Despite the importance of medical care itself, public health is becoming increasingly aware of, and vigilant in addressing, the social and economic conditions that predispose the public to poor health in the first place (Wilkinson, & Marmot, 2003). The identified sensitivity of human health to the broader social environment has given rise to the proposed 10 social determinants of health (SDoH) (AIHW, 2016). These include social gradient, stress, early life, social exclusion, working conditions, unemployment, social support, addiction, food and transport (Wilkinson, & Marmot, 2003). Their importance lies in the potential development of public policy frameworks, targeting each determinant and facilitating the overcoming of socioeconomic barriers to achieve improved health outcomes (AIHW, 2016). Accordingly, the following report aims to outline the influence of two SDoH, stress and addiction, among the young adult (YA) population (18-25 years). The implications of the SDoH on providing care as a physiotherapist will also be discussed and evaluated at both the individual and broader community levels.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Stress
3. Addiction
4. Physiotherapy Relevance
4.1 Individual
4.2 Community
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This report aims to examine the influence of two specific social determinants of health (SDoH)—stress and addiction—on the young adult population (18–25 years) and evaluates the implications for physiotherapy practice in fostering improved health outcomes.
- Impact of academic and work-related stress on young adults.
- The relationship between stress, mental health, and physical well-being.
- Prevalence and consequences of mobile phone and alcohol addiction in young adults.
- Application of the Ottawa Charter in physiotherapy to address health inequalities.
- Strategies for individual and community-level interventions by physiotherapists.
Excerpt from the Book
Stress
Stress is a term encompassing various forms and can stem from multiple aspects of individuals’ lives. It refers to the influence of factors such as perceived demand from an individual’s environment, a response to a threatening situation and external stressors including life events, relationships and work (Bovier et al., 2004). Generally, stress induces long-term health effects, such as constant release of stress hormones, raised heart rate and blood pressure and diverting blood away from many physiological processes vital to health-maintenance (Wilkinson, & Marmot, 2003).
More specifically, YAs have been identified as susceptible and likely to experience stress during the transitionary phase from school to either tertiary education or directly to the workforce (Zunhammer et al., 2014). Pascoe et al. (2019) highlighted that across 77 countries, 66% and 59% of tertiary students reported feeling stressed regarding poor examination results and difficulty of upcoming tests, respectively. This prevalence among university students is especially relevant when considering that 59% of Australian school leavers enrol in tertiary study (ABS, 2019). For the 29% of Australian school leavers entering the workforce, stress also arises as a significant health risk factor (ABS, 2019). Sawang and Newton (2018) interviewed 18 young Australian workers, uncovering that stress emerges in YAs’ working lives most commonly due to perceived incompetence damaging self-esteem, interpersonal conflict and belittlement from older colleagues.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter introduces the social determinants of health (SDoH) and outlines the report's focus on stress and addiction among young adults, alongside the role of the physiotherapist.
Stress: This section explores how environmental and work-related pressures negatively impact the mental and physical health of young adults, contributing to conditions like anxiety and insomnia.
Addiction: This chapter details the prevalence of mobile phone dependence and alcohol use disorders, highlighting their connection to underlying mental health issues and future risk of substance abuse.
Physiotherapy Relevance: This section connects health promotion strategies, particularly the Ottawa Charter, to the clinical work of physiotherapists in addressing SDoH.
Individual: This chapter discusses how physiotherapists can use downstream strategies like motivational interviewing and ergonomic adjustments to address a patient's specific socioeconomic barriers.
Community: This chapter highlights upstream approaches, such as advocating for policy changes and collaborative community projects to improve environmental health support.
Conclusion: This section reinforces the necessity of addressing SDoH in clinical practice and summarizes the importance of both individual and community-based interventions.
Keywords
Social Determinants of Health, Young Adults, Stress, Addiction, Physiotherapy, Ottawa Charter, Mental Health, Alcohol Use Disorder, Public Health, Health Promotion, Academic Stress, Work-related Stress, Physical Well-being, Behavioral Interventions, Social Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this report?
The report examines how social determinants of health, specifically stress and addiction, affect individuals between the ages of 18 and 25.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include the impact of stress on student and professional life, the rise of digital and substance addictions, and the evolving role of physiotherapists in health promotion.
What is the ultimate research objective?
The goal is to outline the influence of these SDoH and evaluate how physiotherapy can improve health outcomes using strategies from the Ottawa Charter.
What methodology is applied?
The report utilizes a comprehensive literature review to synthesize findings on health determinants and aligns them with established public health frameworks.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body analyzes the physical and mental health consequences of stress and addiction, followed by a detailed discussion on clinical and community-level physiotherapy applications.
How are the keywords defined?
The keywords highlight key concepts related to the intersection of physiotherapy, social determinants of health, and the specific behavioral challenges faced by young adults.
How does academic stress specifically impact young students?
Academic stress is linked to anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms like insomnia and gastrointestinal distress, creating a negative cycle that hinders academic performance.
Why is the Ottawa Charter relevant to physiotherapy?
The Ottawa Charter provides a framework for physiotherapists to move beyond acute physical treatment and engage in broader health promotion strategies at both individual and community levels.
What connection is identified between social media and substance addiction?
Research suggests that mobile phone dependency and alcohol use often share underlying psychological triggers, such as impulsivity, and can act as predictors for future illicit drug use.
What are the main barriers for physiotherapists in performing SDoH screening?
Common barriers include significant time constraints and a narrow institutional focus on acute care and immediate discharge rather than long-term preventative screening.
- Citation du texte
- Samuel Lehmann (Auteur), 2020, Social Determinants of Health Impacting Young Adults aged 18 to 25. Stress and Addiction, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/903760
