Britain’s growing recognition of corporate wellness programs saw only 20-40% participation rate in their exercise programs.
Their exercise programs started off with significant return on investments, however weakened in the future.
Whilst exercise is perceived to improve self-esteem and physical/psychological health, article posits the need to focus on psychological health as well as the physical.
This includes communicative programs within leadership and team roles.
Maclean, D and Kermode, S. A study of the relationship between quality of life, health and self-esteem [online]. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, The, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2001 Dec – 2002 Feb
Corporate Wellness Programs to succeed need to incorporate a holistic approach.
Focuses on adding quality to life in addition to adding years to life.
The World Health Organisation found public spending on health to have a negligible effect on health outcomes (WHO 2000)
The health divide between rich and poor is widening
Quality and satisfaction of life is highly reliant on the satisfaction with one’s “function of life”
“This includes physical function, somatic discomfort, mental health and economic status” (p.34)
Satisfaction may have a greater sense of permanence than happiness (Aaronson 1988)
In the study, females were more likely than males to view their quality of life positively
Age was also a factor – especially for those unwell or disabled
Employment was found to be independent of quality of life and satisfaction
Quality of relationships highly influential on self-esteem
Spirituality is also significant
Positive self esteem = higher QOL (quality of Life)
Absence of Long Term chronic stress = higher QOL
Having a disability/illness/caring for someone else = lower QOL
Spiritual and emotive relationships with people positively influences on QOL
Resource: AMANDA J. DALEY and GAYNOR PARFITT (1996) PHYSICAL SELF-PERCEPTIONS, AEROBIC CAPACITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN MALE AND FEMALE MEMBERS OF A CORPORATE
HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUB. Perceptual and Motor Skills: Volume 83, Issue 3, pp. 1075-1082.
Reseracher: Qin Lin – Business Development Consultant (Intern) Australian Corporate Wellness. Contact Us www.australiancorporatewellness.com.au
