Prioritizing Modifiable Lifestyle Factors in the Prevention of Psychological Distress
Keywords:
Psychological distress, Lifestyle factors, Mental health prevention, Modifiable behaviors, Stress management, Mixed-methods study, Tehran adultsAbstract
The objective of this study was to identify and prioritize modifiable lifestyle factors that play a preventive role in psychological distress among adults. This study employed a sequential mixed-methods design consisting of qualitative exploration followed by quantitative ranking. In the qualitative phase, an extensive literature review was conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved, and thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 14 to generate core lifestyle domains related to the prevention of psychological distress. In the quantitative phase, a structured questionnaire derived from the thematic framework was administered to 200 adult participants residing in Tehran through convenience sampling. Respondents rated the importance of each lifestyle domain using a 5-point priority scale. Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS-26 to calculate descriptive statistics and establish the relative ranking of lifestyle components. Quantitative results demonstrated a clear hierarchy of perceived importance among lifestyle domains. Physical health behaviors received the highest mean priority score (M = 4.7), followed by emotional regulation and stress management (M = 4.6) and social connectedness (M = 4.4). Work–life balance (M = 4.3) and cognitive and personal development (M = 4.2) ranked in the midrange. Digital lifestyle management (M = 4.1) and environmental or lifestyle structure (M = 4.0) were rated as lower but still important domains. All lifestyle factors received high mean scores, indicating strong overall recognition of lifestyle’s role in preventing psychological distress. The findings indicate that adults perceive multiple modifiable lifestyle domains as important for preventing psychological distress, with physical, emotional, and social components identified as the highest priority targets. These results highlight the need for multidimensional and evidence-based lifestyle interventions that align with public perceptions and emphasize holistic mental health promotion.
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