Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2018.421

HEALTH STATUS, LIFESTYLE, USE OF HEALTH SERVICES, SOCIAL CAPITAL AND LIFE SATISFACTION AS PREDICTORS OF MENTAL HEALTH - COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF WOMEN THAT RECEIVE AND DO NOT RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN CROATIA

Petra Šuljić ; Department of Informatics, Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-goranska County, Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rijeka School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
Iva Sorta-Bilajac Turina ; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rijeka School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Social Medicine, Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-goranska County, Rijeka, Croatia
Željko Sesar ; Private GP Office, Rijeka, Croatia
Uroš Šuljić ; Department of Informatics, Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Aleksandar Džakula ; Department of Social Medicine and Organization of Health Care, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Lovorka Bilajac ; Department of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Rijeka School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia; Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-goranska County - Opatija Office, Opatija, Croatia
Ksenija Vitale ; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Sports, Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Vladimir Mićović ; Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rijeka School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia; Teaching Institute of Public Health of Primorsko-goranska County - Head, Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

Background: The connection between socio-economic status and health is documented, yet not fully understood. The goal of this research was to analyze the relationship between socio-economic status, lifestyle and health status, availability of health-care, social capital, and satisfaction with life.
Subjects and methods: Subjects were 1117 women aged 25-65 years divided in two groups. Group 1 consisted of women who receive public assistance (N1=591), while Group 2 consisted of women who do not (N2=526). The sample was stratified by random choice into multiple stages based on six regions of Croatia, residential area size, and the age of respondents. Visiting nurses surveyed the deprived population, while in Group 2 self-interviewing was conducted. A questionnaire entitled “Inequalities in health” was used. The respondents participated in this research voluntarily and anonymously.
Results: Socially deprived women consume spirits and wine more often (p<0.001). There is no difference between groups regarding tobacco consummation. Working women perform significantly less strenuous physical tasks (p<0.001). Deprived women are significantly less engaged in physical activities (p<0.001). Health conditions in deprived women more commonly limit their physical activity (p<0.001). There is a significant difference in utilization of health-care among groups (p<0.001). Younger women who are married, with a higher number of household members, a larger income, and with higher education are generally more satisfied with life (p<0.001). Although deprived women are significantly less satisfied with their lives, feel less free, are less
physically active, and less likely to consume spirits or beer, they are significantly happier than working women (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Personal health status and lifestyle, access to health-care services, and life satisfaction have a high importance as predictors and protective factors of mental health in women - recipients of state-provided financial welfare.

Keywords

health status; social capital; mental health; public assistance; women

Hrčak ID:

222227

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/222227

Publication date:

23.11.2018.

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