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Caragh Flannery

Bio: Caragh Flannery is an academic researcher from University College Cork. The author has contributed to research in topics: Psychological intervention & Medicine. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 20 publications receiving 162 citations. Previous affiliations of Caragh Flannery include National University of Ireland, Galway & National University of Ireland.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A wide range of barriers and enablers were identified which influenced women’s capability, motivation and opportunity to engage in physical activity with “knowledge” as the most commonly reported barrier.
Abstract: Obesity during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and other complications. Physical activity is a modifiable lifestyle factor that may help to prevent these complications but many women reduce their physical activity levels during pregnancy. Interventions targeting physical activity in pregnancy are on-going but few identify the underlying behaviour change mechanisms by which the intervention is expected to work. To enhance intervention effectiveness, recent tools in behavioural science such as the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and COM-B model (capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour) have been employed to understand behaviours for intervention development. Using these behaviour change methods, this study aimed to identify the enablers and barriers to physical activity in overweight and obese pregnant women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of overweight and obese women at different stages of pregnancy attending a public antenatal clinic in a large academic maternity hospital in Cork, Ireland. Interviews were recorded and transcribed into NVivo V.10 software. Data analysis followed the framework approach, drawing on the TDF and the COM-B model. Twenty one themes were identified and these mapped directly on to the COM-B model of behaviour change and ten of the TDF domains. Having the social opportunity to engage in physical activity was identified as an enabler; pregnant women suggested being active was easier when supported by their partners. Knowledge was a commonly reported barrier with women lacking information on safe activities during pregnancy and describing the information received from their midwife as ‘limited’. Having the physical capability and physical opportunity to carry out physical activity were also identified as barriers; experiencing pain, a lack of time, having other children, and working prevented women from being active. A wide range of barriers and enablers were identified which influenced women’s capability, motivation and opportunity to engage in physical activity with “knowledge” as the most commonly reported barrier. This study is a theoretical starting point in making a ‘behavioural diagnoses’ and the results will be used to inform the development of an intervention to increase physical activity levels among overweight and obese pregnant women.

85 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Goal-setting interventions appear to be associated with reduced HbA1C levels, however, the low numbers of studies identified and the risk biases across studies suggest more research is needed to further explore goal-setting BCTs in diabetes self-management.
Abstract: Background: Goal-setting is recommended and widely used within diabetes self-management programmes. However, empirical evidence around its effectiveness lacks clarity. This review aims to evaluate ...

42 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review identified a slight increase in PA for pregnant women with overweight and obesity participating in interventions, but due to the high risk of bias of the included studies, the results should be interpreted with caution.
Abstract: Behaviour change techniques (BCTs) employed within PA intervention for pregnant women with a healthy body mass index (BMI) have been previously identified, however, these BCTS may differ for other weight profiles during pregnancy. The aim of this current review was to identify and summarise the evidence for effectiveness of PA interventions on PA levels for pregnant women with overweight and obesity, with an emphasis on the BCTs employed. A systematic review and meta-analysis of PA intervention studies using the PRISMA statement was conducted. Searches were conducted of eight databases in January 2019. Strict inclusion/exclusion criteria were employed. The validity of each included study was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias. The primary outcome measure was change in PA levels, subjectively or objectively measured, with physical fitness as a secondary outcome. All intervention descriptions were double coded by two authors using Michie’s et al’s BCT taxonomy V1. Meta-analyses using random effect models assessed the intervention effects on PA. Other PA outcomes were summarised in a narrative synthesis. From 8389 studies, 19 met the inclusion criteria 13 of which were suitable for inclusion in a meta-analysis. The remaining 6 studies were described narratively due to insufficient data and different outcome measures reported. In the meta-analysis, comparing interventions to a control group, significant increases were found in the intervention group for metabolic equivalent (SMD 0.39 [0.14, 0.64], Z = 3.08 P = 0.002) and physical fitness (VO2 max) (SMD 0.55 [0.34, 0.75], Z = 5.20 P = < 0.001). Of the other six, five studies reported an increase in PA for the intervention group versus the control with the other study reporting a significant decrease for women in their 3rd trimester (p = 0.002). ‘Self-monitoring of behaviour’ was the most frequently used BCTs (76.5%), with ‘social support’ being newly identified for this pregnant population with overweight or obesity. This review identified a slight increase in PA for pregnant women with overweight and obesity participating in interventions. However, due to the high risk of bias of the included studies, the results should be interpreted with caution. PA measures should be carefully selected so that studies can be meaningfully compared and standardised taxonomies should be used so that BCTs can be accurately assessed.

34 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There is a need for clear and unambiguous information about weight management, acceptable weight gain, food safety and how to achieve a balanced diet, according to these findings.
Abstract: Maternal obesity is associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes and other complications. Although antenatal interventions to help prevent these complications are ongoing, an understanding of overweight and obese pregnant women's opinions and attitudes is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to explore these women's experiences and perceptions of dietary behaviours and weight management during pregnancy. Secondary analysis of qualitative data originally collected to examine lifestyle behaviours in pregnant women was conducted. The data were from a purposive sample of overweight and obese pregnant women attending a public antenatal clinic in Cork, Ireland. The data were explored using thematic analysis. Interviews with 30 overweight and obese pregnant women were analysed. Three themes were developed relating to overweight and obese women's dietary behaviours and weight management perceptions including 'pregnancy's influence on dietary behaviours', 'external influences on dietary behaviours' and 'perception of and preferences for weight related advice and resources'. Together these themes reveal women's experiences of diet and how pregnancy factors (physiological changes) and external factors (family and friends) can influence dietary behaviours. Furthermore, perceptions of weight management advice and lack thereof were highlighted with women drawing attention to potential resources for future use during pregnancy. This study provides important insights into overweight and obese pregnant women's dietary behaviours and perceptions of weight management. According to these findings, there is a need for clear and unambiguous information about weight management, acceptable weight gain, food safety and how to achieve a balanced diet.

17 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2019-BMJ Open
TL;DR: HCPs need to have standardised approaches and evidence-based guidelines that support the consistent monitoring and management of weight during pregnancy, as identified by four themes identified the complexity of weight management in pregnancy.
Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to explore healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) beliefs and attitudes towards weight management for pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2. Design Qualitative study. Setting A public antenatal clinic in a large academic maternity hospital in Cork, Ireland, and general practice clinics in the same region. Participants HCPs such as hospital-based midwives and consultant obstetricians and general practitioners (GPs). Method Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of hospital-based HCPs and a sample of GPs working in the same region. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using NVivo software. Results Seventeen HCPs were interviewed (hospital based=10; GPs=7). Four themes identified the complexity of weight management in pregnancy and the challenges HCPs faced when trying to balance the medical and psychosocial needs of the women. HCPs acknowledged weight as a sensitive conversation topic, leading to a ‘softly-softly approach’ to weight management. HCPs tried to strike a balance between being woman centred and empathetic and medicalising the conversation. HCPs described ‘doing what you can with what you have’ and shifting the focus to managing obstetric complications. Furthermore, there were unclear roles and responsibilities in terms of weight management. Conclusion HCPs need to have standardised approaches and evidence-based guidelines that support the consistent monitoring and management of weight during pregnancy.

16 citations


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01 Jan 2016
TL;DR: The applied latent class analysis is universally compatible with any devices to read and is available in the book collection an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly.
Abstract: Thank you very much for downloading applied latent class analysis. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have look numerous times for their chosen novels like this applied latent class analysis, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they are facing with some malicious virus inside their laptop. applied latent class analysis is available in our book collection an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our digital library saves in multiple locations, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the applied latent class analysis is universally compatible with any devices to read.

471 citations

Journal ArticleDOI

309 citations

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors carried out a preliminary examination of a research instrument developed specifically to collect cost information for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and found that there is very little cost information on children or adults with autism or autism-related disorder, and no study appears to have carried out specific cost collection in this area.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to carry out a preliminary examination of a research instrument developed specifically to collect cost information for individuals with autistic spectrum disorder. There is very little cost information on children or adults with autism or autism-related disorder, and no study appears to have carried out a specific cost collection in this area. Although some global cost estimates can be made, little is known about the cost implications of parental burden. By using different techniques to collect indirect costs, the study outlines a functional methodology. Results from this small pilot study point to considerable economic burden for parents and give some indication of the associated costs of autistic spectrum disorder.

186 citations

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a conceptual frame within which a broad range of behavioral spillovers can be accounted for when applying behavioral science to policy challenges, and find pervasive evidence for all kinds of spillover effects across a variety of fields and domains.
Abstract: No behavior sits in a vacuum, and one behavior can greatly affect what happens next. We propose a conceptual frame within which a broad range of behavioral spillovers can be accounted for when applying behavioral science to policy challenges. We consider behaviors which take place sequentially and are linked, at a conscious or unconscious level, by some underlying motive. The first behavior leads to another behavior which can either work in the same direction as the first (promoting spillover), or push back against it (permitting or purging spillover). Looking through this conceptual lens at the existing evidence, we find pervasive evidence for all kinds of spillover effects across a variety of fields and domains. As a result, behavioral scientists, especially those seeking to inform policy, should try to capture all the ripples from one behavior to the next when a pebble of intervention is thrown in the pond, and not just at the immediate behavioral splash it makes.

128 citations