Izvorni znanstveni članak
LIFE SATISFACTION, OPTIMISM AND SOCIAL CAPITAL AS PREDICTORS OF MENTAL HEALTH OF THE RECIPIENTS OF FINANCIAL WELFARE FROM THE STATE
Lovorka Bilajac
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Rijeka, Croatia ; Teching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-Goranska County, Branch Office Opatija, Opatija, Croatia
Vanja Vasiljev Marchesi
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Rijeka, Croatia
Vanja Tešić
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Rijeka, Croatia; Andrija Stampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Tomislav Rukavina
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Rijeka, Croatia; Teching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-Goranska County, Department of Microbiology, Rijeka, Croatia
Sažetak
Background: Health is largely influenced by the subjective well-being, optimism, social inclusion and satisfaction with life as
well as usually defined variables. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of dimensions of personality (optimism,
control over life), social involvement (social capital) and socio-economic status with health and inequalities in health.
Subjects and methods: This study was performed on 1017 respondents which were chosen according to set criteria: middle age,
working capability, and, according to the documentation of the Centres for social welfare, the recipients of financial welfare from
the state. A questionnaire was created from several existing questionnaires with validated indicators.
Results: The results show that 78.1% of respondents were unemployed. Regarding the health males express a higher level of
health than female. The presence of a chronic disease was found in 56.6% women and 43.4% men. The predictors of health such as
optimism, life satisfaction and locus of control showed that satisfaction with life was expressed by 39.7% respondents. Greater
satisfaction with life was seen in females (59.6%). Surprisingly, 47.7% of respondents said they thought they had control over their
lives and decisions. Women are statistically more optimistic. Almost 60% of respondents were not satisfied with their lives.
Conclusions: Socially deprived population is mainly unemployed with insufficient resources for living. More burdened and
higher risk for future development of the disease was found within this population. Optimism, social inclusion and life satisfaction
play a large role, as protective factors in health. The interventions demand a multi disciplinary approach, and, with regard to the
sensitivity of the population, the best solution is in their own empowerment, as a protective factor for mental health.
Ključne riječi
optimism; life satisfaction; socioeconomic status; mental health; health inequalities
Hrčak ID:
265276
URI
Datum izdavanja:
23.12.2014.
Posjeta: 322 *