Towards Daily Function Homeostasis: A Conceptual Health Framework and Keys for Action

Abstract

homeostasis derives from the combination of the Greek words "homeo" or constant, and "stasis" or stable, and is defined as remaining stable or staying the same [3]. It relates to physiological mechanisms needed to sustain life by responding and adapting to changing environmental conditions, while investing energy to maintain order [4]. Thus, it refers to the organism's internal self-regulation process that plays a major role in maintaining a constantly balanced, harmonic and steady-state condition [5].The concept of homeostasis is largely discussed in the literature within the context of biological and physiological processes. However, throughout the life cycle humans need to modify their behavior to adapt to daily activities [6]. Studies that associate the concept of homeostasis to human behavior focus mainly on socio-emotional and psychological behavioural adaptations or adjustments in response to stressful events, e.g., [3,7]. Yet, literature examining implementation of this concept to day-to-day activities in relation to persons' academic, social and leisure and work pursuits is absent. Moreover, no theoretical framework has comprehensively captured the conceptualization of how individuals create or develop daily functional homeostasis as manifested in the control, harmony and balance of their daily life activities and routines. Conceptual Foundations and Purpose of the Daily Function HomeostasisThe Daily Function Homeostasis (Day-Fun-Home) philosophical framework was founded on the literature and extensive research that focus on human daily functioning throughout the life span. Three main resources lead to the fremawork's core concepts and stucture. The first is the Abstract Homeostasis refers to the organism's internal self-regulation process that plays a major role in maintaining a balanced, harmonic and steady-state condition. The aim of this paper is to present a comprehensive conceptual framework for developing daily functional homeostasis, which illustrates the control, harmony and balance of daily life activities and routines. This framework provides a systematic procedure for revealing the person's true desired self (who I am) by providing reflective key points. These points include environmental and personal factors, life events, past experiences and key points in the context of disease or disability. Dimensions of a person's activities and participation, such as what, where, when, why and how they are performed, can provide new insights stimulating daily functional changes. The analysis facilitated by the framework considers the person's life goals and identifies gaps or conflicts that challenge their achievement. Moreover, utilizing a person's strengths to develop adaptive changes may circumvent existing barriers and lead to improved sense of control, self-fulfillment, life satisfaction, health and well-being.

Gender Differences in State Anxiety Related to Daily Function Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Questionnaire Study

“…Among older adults, especially in late life, extensive impairment of daily functioning may occur due to cognitive decline [ 40 ]. Indeed, measuring cognitive difficulty levels when performing varied tasks adequately reflects such reduction in daily life functioning [ 20 ]. Consequently, further studies are required to determine whether the significantly inferior executive function and executive function monitoring found in our research among women is due to the use of a cognitive functional self-report scale or caused by the crisis period, which may have more influence on the women’s functional behavior.…”

“…We surmise that the use of web-based self-report questionnaires (such as the DLQ and DailyFA used in this study) may be a resource to achieve such self-reflection. If so, the use of web-based self-report questionnaires may enhance self-awareness, psychological autonomy, life control, health, and well-being [ 20 , 55 , 56 ].…”

“…The DLQ content and face validity were established, and it was found to have an acceptable internal consistency for both parts. Furthermore, validity has been demonstrated by distinctions between age groups and between participants with multiple sclerosis and controls [ 20 ] . The internal consistency for this study was high for all 52 items (α=.94) and for each part separately (α=.87 for Part A; α=.94 for Part B).…”

“…The Daily Functional Self-Actualization Questionnaire (DailyFA) was developed by the authors within a short time in response to the need to measure daily self-actualization during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Based on the Maslow theory [17], the ICF concepts [19], and the first author's rich clinical experience, results of studies among the aging population (eg, [20,[27][28][29]) and development of 11 assessment tools, the first author chose 10 items for the questionnaire. These items as derived from both the ICF [19] and Maslow theory [17] (see Figure 1) related to physical and emotional health, sense of control over life, satisfaction from daily doing, self-fulfillment, environmental factors, and quality of life.…”

“…Health-related issues include physical and psychological conditions that affect a person's daily functional abilities and vice versa. Thus, satisfying daily functioning can lead to improved sense of control, homeostasis, and better health [ 20 ]. Combining Maslow's self-actualization theory with the ICF classification concepts and further literature (eg, [ 21 , 22 ]) enabled us to assume that if individuals are satisfied with their daily doing (activities and participation as related to their environmental expectations [ 19 ]) and feelings of mastery and competence while achieving their full potential [ 17 ], then they may feel less anxiety due to loss of life control and more self-fulfilled despite the COVID-19 crisis.…”