both during pregnancy and especially when giving birth, believe their feelings and values should be understood by professionals, from whom they seek empathy and a personal commitment, and not just information.

Career satisfaction among medical school professors: a case study in Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the career satisfaction of medical school professors in relation to initial motivation, satisfaction factors, and the desire to remain in the profession. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative methodology was used, based on questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with faculty members at a federal institution of higher education in Brazil. RESULTS: For 42.86% of the sample, teaching began while they were medical students; 80% had chosen teaching either as a vocation or due to influence from families or professors; 20% chose teaching as a professional opportunity. The majority, 57.14%, stated they were happy with teaching, and 51.42% did not plan to leave the career. Factors involved in satisfaction with teaching were: the possibility of remaining up-to-date in the medical profession, the feeling of doing their duty, their contribution to training future doctors, and contact with young people and the university setting. Factors leading to dissatisfaction were pedagogical (33.33%), economic (30.95%), institutional (14.28%), and relational (14.28%). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects expressed a positive attitude towards teaching, and because of their great personal satisfaction with the career, they did not plan to leave it. These findings should shed light on factors that interfere with career satisfaction and help increase those that promote satisfaction, thus improving the productivity and well-being of medical professors.

Oral health-related quality of life and satisfaction before and after treatment with complete dentures in a Dental School in Brazil

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of treatment with new complete dentures on oral health-related quality of life and satisfaction of edentulous patients attending the Prosthodontic Department in a Dental School in Brazil. Methods: A total of 70 edentulous subjects (37-86 years) treated by undergradute students at the Araçatuba Dental School, University of State of São Paulo, were accessed. A specific questionnaire for edentulous patients (EDENT) based on the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-EDENT) was applied to collect information on patient oral health-related quality of life. Questions related to the personal satisfaction of the edentulous patients with their complete dentures were also included. The patients were accessed before the treatment, and 3 months after receiving the new dentures. Results: After rehabilitation with new complete dentures, all domains of OHIP-EDENT showed significant improvements. There was also a significant improvement in patient satisfaction after placement of new complete dentures. Furthermore, it was possible to observe association between upper denture satisfaction and age. Conclusion: Conventional complete dentures may have a positive impact on oral health-related quality of life and satisfaction of edentulous patients. © 2012 Japan Prosthodontic Society.

Small business owners’ success criteria, a values approach to personal differences

This study of 150 Dutch small business owners, identified through business/ network directories, investigated relationships between owners’ understanding of success and their personal values. Business owners ranked 10 success criteria. Per- sonal satisfaction, profitability, and satisfied stakeholders ranked highest. Multidi- mensional scaling techniques revealed two dimensions underlying the rank order of success criteria: person-oriented (personal satisfaction versus business growth) and business-oriented (profitability versus contributing back to society). Furthermore, business growth, profitability, and innovativeness were guided by self-enhancing value orientations (power and achievement). Softer success criteria, such as having satisfied stakeholders and a good work–life balance, were guided by self-transcendent value orientations (benevolence and universalism).

Auto-eficácia docente e motivação para a realização do(a) professor(a) de Educação Física Adaptada

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Analise da auto-eficacia docente de professores de educação fisica

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Sistema ??nico de Sa??de: a busca do entendimento de seus princ??pios e sistemas de valores para profissionais do servi??o p??blico

No per??odo de 2004 a 2008, o Minist??rio da Sa??de, conveniado com institui????es de ensino superior, ofereceu aos servidores dos n??cleos estaduais da sa??de um curso de especializa????o sobre Planejamento Estrat??gico e Pol??ticas P??blicas com o objetivo de informar, esclarecer e discutir o Sistema ??nico de Sa??de (SUS). A pesquisa discute esse programa educacional enquanto estrat??gia de mudan??a de cultura organizacional no Sistema ??nico de Sa??de. Dois dos principais focos do programa educacional foram a compreens??o dos pressupostos filos??ficos do SUS pelos funcion??rios do Minist??rio da Sa??de e a transforma????o do conhecimento t??cito dos servidores em conhecimento sistematizado via elabora????o de monografias, na perspectiva da incorpora????o de uma nova vis??o sobre o SUS. Foi utilizada abordagem metodol??gica quali-quantitativa, com uso de question??rios, entrevistas e grupos focais com os 636 respondentes que participaram do curso. A an??lise dos resultados considerou a avalia????o que os servidores/alunos faziam do curso, suas expectativas, suas necessidades de reconhecimento do trabalho e de satisfa????o pessoal, e a monografia realizada. Os resultados indicam a ocorr??ncia de aprendizagem e sensibiliza????o para as mudan??as; no entanto, no n??vel individual fatores organizacionais como a participa????o, comunica????o, reconhecimento de compet??ncias e pr??ticas de Recursos Humanos foram mencionados como entraves para o aprendizado e modifica????o da cultura organizacional. Conclui-se que os processos de aprendizagem desenvolvidos pela organiza????o devem ser processos continuados e n??o estrat??gias de a????o pontuais.

Emoções positivas e motivação na reabilitação biopsicossocial

RESUMO: O presente estudo tem como principal objectivo verificar o fluxo emocional e a motivação para a mudança num programa de reabilitação biopsicossocial de alcoolismo e toxicodependências, com a duração de quatro semanas. Para esse efeito, procedeu-se à recolha da amostra de 30 participantes dentro do programa, utilizando para avaliar o fluxo emocional os relatos de episódios emocionais, o Teste de Positividade (TP), a Analogical Emotional Scale (AES), o Subjective Well-being (SWB), o Controlo Percebido Subjectivo (CPS) em três momentos distintos do programa, pelo que para avaliar a motivação foi utilizada a escala SOCRATES 8D no inicio e no final do programa de reabilitação. A teoria argumenta a existência de um aumento na satisfação pessoal e nas emoções positivas durante o processo de mudança, ou seja, quando o processo terapêutico decorre de forma favorável. Os resultados confirmam a existência de uma evolução linear positiva no TP, como também no SWB e CPS. Contudo não foi totalmente confirmado um aumento positivo da motivação, pelo que os resultados apenas demonstraram diferenças significativas na subescala Ambivalência da escala SOCRATES 8D, verificando-se um decréscimo acentuado entre os dois momentos, o que se revela favorável para o processo de mudança desejado no programa. ABSTRACT: The main objective of this study is to verify the emotional flow and the motivation for change process in a bio-psychosocial rehabilitation program for alcoholism and drug addictions, with a duration of four weeks. To this end, we proceeded to collect the sample of 30 participants in the program, to evaluate the emotional flow we use the emotional reports, the Positivity Test (PT), the Analogical Emotional Scale (AES), the Subjective Well-Being (SWB), the Subjective Perceived Control (PSC) in three separate moments of the program, to assess the motivation scale was used the SOCRATES 8D scale at the beginning and in the end of the rehabilitation program. The theory argues that there is an increase in personal satisfaction and positive emotions during the change process, when the therapeutic process runs optimally. The results confirm the existence of a positive linear trend in the PT, in SWB and CPS. However it was not totally confirmed an positive increase in motivation, so the results only showed significant differences in ambivalence subscale of the SOCRATES 8D, and there is a sharp decrease between the two moments, which proves favorable for the desired process of change in the program.

Inteligência emocional e satisfação com a vida

RESUMO: O constructo Inteligência Emocional tem gerado um interesse crescente na Psicologia, e de um modo simplificado pode descrever-se como a capacidade que as pessoas têm para processar e utilizar informação carregada de afecto. Com este estudo pretendeu-se estudar as relações entre a Inteligência Emocional e a Satisfação com a Vida. Estudou-se também a natureza do teste Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS). Foi utilizada uma amostra composta por 586 participantes, 212 do sexo masculino, com média de idade 34.55 (DP=14.77), e 374 do sexo feminino, com média de idade 33.28 (DP=15.21). Em relação à natureza do Trait Meta-Mood Scale, os resultados obtidos não foram totalmente de encontro aos resultados de estudos anteriores, tendo-se conhecido um novo factor, o Desprendimento Emocional e tendo desaparecido o factor Reparação Emocional. No que diz respeito à relação entre os factores da Inteligência Emocional encontrados no Trait Meta-Mood Scale, e a Satisfação com a Vida, encontrou-se uma correlação negativa e significativa com o Desprendimento Emocional, e uma correlação positiva e significativa com a Atenção Emocional e com a Clareza Emocional. Encontrou-se também uma correlação positiva e estatisticamente significativa entre a Inteligência Emocional e a Satisfação com a Vida, o que era esperado. ABSTRACT: The Emotional Intelligence construct has been creating a rising interest in psychology, in a simplified way it can be described like the hability that people have to process and utilize affection loaded information. In this study, it was pretended to study the relations between Emotional Intelligence and Life Satisfaction. It has also been studied the nature of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS). The used sample was composed by 586 participants, 212 males, with an average age of 34.55 years old (DP=14.77) and 374 females, with an average age of 33.28 years old (DP=15.21). Relative to the nature of Trait Meta-Mood Scale, the results did not totally met previous investigations, with a new factor, the Emotional Falling, and having a vanished factor, the Emotional Repair. Due to the relation between the Emotional Intelligence factors found in the Trait Meta-Mood Scale, and Life Satisfaction, it was found a negative and significant correlation with the Emotional Falling and a positive and significant correlation with the Emotional Attention and the Emotional Clarity. It was also found a positive and significant correlation between Emotional Intelligence and Life Satisfaction that was previously expected.

Health and poverty: health management by the woman

The goal this follow-up study was to relate the mother's marital satisfaction to family health status in a low SES. The random sample was made up of 30 families with children under 7 years old: 15 considered as sick (Group A) and 15 as healthy (Group B). Both group had similar demographic characteristics (age of father and mother, persons per family group and age of children) and SES. Results showed that mothers were those mainly in charge of their family groups. Mothers of Group A were significantly less understanding and more dissatisfied than those of Group B ( p < .05 and p < .01). Mothers of Group A had significantly more arguments with their partners than those of Group B (p < .006). Health care was learned less from the child's own mother in group A than in B (p < .05). Health was considered by mothers of Group A as something that "must be taken care of" more than by those of Group B (p < .01). The behaviours of mothers in choosing one of the health systems was similar in both groups. Dissatisfied mothers were associated more with sick family members during the 6 month follow-up. It is suggested that the satisfaction of the mother is a factor that needs further investigation because health is managed by mothers is the large majority of families.

Bullying among adolescents in a Brazilian urban center – “Health in Beagá” Study

OBJECTIVE To analyze the prevalence of bullying and its associated factors in Brazilian adolescents.METHODS Data were used from a population-based household survey conducted by the Urban Health Observatory (OSUBH) utilizing probability sampling in three stages: census tracts, residences, and individuals. The survey included 598 adolescents (14-17 years old) who responded questions on bullying, sociodemographic characteristics, health-risk behaviors, educational well-being, family structure, physical activity, markers of nutritional habits, and subjective well-being (body image, personal satisfaction, and satisfaction with their present and future life). Univariate and multivariate analysis was done using robust Poisson regression.RESULTS The prevalence of bullying was 26.2% (28.0% among males, 24.0% among females). The location of most bullying cases was at or on route to school (70.5%), followed by on the streets (28.5%), at home (9.8%), while practicing sports (7.3%), at parties (4.6%), at work (1.7%), and at other locations (1.6%). Reports of bullying were associated with life dissatisfaction, difficulty relating to parents, involvement in fights with peers and insecurity in the neighborhood.CONCLUSIONS A high prevalence of bullying among participating adolescents was found, and the school serves as the main bullying location, although other sites such as home, parties and workplace were also reported. Characteristics regarding self-perception and adolescent perceptions of their environment were also associated with bullying, thus advancing the knowledge of this type of violence, especially in urban centers of developing countries.