Dr Babak Moeini, Hamid Abbasi, Maryam Afshari, Morteza Haji Hosseini, Soheila Rashidi,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (3-2018)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Admission to university is an important event in the life of youth in every country. Homesickness is one of the most significant issues faced by university students during their education life. The present study aimed to determine the association between homesickness, happiness and the related factors in the dormitory students in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 387 dormitory students at Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in Hamedan, Iran during February-March 2015. Subjects were selected via stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. Data were collected using self-report and using demographic and contextual questionnaires, Fenfelit homesickness questionnaire, and oxford happiness questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 23 using Pearson’s correlation-coefficient and general linear model (GLM) at the significance level of 0.05.
Results: The mean score of homesickness in both genders had a significant difference (P=0.009). In addition, the mean score of happiness differed in terms of economic status. Homesickness was negatively correlated with the happiness score, so that increased homesickness was associated with reduced happiness. Variables of homesickness, age, internet use, maternal education, health status, economic status, and education level could significantly predict happiness.
Conclusion: Mental health of students in dormitories is of paramount importance. Therefore, interventions and preventive programs must recognize the causes of happiness, and appropriate interventions should be developed and implemented based on the influential factors in this regard.
Sara Saghali , Gholam Reza Mahmoodi-Shan , Mohammad Taghi Badleh , Mohammad Ali Vakili ,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (6-2025)
Abstract
Background: Walking in water is a method that likely increases happiness levels. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of group walking in water on the happiness levels of elderly women.
Methods: This field trial study was conducted on 62 elderly women in Gorgan city in 2020. The subjects were selected using the available sampling method and then randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, a walking program was carried out for 8 weeks, with 3 sessions of 20 minutes each week. No intervention was performed in the control group. The happiness levels of both groups were evaluated before and after 8 weeks using the Oxford questionnaire, which has confirmed validity and reliability. Tests such as chi-square, t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests were used to analyze the data. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of age in the intervention and control groups were 64.87 ± 3.62 and 64.12 ± 3.11, respectively. The average happiness level of elderly women increased from 39.10 in the intervention group to 76.74 after walking in the water (P = 0.0001). The average happiness level in the control group increased from 39.48 before the intervention to 41.16 (P = 0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results of this research, group walking in water increases the happiness levels of the elderly. It is a suitable method of physical activity that is well-received, particularly for those with executive ability. It is recommended to encourage elderly individuals with this ability to engage in water walking.
