Women health and microbiota:Different aspects of well-being

In this editorial,we comment on the article by Marano et al recently published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29(45):5945-5952.We focus on the role of gut microbiota(GM)in women’s health,highlighting the need to thoroughly comprehend the sex differences in microbiota.Together,the host and GM support the host’s health.The microbiota components consist of viruses,bacteria,fungi,and archaea.This complex is an essential part of the host and is involved in neu-rological development,metabolic control,immune system dynamics,and host dynamic homeostasis.It has been shown that differences in the GM of males and females can contribute to chronic diseases,such as gastrointestinal,metabolic,neurological,cardiovascular,and respiratory illnesses.These differences can also result in some sex-specific changes in immunity.Every day,research on GM reveals new and more expansive frontiers,offering a wealth of innovative oppor-tunities for preventive and precision medicine.

Relationship Between Individuals’Epidemic Risk Perception Within Living Space and Subjective Well-Being:Empirical Evidence from China after the First Wave of COVID-19

It is common to observe the epidemic risk perception(ERP)and a decline in subjective well-being(SWB)in the context of public health events,such as Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19).However,there have been few studies exploring the impact of individuals’ERP within living space on their SWB,especially from a geographical and daily activity perspective after the resumption of work and other activities following a wave of the pandemic.In this paper,we conducted a study with 789 participants in urban China,measuring their ERP within living space and examining its influence on their SWB using path analysis.The results indicated that individuals’ERP within their living space had a significant negative effect on their SWB.The density of certain types of facilities within their living space,such as bus stops,subway stations,restaurants,fast food shops,convenience shops,hospitals,and public toilets,had a significantly negative impact on their SWB,mediated by their ERP within living space.Additionally,participation in out-of-home work and other activities not only increased individuals’ERP within living space,but also strengthened its negative effect on their SWB.

Self-Compassion Moderates the Effect of Contingent Self-Esteem on Well-Being:Evidence from Cross-Sectional Survey and Experiment

Contingent self-esteem captures the fragile nature of self-esteem and is often regarded as suboptimal to psychological functioning.Self-compassion is another important self-related concept assumed to promote mental health and well-being.However,research on the relation of self-compassion to contingent self-esteem is lacking.Two studies were conducted to explore the role of selfcompassion,either as a personal characteristic or an induced mindset,in influencing the effects of contingent self-esteem on well-being.Study 1 recruited 256 Chinese college students(30.4%male,mean age=21.72 years)who filled out measures of contingent self-esteem,self-compassion,and well-being.The results found that self-compassion moderated the effect of contingent self-esteem on well-being.In Study 2,a sample of 90 Chinese college students(34%male,mean age=18.39 years)were randomly assigned to either a control or self-compassion group.They completed baseline trait measures of contingent self-esteem,self-compassion,and self-esteem.Then,they were led to have a 12-min break(control group)or listen to a 12-min self-compassion audio(self-compassion group),followed by a social stress task and outcome measures.The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the brief self-compassion training and its moderating role in influencing the effects of contingent self-esteem on negative affects after the social stress task.This research provides implications that to equip with a self-compassionate mindset could lower the risk of the impairment of well-being associated with elements of contingent selfesteem,which involves a fragile sense of self-worth.It may also provide insights into the development of an“optimal selfesteem”and the improvement of well-being.

The Effects of Childhood Trauma on College Students’Depressive Symptoms:The Mediation Role of Subjective Well-Being and the Moderation Role of Resilience

Background:The enduring and detrimental impact of childhood trauma on later health and well-being is now well established.However,research on the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms,along with the potential risk and protective factors,is insufficient in the context of Chinese college student population.Methods:Data on childhood trauma,depressive symptoms,resilience,and subjective well-being were collected through surveys conducted with 367 Chinese university students.The data collected in this study were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and PROCESS 3.5.Results:The results revealed that subjective well-being mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms among college students,with direct and indirect effects accounting for 59.46%and 40.54%of the total effect,respectively.The pathway process between subjective well-being and depressive symptoms was moderated by resilience,whereby an increase in resilience levels corresponded to a gradual escalation in the predictive power of subjective well-being on depressive symptoms.Conclusion:The study indicates that childhood trauma significantly and positively predicts depressive symptoms among college students,and it can also directly predict depressive symptoms through the mediating effect of subjective well-being.Elevating levels of psychological resilience and subjective well-being among college students can mitigate depression and promote psychological well-being.From the perspective of positive psychology,the present study provides a new perspective for the prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms among college students.

Disparities in the impact of economic well-being on self-esteem in adulthood:Race and ethnicity

BACKGROUND Most studies have defined economic well-being as socioeconomic status,with little attention given to whether other indicators influence self-esteem.Little is known about racial/ethnic disparities in the relationship between economic wellbeing and self-esteem during adulthood.AIM To explore the impact of economic well-being on self-esteem in adulthood and differences in the association across race/ethnicity.METHODS The current study used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979.The final sample consisted of 2267 African Americans,1425 Hispanics,and 3678 non-Hispanic Whites.Ordinary linear regression analyses and logistic regression analyses were conducted.RESULTS African Americans and Hispanics were more likely to be in poverty in comparison with non-Hispanic Whites.More African Americans were unemployed than Whites.Those who received fringe benefits,were more satisfied with jobs,and were employed were more likely to have higher levels of self-esteem.Poverty was negatively associated with self-esteem.Interaction effects were found between African Americans and job satisfaction predicting self-esteem.CONCLUSION The role of employers is important in cultivating employees’self-esteem.Satisfactory outcomes or feelings of happiness from the workplace may be more important to non-Hispanic Whites compared to African Americans and Hispanics.

The Impact of Supervisory Career Support on Employees’Well-Being:A Dual Path Model of Opportunity and Ability

Background:In the pursuit of fostering employees’well-being,leaders are recognized as playing a vital role.However,so far,most of the existing research has focused on leadership behavior and the superficial interaction between leaders and members but has unexpectedly ignored the specific supporting role of supervisors in the career development of employees,that is,supervisory career support.Additionally,the internal mechanism of how career support from supervisors is related to and promotes employees’wellbeing is still unclear.Based on social cognitive career theory(SCCT),this study aimed to explore whether,how,and when supervisory career support affects employee well-being by introducing the two paths of‘career prospect’and‘career confidence.’Methods:During July 2023,this study employed a cross-sectional design.We gathered participants from corporate situated in Southern China.Results:Results based on a large sample of 14,533 employees showed that supervisory career support was positively related to employees’well-being through the dual path of career prospects(opportunity)and career confidence(ability).Employees high in proactive personality experienced the above positive effects most.Conclusion:This study provides meaningful implications for managers to implement personalized support strategies to improve employees’well-being.

Exploring well-being disparities between urban and rural areas:A case study in the Stavropol Territory,Russia

Rural areas are crucial for a country’s sustainable economy.New strategies are needed to develop rural areas to improve the well-being of rural population and generate new job opportunities.This is especially important in countries where agricultural production accounts for a significant share of the gross product,such as Russia.In this study,we identified the key indicators of satisfaction and differences between rural and urban citizens based on their social,economic,and environmental backgrounds,and determined whether there are well-being disparities between rural and urban areas in the Stavropol Territory,Russia.We collected primary data through a survey based on the European Social Survey framework to investigate the potential differences between rural and urban areas.By computing the regional well-being index using principal component analysis,we found that there was no statistically significant difference in well-being between rural and urban areas.Results of key indicators showed that rural residents felt psychologically more comfortable and safer,assessed their family relationships better,and adhered more to traditions and customs.However,urban residents showed better economic and social conditions(e.g.,infrastructures,medical care,education,and Internet access).The results of this study imply that we can better understand the local needs,advantages,and unique qualities,thereby gaining insight into the effectiveness of government programs.Policy-makers and local authorities can consider targeted interventions based on the findings of this study and strive to enhance the well-being of both urban and rural residents.

Researching the Impact of the Quality of Village Governance on Farmers’Well-Being:From the Perspectives of Income and Occupational Differentiation

The goal of village governance is to improve the well-being of farmers,so this study aims to measure the impact the quality of village governance on the well-being of farmers.It also examines the heterogeneity of this impact across different farmer groups from the perspectives of income levels and occupational differentiation.To this end,this study developed an indicator system based on survey data collected from 1,442 farmers in the Sichuan,Shaanxi,and Gansu provinces,as well as the Ningxia Hui autonomous region.Multiple linear regression models were then used to analyze this data,and the findings revealed that improvements in the quality of village governance significantly increased the well-being of farmers.Specifically,primary-level empowerment and capacity building were shown to contribute the most to the enhancement of the farmers’well-being,followed by social inclusion,and social cohesion was found to have only a minimal effect.In terms of income levels,improving the quality of village governance benefited middle-income farmers the most,followed by low-income farmers,and it had the least effect on high-income farmers.In terms of occupations,full-time farmers gained the most from improvements in the quality of village governance,followed by off-farm farmers,with part-time farmers benefiting the least.Based on these findings,this study suggests that policymakers should improve the quality of village governance to enhance the well-being of farmers,focusing on the impact that level of income and occupational differentiation have on village governance.

Association between Mental Health Literacy and Workplace Well-Being of Chinese Grassroots Civil Servants:The Chain Mediating Effects of Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy and Resilience

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mental health literacy(MHL)and workplace well-being(WWB)of Chinese grassroots civil servants,with regulatory emotional self-efficacy(RESE)and resilience as mediating variables.A questionnaire survey was conducted among Chinese grassroots civil servants,with a valid sample size of 2673 after excluding missing values and conducting relevant data processing.The PROCESS was used to examine the relationship between MHL,RESE,resilience,and WWB.The study found that MHL among grassroots civil servants was positively and significantly correlated with WWB(r=0.73,p<0.01).RESE partially mediated the relationship between MHL and WWB(β=0.25,95%CI[0.22,0.28]).Resilience partially mediated the relationship between MHL and WWB(β=0.22,95%CI[0.19,0.26]).MHL had a positive effect on WWB through the chain mediating effect of RESE and resilience(β=0.05,95%CI[0.03,0.07]).There is a close relationship between MHL and WWB,where Chinese grassroots civil servants with higher levels of MHL can develop stronger RESE and resilience,leading to higher WWB.The results of this study remind organizational institutions of Chinese grassroots civil servants that enhancing MHL,RESE,and resilience is an important pathway to promoting their WWB.

The pain of inequality:Income gap and carbon intensity of well-being

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations sets out 17 sustainable development goals(SDGs)that call for global action to end poverty,protect the planet,and improve the lives and futures of all people,including reducing inequality and taking climate action.The academic and policy issues corresponding to these two goals are income distribution and low-carbon development respectively.This paper makes a connection between the two and examines the impact of income gap on carbon intensity of well-being(CIWB)based on panel data of 40 countries around the world,which has important theoretical significance and empirical reference value.The main conclusions are as follows:(1)During the sample period,the carbon intensity of well-being of 36 in the 40 countries showed a downward trend,indicating that the pressure brought by the increase of unit well-being level on carbon emission space was gradually decreasing.The biggest drop in carbon intensity of well-being is in Estonia.(2)According to the average value of the past years,the income gaps are large in Colombia,Costa Rica,Paraguay,Ecuador and Peru,and the five countries with the smallest income gap are Ukraine,Slovenia,Belarus,the Czech Republic and Kyrgyzstan Republic.(3)The regression results of the econometric model with carbon intensity of well-being as the dependent variable,income gap as the independent variable,and urbanization rate,energy consumption structure and export trade as the control variables show that the increase of income gap will increase carbon intensity of well-being,and the increase of urbanization rate,renewable energy consumption and export dependence will reduce carbon intensity of well-being.Finally,according to the research conclusions,the policy implications for China's future high-quality development are extracted.

A Review of Western and Eastern Traditional Views of Well-Being

This paper reviews traditional understanding of well-being from both Western and Eastern cultural perspectives. First, two distinct Western traditions in defining well-being are compared, namely hedonic and eudaemonic approaches. The hedonic approach defines happiness as the maximization of pleasure, while the eudaemonic approach regards happiness as the fulfillment of a person’s natural needs and overall flourishing. Second, the views of well-being in lens of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in the East are reviewed. The common and different understandings of well-being between Western and Eastern traditions are discussed as followed. Finally, two well-known operationalized definitions of well-being, that is subjective well-being and psychological well-being, proposed in the roots of Western traditions are elucidated.

Analysis of the Current Situation and Influencing Factors of Psychological Well-Being of Elderly People in the Community

Objective:To investigate the current psychological well-being of older people in the community and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A total of 265 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and above in Baoding City,Hebei Province,were selected through convenience sampling from November 2023 to March 2024.They were surveyed using a general information questionnaire and a comprehensive well-being questionnaire,with results analyzed statistically using SPSS 27.0.Results:Six dimensions of the psychological well-being scale for community older adults were identified:life vitality(P50=4.83),health concern(P50=4.6),self-worth(P50=5.6),friendly relationships(P50=5.33),altruistic behavior(P50=5.2),personality growth(P50=4.67),and comprehensive well-being(P50=161).Multivariate regression analysis showed that social isolation(β=-0.021,P<0.001),type of work(β=-0.142,P<0.001),chronic disease history(β=0.004,P<0.001),need for mobility aid(β=0.192,P<0.001),and monthly income(β=0.381,P<0.001)were factors influencing psychological well-being.Conclusion:The psychological well-being of the elderly is slightly above moderate and requires improvement.Enhancing factors such as reducing social isolation,addressing chronic disease history,and improving financial support could improve psychological well-being in older adults.

The Relationship Between Social Isolation and Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults in the Community

Objective:To investigate the psychological well-being of the elderly in Baoding City,Hebei Province,and analyze its influencing factors,with a focus on exploring the relationship between social isolation and psychological well-being.This study aims to provide a reference for effective interventions that promote the physical and mental health of elderly individuals in the community.Methods:A total of 265 elderly individuals from six communities in Baoding City,Hebei Province were surveyed between November 2023 and March 2024 using the general information questionnaire,the Social Isolation Scale for the Elderly,and the Comprehensive Happiness Questionnaire.Results:The total score of the Social Isolation Scale for the elderly in the community was(14.15±3.73)points,indicating a moderate level of social isolation.The average score of P50 on the Psychological Well-being Scale was 4.88,suggesting that the psychological well-being of the elderly in the community was moderate to high.Multivariate regression analysis showed that the level of social isolation significantly influenced the psychological well-being of the elderly(P<0.05),with social isolation negatively correlated with psychological well-being.Conclusion:Healthcare professionals should pay attention to the social isolation of elderly individuals in the community and develop targeted interventions to improve their psychological well-being and quality of life.

Profoundly entwined ecosystem services,land-use change and human well-being into sustainability management in Yushu,Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The nexus exploration among land use/land cover change,ecosystem services and human well-being has been increasingly crucial in the context of Future Earth.However,the spatial heterogeneity and the entwining process among these three aspects have not yet been in-depth and systematically explored.Here we identified the spatiotemporal pattern of ecosystem services during the past 20 years in Yushu,the eco-fragile region and the centre of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,as well as clarified its relationships with land use change and human well-being.We revealed that:(1)The structure of the ecosystem and land use in this area have been increasingly stable,and the ecological projects have exerted a positive impact.(2)Although the ecological environmental issues still need more attention,the ecosystem services of the area have been positively developing.(3)Derived by the ecosystem services increase,environmental projects and policies,the human well-beings of culture and education performed much better than other aspects.(4)It is crucial to carry out long-term ecological projects and increase educational investment for maintaining the stability of this ecologically fragile area.This study provides significant support for the regional ecological sustainability decision making,especially for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,the roof of the world.

Evaluating indicators of human well-being for ecosystem-based management

Introduction:Interrelated social and ecological challenges demand an understanding of how environmental change and management decisions affect human well-being.This paper out-lines a framework for measuring human well-being for ecosystem-based management(EBM).We present a prototype that can be adapted and developed for various scales and contexts.Scientists and managers use indicators to assess status and trends in integrated ecosystem assessments(IEAs).To improve the social science rigor and success of EBM,we developed a systematic and transparent approach for evaluating indicators of human well-being for an IEA.Methods:Our process is based on a comprehensive conceptualization of human well-being,a scalable analysis of management priorities,and a set of indicator screening criteria tailored to the needs of EBM.We tested our approach by evaluating more than 2000 existing social indicators related to ocean and coastal management of the US West Coast.We focused on two foundational attributes of human well-being:resource access and self-determination.Outcomes and Discussion:Our results suggest that existing indicators and data are limited in their ability to reflect linkages between environmental change and human well-being,and extremely limited in their ability to assess social equity and justice.We reveal a critical need for new social indicators tailored to answer environmental questions and new data that are disaggregated by social variables to measure equity.In both,we stress the importance of collaborating with the people whose well-being is to be assessed.Conclusion:Our framework is designed to encourage governments and communities to carefully assess the complex tradeoffs inherent in environmental decision-making.

The Relationship between Mental Health Literacy and Subjective Well-Being of Young and Middle-Aged Residents: Perceived the Mediating Role of Social Support and Its Urban-Rural Differences

This study investigates mental health literacy among young and middle-aged urban and rural residents and the differences in mental health literacy,perceived social support and subjective well-being.From January to February 2022,620 participants(320 rural and 300 urban residents)from three provinces of China were selected by con-venience sampling.A general data questionnaire,mental health literacy scale,perceived social support scale and subjective well-being scale were administered.The mental health literacy scores of urban residents were 3.34±0.57 and those of rural residents were 2.73±0.79.The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the mental health literacy scores of rural residents were more significant than those of urban residents in terms of sex and age,while urban residents’mental health literacy scores were more significant than those of rural resi-dents in terms of monthly income.Mental health literacy,perceived social support and subjective well-being of young and middle-aged urban and rural residents were all positively correlated(P<0.01).While the level of mental health literacy is better among urban residents than rural residents,perceived social support plays a partial mediating role between mental health literacy and subjective well-being of both urban and rural residents,and should be the focus of researchers seeking to improve the level of well-being of residents.

The Mediating Role of Religious Beliefs in the Relationship between Well-Being and Fear of the Pandemic

Religion is one of the social entities that has had a significant impact on the pandemic.The study’s goals are to investigate the relationship between well-being and fear of COVID-19,as well as to test whether religious beliefs mediate the effect of wellbeing on fear of COVID-19.The sample comprised of 433 participants in Vietnam.Independent Sample t-Test,One-way ANOVA,mediation analysis were used to analyze the data.In the levels of well-being,individuals who engage in religious services daily have higher levels than those hardly and never attend,and people from the age of 18 to 30 have higher levels than individuals from 31 to above 60 years.In addition,people aged from 51 to above 60 have higher levels of religious beliefs than people aged from 18 to 50.Females experience more fear of COVID-19 compared to males.The latter illustrates that religious beliefs mediate the effect of well-being on fear of COVID-19.Social workers and clinicians must prioritize older adults and people with chronic diseases for early mental interventions,and they should be aware of the role of religion in psychological treatment integration.

Exploring the Impact of Crisis and Trauma on the Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being of University Students in Northern Haiti

In recent decades,Haiti has been subject to man-made and natural disasters that have left its citizens vulnerable to a range of shocks.With a weak state unable to protect its populace,Haitians are exposed to some of the highest levels of poverty and violence in the Western Hemisphere.In recent years,Haitians have experienced two crises that this study analyzes:the instability and political violence of“peyi lòk”as well as the global pandemic of COVID-19.This community-based assessment explores the impact of these two crises on the mental health and psychological well-being of 38 Haitian university students in the understudied northern part of the country.Results indicate that both crises had similarities related to their psychological effects on young people,most notably in terms of traumatic experiences related to threats or violence,forced confinement,and large increases in population-wide uncertainty.Additionally,the extreme violence of“peyi lòk”and the widespread unpredictability of COVID-19 and its effects in the early days of the pandemic resulted in high levels of stress and fear.Both crises also resulted in extreme economic hardship for students,with many reporting difficulties accessing basic needs such as food and water.This study highlights how converging population-level crises in“complex emergencies”can heighten trauma and compromise mental health.

Children and Workers Well-Being in Belgian French-Speaking Primary Schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of measures were taken worldwide to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and in many ways, changed human life. All these measures had harmful consequences and impacted the well-being of many people. Children were one of the most vulnerable groups. We conducted the present study to assess children’s and staff’s well-being in French-speaking primary schools in Belgium during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A 37-question questionnaire for each child based on the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and a 14-question questionnaire for each staff based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale was undertaken in order to assess the well-being. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to assess the relationship between RCMAS or HAD and other explanatory variables. Staff reported their perception of their current life and their future life in 5 years on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: A total of 231 children and 221 staff in 11 primary schools answered the well-being questionnaire between January and May 2021. 53% (122/231) of children had symptoms of anxiety. Girls reported more anxiety symptoms than boys (≥10: 59%;Adj OR = 2.25;95% CI [1.28;4.03]). 52% (120/231) of children had a definite state of social desirability. According to age, the youngest (6 - 7 years) children were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 71%;Adj OR = 3.44;95% CI [1.53;8.09]) compared to the oldest (10 - 12 years). Children who did not practice outdoor/street activities were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 60%;Adj OR = 2.59;95% CI [1.38;4.99]). In schools with a higher local incidence of SARS-CoV-2, children were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 64%;Adj OR = 2.15;95% CI [1.13;4.17]). In schools with a lower socioeconomic status, children were more likely to have social desirability (≥5: 72%;Adj OR = 2.74;95% CI [1.23;6.37]). Higher RCMAS anxiety (r = −0.18;p −0.23;p −0.20;p Conclusion: Our results showed that the well-being of children was impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Special attention must be focused on the most vulnerable groups, as the consequences can be catastrophic in the long term.

Humanβ-defensin-1 affects the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and autophagy in colon cancer cells through long noncoding RNA TCONS_00014506

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer has a low 5-year survival rate and high mortality.Humanβ-defensin-1(hBD-1)may play an integral function in the innate immune system,contributing to the recognition and destruction of cancer cells.Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)are involved in the process of cell differentiation and growth.AIM To investigate the effect of hBD-1 on the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway and autophagy in human colon cancer SW620 cells.METHODS CCK8 assay was utilized for the detection of cell proliferation and determination of the optimal drug concentration.Colony formation assay was employed to assess the effect of hBD-1 on SW620 cell proliferation.Bioinformatics was used to screen potentially biologically significant lncRNAs related to the mTOR pathway.Additionally,p-mTOR(Ser2448),Beclin1,and LC3II/I expression levels in SW620 cells were assessed through Western blot analysis.RESULTS hBD-1 inhibited the proliferative ability of SW620 cells,as evidenced by the reduction in the colony formation capacity of SW620 cells upon exposure to hBD-1.hBD-1 decreased the expression of p-mTOR(Ser2448)protein and increased the expression of Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein.Furthermore,bioinformatics analysis identified seven lncRNAs(2 upregulated and 5 downregulated)related to the mTOR pathway.The lncRNA TCONS_00014506 was ultimately selected.Following the inhibition of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506,exposure to hBD-1 inhibited p-mTOR(Ser2448)and promoted Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein expression.CONCLUSION hBD-1 inhibits the mTOR pathway and promotes autophagy by upregulating the expression of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506 in SW620 cells.