Cultural Influences on Making Nutritional Adjustments in Type 2 Diabetes in Pakistan: The Perspectives of People Living With Diabetes and Their Family Members.

In Pakistan, type 2 diabetes is widespread, and although dietary recommendations from healthcare professionals are critical to its treatment, cultural norms can have a great influence on the dietary habits of people living with diabetes (PLwD). Understanding the social aspects of the lives of PLwD is crucial when examining the effectiveness of nutritional recommendations and adjustments. This study investigated (1) how PLwD and their family members adjust their nutrition to the recommendations of healthcare professionals to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and (2) what do PLwD and their family members perceive as enablers and barriers to the necessary nutritional adjustments for managing T2DM. Prime consideration was given to experiences of living in Pakistan as the cultural context. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 PLwD and 17 family members; the data were analysed thematically. Three themes emerged: (i) 'Influence of family system, gender, and age on meals prepared at home': family hierarchy and opinions based on gender and age can enable or hinder nutritional adjustment in meals prepared at home; (ii) 'Temptations of "unhealthy" foods, festivals, cultural interactions, and social etiquette': family/social interactions at home, gatherings, or festivities can affect PLwD's ability to resist temptations to eat foods prohibited by healthcare professionals; and (iii) 'Folk knowledge, folk remedy, and the balance between culture and Western medicine': PLwD and their family members in Pakistan hold strong beliefs concerning foods' medicinal properties. Power dynamics within families need to be considered when making nutritional recommendations. Medical guidelines should acknowledge personal agency and cultural beliefs.

Experiences of living with type 2 diabetes in Pakistan: the role of culture and family in physical activity.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes-related guidelines recommend lifestyle changes for people living with type 2 diabetes (PLwD). In South Asian (SA) families, cultural and contextual expectations often influence people's decisions. However, broad explanations provided in the existing literature and theories concerning family involvement can increase the chance of health professionals overlooking the complexities of family roles within SA communities. Previous literature has identified the need to examine the perspectives of PLwD and their family members in Pakistan to shed light on factors perceived to support and hinder recommended physical activity (PA) to manage type 2 diabetes. This study explored (1) the enablers of and barriers to PA in the context of PLwD in Pakistan and (2) family involvement regarding PLwD's engagement with PA. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 PLwD and 17 family members of PLwD who were recruited in metropolitan Lahore (Pakistan) and primarily used state health services available to relatively disadvantaged populations. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three themes were identified: (1) Going for a walk as a feasible PA; (2) the role of family members in influencing PA; and (3) gender differences and cultural acceptability of an activity. PA enablers for PLwD consist of gender-specific opportunities for activity facilitated by peers and family members. Culturally acceptable opportunities for PA in Pakistan for specific genders and age groups within the socio-cultural context constituted an essential factor. In this study, all women with diabetes described walking as the only acceptable form of PA, whereas some men mentioned other activities such as running, playing cricket, and cycling. CONCLUSIONS: Medical guidelines must consider patients' daily routines, account for cultural and familial expectations of different genders and age groups, and address social and physical barriers encountered by these different groups to encourage PA among PLwD in SA cultures.

University students' mental well-being during COVID-19 pandemic: The mediating role of resilience between meaning in life and mental well-being.

The current study aims to examine (a) the mental well-being of university students, who were taking online classes, and (b) and test whether resilience would mediate the relationship between meaning in life and mental well-being. The sample of 302 university students (Mage = 20.25 years; 36.1% men, 63.9% women) was taken from the universities of Punjab, Pakistan. The participants were recruited online and they completed a cross-sectional survey comprising the scales of meaning in life, resilience, and mental well-being during COVID-19. Findings from the study indicated that participants had a normal to a satisfactory level of overall mental wellbeing during COVID-19. Resilience acted as a mediator for both the presence of meaning in life, the search for meaning in life, and mental well-being. Demographic variables including family size were significantly and positively related to resilience while the availability of personal room showed a significant positive relationship with mental well-being. These findings suggest that meaning in life and resilience supports mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic and that effective steps should be taken to make the lives of university students more meaningful and resilient.

Exploring Relationship Between Spiritual Intelligence, Religiosity and Life Satisfaction Among Elderly Pakistani Muslims.

This study is an effort to explore the relationship between spiritual intelligence, religiosity and life satisfaction in elderly Pakistani Muslims. A non-probability purposive sampling technique is utilized in order to recruit a sample of 100 elderly people (n = 50 men; n = 50 = women). Standardized questionnaires were used for collecting data. Data analysis was carried out using Pearson product-moment correlation analysis and independent sample t test. Findings revealed a significant correlation between spiritual intelligence, religiosity and life satisfaction among Pakistani elderly Muslim people. Gender differences were considered while conducting the study, and findings are valid for both male and female elderly Pakistani Muslims. Some findings of this study endorse findings of some previous studies, and it adds latest insights to the existing body of knowledge on the subject.