Wellbeing Space and Society最新文献

{"title":"Non-farm income and household welfare: Empirical evidence from a developing economy","authors":"Joash Robert Alex Watema ,&nbsp;Richard Kiplangat Siele ,&nbsp;Edwin Kimitei","doi":"10.1016/j.wss.2024.100232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wss.2024.100232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The drastic changes in the global economy such as population growth, and land degradation requires alternative income sources such as non-farm income to enhance household welfare. Prior attempts to enhance welfare have been directed to industrialized economies and have paid little attention on poverty status as a proxy of household welfare. The current study sought to establish how non-farm income enhances household welfare using nationally representative panel data. The study used secondary data from most recent Uganda National Panel Survey (UNPS) waves of 2013 /2014, 2015/2016, 2017/2018, and 2019/2020. Fixed effects, random effects, and probit models were used to estimate the instrumented variables. The results indicate that non-farm income significantly enhances household welfare proxied by poverty status and consumption expenditure. Education level of the household head, household size and living in urban rather than rural significantly influences household welfare. To the best of the researchers' knowledge, this is the first study to establish how non-farm income enhances household welfare using empirical evidence from Ugandan economy which is transforming from an agricultural economy to a service economy and more specifically using poverty status and consumption expenditure as proxies of welfare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52616,"journal":{"name":"Wellbeing Space and Society","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100232"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143129408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Motels as rural homeless shelters: A qualitative study across five Ontario communities","authors":"Ellen Buck-McFadyen,&nbsp;Nneoma Okoye","doi":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Rural homelessness is increasing, yet there is limited infrastructure to intervene in rural communities. During COVID-19, additional funding helped repurpose motels as shelters, and some of these motel-based shelters continue today. The objectives of this study were to understand the experience of living in a rural motel, whether motels are a viable shelter option for rural communities, and strategies for their success.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Interpretive description was used to guide qualitative interviews with 27 individuals who used or administered motels as rural homeless shelters across five communities in rural Ontario. On-site observations in two settings helped triangulate data and immersed the lead researcher in the regional context.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants with lived experience (<em>N</em> = 16) described many challenges living in a motel room yet were grateful for a secure and private space. Some participants felt happier, healthier, and their substance use decreased, although they also noted limited autonomy. Participants administering motel programs (<em>N</em> = 11) appreciated the opportunity to strengthen connections with clients and community partners yet struggled to prevent overdoses and motel damage. Staff worked hard to maintain relationships with motel owners and get ahead of problems, suggesting layout, 24/7 presence, and integrated services were important for program success. Longer-term programs offered more stability, feelings of belonging, and avoided the stress of not knowing when one might be asked to leave.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Rural motel shelters offered an innovative response to unsheltered homelessness, demonstrating existing rural infrastructure can be repurposed as emergency shelter, transitional housing, or supportive housing with adequate supports.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52616,"journal":{"name":"Wellbeing Space and Society","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100272"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nature experiences and their potential therapeutic benefits for psychiatric assisted-living residents recovering from substance abuse","authors":"Michel Rinderhagen ,&nbsp;Anna Christina Nowak ,&nbsp;Claudia Hornberg ,&nbsp;Kristina Hennig-Fast ,&nbsp;Timothy Mc Call","doi":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100268","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100268","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>There is a lack of research on nature in psychiatric assisted-living facilities and the mechanisms between nature experiences and mental health. The use of the therapeutic landscapes concept in this context seems promising. To address this research gap, an exploration of the natural environment of an assisted-living facility for people with chronic mental illnesses and a history of substance abuse is presented and contextualized in therapeutic landscapes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Qualitative interviews were used to examine what kinds of nature experiences residents had in their daily lives and whether and how these experiences could potentially be therapeutic for them. The interviews were then analyzed using content analysis with a deductive-inductive content structuring approach and an analysis of overlap.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Six different kinds of nature experiences were identified. These were, to varying degrees, associated with eight different kinds of potential therapeutic benefits that support the residents’ recovery and promote their well-being. Residents’ nature experiences also showed considerable overlap with the other therapeutic landscape environments – the social, built, and symbolic environment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study is the first to demonstrate how mental health and place are intertwined for psychiatric assisted-living residents with mental illness and a history of substance abuse. The natural environment in and around these facilities and the experiences they enable can play a key role in recovery and the promotion of well-being. The diverse association between the kinds of nature experiences and their potential therapeutic benefits has implications for policy and practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52616,"journal":{"name":"Wellbeing Space and Society","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100268"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143916717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"“I want to see more of this, where our stories are told”: Exploring iwi cultural landscapes through photovoice","authors":"Kimiora Raerino ,&nbsp;Rau Hoskins ,&nbsp;Kara Beckford ,&nbsp;Aneta Cram","doi":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100241","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100241","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Indigenous photovoice was utilised to explore the iwi cultural landscapes of Ngā Hau Māngere, Aotearoa New Zealand, through the unique perspectives of ten Mana Whenua photographers. This study demonstrates how iwi cultural landscapes, such as signage, buildings, artworks, and ‘nature’ features, function as vital expressions and facilitators of iwi identity, history, and values. By employing Te Aranga Design Principles as an analytic tool, the research provides insights into the significance of iwi cultural landscapes, their meanings, and their role in evoking emotional and cultural connections. The findings highlight the importance of these landscapes in reinforcing Indigenous identity and sovereignty, strengthening community resilience, and promoting wellbeing. Advocating for Mana Whenua co-design and collaboration, this study underscores the urgent need for genuine engagement to create more inclusive and culturally responsive urban spaces while contributing to global discussions on integrating and grounding Indigenous knowledge into urban design and planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52616,"journal":{"name":"Wellbeing Space and Society","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100241"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143129744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reconnecting people to nature through virtual reality: A mixed-methods field study in the context of public engagement events","authors":"Giovanna Calogiuri ,&nbsp;Elena Brambilla ,&nbsp;Ole E. Flaten ,&nbsp;Fred Fröhlich ,&nbsp;Sigbjørn Litleskare","doi":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100254","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100254","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nature connectedness, a person's sense of belonging with the natural world, has received increasing attention as a psychological construct associated with environmental commitment and well-being. Immersive Virtual Nature (IVN) emerged as a promising medium to promote this connection, though its applicability in real-world settings is largely under-researched. This field study explored user experience and nature connectedness outcomes in the context of public engagement events featuring two types of IVN installations. A mixed-methods approach was employed, with data collected through surveys and field observations during events in two middle schools and three university campuses. In total, 209 IVN experiences were recorded, involving students, teaching/administrative staff, and other campus dwellers (age: 13–73; gender: 55 % women, 44 % men, 1 % other). The participants experienced high levels of presence, playful engagement, and positive emotions, though cybersickness and technical issues were also reported. Statistically significant increases in nature connectedness were found, with a more pronounced effect among participants who initially reported lower levels of connection. Accordingly, qualitative reports highlighted how the IVN experiences prompted participants to reflect on their relationship with nature, fostering their sense of connectedness and interest in nature-based activities. The two IVN installations proposed were associated with different user experience, though no differences emerged with respect to nature connectedness outcomes. This study corroborates and extends the current understanding of IVN as a medium for the proportion of nature connectedness, underscoring the potential of public engagement events as an accessible approach to engage diverse groups with IVN experiences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52616,"journal":{"name":"Wellbeing Space and Society","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100254"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143686236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parenting ‘on the move’? Active school commuting is linked to parents’ well-being and children’s academic performance","authors":"Elisa Alfaro ,&nbsp;Eliseo Valle ,&nbsp;Raquel Valle-Escolano ,&nbsp;Sergio A. Useche","doi":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100271","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100271","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>In recent years, growing attention has been given to the creation of ‘active environments’ across key aspects of everyday life. Two particularly relevant settings in this regard are school and transport. Therefore, examining school commuting through active or slow mobility modes may offer valuable insights into how these travel patterns may relate to specific indicators of parents’ well-being and their children’s academic performance.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This cross-sectional study compared a set of literature-supported variables related to parents’ health and well-being, and children’s academic performance –namely, body mass index, life satisfaction, travel satisfaction, commuting stress, and children’s average academic score– using data from Spanish school-commuting parents categorized by the type of transport they use: active (walking or cycling), private motorized, or public transport.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>For this purpose, the study utilized information provided by a sample of 542 Spanish parents or guardians (mean age = 37.7; 59 % women) who regularly take their children to and from school. They completed an electronic questionnaire assessing the five outcome variables mentioned above.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There were found key differences across the three commuting groups, particularly regarding commuting stress, travel satisfaction, and subjective well-being. Significant differences were observed across the three commuting groups, particularly in commuting stress, travel satisfaction, life satisfaction, and body mass index, as well as children’s academic performance. Active commuting modes were consistently associated with more favorable outcomes across these indicators.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings underline the relevance of promoting active mobility as a potentially advantageous school commuting option for families. While the results do not imply causal effects, they highlight patterns that may warrant further investigation. Longitudinal and experimental studies are recommended to better understand the mechanisms underlying these associations and their practical implications for educational and transport policy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52616,"journal":{"name":"Wellbeing Space and Society","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100271"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144070301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gender differences in subjective wellbeing in Japan: An intersectionality approach","authors":"Azuna Sawada ,&nbsp;Kanami Tsuno ,&nbsp;Koichiro Shiba","doi":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100270","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100270","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aims</h3><div>Studies on gender differences in wellbeing often use narrowly defined wellbeing measures and only focus on overall comparison of men and women. This study examined gender differences in diverse wellbeing metrics across various subgroups.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Data were obtained from the Nikkei Gross Domestic Wellbeing Survey—a quarterly survey on wellbeing among a nationally representative sample of people in Japan who are ≥15 years old (from 2021 to 2023; <em>n</em> = 9080). Our wellbeing outcomes included life satisfaction, happiness, the human flourishing domains, balance and harmony, calmness, and interdependent happiness. Gender differences in mean wellbeing scores (men minus women) were computed in the overall sample and within each demographic subgroup, including age groups, household income levels, educational attainment, employment status, family structure, and residency.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>Overall, women scored higher in wellbeing metrics than men (e.g., the gap in mean life satisfaction: 0.55, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.47 to 0.64). This trend persisted across most subgroups, but there were no significant gender differences among teenagers (e.g., life satisfaction: −0.11, 95% CI: −0.53 to 0.32; composite flourishing score: −0.35, 95% CI: −2.14 to 1.42), individuals in their twenties (e.g., life satisfaction: 0.16, 95% CI: −0.08 to 0.41; composite flourishing score: 0.07, 95% CI: −0.97 to 1.11), and unmarried individuals with children (life satisfaction: −0.20, 95% CI: −0.84 to 0.45; composite flourishing score: −0.87, 95% CI: −3.46 to 1.72).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>While women generally reported higher wellbeing, certain subgroups exhibited unique patterns. Understanding these dynamics can inform targeted interventions to promote equity in wellbeing across demographic groups.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52616,"journal":{"name":"Wellbeing Space and Society","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100270"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143935229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experiences of transgender individuals with medical care in southern New Mexico: An argument for a diverse and intersectional trans informed care","authors":"Sophia Sangwanthong ,&nbsp;Lore Falls ,&nbsp;Jessica López-Harder ,&nbsp;Miranda Saenz ,&nbsp;Kris Hua","doi":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Access to and experiences with healthcare, both gender affirming and non-trans related, are not equitable for all transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. This is particularly true in southern New Mexico (NM), a geographic location with unique contexts and barriers as a borderlands region that is absent from current TGD health equity literature. It is, therefore, tantamount to create solutions that center the voices and experiences of TGD people while also keeping in mind the multiplicity and complexity of intersectional backgrounds and barriers inclusive of race, ability, class, age, sexuality, and gender, and beyond. This work examines the medical experiences of 20 diverse transgender individuals in southern NM in their own words as presented from semi-structured focus groups and interviews designed to elicit experiences seeking and receiving care and to suggest improvements to healthcare in the region. Participants reported a variety of experiences including difficulties accessing care because of finances, insurance and transportation; hesitation based on previous negative experiences including misgendering, harassment and discrimination, negative experiences shared by others, and more. Participant solutions included trans-informed care, rigorous inclusion trainings, better signage in clinics, and the suggestion of trans and LGBT+ specific clinics. These experiences, suggestions, and analysis will hopefully contribute to material change and inspire continuing research into TGD health equity in this region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52616,"journal":{"name":"Wellbeing Space and Society","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100245"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143422257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mental health in the Ruhr – Links between a neighborhood's characteristics and depression","authors":"Tom Meyer,&nbsp;Andreas Farwick","doi":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100239","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100239","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Few empirical studies have examined the impact of neighborhood context on mental health while controlling for various relevant factors. This paper addresses this gap by analyzing data from the Heinz Nixdorf Multigenerational Study (N = 2,897, age range = 18–90 years) of residents in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Essen, and Bochum (Germany) from 2013 to 2016. Using cluster-robust logistic regression, we investigated how neighborhood factors influence the likelihood of depression, accounting for individual-level characteristics.</div><div>The findings indicate that high urbanization, perceived lack of nighttime safety, and especially neighborhood socio-economic disadvantage significantly increase the risk of depression, especially when considering length of residence. These results highlight the significant impact of socially disadvantaged neighborhoods on mental health, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to prevent extreme socio-spatial segregation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52616,"journal":{"name":"Wellbeing Space and Society","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100239"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143130283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Luminous threats: The health impacts of artificial nighttime light on metabolic and mental health: A scoping review","authors":"Daniel Jiménez ,&nbsp;Laura Neira Arenas ,&nbsp;Erwin Hernando Hernández Rincón ,&nbsp;María José García Céspedes ,&nbsp;Claudia Liliana Jaimes Peñuela","doi":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100260","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wss.2025.100260","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Artificial light at night (ALAN) has been increasingly recognized as a potential disruptor of human health, affecting both metabolic and mental well-being. Growing evidence links ALAN exposure to conditions such as obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and depression.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To conduct a scoping review of the available scientific literature up to September 2024, focusing on the impact of ALAN on metabolic and mental health outcomes. The review also aims to identify existing gaps in the research and provide recommendations for future studies and public health interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Material and Methods</h3><div>This review included studies from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria encompassed publications presenting empirical data and clinical trials in English and Spanish that assessed ALAN exposure and health outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 32 studies were reviewed, with a combined sample size exceeding 1.6 million participants. Study designs varied and included large-scale cohort studies, cross-sectional analyses, and randomized clinical trials. Associations between ALAN exposure and metabolic disorders (<em>n</em> = 14), hypertension (<em>n</em> = 6), T2DM (<em>n</em> = 5), and mental health disorders (<em>n</em> = 7) were identified. Findings consistently suggest that ALAN contributes to chronodisruption, impacting metabolic and psychological health.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>ALAN is a significant environmental factor contributing to adverse health outcomes, particularly metabolic disorders and mental health disturbances. While findings suggest actionable interventions, further longitudinal studies are required to confirm causality and explore preventative strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":52616,"journal":{"name":"Wellbeing Space and Society","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100260"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143761196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}