Loneliness is a recognised determinant of morbidity and mortality in older populations, but its association with health-related quality of life during middle adulthood remains less clearly defined. This systematic review and meta-analysis quantified the association between loneliness and mental and physical health-related quality of life among community-dwelling adults aged 40-65 years and examined whether associations varied by study design and demographic characteristics. Observational cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were identified through electronic searches of EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science, supplemented by citation chaining. Seventeen independent studies were included. Random-effects models showed that loneliness was associated with poorer mental health-related quality of life (pooled correlation 0.42; 95% confidence interval 0.35 to 0.49) and poorer physical health-related quality of life (pooled correlation 0.19; 95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.26). Heterogeneity was substantial in both domains, indicating that pooled estimates should be interpreted as average associations across diverse populations, measures, and outcomes. Study design moderated mental health findings, with longitudinal studies showing stronger associations than cross-sectional studies. Gender composition and the prevalence of marriage or partnership also explained some of the between-study variation. Evidence for small-study effects was mixed. Findings suggest that loneliness in midlife is meaningfully associated with poorer mental and physical health-related quality of life, although stronger longitudinal and cross-cultural evidence is needed. Midlife loneliness assessment may be considered as part of a broader psychosocial risk evaluation.

Background:Policies promoting work-active ageing assume that extending working lives improves later-life well-being. Among migrants, late-life employment is shaped by migration-related selection and labour-market stratification, which may inflate associations with work well-being. We test whether an apparent work-active immigrant paradox (older migrants appearing both more likely to remain in paid work and more likely to report higher happiness) reflects benefits of work or selection into employment and residence. Methods:We analysed cross-sectional data from the European Social Survey Round 11 (2023/24), including 12,989 adults aged ≥65 years (847 foreign-born; 12,142 native-born). Paid work was defined as respondents' main activity in the last 7 days; happiness was measured on a 0-10 scale. We estimated naïve linear regression models and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) models to balance workers and non-workers with respect to pre-exposure demographic, socioeconomic, and health indicators (age, gender, education, partnership status, financial strain, self-rated health, and health limitations/conditions). Extreme weights were trimmed at the 99th percentile, and post-weight balance was assessed using standardised mean differences and a Love plot. We also tested effect modification by migration status using an interaction term (Paid work and migrant status) and ran a migrant-only sensitivity analysis. Results:Older migrants were more likely than native-born respondents to report paid work (11.0 % vs. 6.6 %) and reported higher mean happiness (7.54 vs. 7.18). In naïve models, paid work was associated with higher happiness (β = 0.33, 95 % CI 0.21-0.45). After IPTW adjustment, the work-happiness association attenuated to a small, non-significant estimate (β = 0.06, 95 % CI: -0.09-0.22). The migrant advantage in happiness persisted in IPTW models (β = 0.45, 95 % CI 0.21-0.69). Conclusions:In later life, the apparent well-being benefits of paid work largely reflect selection on measured health and demographic factors, consistent with healthy-worker selection. The migrant happiness advantage is not explained by employment participation. Population health strategies should prioritise health protection and the quality and voluntariness of later-life work, alongside broader supports for inclusion and security.

Background and Objectives:Evidence used to define later-life health remains dominated by high-income settings, despite rapid population aging in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined how cardiometabolic indicators, symptom burden, mobility limitation, and psychological functioning co-evolve over time among older adults in rural South Africa. Research Design and Methods:We analyzed 3 waves of the Health and Ageing in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI; 2014-2022) among adults 60+ years at baseline (N = 2,807). Seven indicators were modelled: body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), pain burden, sleep duration, mobility limitation, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction. We estimated within-wave Gaussian graphical models and a cross-lagged panel network (CLPN) using full information maximum likelihood. Results:Cardiometabolic indicators were more temporally stable than psychological indicators (autoregressive coefficients: BMI = 0.77; SBP = 0.49; depressive symptoms = 0.06; life satisfaction = 0.06). Temporal out-strength was highest for BMI (0.843), followed by SBP (0.705) and mobility limitation (0.668), whereas pain (0.165) and sleep duration (0.112) showed lower connectedness. The CLPN showed acceptable model fit (Comparative Fit Index = 0.96, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.03, 90% CI [0.03, 0.04], SRMR = 0.03). Mobility limitation predicted higher later life satisfaction (β = 0.16, p < .05) and showed a small inverse association with later depressive symptoms (β = -0.09, p < .10). Discussion and Implications:Results indicate cardiometabolic indicators and mobility limitation were more temporally connected components of later-life health. These findings support integrated primary-care approaches that combine cardiometabolic monitoring with attention to locomotor function, while the mobility-well-being association warrants cautious interpretation and replication. These associations are observational and should not be interpreted as causal or as purely within-person effects.

The study explored whether career mentoring moderates the direct and indirect relationship between career-related anxieties and job search outcomes through job search strategies. Three-wave panel data were collected from three hundred and fifteen (315) unemployed graduates in Southeastern Nigeria. Results from Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) provided support for the direct, indirect, and moderation hypotheses. Specifically, the results showed that job search anxiety was negatively related to job search outcomes. Job search behavior and systemacity in job search significantly mediated the relationship between future career anxiety and job search outcomes. We recommend that job search behavior, job search systematicity, and career mentoring are important in finding jobs. We discussed limitations and future research, as well as recommendations for career counseling practice and research.

This retrospective record review examined psychosocial and clinical correlates of virological severity among children and adolescents aged 0-19 years with detectable viral load in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, South Africa. Of 124 records screened, 109 were eligible and had a classifiable viral-load outcome. The most robust finding was that reported missed doses were inversely associated with high-level virological failure, whereas ART duration was not independently associated with severity. These findings suggest that routine adherence documentation may reflect not only medication-taking behaviour but also the psychosocial and clinical context in which treatment difficulties are reported.

Multimorbidity is increasing in low- and middle-income urban settings, but its burden may be underestimated when quality of life (QoL) is summarised using a single global score. We analysed Gauteng City-Region Observatory Quality of Life Survey 7 (2023/24) data from 1782 adults in Gauteng Province, South Africa, who reported at least two clinician-diagnosed chronic conditions. Multimorbidity burden was defined as exactly two conditions versus three or more conditions. General linear models examined associations with the global QoL index and seven QoL domains, adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES), with false-discovery-rate correction across domains. Adjusted global QoL differed little between groups, whereas respondents with three or more conditions reported lower perceived health and life satisfaction. Exploratory SES-stratified analyses among respondents with complex multimorbidity indicated lower global QoL, service access, and life satisfaction in lower SES strata, while perceived health showed a positive but non-FDR-robust gradient. These findings suggest that domain-specific QoL indicators may reveal burdens obscured by global QoL scores. Limitations include the cross-sectional design, self-reported diagnoses, and use of a single multidomain QoL instrument; future longitudinal work should test SES as a modifier of multimorbidity-related QoL trajectories.

OBJECTIVES:The convergence of climate change and population ageing poses a global health challenge, especially in LMICs, where older adults face unique vulnerabilities. Evidence on mental/cognitive impacts is fragmented and geographically skewed, hindering policy. We systematically synthesised quantitative evidence on these impacts in older adults. METHOD:Following PRISMA/PROSPERO guidelines, we searched Scopus, EBSCOHost, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science (Jan 2000-June 2025) for studies linking climate exposures (e.g. thermal stress, disasters) to mental/cognitive outcomes in older adults (>60 years). Two reviewers extracted data and assessed bias. Findings were narratively synthesised due to heterogeneity. RESULTS:We included 28 quantitative studies. Thermal stress (heat/cold) was robustly linked to increased depressive symptoms. Acute disasters were consistently associated with higher psychological distress, anxiety, and PTSD. An emerging link between heat exposure and cognitive impairment has been identified, although some studies suggest that older adults exhibit greater psychological resilience post-disaster than younger cohorts. Key pathways (physical health, sleep, social support) were identified. Critically, the evidence is profoundly concentrated in East Asia (primarily China), with significant data gaps in Africa and South Asia. CONCLUSION:Climate change poses a significant threat to older adults' mental and cognitive health. The severe geographic research imbalance, neglecting low- and middle-income settings-especially sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia-represents a major global health failure. Future research and funding must prioritise these high-risk, low-evidence regions and shift towards the development and testing of interventions.

As global populations age, identifying modifiable factors to enhance later-life well-being is vital. Self-perceptions of ageing (SPA), internalised beliefs about one's ageing, may shape psychological well-being (PWB). We synthesised 33 studies (n = 43,556). Random-effects models showed that more positive SPA related to higher PWB (pooled r = .35; I2 ≈ 89%). By domain: hedonic r = .24 (95% CI .09-.37); eudaimonic/relational r = .26 (95% CI -.50-.80; small k); self-evaluation r = .07 (95% CI -.41-.53); mental ill-health r = .21 (95% CI -.05-.44). Because higher mental-illness scores denote worse outcomes, the positive coefficient indicates an inverse relation (more positive SPA, less distress). Univariable moderators suggested stronger effects in Europe, larger SPA-hedonic associations with higher sample % married, and larger self-evaluation effects in longitudinal designs; none remained significant in the multivariable model. Findings position SPA as a culturally sensitive target for improving later-life well-being.

Background:First-generation adults born in African countries and living in Europe are under-represented in population health research. We examined links between perceived discrimination, social exclusion, and subjective well-being (SWB), and whether social trust mediates these associations, distinguishing bridging (generalised) from bonding dynamics. Methods:We analyzed cross-sectional data from 524 African-born adults in 29 European countries (ESS Round 11, 2023/24) using structural equation modelling to estimate direct and bootstrapped (10,000) indirect paths, adjusting for age, gender, marital status, and length of residence. Model fit was excellent: χ2(4) = 5.524, p = .238, CFI = 0.997, TLI = 0.971, RMSEA = 0.027 (90 % CI [0.000,0.076]). Exclusion-discrimination covariance was negligible (estimate = 0.002, p = .938). Results:Discrimination was negatively associated with SWB (β = -0.33, p = .01) and with trust (β = -0.22, p = .03). Trust was positively associated with SWB (β = 0.25, p = .01; f 2 = 0.10). The discrimination→SWB indirect path via trust was small but significant (β = -0.06, p = .04). Social exclusion showed no direct association with SWB (β = 0.02, p = .29) but a small, positive indirect path via trust (β = 0.04, p = .01), consistent with bonding processes. Discrimination explained 3 % of SWB variance (R2 = 0.03); trust variance explained was 13 % (R2 = 0.13). Covariates were generally non-significant; age showed borderline evidence of a positive association with SWB (β = 0.14, p = .05). Conclusions:Findings suggest discrimination is associated with lower (bridging) trust and poorer well-being. In contrast, social exclusion is associated with a small, trust-mediated (bonding) pathway without a direct SWB benefit. Given the cross-sectional design and absence of race/skin-colour measures in ESS, implications are illustrative: reducing discriminatory experiences and co-designing initiatives that foster intercultural contact (bridging) and community solidarity (bonding) may align with better well-being, pending longitudinal and quasi-experimental confirmation.

We explored the relationship between childhood adversity, bullying, peer pressure, self-esteem, and mental health among South African high school students. Adolescents (n = 769, mean age = 15.83 years, SD = 1.85 years, range = 12-22 years) completed a cross-sectional survey. Based on descriptive analyses, 31.3% of participants experienced no distress, 65.1% experienced mild distress, and 3.5% experienced severe distress. Results indicated significant positive correlations between childhood adversity and bullying with mental health challenges, while peer pressure served as a mediator in these relationships. No significant indirect effects involving self-esteem were observed. Both sex and grade level demonstrated positive correlations with mental health issues, suggesting specific demographic influences on these outcomes. The study's findings underscore the intricate interplay of factors affecting adolescents' mental health, emphasising the necessity of targeted interventions to address these complex dynamics effectively.

Earlier research highlighted that smartphone has been used at work for private activities and at home for work-related tasks with differing outcomes. Because smartphone use to simultaneously conduct professional and private activities at home differs from previous studies, different outcomes can be expected. The current study, therefore, examined the underexplored smartphone use to simultaneously conduct private and work-related tasks at home as underlying mechanism of the relationship between work pressure and work-life balance (WLB). The study equally explored whether self-regulation moderates the mediation effect of smartphone use on WLB among 519 university academics sampled from federal universities in South-eastern Nigeria. Results of Hayes’ PROCESS Model 14 indicated that work pressure significantly related to WLB only through smartphone concurrently used to conduct private and work-related tasks at home. Self-regulation significantly moderated the mediation effect of smartphone use such that the indirect effect of work pressure on WLB through smartphone use is more pronounced at lower levels of self-regulation and diminishes as self-regulation increases. Our findings deepen the understanding of how work pressure impairs WLB through smartphone use to conduct work-related and private activities at home, but illuminate how employees can deal with work pressure to attain WLB.

PurposeThis study investigated whether hindrance job demands (HJDs) are directly or indirectly related to work-life balance (WLB) via perceived overqualification (POQ) and whether the direct relationship would be conditional on work experience and number of children.Design/methodology/approachWe collected longitudinal data from 726 minibus drivers at three points of measurement over a period of ten months among minibus drivers of mass transit companies in the southeastern region of Nigeria.FindingsUsing PROCESS Macro, the results of the moderated mediation analysis showed that all the hypotheses tested in the study were confirmed. Specifically, HJDs related negatively to WLB and POQ mediated this relationship. The results equally indicated that driving experience and a high number of children moderated the negative relationship between HJDs and WLB.Originality/valueDespite the preponderance of overqualification in many economies, including Nigeria, research regarding the understanding of POQ as a mediator is restricted. More so, earlier studies utilized cross-sectional data when examining POQ, which questions the validity of earlier findings, especially as it concerns the relationship between POQ and employee well-being. We adopted the longitudinal design to gain long-term effects of HJDs on WLB. Our results contribute to the job demands and WLB literature by pointing out why job HJDs are negatively related to WLB and the conditions under which this relationship occurs.

In a globalised world, understanding acculturation, the process by which individuals adapt to new cultural environments, is crucial, especially in multicultural societies experiencing increased migration. The East Asian Acculturation Measure (EAAM), based on Berry's acculturation model, has been a cornerstone for assessing acculturation strategies among East Asian populations in the United States; however, its cultural specificity limits utility in broader contexts. This study addresses this gap by adapting and validating the EAAM for diverse populations, producing the Shortened Adapted Acculturation Scale (SAAS). Across two phases involving 490 university students from 87 nationalities in Germany and 329 university students from 25 nationalities in South Africa, both Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) identified a five-factor structure: Social Disconnection, cultural adaptation, Social Perception, Interpersonal Comfort, and Language Integration. The SAAS showed high internal consistency and measurement invariance across genders. These results highlight the importance of culturally adapting psychological measures to ensure their relevance and reliability in global contexts. The SAAS offers practical benefits for clinicians, educators, and policymakers who serve multicultural populations. By illuminating specific dimensions of acculturation, the scale can help identify areas where targeted interventions such as mental health counselling, cultural orientation programs, or inclusive campus policies may foster better social integration and well-being. Although the present study focused on structural validity, future research should examine the SAAS's predictive utility for mental health and social integration outcomes. These findings contribute to cross-cultural psychology and underline the need to refine and validate tools for assessing acculturation in an increasingly interconnected world.

The challenging economic realities in many countries of the world and the struggle for limited scarce resources has led to renewed interests in the study of contentiousness. The current study examined the relationship between contentiousness and life satisfaction. It also investigated the moderating roles of self-regulation and psychological meaningfulness in the relationship between contentiousness and life satisfaction. We tested our propositions in a sample of 338 participants who were registered users of an online customer survey platform in Nigeria. The results of the study show that contentiousness was negatively related to life satisfaction, and this relationship is moderated by self-regulation. Psychological meaningfulness (presence and search) moderated the relationship between contentiousness and life satisfaction. These findings were discussed in relation to life satisfaction in developing countries where resources are grossly inadequate.

Although adolescence is a critical period marked by increased vulnerability to trauma, the mechanisms underlying how adolescents cope with such experiences remain underexplored. This study is anchored in Hobfoll’s conservation of resources theory and Porges’ polyvagal theory, which together suggest that emotional intelligence and distress disclosure are critical resources for adolescents coping with trauma and investigated the interplay of distress disclosure in the relationship between emotional intelligence and trauma among secondary school adolescents. A three-wave longitudinal study was conducted with 491 adolescents enrolled in public secondary schools in Enugu State, Nigeria, selected using a two-stage cluster sampling technique. Emotional intelligence, distress disclosure, and trauma symptoms were assessed using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Scale, Distress Disclosure Index, and Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and mediation analysis were employed. The results indicated significant negative relationships between emotional intelligence, distress disclosure, and adolescent trauma. Furthermore, the mediation analysis revealed that distress disclosure partially mediated the relationship between the latter two. These findings have practical implications for designing interventions and support systems that foster emotional intelligence and promote distress disclosure among Nigerian adolescents and others exposed to trauma. Future research should explore additional protective factors to enhance the robustness and generalisability of the findings.

AbstractIndoor air quality (IAQ) is crucial to environmental health significantly impacting on the well-being and productivity of building occupants. Several studies have explored various aspects of IAQ in non-tropical regions but there is limited information on how seasonal variations affect IAQ in hot-humid climates like Enugu, Nigeria. This study investigated seasonal changes in key indoor air parameters including CO, CO2, HCHO, TVOC, temperature, RH, PM2.5, and AQI across rainy and dry seasons in 58 government offices in Enugu, and evaluated how these fluctuations relate to architectural features of the offices. Using a mixed-methods approach, data collection involved qualitative assessments of building design attributes alongside quantitative IAQ measurements taken with the BOSEAN T-Z01Pro detector. Seasonal variations were analyzed using paired T-tests, ANOVA, and regression models. The results revealed a marked increase in pollutant concentrations during the dry season (p < 0.001–0.005), resulting in a poorer air quality index compared to the rainy season. Architectural features accounted for 68.5% of the variability in AQI (R2 = 0.685, p = 0.000), with casement windows being significantly associated with better air quality (Exp B = -4.217, p = 0.013) These shows that the dry season poses a greater risk to IAQ which is worsened in offices where projecting windows were used, potentially impacting health and productivity. The study emphasizes the need to address seasonal IAQ differences when designing office buildings in tropical regions. Design architects can help reduce seasonal air quality challenges and support healthier, more productive indoor environments by incorporating ventilation strategies, such as the use of casement windows. Further research should include long-term monitoring across various settings and additional IAQ parameters for better understanding of IAQ dynamics.

Orientation: This study investigates retirement planning complexities among pre-retirees in Nigerian universities, focusing on parental guidance and individual financial strategies.Research purpose: The aim is to examine the impact of parental influence, retirement goal clarity and saving behaviour on retirement anxiety among Nigerian university pre-retirees.Motivation for the study: Considering Nigeria’s economic and pension challenges, this study explores key factors in retirement planning, particularly parental influence and individual financial strategies and their role in alleviating retirement anxiety.Research approach/design and method: A quantitative approach was used to analyse data from 926 participants (695 males and 231 females) through structural equation modelling. The study utilised measures for Parental Influence, Retirement Goal Clarity, Retirement Saving Behaviour and Nigerian Pre-retirement Anxiety.Main findings: Parental influence was found to be a significant predictor of retirement anxiety. Contrary to expectations, retirement goal clarity and saving behaviour serially mediated the relationship between parental influence and retirement anxiety.Practical/managerial implications: The results underline the need for comprehensive financial education programmes and robust pension schemes. Incorporating parents in financial literacy initiatives and offering retirement planning support in workplaces, particularly in academic settings, is essential.Contribution/value-add: This research enriches retirement planning literature in developing countries by showcasing the intricate mix of cultural, socio-economic and familial factors. It expands the Financial Socialisation Theory, highlighting parental influence’s role in Nigeria and saving behaviour’s significance in diminishing retirement anxiety. The findings offer broader implications for improving financial security in retirement beyond Nigeria, applicable to similar socio-economic environments.

Integrating work and family life is a relevant concern, especially for women in the banking industry. While the impact of job characteristics on work-family conflict is well-documented, the moderating role of core self-evaluations (CSE) remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the role of CSE in moderating the relationship between job characteristics and work-family conflict among married female bank employees in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 245 married female bank employees in Enugu state. Participants were assessed using the Core Self-Evaluation, Job Characteristics, and Work-Family Conflict Scales. Pearson correlation analysis and path coefficient evaluation were utilised to test the study’s hypotheses. Job characteristics, notably autonomy, feedback, skill variety, task identity, and task significance, influence work-family conflict across three dimensions: behaviour-based, strain-based, and time-based. Notably, CSE emerged as a significant moderator, with its influence varying depending on the job characteristics. The findings highlight the importance of considering both job characteristics and individual psychological attributes in addressing work-family conflicts. Organisations should adopt a multidimensional, individual-centred approach, recognising the intertwined roles of job factors and personal evaluations in shaping employees' work-life balance experiences.

BACKGROUND:The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) is widely used for detecting psychiatric disorders, but its reliability across different populations remains to be determined. OBJECTIVE:This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the reliability of GHQ-12 across varied cultural and demographic settings. METHOD:This meta-analysis evaluates the reliability of General Health Questionnaire [GHQ-12]' across diverse populations, employing a systematic search strategy and rigorous inclusion criteria. This meta-analysis evaluates the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) using a pre-registered protocol (CRD42023488436) to ensure unbiased results. Data from 20 studies published between 2016-2023 were analysed using a random-effects model, with quality assessment guided by COSMIN Risk of Bias and QUADAS-2. This study enhances our understanding of GHQ-12's psychometric properties. RESULTS:For the GHQ-12 subscales, Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.72 (90% CI [0.68, 0.75]) for anxiety and depression, 0.82 (90% CI [0.79, 0.86]) for social dysfunction, and 0.72 (90% CI [0.68, 0.76]) for loss of confidence. However, the analysis showed substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 90.04%), with significant variability in reliability estimates across different studies. The overall Cronbach's alpha was 0.84 (95% Cl [0.810, 0.873]) with SE = 0.016 (90% CI [0.68, 0.82], p < .05), indicating moderate to high internal consistency. Quantifying heterogeneity revealed a substantial level (se = 0.0016, I2 = 96.7%), signifying considerable variability in the reliability estimate among the studies. Results further show Cronbach's alpha coefficients range from 0.82 to 0.85 (95% Cl [0.77, 0.86 to 0.81, 0.90]) for the GHQ 12 items. CONCLUSION:While reaffirming the GHQ-12's utility in mental health assessment, our findings urge a more cautious and context-aware application of the questionnaire. The substantial heterogeneity and variability in reliability scores indicate a need for further research. Future studies should explore the reasons behind this variability, focusing on cultural, socio-economic, and methodological factors that might influence the GHQ-12's reliability. This critical analysis underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the GHQ-12's applicability and the importance of tailoring mental health assessment tools to specific population characteristics.

The occupational environment of law enforcement officers, characterised by high-stress situations and critical societal roles, necessitates continuous monitoring of their mental health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore the associations and impacts of burnout and PTSD among police officers, shedding light on how these conditions are influenced by evolving job demands and societal expectations. Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we searched four databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from January 2000 to January 2024. Studies involving active-duty police officers that assessed burnout and PTSD using validated tools were included. A risk of bias was assessed using an eight-criteria scale, focusing on methodological strengths and weaknesses across studies. We analysed data from 10 studies comprising 4572 officers worldwide. The results indicated variable relationships between burnout, PTSD, and their impacts on occupational functioning, with significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 > 75