Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine最新文献

Episodic future thinking (EFT), an intervention in which participants vividly imagine their future, has been explored as a cognitive intervention to reduce delay discounting and decrease engagement in harmful health behaviors. In these studies, participants generate text descriptions of personally meaningful future events. The content of these text descriptions, or cues, is heterogeneous and can vary along several dimensions (e.g. references to health, celebrations, family; vividness; emotional valence). However, little work has quantified this heterogeneity or potential importance for EFT's efficacy. To better understand the potential impact of EFT content in the context of health behavior change (e.g. diet) among people with or at risk for obesity and related conditions, we used data from 19 prior EFT studies, including 1705 participants (mean body mass index = 33.1) who generated 9714 cues. We used natural language processing to classify EFT content and examined whether EFT content moderated effects on delay discounting. Cues most commonly involved recreation, food, and spending time with family, and least commonly involved references to health and self-improvement. Cues were generally classified as highly vivid, episodic, and positively valent (consistent with the intervention's design). In multivariate regression with model selection, EFT content did not significantly moderate the effect of the episodic thinking intervention. Thus, we find no evidence that any of the content characteristics we examined were important moderators of the efficacy of EFT in reducing delay discounting. This suggests that EFT's efficacy is robust against variability in these characteristics. However, note that in all studies, EFT methods were designed to generate high levels of vividness, episodicity, and emotional valence, potentially resulting in a ceiling effect in these content areas. Moreover, EFT content was not experimentally manipulated, limiting causal inference. Future studies should experimentally examine these and other content characteristics and evaluate their possible role in EFT's efficacy.

Objective: Endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting 10-15% of women of reproductive age, often leads to psychological distress (PD), including depression and anxiety. This study examined how body image and self-criticism mediate the relationship between endometriosis and PD, comparing Israeli women to those from English-speaking countries, and explored the moderating role of cultural background.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 437 women from Israel and English-speaking countries. Participants completed questionnaires to evaluate depression symptoms, anxiety, self-criticism, and body appreciation. Data were analyzed using multivariate MANOVA and moderated mediation models.

Results: Women with endometriosis showed higher PD, with significant differences by cultural background. Israeli participants reported higher depression and anxiety. The mediation model showed that body image and self-criticism were significant mediators in the endometriosis-PD link, a process consistent across cultural groups. However, the direct effect of endometriosis on PD was stronger among Israeli women.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight the impact of cultural context on PD on women with endometriosis, emphasizing body image and self-criticism as intervention targets. This study underscores the importance of culturally sensitive support for mental health in endometriosis, with implications for clinical practice and public health strategies.

Introduction: Rates of depression, burnout, and anxiety among nurses are high. Improving sleep quality may mitigate psychological distress, but research on effective sleep interventions for nurses is limited. This pilot study explored the preliminary effects of the Somni© sleep quality kit on sleep, stress, and psychological health among nurses using continuous physiologic data from the Oura ring©.

Methods: A prospective pilot trial was conducted with 25 nurses. Participants wore the Oura ring© for eight weeks to collect data on heart rate variability (HRV) and sleep. The Somni© sleep kit, containing evidence-based sleep aids, was introduced from weeks 4-8. Participants completed surveys at baseline, 4, and 8 weeks to assess sleep quality, stress, burnout, and depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and linear mixed-effect models.

Results: The sample was predominantly White (64%), non-Hispanic (88%), and female (84%). Lavender spray and white noise machines were the most frequently used sleep aids. Self-reported sleep latency significantly decreased (p = 0.03), with a trend toward improved sleep quality. No significant changes were observed in physiologic metrics or depressive symptoms. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to small, with the greatest improvement in sleep latency.

Discussion: The Somni© sleep kit showed potential for improving self-reported sleep quality and sleep latency, especially through non-pharmacologic interventions. While the results were mixed, this study supports the feasibility of using wearable devices to track sleep and stress in nurses. Future research should include larger samples and investigate the long-term effects of sleep interventions on nurses' mental health.

Background: Fatigue is a common long-term problem after illnesses affecting the brain, having substantial impact on work ability, social activities, and quality of life. Treatment has been requested in the healthcare and by patients. The aim of this randomized pilot study is to evaluate a new Brain Fatigue and Mindfulness program (BF-M) for participants suffering from long-term fatigue after an acquired brain injury or Multiple Sclerosis. BF-M consists of six biweekly group meetings. Meditation is practiced, knowledge is imparted about fatigue and participants have time to share and discuss common issues. Methods: A mixed method research design is used with quantitative and qualitative methods. Sixteen participants completed BF-M and 16 controls on waitlist responded to questionnaires before and after the intervention. Results: After the program, the BF-M group had a significant reduction in BF and anxiety compared to the controls. The analysis of 13 interviews with BF-M participants suggested that: (1) BF-M became a space for the participants to exchange and share experiences associated with BF; (2) the participants felt more understood and less alone; and (3) they learned how to better understand and live with brain fatigue. Conclusions: This study showed that BF-M may reduce brain fatigue and help participants to better manage their difficulties. Based on this pilot study, we suggest that BF-M may be considered as a rehabilitation option for brain fatigue. However, more confirmatory research with larger and different patient groups is needed.

Background: Adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are faced with the complexities of acquiring self-management behaviours at a time when they are also navigating developmental challenges associated with adolescence. To date, limited treatment adherence interventions exist to support adolescents with IBD. Aim: To explore the experience and support needs of adolescents with IBD to facilitate optimum treatment adherence. Method: Thirty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents with IBD (n = 12), parents of adolescents with IBD (n = 13) and healthcare professionals who support adolescents with IBD (n = 8). Adolescents and parents completed a creative task to prioritise adherence barriers and adherence intervention strategies. Results: The analysis generated three key themes: (1) striving for normality, (2) taking responsibility for IBD management and (3) seeking supportive environments. Living with IBD was often perceived as living a limited life, as adolescents had to manage their symptoms, which resulted in feelings of difference and stigmatisation. To manage their IBD, adolescents were required to develop treatment routines and communicate their health needs. Parents wanted to protect their child from the burden of living with IBD. Synthesis of findings with a creative mapping task generated seven priorities for intervention. Discussion: Adolescents discussed the complexity behind their adherence behaviours and the formation of treatment perceptions. The adherence barriers identified within this research can be utilised to develop a treatment adherence intervention that is effective for adolescents with IBD.

Background: Although there have been many studies on laughter and health, few studies have clarified the effects of laughter on optimism and pessimism, as well as anxiety. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of viewing a comedy live performance on optimism, pessimism, and anxiety, sAA as a stress marker, and examine the relationship between laughter attitude and optimism, pessimism and stress marker and clarify significant factors that contribute to optimism.

Methods: In this pre - post study, we evaluated the effects on attendees of laughter elicited by a comedy live performance (CLP). The participants were 110 volunteers aged 18-64 years. Participants attended a two-hour CLP by four famous Japanese comedians (Sisonnu, Tonikaku Akarui Yasumura, Mouchugakusei, and Panther) and completed pre - and post-event questionnaires that included items from the Japanese Optimism and Pessimism Scale (JOPS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Laughter Attitude Scale (LAS) and Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA).

Results: The valid response rate was 101. Participants' optimism was higher, and pessimism, anxiety and sAA were lower, after attending the CLP. α-amylase was significantly lower in more people before and after CLP. Factors contributing to optimism were strongly influenced by the degree to which people made them laugh, as well as pessimism, anxiety, and forced laughter.

Conclusion: The personal factors contributing most strongly to optimism were 'A state that makes you laugh,' as well as pessimism, anxiety, and a low level of 'Forced Laughter.' Attending a two-hour CLP increased optimism and decreased stress level, pessimism and anxiety, these effects were more pronounced in those who laughed regularly in their everyday lives.

Background: Digital health interventions have the potential to improve health at a large scale globally by improving access to healthcare services and health-related information, but they tend to benefit more affluent and privileged groups more than those less privileged. Methods: In this narrative review, we describe how this 'digital health divide' can manifest across three different levels reflecting inequalities in access, skills and benefits or outcomes (i.e. the first, second, and tertiary digital divide). We also discuss four key causes of this digital divide: (i)) digital health literacy as a fundamental determinant; (ii) other personal, social, community, and societal level determinants; (iii) how technology and intervention development contribute to; and (iv) how current research practice exacerbates the digital health divide by developing a biased evidence base. Finally, we formulate implications for research, policy, and practice. Results: Specific recommendations for research include to keep digital health interventions and measurement instruments up to date with fastpaced technological changes, and to involve diverse populations in digital intervention development and evaluation research. For policy and practice, examples of recommendations are to insist on inclusive and accessible design of health technology and to ensure support for digital health intervention enactment prioritises those most vulnerable to the digital divide. Conclusion: We conclude by highlighting the importance of addressing the digital health divide to ensure that as digital technologies' inevitable presence grows, it does not leave those who could benefit most from innovative health technology behind.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a growing public health concern in Malaysia influenced by a complex interplay of ecological, biological, and social (EBS) factors. Despite its increasing incidence, limited research has explored how these factors interact to shape CRC risk in the Malaysian context, especially from the perspectives of affected individuals. This study explores Malaysians' perceptions and experiences regarding CRC risk within the EBS framework.

Methods: A qualitative case study approach involved in-depth interviews with twelve Malaysians aged 35-75 who had undergone colonoscopy at a university hospital. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data were collected until saturation was achieved. The transcripts were coded and analysed using ATLAS.ti software. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Findings revealed key themes related to ecological factors in the physical activity environment, which included the sub-themes of type, facilitators, barriers to physical activity, and food sources. The biological factors theme revealed that a family history of CRC influences experience and perception. The subthemes of social factors were sociocultural customs, misconceptions, food preparation methods, CRC-related foods, and food affordability.

Conclusion: The findings highlighted the multifactorial nature of CRC risk. Understanding the aspects of EBS supports the development of targeted public health interventions to address modifiable CRC risk factors and promote prevention and early CRC detection in the Malaysian context.

Introduction: We present a unique multi-country, two-wave dataset of 42,417 survey responses drawn from nationally representative samples of citizens from the G-7 countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, and USA. This data note outlines the motivation and methodology of the survey instrument and describes the measures contained in the dataset. We highlight areas for future research.

Methods: We fielded an online survey over two waves (January 27 to February 26 [n = 24,303] and wave 2 from March 6 to May 12 [n = 18,114]) measuring a range of demographic, social, political, and psychological variables. Samples were nationally representative by age, education, gender, and subnational region. Each wave included of three experiments (one conjoint and two between-subjects) to facilitate randomised evaluation of behavioural health policies promoting the uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccinations.

Results: The dataset has produced two peer-reviewed publications at the time of writing ([Banerjee, S., John, P., Nyhan, B., Hunter, A., Koenig, R., Lee-Whiting, B., Loewen, P. J., McAndrews, J., & Savani, M. M. (2024). Thinking about default enrollment lowers vaccination intentions and public support in G7 countries. PNAS Nexus, 3(4), pgae093]; [Koenig, R., Savani, M. M., Lee-Whiting, B., McAndrews, J., Banerjee, S., Hunter, A., John, P., Loewen, P. J., & Nyhan, B. (2024). Public support for more stringent vaccine policies increases with vaccine effectiveness. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1748]). A summary report is posted online (https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications/overcoming-barriers-to-vaccination-by-empowering-citizens-to-make-deliberate-choices/). Additional research outputs are currently under preparation.

Discussion: Our dataset combines observational and experimental data on behavioural health policies, offering numerous insights. First, the dataset's extensive size and geographical diversity enables comparative analysis of public health issues involving social, political, and behavioural factors. Second, the dataset is suited to advanced statistical methods that can explore heterogeneity in the uptake of behavioural health policies, such as vaccine nudges. Third, the timing of the data collection, coinciding with the rise of the Omicron variant, provides valuable insights into why some previously vaccinated individuals might hesitate to receive additional doses, potentially improving our understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and possible responses to pandemics and other public health emergencies in the future.

Introduction: Seasonal and within-week variation has been documented in relation to body weight change and self-weighing; however, less is known regarding how patterns of self-monitoring dietary intake vary over time.

Methods: The current study conducted secondary data analysis from a larger weight management trial to examine within-week and within-year patterns of dietary self-monitoring in 446 adults with obesity (mean ± SD age = 49.5 ± 11.4 years, BMI = 35.7 ± 4.0 kg/m²) enrolled in a 16-week behavioral weight loss program (with start dates staggered throughout the year). Generalized mixed models were used to characterize within-week and within-year patterns in adherence to dietary self-monitoring and to examine potential moderators (i.e. age and gender).

Results: There was significant variation in self-monitoring adherence and caloric intake across days of the week, ps < .001, with the lowest adherence and greatest intake observed on Thursdays through Sundays. Moreover, there was significant variation by calendar month, ps < .001, with the lowest adherence and highest intake in October, November, and December. Age moderated the associations between day of the week and caloric intake and between calendar month and self-monitoring adherence/caloric intake; gender moderated the associations between calendar month and self-monitoring adherence/caloric intake.

Discussion: Results demonstrate differences in dietary self-monitoring adherence and caloric intake within-week and within-year, with effects moderated by age and gender. Taken together with research demonstrating that additional support may improve adherence to self-monitoring during high-risk times (e.g. holiday seasons), future research should replicate these findings and identify additional predictors of self-monitoring adherence, supporting the development of novel, individually- and contextually-adaptable interventions.