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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 31361

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Harris Hyunsoo Kim

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Guest Editor

Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
Interests: social network/social capital; ethnic enclave; social determinants of health; civic engagement; political participation; adolescent mental health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A growing number of findings has highlighted the social determinants of health and health behavior, including factors such as education, income, occupation, and other socioeconomic predictors. Research has also focused on the importance of contextual characteristics—neighborhood poverty, inequality, racial composition, etc. Some studies have incorporated national-level macroeconomic indicators such as GDP and the Gini index, while others have sought to offer a more comprehensive analysis by merging predictors across individual and contextual units of analysis.

This Special Issue intends to publish articles with particular emphasis on the roles of social networks and social capital in facilitating, as well as hindering, physical/mental health and health behavior. How people are interconnected has profound implications in terms of physical health, mental well-being, and a host of health-related decisions and actions. This is because interpersonal relations are the main channels through which individuals receive, share, and provide information and resources relevant (and at times, critical) to what are broadly defined as “health outcomes.” As the Guest Editor, I am seeking submissions from diverse fields, empirical contexts, and analytic strategies that can contribute to the interdisciplinary literature.

Prof. Dr. Harris Hyunsoo Kim
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

social determinants of health
social support
social resources
social networks
network analysis
neighborhood effect
mental health
psychological well-being
physical health
self-rated health

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bridging Inequity Gaps in Healthcare Systems While Educating Future Healthcare Professionals—The Social Health Bridge-Building Programme

by Gitte Valentin, Claus Vinther Nielsen, Anne-Sofie Meldgaard Nielsen, Merete Tonnesen, Kristina Louise Bliksted, Katrine Tranberg Jensen, Karen Ingerslev, Thomas Maribo and Lisa Gregersen Oestergaard

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(19), 6837; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196837 - 27 Sep 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3649

Abstract

Social inequity in healthcare persists even in countries with universal healthcare. The Social Health Bridge-Building Programme aims to reduce healthcare inequities. This paper provides a detailed description of the programme. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) was used to structure the description. The programme theory was outlined using elements from the British Medical Research Council’s framework, including identifying barriers to healthcare, synthesising evidence, describing the theoretical framework, creating a logic model, and engaging stakeholders. In the Social Health Bridge-Building Programme, student volunteers accompany individuals to healthcare appointments and provide social support before, during, and after the visit. The programme is rooted in a recovery-oriented approach, emphasising personal resources and hope. The programme finds support in constructs within the health literacy framework. Student volunteers serve as health literacy mediators, supporting individuals in navigating the healthcare system while gaining knowledge and skills. This equips students for their forthcoming roles as healthcare professionals, and potentially empowers them to develop and implement egalitarian initiatives within the healthcare system, including initiatives that promote organisational health literacy responsiveness. The Social Health Bridge-Building Programme is a promising initiative that aims to improve equity in healthcare by addressing individual, social, and systemic barriers to healthcare. The programme’s description will guide forthcoming evaluations of its impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health and Health Behavior)

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20 pages, 430 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationships of Maternal Employment and Work Impact with Weight-Related Behaviors and Home Environments of Mothers and Their School-Age Children

by Elena Santiago, Virginia Quick, Melissa Olfert and Carol Byrd-Bredbenner

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(14), 6390; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146390 - 18 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2286

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity continues to rise. Preventing obesity, especially childhood obesity, is critically important. Parents, especially mothers, play a vital role in preventing childhood obesity. Numerous factors, such as maternal employment, may influence maternal weight-related practices and home environment characteristics that affect the risk of childhood obesity. Given the prevalence of both childhood obesity and maternal employment, this study was conducted to examine how weight-related maternal, child, and household behaviors as well as home environment characteristics differ by maternal employment hours and extends existing research by examining work impact on behaviors and home characteristics. U.S. mothers (n = 527) with at least one school-age child (6 to 11 years), who were between the ages of 25 and 54 years and the main food gatekeeper in the household completed an online survey. ANOVA comparisons of non-working, part-time employed, and full-time employed mothers revealed few differences in any of the variables studied. Cluster analysis of the 336 employed mothers based on six work impact scale scores found three unique clusters characterized as Enthusiastic Earners, Indifferent Earners, and Strained Earners. Few differences in sociodemographic and job characteristics occurred among clusters and the differences noted had small effect sizes. Clusters did not differ by maternal BMI or perceived child weight status. However, the clusters differed in numerous weight-related behaviors and home environment characteristics. Future research should aim to determine the direction of the associations of work impact with weight-related behaviors and home environments as well as identify potential strategies for overcoming the negative effects of employment on weight-related behaviors and environments and weight status as well as clarify other factors that may affect maternal work impact, such as time management, reasons for employment, and stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health and Health Behavior)

15 pages, 1157 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Examining the Complex (Curvilinear and Contingent) Associations between Social Distancing Compliance and Subjective Health during a Global Health Crisis

by Jong Hyun Jung, Kyung Won Choi and Harris Hyun-soo Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16058; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316058 - 30 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1455

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated a potential curvilinear link between social distancing behavior and subjective health in later life. It also evaluated whether food insecurity and community social capital moderated the focal relationship. Methods: Data were drawn from three waves of the COVID Impact Survey (N = 19,234). Mixed-effects models were fitted. Results: Social distancing has a non-monotonic (U-shaped) relationship with subjective health, i.e., individuals with low and high levels of social distancing show relatively better health. Moreover, the negative linear relationship between social distancing and health is weaker among people suffering from food insecurity as well as those living in communities with lower stocks of social capital. Discussion: This study sheds new light on the health implications of social distancing during the pandemic. Our findings dovetail with the steeling hypothesis, i.e., that social distancing is less harmful for U.S. older adults exposed to prior stressful or vulnerable conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health and Health Behavior)

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17 pages, 956 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Work and Family Pathways and Their Associations with Health for Young Women in Korea

by Yujin Kim, Hyeyoung Woo and Sinn Won Han

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15704; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315704 - 25 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1660

Abstract

The aim of this study is two-fold: to discern patterns in pathways of work and family transitions among young women (aged 24–39 years) whose decisions and behaviors toward labor force participation, marriage, and parenthood are considerably shaped by social constraints and gender norms; and to examine whether and to what extent work and family pathways are associated with later health. Using data from a longitudinal survey based on a large sample of adult women in Korea (N = 2418), we identified eight dominant pathways of employment, marriage, and parenthood among young women and found that educational attainment and family values are strong predictors of these work–family pathways. We also found that the timing and sequencing of work–family pathways appears to be associated with later health outcomes. In particular, unemployed women who are not married and do not have children seem to be vulnerable to health problems, compared to those with other pathways. We discuss the implications of our findings regarding the occurrence of work and/or family transitions, as well as their timing and sequencing for women’s health in later life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health and Health Behavior)

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7 pages, 313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Emotional Temperament and Character Dimensions and State Anger as Predictors of Preference for Rap Music in Italian Population

by Carmenrita Infortuna, Fortunato Battaglia, David Freedberg, Carmela Mento, Fiammetta Iannuzzo, Rosa De Stefano, Clara Lombardo, Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello and Antonio Bruno

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13650; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013650 - 21 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2152

Abstract

The objective of the current work was to examine the relationships between affective temperaments dimensions, trait anger, and the preference for rap music in a sample of Italian adults. An online survey was administered to 662 subjects. We assessed preference for rap music using a Likert scale. Ina addition, we investigated the sample’ affective temperament traits using the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego (TEMPS-A) short scale and the trait anger by using the Trait Anger component of the State Trait Anger Expression Inventory 2 (STAXI-2). Multiple linear regression indicated that cyclothymic temperament score, hyperthymic temperament score, and trait anger scores were positive predictors while older age, and depressive temperament and higher education score were negative predictors of preference for rap music. The results expand previous literature on personality and music preference indicating the association of high energy/high activity temperaments and trait anger to preference for rap music. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health and Health Behavior)

18 pages, 1022 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sweet as Sugar—How Shared Social Identities Help Patients in Coping with Diabetes Mellitus

by Svenja B. Frenzel, Antonia J. Kaluza, Nina M. Junker and Rolf van Dick

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(17), 10508; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710508 - 23 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2081

Abstract

Social identification is health-beneficial as social groups provide social support (i.e., the social cure effect). We study this social cure effect in diabetes patients by focusing on two relevant sources of social support, namely medical practitioners (MP) and fellow patients. As both groups have diabetes-specific knowledge, we predict that sharing an identity with them provides access to specific support, which, in turn, optimizes individuals’ diabetes management and reduces diabetes-related stress. We further predict that identifying with their MP or fellow patients will be more strongly related to perceived social support among individuals with lower diabetes-specific resilience because they pay more attention to supportive cues. We tested this moderated mediation model in a two-wave study with n = 200 diabetes patients. Identification with the MP related to more support, which, in turn, was related to better diabetes management and less diabetes-specific stress. Identification with fellow patients related to more support; however, social support was unrelated to diabetes management and stress. Resilience only moderated the relationship between MP identification and support, as people with lower resilience levels reported more support from their MP. This study shows the importance of social identification with the MP and other diabetes patients, especially for people with lower resilience levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health and Health Behavior)

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21 pages, 1324 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Obesity Prevalence and Associated Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Health Behaviors in Russia and Norway

by Kamila Kholmatova, Alexandra Krettek, David A. Leon, Sofia Malyutina, Sarah Cook, Laila A. Hopstock, Ola Løvsletten and Alexander V. Kudryavtsev

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9428; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159428 - 1 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3703

Abstract

Associations between obesity and socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics vary between populations. Exploring such differences should throw light on factors related to obesity. We examined associations between general obesity (GO, defined by body mass index) and abdominal obesity (AO, defined by waist-to-hip ratio) and sex, age, socio-economic characteristics (education, financial situation, marital status), smoking and alcohol consumption in women and men aged 40–69 years from the Know Your Heart study (KYH, Russia, N = 4121, 2015–2018) and the seventh Tromsø Study (Tromsø7, Norway, N = 17,646, 2015–2016). Age-standardized prevalence of GO and AO was higher in KYH compared to Tromsø7 women (36.7 vs. 22.0% and 44.2 vs. 18.4%, respectively) and similar among men (26.0 vs. 25.7% and 74.8 vs. 72.2%, respectively). The positive association of age with GO and AO was stronger in KYH vs. Tromsø7 women and for AO it was stronger in men in Tromsø7 vs. KYH. Associations between GO and socio-economic characteristics were similar in KYH and Tromsø7, except for a stronger association with living with spouse/partner in KYH men. Smoking had a positive association with AO in men in Tromsø7 and in women in both studies. Frequent drinking was negatively associated with GO and AO in Tromsø7 participants and positively associated with GO in KYH men. We found similar obesity prevalence in Russian and Norwegian men but higher obesity prevalence in Russian compared to Norwegian women. Other results suggest that the stronger association of obesity with age in Russian women is the major driver of the higher obesity prevalence among them compared to women in Norway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health and Health Behavior)

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17 pages, 875 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Effectiveness of Social Inclusion Interventions for Anxiety and Depression among Adolescents: A Systematic Review

by Xanthe Hunt, Tom Shakespeare, Gabriele Vilyte, G. J. Melendez-Torres, Junita Henry, Melissa Bradshaw, Selvan Naidoo, Rachel Mbuyamba, Shahd Aljassem, Esta Suubi, Nawar Aljasem, Moroesi Makhetha and Jason Bantjes

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 1895; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031895 - 19 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5659

Abstract

Background: Adolescents who are socially excluded are at increased risk of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Promoting social inclusion could be an effective strategy for preventing and treating adolescent depression and anxiety. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of intervention studies which aimed to prevent or treat adolescent depression and/or anxiety by promoting social inclusion. Throughout the review we engaged a youth advisory group of 13 young people (aged 21–24) from Uganda, Turkey, Syria, South Africa, and Egypt. Results: We identified 12 studies relevant to our review. The interventions tested use a range of different strategies to increase social inclusion and reduce depression and anxiety, including social skills training, psychoeducation, teaching life skills training, and cash transfers. Pooled standardised mean differences (SMDs) based on random-effects models showed medium-to-large benefits of interventions on improving depression and anxiety symptoms (n = 8; SMD = −0.62; 95% CI, −1.23 to −0.01, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although there are not many studies, those which have been done show promising results that strongly suggest that social inclusion could be an important component of programmes to promote adolescent mental health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health and Health Behavior)

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23 pages, 1090 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

An International Systematic Review of Prevalence, Risk, and Protective Factors Associated with Young People’s E-Cigarette Use

by Jinyung Kim, Serim Lee and JongSerl Chun

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11570; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811570 - 14 Sep 2022

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 7737

Abstract

While the prevalence of young people’s conventional cigarette use has decreased in many countries, the use of e-cigarettes has risen. To effectively counteract the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among young people internationally, researchers should know the exact prevalence as well as the protective and risk factors associated with vaping. Based on five eligibility criteria, 53 articles were chosen and analyzed by general characteristics, prevalence, sample characteristics, gender difference, protective factors, and risk factors. In this study, the international pooled prevalence of young people’s lifetime e-cigarette use was 15.3%, the current use was 7.7%, and dual use was 4.0%. While the highest lifetime, current, and dual prevalence were found in Sweden, Canada, and the United Kingdom, respectively, the lowest prevalence was found in Germany, followed by South Korea and Sweden. Some protective and risk factors include perceived cost and danger of vaping, parental monitoring, internal developmental assets, cigarette use, family and peer smoking, exposure to online advertisements, and the presence of nearby retail stores. Based on this review, researchers and practitioners can develop different intervention programs and strategies for young smokers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Determinants of Health and Health Behavior)

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