Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis of studies examining the determinants of behaviors performed by parents to promote the health of their child, termed "parent-for-child health behaviors," based ...on an extended theory of planned behavior. Specifically, the study aimed to meta-analyze correlations among theory of planned behavior constructs, planning, and past behavior, and use them to test theory predictions and effects of salient moderators. Method: A systematic search identified 46 studies that provided correlations between at least one theory construct and intention or behavior for parent-for-child behaviors. Theory predictions were tested using meta-analytic structural equation modeling. Studies were also coded for candidate moderators of model effects: child age, sample type, time lag between measures of theory constructs and parent-for-child health behavior, study quality, and behavior type, and the proposed model was estimated at each level of the moderator. Results: Results supported theory predictions with attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predicting parent-for-child health behavior participation mediated by intention. Perceived behavioral control and planning also directly predicted behavior, and planning partially mediated effects of intention on behavior. Model effects held when controlling for past behavior, supporting the sufficiency of the theory in this behavioral domain. Few moderator effects were found on relations between theory constructs. Conclusion: Findings identified the social cognition determinants of parent-for-child health behaviors, and highlight the potential processes by which they relate to behavior. The current model signposts potentially modifiable targets for behavioral interventions aimed at fostering parental participation in behaviors that promote the health of their children.
Social distancing is a key behavior to minimize COVID-19 infections. Identification of potentially modifiable determinants of social distancing behavior may provide essential evidence to inform ...social distancing behavioral interventions.
The current study applied an integrated social cognition model to identify the determinants of social distancing behavior, and the processes involved, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a prospective correlational survey study, samples of Australian (N = 365) and U.S. (N = 440) residents completed online self-report measures of social cognition constructs (attitude, subjective norm, moral norm, anticipated regret, and perceived behavioral control PBC), intention, action planning, habit, and past behavior with respect to social distancing behavior at an initial occasion. Follow-up measures of habit and social distancing behavior were taken 1 week later.
Structural equation models indicated that subjective norm, moral norm, and PBC were consistent predictors of intention in both samples. Intention, action planning, and habit at follow-up were consistent predictors of social distancing behavior in both samples. Action planning did not have consistent effects mediating or moderating the intention-behavior relationship. Inclusion of past behavior in the model attenuated effects among constructs, although the effects of the determinants of intention and behavior remained.
Current findings highlight the importance of subjective norm, moral obligation, and PBC as determinants of social distancing intention and intention and habit as behavioral determinants. Future research on long-range predictors of social distancing behavior and reciprocal effects in the integrated model is warranted.
Vaccines are highly effective in minimizing serious cases of COVID-19 and pivotal to managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite widespread availability, vaccination rates fall short of levels required ...to bring about widespread immunity, with low rates attributed to vaccine hesitancy. It is therefore important to identify the beliefs and concerns associated with vaccine intentions and uptake. The present study aimed to develop and validate, using the AMEE Guide, the Vaccination Concerns in COVID-19 Scale (VaCCS), a comprehensive measure of beliefs and concerns with respect to COVID-19 vaccines. In the scale development phase, samples of Australian (N = 53) and USA (N = 48) residents completed an initial open-response survey to elicit beliefs and concerns about COVID-19 vaccines. A concurrent rapid literature review was conducted to identify content from existing scales on vaccination beliefs. An initial pool of items was developed informed by the survey responses and rapid review. The readability and face validity of the item pool was assessed by behavioral science experts (N = 5) and non-experts (N = 10). In the scale validation phase, samples of Australian (N = 522) and USA (N = 499) residents completed scaled versions of the final item pool and measures of socio-political, health beliefs and outcomes, and trait measures. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a scale comprising 35 items with 8 subscales, and subsequent confirmatory factor analyses indicated acceptable fit of the scale structure with the data in each sample and factorial invariance across samples. Concurrent and predictive validity tests indicated a theoretically and conceptually predictable pattern of relations between the VaCCS subscales with the socio-political, health beliefs and outcomes, and trait measures, and key subscales predicted intentions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The VaCCS provides a novel measure to assess beliefs and concerns toward COVID-19 vaccination that researchers and practitioners can use in its entirety or select specific sub-scales to use according to their needs.
Exercise is beneficial for physical and psychological health, yet the majority of Australian adults are not sufficiently active to gain health benefits. Novel methods are needed to enhance the ...experience of exercise and ultimately exercise participation. The present study examined performance and psychological experiences during a (non-immersive) virtual reality cycling task that incorporated affective feedback. Female participants (N = 137, university students) received either positive, negative, or neutral virtual feedback while cycling on a stationary bicycle in a virtual reality laboratory environment under the instruction to maintain at least 70% of their maximal heart rate for as long as possible (or up to 30 minutes). Participants also responded to measures of affect, motivation, enjoyment, and competitiveness. Data were analysed with ANOVA's performed with feedback groups and trait competitiveness for the psychological and performance dependent measures. Results showed that positive feedback elicited greater interest and enjoyment during the task than neutral and negative feedback. In addition, perceived competence was greater with positive feedback than for neutral and negative feedback in low competitive participants. The type of feedback did not affect performance (cycling persistence, perceived exertion, and effort). The findings indicate the potential importance of providing positive virtual feedback and considering the interaction of individual difference factors, specifically competitiveness, to enhance virtual exercise experiences.
ABSTRACTObjective To fulfil a need for greater access to social support postoperatively, adults who have undergone bariatric surgery have turned to Online Health Communities (OHCs). Prior research ...has signposted the potential “functional” dimensions of social support found via OHCs. However, the “structural” dimensions experienced on OHC have yet to be explored. This study aimed to explore users’ experience of the “functional” and “structural” dimensions of social support facilitated within bariatric surgery OHCs.Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 adults who were waitlisted or had undergone bariatric surgery. Data were analysed with both deductive and inductive methodologies utilised. Deductive analysis was mapped to social support theories thus themes reflect “informational”, “emotional”, “belonging”, and “tangible” social support.Results There were five subthemes generated under the theme of “informational” social support, two under “emotional” and “tangible” social support, and one under “belonging” social support. Participants believed that the “informal” structural support in their life was insufficient and a contributing factor to turning to OHCs. For some participants, “formal” structural social support was facilitated via OHCs; however, most were seeking different types of support than what they can receive from their medical support team. The inductive analysis generated two themes including “access to reliable social support 24/7” and “satisfied with the support available on OHCs”, highlighting key advantages and value of OHCs.Conclusions There seems to be value for OHCs in bariatric surgery for social support. However, fundamentally the shared experiences and “belonging” social support seem to be a linchpin for the success of OHCs.
Behavior change theories frameworks provide the theoretical underpinning for effective health care. The extent to which they are applied in contemporary dietetics interventions has not been explored.
...To systematically review the evidence of behavior change theory-based interventions delivered by credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners in primary health care settings.
Medline, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for English language, randomized controlled trials before August 2019. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed. Eligible interventions included adults (aged ≥18 years) receiving face-to-face dietetics care underpinned by behavior change theories in primary health care settings with outcome measures targeting changes in health behaviors or health outcomes. Screening was conducted independently in duplicate and data were extracted using predefined categories. The quality of each study was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The body of evidence was assessed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Manual Conclusion Grading Table.
Thirty articles reporting on 19 randomized controlled trials met the eligibility criteria, representing 5,172 adults. Thirteen studies (68%) showed significant improvements for the primary outcome measured. Social cognitive theory was the behavior change theory most commonly applied in interventions (n=15) with 11 finding significant intervention effects. Goal setting, problem solving, social support, and self-monitoring were the most commonly reported techniques (n=15, n=14, n=11, and n=11, respectively). Most studies had a high (n=11) or unclear (n=8) risk of bias. There was fair evidence (Grade II) supporting the use of behavior change theories to inform development of dietetics interventions.
Interventions delivered by credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners that were underpinned by behavior change theories and utilizing various behavior change techniques were found to have potential to be more effective at improving patient health outcomes than dietary interventions without theoretical underpinnings. Findings from this review should inform future primary health care research in the area of dietary behavior change. In addition, findings from this review highlight the need for stronger documentation of use of behavior change theory and techniques that map on to the theory within dietetics practice.
Abstract
Background
Emerging evidence indicates that holding particular stress mindsets has favorable implications for peoples’ health and performance under stress.
Purpose
The aim of the current ...study was to examine the processes by which implicit and explicit stress mindsets relate to health- and performance-related outcomes. Specifically, we propose a stress beliefs model in which somatic responses to stress and coping behaviors mediate the effect of stress mindsets on outcomes.
Methods
Undergraduate university students (N = 218, n = 144 females) aged 17– 25 years completed measures of stress mindset, physical and psychological wellbeing, perceived stress, perceived somatic responses to stress, proactive behaviors under stress, and an implicit association test assessing an implicit stress mindset. At the end of the semester, students’ academic performance was collected from university records.
Results
Path analysis indicated significant indirect effects of stress mindset on psychological wellbeing and perceived stress through proactive coping behaviors and perceived somatic symptoms. Stress mindset directly predicted perceived stress and physical wellbeing, and physical wellbeing and academic performance were predicted by stress mindset through perceived somatic symptoms. Implicit stress mindset did not predict proactive behavior as anticipated.
Conclusions
Current findings indicate that behaviors with the goal of proactively meeting demands under stress and perceived somatic symptoms are important mediators of the effect of stress mindset on health- and performance-related outcomes. The findings from this study provide formative data that can inform the development of future interventions aiming to encourage more adaptive responses to stress.
Students who held a mindset that stress can be enhancing engaged in more proactive coping behaviors when under stress and experienced lower levels of perceived somatic symptoms which, in turn, led to more positive health- and performance-related outcomes.
Objectives
University students commonly engage in heavy episodic drinking (HED), which contributes to injury risk, deleterious educational outcomes, and economic costs. Identification of the ...determinants of this risky behaviour may provide formative evidence on which to base effective interventions to curb HED in this population. Drawing from theories of social cognition and dual‐process models, this study tested key hypotheses relating to reasoned and implicit pathways to action for HED in a sample of Australian university students who drink alcohol.
Design
A two‐wave correlational design was adopted.
Methods
Students (N = 204) completed self‐reported constructs from social cognition theories with respect to HED at an initial time point (T1): attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, intentions, habit, past behaviour, and implicit alcohol identity. Four weeks later (T2), students self‐reported their HED behaviour and habit.
Results
An initial path model indicated attitude and subjective norm predicted intentions, and intentions and implicit alcohol identity predicted HED. Inclusion of past behaviour and habit revealed direct effects of these on HED. Effects of T1 habit on HED were indirect through T2 habit, and there were indirect effects of past behaviour on HED through habit at both time points and the social cognition constructs. Direct effects of intentions and implicit alcohol identity, and indirect effects of attitude and subjective norm, on HED, were attenuated by the inclusion of past behaviour and habit.
Conclusion
Results indicate that university students’ HED tends to be governed by non‐conscious, automatic processes than conscious, intentional processes.
Statement of contribution
What is already known on this subject?
Social cognitive factors are associated with risky alcohol consumption behaviours.
Dual‐process models are being used to explain health behaviours, such as heavy episodic drinking (HED).
What does this study add?
Past HED behaviour and HED habits have direct and indirect effects on students’ HED behaviour.
Past behaviour and habit attenuate the effects of intentions and implicit alcohol identity on HED.
Objective: Emergency service workers like police officers experience high levels of stress in the course of their regular duties. Holding particular stress mindsets may help to mitigate the ...deleterious effects of stress and promote wellbeing in workers experiencing regular stress. The study aimed to examine the processes by which stress mindsets relate to health and wellbeing in police officers. A stress beliefs model in which perceived somatic symptoms and coping behaviours mediate effects of stress mindsets on outcomes was tested.
Design: Police officers (N = 134) completed an online cross-sectional survey.
Main outcome measures: Perceived somatic symptoms, proactive coping behaviours, physical and psychological wellbeing, and perceived stress.
Results: Bayesian path analysis with informative priors revealed indirect effects of stress mindsets on psychological wellbeing and perceived stress through proactive coping behaviours and perceived somatic symptoms. Physical and psychological wellbeing, and perceived stress were predicted by stress mindsets directly, and through perceived somatic symptoms.
Conclusion: The findings support model predictions that behaviours aimed at proactively meeting demands and perceived somatic symptoms mediated the relationship between stress mindset and health-related outcomes. The findings provide further foundational knowledge on mechanisms through which stress mindset is associated with outcomes and can inform future longitudinal and experimental research.
PDF
