Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine最新文献

Background: As the recognition of psychological factors in chronic illness management grows, this study examined the interplay of psychological traits - grit, self-efficacy, resilience, and nature-relatedness - and their collective impact on the Quality of Life (QoL) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Malaysia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 patients with RA at a private hospital in Malaysia. Utilizing validated scales, including the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Short Grit Scale, Nature Relatedness Scale, and Arthritis Self Efficacy Scale, data were collected. Pearson Product-moment Correlation analyses assessed the relationships between variables, and a multiple mediation analysis explored the mediating effects of resilience, grit, and self-efficacy on the relationship between nature-relatedness and QoL.

Findings: Of the 222 participants (86% female, mean age = 56.03, S.D. = 13.42), the analysis revealed a significant mediating role of resilience in the relationship between nature-relatedness and QoL among RA patients (b = -.117, SE = .042, 95% BCa CI [-.208, -.046]). Although grit and self-efficacy positively correlated with QoL, they did not serve as significant mediators in the nature-relatedness - QoL relationship. This highlights the pivotal role of building a sense of resiliency among patients with RA.

Interpretation: Individuals with RA are not only resilient in terms of their psychological traits such as grit, self-efficacy, and general resilience but also exhibit resilience in their connection and interaction with the natural environment (nature-relatedness). This holistic concept recognizes that fostering resilience in both psychological aspects and the context of one's environment is crucial for promoting overall well-being, particularly in the management of chronic illnesses like RA. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of psychological factors and environmental engagement in contributing to an individual's ability to cope and thrive despite health challenges.

Background: Differences of Sex Development (DSD) are congenital conditions where the chromosomal, gonadal and anatomical sex characteristics do not strictly belong to male or female categories, or that belong to both at the same time. Surgical interventions for individuals with DSD remain controversial, among affected individuals, caregivers, and health-care providers. A lack of evidence in support of, for deferring, or for avoiding surgery complicates the decision-making process. This study explores Norwegian health-care professionals' (HCPs) perspectives on decision-making in DSD-related surgeries and the dilemmas they are facing in this process.

Methods: Focus group interviews with 14 HCPs integrated into or collaborating with multidisciplinary DSD teams were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Two overarching dilemmas shed light on the intricate considerations and challenges that HCPs encounter when guiding affected individuals and caregivers through surgical decision-making processes in the context of DSD. The first theme describes how shared decision-making was found to be influenced by fear of stigma and balancing the interplay between concepts of normality, personal experiences and external expectations when navigating the child's and caregivers' needs. The second theme illuminated dilemmas due to a lack of evidence-based practice. The core concepts within each theme were the dilemmas health-care professionals face during consultations with caregivers and affected individuals.

Conclusion: HCPs were aware of the controversies with DSD-related surgeries. However, they struggled to reconcile knowledge with parents' wishes for surgery and faced dilemmas making decisions in the best interests of the child. This study draws attention to the benefits of increased knowledge on the consequences of performing or withholding surgery as well as incorporating tools enabling shared decision-making between HCPs and affected individuals/caregivers.

Background: Behavior change interventions can unintendedly widen existing socio-economic health inequalities. Understanding why interventions are (in)effective among people with lower socio-economic position (SEP) is essential. Therefore, this scoping review aims to describe what is reported about the behavior change techniques (BCTs) applied within interventions and their effectiveness in encouraging physical activity and healthy eating, and reducing smoking and alcohol consumption according to SEP.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in 12 electronic databases, and 151 studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included and coded for health behavioral outcomes, SEP-operationalization, BCTs (type and number) and effectiveness.

Results: Findings suggest that approaches for measuring, defining and substantiating lower SEP vary. Current studies of behavior change interventions for people of different SEP do not systematically identify BCTs, making systematic evaluation of BCT effectiveness impossible. The effectiveness of interventions is mainly evaluated by overall intervention outcomes and SEP-moderation effects are mostly not assessed.

Conclusion: Using different SEP-operationalizations and not specifying BCTs hampers systematic evidence accumulation regarding effective (combinations of) BCTs for the low SEP population. To learn which BCTs effectively improve health behaviors among people with lower SEP, future intervention developers should justify how SEP is operationalized and must systematically describe and examine BCTs.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the German falls prevention program 'Staying safe and active in old age - falls prevention', which is already established in practice.

Methods: The single-arm intervention study consisted of two time points, 6 months apart, to evaluate the multifactorial falls prevention program (n = 125 at Time 2). We observed the groups and their trainers and assessed which behavior change techniques (BCTs) were used. According to our evaluation framework, changes in the following three domains were assessed: (a) fall-related variables (i.e. number of falls, fear of falling), (b) physical functioning (i.e. performance-based gait speed, coordination, self-reported leg strength, balance, as well as habitual execution of the exercises), and (c) psychosocial functioning (i.e. quality of life, activities of daily living, mobility, and loneliness). Linear mixed models were used to determine changes in each variable.

Results: Demonstration of behavior was the most frequently used BCT. The program showed significant benefits for fear of falling, balance, coordination, habitual execution, and loneliness over time (Cohen's d between -0.59 and 1.73). Number of falls, gait speed, coordination (dual task), activities of daily living, and quality of life were maintained (Cohen's d between -0.26 and 0.30), whereas leg strength and mobility decreased significantly at Time 2 (Cohen's d = -0.55 and -0.36).

Discussion: Group-based falls prevention programs may facilitate social integration among older adults and may also enhance and maintain physical functioning in old age.Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register identifier: DRKS00012321.

Background: Cervical cancer is a common cancer among young women aged 25-29 in England, and the NHS cervical screening leaflet is the first point of contact for those being invited for their first screening. This study aimed to explore how young women (18-24) understand and engage with the leaflet, as well as the barriers and facilitators associated with its interpretation, engagement, and screening intentions.

Methods: The study used a mixed-methods approach, including a survey (n = 120) to identify interpretation difficulties and how they were affected by different characteristics, and a follow-up interview (n = 10) to assess the utility of the leaflet, identify issues with its practicality, and determine the factors that influence screening intentions.

Results: The survey results showed that interpretation difficulties were common, particularly regarding HPV assessment, screening results, additional tests/treatment, and screening risks. Lower interpretation accuracy was associated with lower numeracy scores and non-white ethnicity. Despite these difficulties, participants had high confidence and motivation to engage with the leaflet. The interviews revealed knowledge gaps, issues with the leaflet's practicality, and a preference for digital information. Factors that were identified as barriers and facilitators of leaflet interpretation, engagement, and screening intentions included knowledge, social influence, beliefs about consequences, environmental context and resources, social role and identity, emotions and intentions.

Conclusion: The current leaflet does not provide enough information for young women to make an informed decision about screening attendance. Implementing a digital invitation featuring simplified gist representation, targeted behaviour change techniques (BCTs), videos, and interactive tools can enhance education and promote screening behaviour. Future research should consider using digital tools and strategies to address existing barriers related to interpretation and engagement.

Open Science practices are integral to increasing transparency, reproducibility, and accessibility of research in health psychology and behavioral medicine. Drives to facilitate Open Science practices are becoming increasingly evident in journal editorial policies, including the establishment of new paper formats such as Registered Reports and Data Notes. This paper provides: (i) an overview of the current state of Open Science policies within health psychology and behavioral medicine, (ii) a call for submissions to an Article Collection of Registered Reports and Data Notes as new paper formats within the journal of Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine, (iii) an overview of Registered Reports and Data Notes, and (iv) practical considerations for authors and reviewers of Registered Reports and Data Notes.

Background: In recent years, a decline in sports behaviour among adolescents was observed, even though it is generally known that sports contribute to healthy development. According to the social cognitive theory of Bandura, outcome expectancies play an important role in the practice of health behaviour.

Methods: This study analysed the relationship between exercise-related outcome expectancies (EOEs) and exercise behaviour among adolescent athletes, and the differences of EOEs according to age, gender and type of sport played. In an online survey N = 223 (female = 140, male = 83) athletes between the age of 10-19 (M_age = 14.27, SD = 3.21) completed the Exercise-related Outcome Expectancies Questionnaire for Adolescents (EOEQ-A), as well as questions about their sociodemographic background and training behaviour.

Results: A small positive correlation of psychological EOEs with the overall amount of training was discovered while expectancies about negative consequences of sports were associated with lower training efforts. Athletes between 14 and 16 years reported significantly stronger negative EOEs than younger or older participants. Regarding gender, no significant differences were found. Furthermore, a positive correlation between social EOEs and participation in team sports, as well as training in a group was found.

Conclusion: These results could help with adapting exercise-related interventions so that the positive expectancies of the athletes can be fulfilled and exercise behaviour among adolescents can be promoted. Future studies should investigate the relationship between changes in expectancies and changes in exercise behaviour.

Background: Adults with conditions that affect their appearance, known as visible differences, can experience appearance concerns, social anxiety, and depression. Interventions have been developed for this population to facilitate adjustment and coping skills; however, they have limited evidence of efficacy. The Expand Your Horizon [Alleva, J. M., Martijn, C., Van Breukelen, G. J., Jansen, A., & Karos, K. (2015). Expand Your Horizon: A programme that improves body image and reduces self-objectification by training women to focus on body functionality. Body Image, 15, 81-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.07.001] online functionality-based writing programme was adapted for adults with visible differences.

Method: A pilot randomised controlled trial with a wait-list control group was carried out to assess preliminary intervention efficacy and gain information about the acceptability and feasibility of the programme. Forty-four adults aged 21-63 years (M = 40.21; SD = 12.05) with visible differences took part. Various facets of body image (i.e. functionality appreciation and body appreciation) as well as depression and anxiety were assessed immediately pre- and post-intervention and at three-months.

Results: Participants reported enjoying the programme, felt that the format was acceptable, and it significantly increased functionality appreciation, which was maintained at three-months. However, there were no improvements in body appreciation, depression, and anxiety.

Conclusions: In future, a full trial should be carried out with an active control group.