What explains the well-being benefits of physical activity? A mixed-methods analysis of the roles of participation frequency and social identification.

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity in a social setting is said to be associated with well-being because it provides opportunities for participants to form social relationships. However, there are inconsistent findings regarding the well-being benefits of participating in physical activity with others. To address this inconclusive evidence, we draw on the social identity approach to health and well-being to examine whether (a) the frequency of physical activity participation in a social setting and (b) the degree of social identification associated with it, have different relationships with participants' well-being. METHODS: We implemented a two-phase, mixed-methods design with members of women's only fitness clubs in Japan. In Study 1, we collected survey responses about social identification, life satisfaction, and eudaimonic well-being from 1118 members. The survey data were combined with respondents' objective participation data from a membership database. In Study 2, we interviewed a sample of club members to understand how the nature of social relationships differed depending on the degree of their social identification. RESULTS: Study 1 found that social identification with a fitness club, but not the frequency of attending the club for physical activity, was positively associated with members' well-being. Study 2 revealed that members with high social identification experienced more affective relationships with other members than those with medium or low identification. CONCLUSIONS: Our research provides quantitative and qualitative evidence supporting the association between social identification and the well-being benefits of physical activity in a social setting. It confirms the predictions of the social identity approach to health and well-being, demonstrating that people enjoy well-being benefits from physical activity participation when it is internalized as a meaningful definition of self.

Enhancing Older Adults' Sense of Belonging and Subjective Well-Being Through Sport Game Attendance, Team Identification, and Emotional Support.

Objective: We investigate how (a) attendance at sport games and (b) identification with a sport team as fans (i.e., team identification) influence older adults' perceptions of emotional support, belonging, and subjective well-being (SWB). Method: An experimental pilot study was conducted with 50 older adults, followed by a main survey study administered to 534 older adults from various communities across the United States. Results: Pilot study results indicated that game attendance and team identification had a positive and significant influence on older adults' perceptions of emotional support from fellow team fans. These results were replicated in the main study, which also showed that older adults' perceived emotional support from fellow fans was positively associated with their sense of belonging which predicted their SWB. Discussion: The findings provide insights into how older adults may be engaged in meaningful forms of social life to help them maintain and enhance mental health.

Comparing usability of NEXThaler(®) with other inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting ß2-agonist fixed combination dry powder inhalers in asthma patients.

BACKGROUND: Inhaler mishandling is a common issue among patients suffering from asthma and is associated with poor clinical outcomes and greater consumption of health-care resources. Ease of use can improve inhaler technique and, possibly, patients' preference for their inhaler device, which in turn may lead to better adherence to therapy. METHODS: This study investigated usability characteristics of NEXThaler(®) versus two other dry powder inhalers (DPIs; Diskus(®) and Turbuhaler(®)). Sixty-six adult patients with asthma (mean age 42.9±17.7 years) and with no previous experience of using a DPI were included in a randomized crossover comparison of the three devices. The main measures of usability were the number of steps failed for each device and the number of people who were able to use the device successfully (effectiveness), the time it took patients to set up the device and the time to read the instructions for use (IFU; efficiency), and patient preferences (satisfaction). Inhaler technique was evaluated after the IFU leaflet was read. RESULTS: NEXThaler was found to be superior to the other two DPIs in terms of the number of device use failures (p<0.001), time to set up (p<0.001), and time to read IFU (p<0.001). Additionally, the proportion of participants who completed a successful inhalation without any errors at all was significantly higher for NEXThaler than for Diskus and Turbuhaler (p<0.001). Patients rated NEXThaler as the easiest to use and most preferred inhaler to own (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NEXThaler displayed better usability compared with Diskus and Turbuhaler. The improved usability and higher satisfaction with the device may contribute to increased patient adherence to asthma treatment.