Self-management processes, sedentary behavior, physical activity and dietary self-management behaviors: impact on muscle outcomes in continuing care retirement community residents

Background Despite the known benefits of non-sedentary behavior, physical activity, and protein and caloric intake to health and muscle mass, strength, and function, many older adults do not meet physical activity and dietary recommendations. A better understanding of the factors associated with sedentary behavior, physical activity and dietary self-management behaviors, and muscle outcomes (muscle mass, strength, and function) is needed, particularly among continuing care retirement community residents. The objective of this study was to examine the factors associated with sedentary behavior, physical activity and dietary self-management behaviors, and muscle outcomes among continuing care retirement community residents. It also aimed to determine whether sedentary behavior and physical activity and dietary self-management behaviors mediate the relationships between self-efficacy, goal congruence, aging expectations, social support, and muscle outcomes. Methods A sample of 105 continuing care retirement community residents (age > 70 years) participated in this correlational, cross-sectional study. Questionnaires on pain, self-efficacy, goal congruence, aging expectation, social support, and daily protein and caloric intake were administered. Physical activity and sedentary behavior (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT), muscle mass (ImpediMed SFB7), muscle strength (Jamar Smart Digital Hand Dynamometer), and muscle function (Short Physical Performance Battery) were measured. Multiple regression, logistic regression, and mediation analyses were performed. Results Low goal congruence predicted engagement in sedentary behavior and light physical activity. Higher levels of self-efficacy and social support were associated with increased likelihoods of achieving greater moderate physical activity and meeting daily recommendations for caloric intake, respectively. Self-efficacy and goal congruence predicted muscle function and strength. Moreover, sedentary behavior and achieving greater moderate physical activity were found to partially but significantly mediate the relationship between self-efficacy and muscle function. Conclusion Future research should evaluate whether attempts to reduce sedentary behavior and promote physical activity and dietary self-management behaviors and muscle outcomes are more successful when modifications to the self-management process factors are also targeted.

An Analysis of the Appearance Management Behavior of Generation MZ in the Post-Corona Era

Purpose: This study focused on generation MZ and the changes in their appearance management behavior following the outbreak of COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to design a paradigm model for the beauty behavior of Generation MZ after the spread of COVID-19.Methods: In-depth interviews among qualitative research techniques were used to examine the changes in the in-depth behavior and psychology of Generation MZ following the outbreak of COVID-19.Results: Generation MZ consumes cosmetics and set appearance management behaviors—along with the use of cosmetics as beauty routines—to solve beauty concerns caused by situational factors (such as COVID-19), thereby expressing an individual’s ideal appearance. Following COVID-19, Generation MZ had a variety of beauty concerns that differed from those prior to the outbreak. To solve these concerns, Generation MZ made changes, such as focusing on skincare and simplifying beauty routines. Following the conclusion of COVID-19, Generation MZ is planning appropriate levels of appearance management behavior, in consideration of the pre- and post-COVID-19 era.Conclusion: The appearance management behavior of Generation MZ has changed significantly since the COVID-19 outbreak. Detailed behavioral psychology has transformed as new beauty concerns have arisen following the spread of the virus. Therefore, it is necessary to plan a new cosmetics development and marketing strategy to satisfy the needs of Generation MZ during the pandemic.

Predictors of fatigue self-management behaviors in adults with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Fatigue self-management behaviors may be effective in reducing the impact of fatigue in people with MS. However, few studies have examined the factors that influence engagement in fatigue self-management behaviors. OBJECTIVE: Identify factors that directly and indirectly influence fatigue self-management behaviors. METHODS: Participants with MS (n = 300) completed online questionnaires at baseline and 6-weeks. Using the Self- and Family Management Framework, we examined the influence of health status, resources and environment, healthcare utilization, and self-management processes on fatigue self-management behaviors at 6-weeks. Multiple regression and path analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The final regression model variables accounted for 41.58% of the variance in fatigue self-management behavior, which included outcome expectation (β= 0.287), disability (β= 0.265), environmental barriers (β= 0.188), self-efficacy (β= 0.153), symptom severity (β= 0.113), living in a rural community (β= –0.108), and living alone (β= 0.103). Path analysis indicated that outcome expectations may mediate the relationship between disability levels and fatigue self-management behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Health status (i.e., disability and symptom severity), environmental factors (e.g., living situation), and self-management processes (i.e., self-efficacy and outcome expectations) may play an important role in influencing engagement in fatigue self-management behaviors.

Effect of WeChat-Based Health Education Combined with Satir Model on Self-Management Behaviors and Social Adaptation in Colorectal Cancer Patients during the Perioperative Period

Objective. To explore the effect of WeChat-based health education combined with the Satir model on self-management behaviors and social adaptation in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients during the perioperative period. Methods. A total of 100 CRC patients treated in our hospital from April 2018 to April 2020 were selected as the objects for the retrospective study and divided into the observation group and the reference group according to their admission order, with 50 cases each. The patients in both groups accepted health education based on the WeChat platform, and additionally, those in the observation group received the Satir group intervention on self-approval for 3 months to compare the patients’ scores on self-management behaviors, social adaptation, and self-care agency before and after the intervention between the two groups. Results. Between the observation group and the reference group, the patients’ general information, including age, gender ratio, and course of the disease, was not statistically different ( P > 0.05 ). After nursing intervention, the scores on patients’ self-management behaviors, social adaptation, and self-care agency were significantly higher in the observation group than in the reference group ( P < 0.001 ). Conclusion. Combining the WeChat-based health education with the Satir model can improve the self-management awareness in the CRC patients during the perioperative period, enhance their self-care agency and self-management behaviors, and promote their social adaptation, demonstrating that such a nursing intervention model is worthy of clinical promotion.

Association between Loneliness and Diseases Self-Management in Older Adults: Systematic Review

Purpose Older adults with chronic diseases are more at risk for loneliness, and loneliness has a negative impact on health behaviors, which are key to managing chronic diseases. However, little is known about the association between loneliness and self-management behaviors in older adults with chronic diseases. As societies worldwide experience the growth of aging populations who are at higher risk of having chronic diseases as they age, clinicians and researchers should assess and address loneliness of older adults with chronic diseases. Methods This systematic review synthesizes research found in PubMed, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and SocINDEX. Findings: fourteen studies were conducted in four countries and represented n= 128,610. Loneliness was measured by three different instruments. Reports of loneliness were frequent and ranged from 7.7% (in a report of severe loneliness) to 43.2% (moderate loneliness) of older adults. Older adults who experienced loneliness were less likely to be physically active, eat a healthy diet, or cope in positive ways and more likely to be female and seek healthcare. Conclusions This systematic review found that loneliness was moderately prevalent, and that loneliness was associated with negative disease self-management behaviors in older adults with chronic diseases. Gaps in the research include a need for studies guided by theoretical pathways, using a consistent, theoretically-based measure of loneliness, and conducted on among people with specific chronic diseases.

A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Stigma Surrounding Type 2 Diabetes in Colombia

Type 2 diabetes is a global epidemic, and many people feel stigmatized for having this disease. The stigma is a relevant barrier to diabetes management. However, evidence in this regard is scarce in Latin America. This study aimed to analyze the level of stigma surrounding type 2 diabetes in the Colombian population and its relationships with sociodemographic, clinical, psychosocial variables and behaviors related to management of the disease (self-management behaviors). This cross-sectional study included 501 Colombian adults with type 2 diabetes. We estimated the relation between stigma and selected variables through linear regression models. Additionally, we analyzed the mediator role of psychosocial variables in the relationship between stigma and self-management behaviors through structural equation models. A total of 16.4% of patients showed concerning levels of stigma. The time elapsed since diagnosis (β = −0.23) and socioeconomic status (β = −0.13) were significant predictors of the level of stigma. Stigma was negatively correlated with self-efficacy (β = −0.36), self-esteem (β = −0.37), and relationship with health care provider (β = −0.46), and positively correlated with stress (β = 0.23). Self-efficacy, self-esteem, and the relationships with health care providers had a mediation role in the relationship between stigma and self-management behaviors. These variables would be part of the mechanisms through which the perception of stigma harms self-management behaviors. The stigma of type 2 diabetes is frequent in the Colombian population and negatively associated with important aspects of disease management.

The Use of Mobile Apps to Improve Diabetes Self-Management: A Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Background: Healthcare apps on smartphones are used to retrieve health information and manage health. A number of healthcare apps have been employed to support diabetes self-management, and evidence has accumulated on the outcomes of interventions using individual apps. However, only a small percentage of all healthcare apps have a proven effect on people with diabetes, and it is unclear which apps should be recommended in non-English-speaking countries. Verifying that the healthcare apps used by people with diabetes are useful for diabetes management behaviors will help healthcare providers know which apps to recommend. OBJECTIVE Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify whether and how the use of healthcare apps affects the self-management behavior of people with diabetes. METHODS Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was given to patients with type 2 diabetes who were pre-registered with an Internet research company. The items on the questionnaire involved the use of smartphone healthcare apps, diabetes self-management behaviors (Japan Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities [J-SDSCA]), motivations for diabetes self-management (autonomous motivation and controlled motivation), and feelings of competence in self-management (Perceived Competence for Diabetes Scale). To examine whether a healthcare app had an effect on the self-management behavior score, a multiple regression analysis was conducted with the J-SDSCA score as the objective variable. RESULTS Results: Of the 253 participants, 61 (24.1%) indicated that they were currently using a healthcare app. Those using a healthcare app had a significantly higher J-SDSCA score than those not using one (beta =.15, 95% CI 0.60–3.54, P <.001). Regarding the frequency of exercise, the use of apps for steps and walking distance led to a significant difference (beta =.22, 95% CI 0.59–1.90, P <.001). For general diet, the use of any healthcare app had no significant effect (P =.22). CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: The use of healthcare apps was beneficial for diabetes self-management. Given that even non-specialized apps can improve diabetes self-management behaviors, health care providers should encourage patients to use apps that are tailored to their preferences and that are easy to use long-term. The use of healthcare apps was particularly associated with increased exercise regimen efforts. Recommending the use of healthcare apps, especially apps that include pedometers, could be useful when patients have problems with exercise.