Browsing by Author "Ilyas, Namrah"
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- Beyond the destination: A qualitative study on how experiencing leisure traveling shapes mental health among older adultsPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Ilyas, Namrah; Maria Pereira Leal, IsabelLeisure traveling holds the potential to positively influence the emotional and mental health of older adults, a population increasingly recognized for its unique well-being challenges. This study aims to: a) assess the emotional experiences of leisure traveling among older adults; and b) analyze how leisure traveling influences the mental health of older adults. A total of 784 older adults from three nationalities, aged 65 to 82 years (M = 71.4; SD = 4.47), participated in the study. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted, and content analysis was employed. For the first objective, eight themes emerged: (1) Less loneliness and isolation (88.3%); (2) Increased selfconfidence (84.9%); (3) Meaningful relationships (75.2%); (4) Opportunities for physical activity (70.1%); (5) Personal growth (66.4%); (6) Improved sense of agency (61.2%); (7) Enhanced coping skills (59.5%); and (8) Increased perceived well-being (57.3%). For the second objective, four themes emerged: (1) Less depressive symptoms (78.3%), (2) Reduced stress and anxiety (77.3%), (3) Cognitive flexibility (75.3%), and (4) Improved sleep quality (63.9%). Portuguese older adults focused on less loneliness and isolation (88.3%) and reduced stress and anxiety (77.3%). English older adults emphasized meaningful relationships (75.2%) and less depressive symptoms (78.3%), while Brazilian participants highlighted opportunities for physical activity (70.1%) and cognitive flexibility (75.3%). Leisure traveling enriches older adults’ lives by enhancing mental health, highlighting its vital role in promoting multifaceted well-being in later life.
- Older adults, perceived ageism, civic participation and mental health: a qualitative studyPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Costa, Andrea; Ilyas, Namrah; Leal, I.Objectives: This study has three objectives: A) To investigate the relationship of ageism on older adults’ civic activities; B) To analyze the influence of ageism on mental health; and C) To explore the impact of civic participation on older adults’ mental health.Method: This qualitative study included 782 older people from three different nationalities (Portuguese, Brazilian, and English) ranging in age from 65 to 88. All the interviews went through the process of content analysis.Results: For the first objective, the findings encompass one high-level theme (Social and individual incompetence), which included social rejection (86%), reduced competence (84%), expectations of failure (83%), and not being able to contribute (77%). For the second objective, findings indicated two overarching categories: Perceived inability, including frustration and impotence (89%), incom-petence (77%) and irrelevance (71%); and Perceived distress, including anger (81%), feelings of anxiety (68%); and emotional bursts (63%). For the third objective, the following two high-level themes emerged: Ego-oriented resources, which comprised the development of a sense of purpose (81%), learning cognitive skills (71%), and (A3) practising sense of agency (67%); and Social-oriented resources, encompassing feeling socially integrated (80%); and expressing emotionally (54%). Findings indicated that the most verbalized themes for the three objectives were the same across the three nationalities.Conclusions: Ageism made it difficult for people to participate in civic life, which has been linked to better mental health. These findings emphasize the need to encourage inclusive civic involvement to improve older individuals’ mental health.
- Older and heavier: How obesity is experienced by older adults?Publication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Ilyas, Namrah; Leal, IsabelThe interplay between obesity and mental health in old age is complex and widely impacted by different biological, psychological, and social factors. The primary objectives of this qualitative research study are: a) To explore the influence of obesity on older adults’ well-being; b) to understand emotional experiences related to obesity in old age and; c) to explore how obesity influences the mental health of older adults. This study included 692 participants aged 65 to 84 years (M = 73.9; SD = 5.61) from three different nationalities (English, Spanish, and Portuguese). The study involved in-depth interviews conducted via telephone or online, with questions designed to elicit detailed narratives about participants’ experiences, and the data were analyzed using content analysis to identify key themes and patterns. This study identified four main themes regarding the influence of obesity on older adults’ well-being: (1) Body image dissatisfaction (66%); (2) Fat shaming (65%); (3) Increased isolation (57%); and (4) Loss of opportunities (46%). Three main themes for emotional experiences were frequently verbalized by the participants: (1) Shame (81%); (2) Guilt (78%); and (2) Worthlessness (76%). Finally, three main influences in mental health due to obesity were reported: (1) Self-esteem (88%); (2) Distress (78%); and (3) Depression (63%). These results highlighted that obesity negatively influences older adults’ well-being and emotional experiences and has serious mental healthrelated negative outcomes for older adults. Interventions like communitybased weight loss programs can be effective in controlling weight and improving the social interaction of obese older adults.
- Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing? Violent, Abusive, and Harmful Behavior by the Older Person Toward Their Family Caregivers: A Qualitative StudyPublication . von Humboldt, Sofia; Ilyas, Namrah; Leal, IsabelViolent, abusive, and harmful behavior enacted by older adults upon their caregivers represents a distressing and frequently disregarded facet within the domain of caregiving. This qualitative study aims to (a) explore family caregivers’ experiences of violent, abusive, and harmful behavior by the older person and (b) explore how violent, abusive, and harmful behavior by the older person affects family caregivers’ mental health. This qualitative study encompassed 393 participants, with a diverse age range spanning from 40 to 72 years. All the interviews went through the process of content analysis. For the first objective, findings indicated six emerging themes: Frequent and extreme verbal violence (77.3%); feeling manipulated and controlled by older adults (74.7%); experiencing unpredictable illegal circumstances provoked by older adults (62.1%); experiencing damaging financial issues provoked by older adults (43.1%); experiencing physical violence (34.2.%); and experiencing sexual violence (31.1%). The second objective highlighted four themes: depression and anxiety (89.9 %), anger (81.2%), feeling morally isolated (78.3%), and emotional outbursts (65.1%). Brazilian participants mainly experienced frequent and extreme verbal violence (62.4%). Moreover, depression and anxiety were mainly verbalized by English participants (84.3%). These findings underscore the significant toll that older individuals’ violent, abusive, and harmful behavior can have on the mental well-being of family caregivers. This study sheds light on the complex experiences faced by family caregivers and emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions to foster healthier caregiving environments. Older individuals’ violent, abusive, and harmful behavior toward their caregivers has received limited attention in research and public discourse. The findings of this study call attention to the pressing need of addressing this issue, given its detrimental impact on the mental health of family carers. Recognizing the significance of this topic demands a comprehensive and targeted approach to ensure the well-being and safety of caregivers and older adults.