Journal of Health Psychology最新文献

Body dissatisfaction (BD) is well-studied in eating disorder (ED) populations but remains unexplored in dual diagnosis (DD) populations, such as co-occurring ED and substance use disorder. This cross-sectional study compared BD levels between ED and DD groups and examined the influence of personality traits. Sixty-five female patients with either an ED (n = 39; Mage = 26.8, SD = 8.8) or DD (n = 26; Mage = 28.9, SD = 8.4) completed standardized measures of BD and personality traits. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and linear regression analyses were conducted. BD levels did not significantly differ between groups. In the ED group, higher impulsivity, lower self-transcendence, and younger age were associated with greater BD. In the DD group, higher novelty seeking, confounded by lower self-directedness, was associated with greater BD. These findings suggest that distinct personality traits are associated with BD in ED and DD populations, highlighting potential targets for interventions aiming to alleviate BD.

This study aims to examine the complex interrelationships among dietary quality, health literacy, loneliness, physical activity, mental health, and BMI (Body Mass Index) among young Chinese individuals, with particular attention to the mediating role of mental health in the pathways linking health behaviors and BMI. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a diverse sample of Chinese university students (N = 1568) using validated instruments to measure dietary quality, health literacy, loneliness, physical activity, mental health, and BMI. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test both direct and indirect relationships among the variables. Findings revealed that higher levels of dietary quality, health literacy, and physical activity were significantly associated with better mental health, while loneliness showed a strong negative effect. Mental health was, in turn, negatively associated with BMI. Furthermore, mental health significantly mediated the effects of dietary quality, health literacy, and physical activity on BMI. These results underscore the central role of psychological well-being in converting health knowledge and behaviors into tangible physical outcomes. The study highlights the need for integrated health promotion strategies that address not only physical behaviors and informational competencies but also the emotional and social dimensions of health. Strengthening mental health support and health literacy among youth may enhance the effectiveness of dietary and physical activity interventions, contributing to the broader goals of the Healthy China 2030 initiative.

With increasing knowledge of the impact of perinatal loss on the mental health of bereaved parents, there is a need for reliable and robust perinatal grief measures. This systematic review aimed to identify all published perinatal grief measures alongside their reported psychometric properties. A search was conducted using PubMed, PsycInfo, EMBASE & Cochrane databases from 1st January 2018 to 31st August 2024. Included articles used standardised measures to examine perinatal grief specifically, articles were excluded if measures examined general grief. Seven standardised perinatal grief measures were found and psychometric properties were reported within 34 populations. Each scale demonstrated robust psychometric properties within the populations with which they were used. This review does not identify one gold-standard measure, but offers clinicians a summary of the measures alongside their psychometric properties. The authors hope this will enable clinicians to choose the most culturally sensitive and valid perinatal grief measure for their population.

The relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and time poverty remains poorly understood, particularly how financial and temporal resources jointly shape outcomes. Drawing on data from 9830 participants in the 2020 China Family Panel Studies, this study used latent profile analysis to identify SES-time usage profiles and examine differences in health and well-being outcomes. Four distinct subgroups emerged: Low Income-Short Working Hours (Income Poverty, 12.0%), Middle Income-Long Working Hours (Time Poverty, 41.7%), Low Income-Long Working Hours (Double Poverty, 4.5%), and High Income-Appropriate Working Hours (Balance, 41.9%). Results revealed systematic differences across profiles. The Balance group consistently exhibited optimal outcomes across almost all measured domains, while the Double Poverty group demonstrated the worst. Notably, temporal scarcity may be more detrimental to well-being than financial resources for individuals who have overcome absolute economic poverty. These findings clarify the interplay between socioeconomic resources and time allocation, providing evidence for targeted interventions to enhance well-being.

This paper reports two prospective studies using psychological network analysis to explore how couples adapt to cardiovascular disease. Study 1 examined the relationships among three illness perceptions (i.e., illness acceptance, helplessness, and benefit-finding) and symptoms of anxiety and depression in 75 couples. Study 2 examined the interconnections among three other illness perceptions (i.e., personal control, treatment control, and illness consequences) and physical and psychological well-being in 104 couples. The findings show that patient and partner illness perceptions are strongly interrelated, while patient and partner well-being are also closely connected. Patient and spouse illness perceptions were linked to well-being through a rich network of direct and indirect connections. Central variables involved a sense of control and the emotional impact of illness. The findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of dyadic adaptation to illness and identify key factors/processes that could support improved adaptation for both patients and their partners.

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify latent categories of exercise self-efficacy among young and middle-aged patients with Crohn's disease and to analyze the factors associated with these profiles. A total of 332 young and middle-aged patients with Crohn's disease were recruited for the study at a hospital in China. Latent profile analysis revealed three distinct categories of exercise self-efficacy: the low efficacy group (19.9%), the moderate efficacy group (49.1%), and the high efficacy group (31.0%). Significant predictors of the latent categories of exercise self-efficacy included occupation, disease duration, self-reported economic pressure, family support level, and illness perception. Healthcare providers should implement tailored promotion strategies that align with the specific exercise self-efficacy profiles of these patients to enhance their intrinsic motivation for exercise training and improve their exercise efficacy levels.

Network analysis provides a novel approach to examining associations among mental health symptoms. This study explored the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms and their relationship with psychological help-seeking delay among Chinese university students. 823 students completed the 20-item General Health Questionnaire and the Help-Seeking Delay Scale. Centrality and bridge centrality indices identified central and bridge symptoms, and stability was assessed via case-dropping bootstrap. Overwhelm, Restless and tension, and Mental strain were the most central symptoms. Perceiving life-as-battle (GHQ-D6) and feeling overwhelmed (GHQ-A5) emerged as key bridge symptoms. Irritability affects sleep (GHQ-A2), Overwhelm (GHQ-A5), and Mental strain (GHQ-A4) were strongly associated with delayed help-seeking. These findings suggest that anxiety-related symptoms, particularly Overwhelm, may be critical intervention targets for students with comorbid depression and anxiety. From a network perspective, anxiety symptoms may play a relatively stronger role than depressive symptoms in understanding psychological help-seeking delays in university populations.

In the digital era, people with multiple sclerosis (MS) turn to platforms like YouTube (YT) for information and support, where diverse illness narratives intersect. Evidence suggests that men with MS, an underrepresented population subject to critical experiences of disability, particularly go online to gain agency, connectedness, and reshape their present and future identity with illness. However, little is known about the narratives conveyed in staged MS experiences on YT, and, to our knowledge, no studies have examined how men use this platform to communicate about the disease. This study explores such content to analyze how men with relapsing-remitting MS construct and share their experiences online. We selected YT videos from three sources: MS associations, pharmaceutical companies, and independent influencers. The material was analyzed independently and simultaneously using three complementary narrative approaches, integrated through a critical clinical meta-synthesis. Our findings reveal a common trajectory of identity transformation, often framed as a before-and-after shift linked to the illness experience. While these narratives convey hope and agency for resilience, they may also risk promoting oversimplified positivity and alienating those who struggle. The findings raise clinical and ethical concerns regarding the balance between empowering and stigmatizing messages. This offers implications for clinical practice and the design of supportive, inclusive interventions tailored to the diverse experiences of people with MS.

This study explores the process of adopting and maintaining breast self-examination (BSE), a key method for early breast cancer detection in women, using the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) as a theoretical framework. Conducted between February and April 2021 via digital platforms, the study recruited participants through WhatsApp, Instagram, and e-mail. Custom-designed TTM-based scales targeting BSE behavior were administered. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 22 and AMOS 22. Validity analyses included content, criterion, and construct validity, employing both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Reliability was assessed through Cronbach's alpha, split-half method, Hotelling's T², item-total correlations, intra-class correlation coefficients, and standard error calculations. The results demonstrated that the developed scales are valid and reliable tools for measuring behavioral change related to BSE. This study underscores the utility of the Transtheoretical Model in understanding women's health behavior and provides a solid basis for future BSE-focused health education and intervention programs.

Peer support may help improve the wellbeing of informal caregivers, although little work has explored this in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study explored peer support needs and experiences among MS caregivers in Ireland. A cross-sectional mixed methods survey of 27 MS caregivers, designed with public and patient involvement, measured peer support engagement, sociodemographic and care characteristics, caregiver burden, social support, loneliness and wellbeing. Data were analysed using descriptive, correlational and content analysis. Most caregivers expressed a desire for peer support, with few having participated in online or in-person peer support. Barriers to engagement included a lack of promotion of opportunities. While low levels of social support and wellbeing were reported, no clear associations between peer support needs and these variables were identified. Although peer support shows promise, more research and improvements in the provision of MS caregiver peer support are needed.