The aim of this study was to identify factors related to the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of caregivers providing continuing home care for the impaired elderly focusing mainly on care managers' support given to caregivers. Two interviews over a course of 12 months were conducted with 42 caregivers. The questionnaire items for the caregivers included demographic variables, HRQOL, the satisfaction level of care managers, coping ability, and depressive state. For the impaired elderly, the questionnaire items included demographic variables, abilities of activities of daily living, dementia assessment, and depressive state. The mean age of the caregivers was 66.1 ± 8.8. By logistic regression analysis with HRQOL as a dependent variable, the caregivers' physical QOL was significantly related to the depressive state of impaired elderly and the caregivers' satisfaction with their care manager, whereas the caregivers' mental QOL was significantly related to the caregivers' sense of coherence and satisfaction with their care manager. These results suggest that the care managers' support to caregivers who provide continuing home care is important for caregivers' HRQOL.

Unemployment is known to have a negative effect on the quality of life (QOL) of individuals. However, the influence of an autotelic personality on QOL and SOC of unemployed individuals remains unclear. Our study compared health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and sense of coherence (SOC) among 3 groups: (i) an autotelic personality group (AP), which tends to “go with the flow,” (ii) an average group (AV), and (iii) a non-autotelic personality group (NAP). In October 2010, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 140 job trainees not receiving unemployment benefits in Hiroshima, Japan. We collected 134 completed questionnaires. Autotelic personality was investigated using the Flow Experience Checklist, health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form (SF-8) Health Survey, and SOC was measured using the University of Tokyo Health Sociology version of the SOC3 scale (SOC3–UTHS). The average age of participants was 36.14±11.54 year. Participants were classified into 3 groups based on daily activity values: 4+ for AP (n = 22), 1–3 for AV (n = 82), and 0 for NAP (n = 30). Significant differences were observed in mental component summary (MCS) score and SOC3–UTHS total scores in the ranking order of AP (highest), AV, and NAP. Our findings indicate a need to develop programs for facilitating AP among unemployed people to enhance mental QOL and SOC.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between self-disgust, guilt, and flow experience. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a convenience sample of 142 Kibi International University students (mean age, 20.09 ± 1.24 years; 85 males and 57 females). Each participant was evaluated using the Flow Experience Checklist, Self-Disgust Scale, and Situational Guilt Inventory. Correlation analysis was used to describe the strength and direction of the relationship between variables. We employed Pearson's partial correlations, adjusted for age and sex, using dummy variables (female = 0, male = 1). Results: Analysis of the relationship between the frequency of flow experience and the Self-Disgust Scale scores showed a statistically significant negative correlation, whereas the duration of the activity and the Situational Guilt Inventory score showed a significant positive correlation. The quality of flow experience and the Situational Guilt Inventory score showed a significant positive correlation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that flow experience could be helpful for those who need treatment to reduce negative emotions.

Introduction Occupational therapy (OT) is defined as the promotion of client health and well-being through a client-centred practice. However, there is a tendency to rely on the therapist’s experiences and values, and there is a difference between the client’s and therapist’s perceptions regarding the current activity that the client is engaged in. In previous studies that have applied ‘flow’, activities supported by OT in elderly people were analysed, indicating a difference in recognition. Therefore, we thought that more effective OT could be implemented by adjusting the challenge–skill (ACS) balance, and we invented a novel process termed as ACS balance for OT. The purpose of this study is to verify the effect of ACS-OT on clients in the recovery rehabilitation unit and to prepare a protocol for randomised controlled trial (RCT) implementation. Method and analysis This single-blind RCT will recruit 80 clients aged 50–99 years admitted to the recovery rehabilitation unit who meet eligibility criteria. Clients will be randomly allocated to receive ACS-OT or standard OT. Both interventions will be performed during the clients’ residence at the unit. The primary outcome measure will be subjective quality of life and will be measured at entry into (pre) and at discharge from (post) the unit and at 3 months afterwards (follow-up). Outcomes will be analysed using a linear mixed model fitted with a maximum likelihood estimation. Ethics and dissemination This protocol has been approved by the ethics review committee of the Tokyo Metropolitan University (No.17020). Results of this trial will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Trial registration number UMIN-CTR number, UMIN000029505; Pre-results.