Honesty and integrity affect both the physical and mental health

reference

Weziak-Bialowolska D, Bialowolski P, Niemiec RM. Be good, do good: the role of honesty and integrity for Health. Soc Sci Med . 2021; 291: 114494.

Study goal

evaluation of the effects of honesty and integrity on physical health, mental health and the activities of everyday life in older adults (at the age of ≥ 50 years)

Key to take away

older adults who perform higher for honesty and integrity have a lower risk of lung diseases and depression, less restrictions in mobility and an improved performance in everyday activities.

draft

quantitative cohort study

participant

The participants were Americans aged 50 or more years who took part in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a national survey that has been carried out every two years since 1992. A psychological Questionnaire is distributed to a randomly selected half of the sample group every 4 years.

In order to achieve statistical significance in their data analysis, the researchers included two waves of the psychological tests: those who filled out the psychological questionnaire in 2008 and again in 2012; And those who completed it in 2010 and again in 2014.

The researchers only included people who had answered the psychosocial questionnaire at the beginning of the course and the self -assessment of the state of health before the start of the course.

The last cohort included 9,831 respondents.

intervention

The researchers used the psychological questionnaire embedded in HRS, which contains a psychosocial component that was “vigorous” in previous studies.

study parameters evaluated

The authors focused on the "virtue scale", a validated subscala of the consciousness scale in HRS. ^{1-3 The researchers suggest that this was the first epidemiological and observing study that correlated prospectively moral behavior with physical and mental health and improvements in activities in everyday life.}

primary result

older adults who achieved a higher score on the CSHI scale (Character Strength of Honesty and Integrity) showed a 18 % lower risk of lung diseases (6 % reduction in any increase in the standard deviation of the indicator for CSHI) and a lower one on the depression scale (11 %). Those with high CSHI values ​​also had fewer restrictions in mobility and an improved performance in instrumental life (e.g. dealing with telephone, money and medication).

important knowledge

While older adults with higher CSHI values ​​had a lower risk of pulmonary diseases and depression, improved mobility and better performance in instrumental activities in everyday life, they had no change in their risk of other chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, stroke, heart or high blood pressure.

transparency

The authors have not reported any financial conflicts of interest or competing interests. They did not receive a scholarship for their research. Since the data was publicly accessible for this study, the authors did not require a approval of the Harvard Longwood Campus Institutional Review Board.

effects and restrictions of the practice

The results of WEZEIK-Bialowolska et al. Are strong arguments for a "positive psychology" that supports improved physical health. Kim et al. made similar discoveries based on data from the health and retirement study of the University of Michigan, a prospective, nationwide representative cohort of 12,998 participants over 50 years. found that participants reported with increased life satisfaction (in contrast to economic progress) over a period of 4 years about improvements in physical health, including less pain risk, physical restrictions and mortality; fewer chronic diseases; and higher self -esteemed health. The participants also reported improvements in many psychosocial indicators, including optimism, positive affects, meaning for the purpose of life and mastery in many areas of their lives. However, the researchers found no correlations between an improvement in life satisfaction and a lower occurrence of certain health states, as in the work of WEZEIK-BIALOWOLSKA et al. was reported.

These two research studies underline how important it is to focus on strength of character and psychological well -being in order to improve the physical and mental health of older patients.

honesty and truthfulness are also important for health service providers in dealing with patients. Tuckett points out that the cultural expectations today tend to say the truth more than in the past, but prefer certain people and/or their families, to avoid precise reporting on their health. Diagnosis to deny, had less likely emotional reactions that could "reinforce harmful physical symptoms". However, those who used passive escape mechanisms undermine their psychological well -being.

The deliberate anticipation of information towards a patient can undermine trust. ^{7.8 For most patients, it is less stressful to know their diagnosis than to worry about the unknown worries.}

Working with dementia patients brings with it their own ethical challenges. Some practitioners incorrectly assume that dementia patients are incapable of expressing opinions or have lost the entire short -term memory.

For most patients it is less stressful to know their diagnosis than to worry about the unknown. ”

One of the greatest challenges of truth finding is the reality of uncertainty in medical diagnoses and forecasts. Some authors suggest that it never succeeds in saying the truth because there is no absolute truth. Instead of the absolute truth, Drickamer and Salmon propose to present information openly and honestly as they are "perceived and known".

numminen et al. Checked research on the "civil courage" among nurses, which included the attribute of honesty - ie transparency about their own defects and mistakes to learn and correct them from these mistakes. ^{12 honesty also required the ability to see through the eyes of others and to take into account the interpretations of others.}

The conclusion for practitioners: Rely on communication with the patient and the family of the patient about what information should be revealed 5 and how it is best to convey it. ^{14 Present the patient as well as they can. In this way you improve your own physical and mental health and model these properties for your patients.}

For patients, encouragement, honesty and integrity can be practiced with themselves and their fellow human beings, improve their physical and mental well -being.