University of Massachusetts Boston

About: University of Massachusetts Boston is a education organization based out in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 6541 authors who have published 12918 publications receiving 411731 citations. The organization is also known as: UMass Boston.

Prediction and change of health behavior: Applying the reasoned action approach.

Abstract: Preface. I. Ajzen, D. Albarracin, Predicting and Changing Behavior: A Reasoned Action Approach. D. Trafimow, Distinctions Pertaining to Fishbein and Ajzen's Theory of Reasoned Action. J.N. Cappella, The Role of Discrete Emotions in the Theory of Reasoned Action and Its Successors: Quitting Smoking in Young Adults. R. Hornik, An Extension of the Theory of Reasoned Action and Its Successors to Multiple Behavior Interventions. J. Jaccard, H. Blanton, A Theory of Implicit Reasoned Action: The Role of Implicit and Explicit Attitudes in the Prediction of Behavior. H.C. Triandis, Commentary on Attitudes and Behavior. V. Ottati, N.D. Krumdick, Attitudes and Behavior: Critical Issues. M. Yzer, Does Perceived Control Moderate Attitudinal and Normative Effects on Intention? A Review of Conceptual and Methodological Issues. S.E. Middlestadt, What Is the Behavior? Strategies for Selecting the Behavior to Be Addressed by Health Promotion Interventions. D. Kasprzyk, D.E. Montano, Application of an Integrated Behavioral Model to Understand HIV Prevention Behavior of High Risk Men in Rural Zimbabwe. R.J. Wolitski, J. Zhang, Understanding and Motivating Condom Use Among At-Risk and HIV-Seropositive Persons: A Review and Demonstration of the Applicability of the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior. L. Sherr, Through the Theoretical Microscope? Comments on Kasprzyk and Montano, Wolitski and Zhang, and Middlestadt and Yzer. G. Gorn, Commentary on the Theories of Reasoned Action and Planned Behavior and Their Use in Health Promotion. E. Hopkins, C.A. Rietmeijer, Exploring HIV Serosorting as a Preventive Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Using a Comprehensive Approach to Behavioral Science Theory. S. Pick, Extension of Theory of Reasoned Action Principles for Health Promotion Programs With Marginalized Populations in Latin America. L.S. Jemmott, J.B. Jemmott, Applying the Theory of Reasoned Action to HIV Risk Reduction Behavioral Interventions. S.C. Kalichman, The Theory of Reasoned Action and Advances in HIV/AIDS Prevention. D. Holtgrave, Applied Aspects of Health Promotion Interventions Based on Theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behavior. M. Fishbein, A Reasoned Action Approach: Some Issues, Questions, and Clarifications.

The Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment: Screening for Social-Emotional Problems and Delays in Competence

Abstract: Objective To examine the reliability and validity of the 42-item Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA), a screener for social-emotional/behavioral problems and delays in competence. Method Parents in a representative healthy birth cohort of 1,237 infants aged 12 to 36 months completed the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (ITSEA)/BITSEA, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)/1.5-5, the MacArthur Communication Developmental Inventory vocabulary checklist, and worry questions. In a subsample, independent evaluators rated infant-toddler behavior. Results Test-retest reliability was excellent and interrater agreement (mother/father and parent/child-care provider) was good. Supporting validity, BITSEA problems correlated with concurrent evaluator problem ratings and CBCL/1.5-5 scores and also predicted CBCL/1.5-5 and ITSEA problem scores one year later. BITSEA measures of competence correlated with concurrent observed competence and predicted later ITSEA competence measures. Supporting discriminant validity, only 23% of high BITSEA problem scorers had delayed vocabulary. Moreover, the combined BITSEA problem/ competence cutpoints identified 85% of subclinical/clinical CBCL/1.5-5 scores, while maintaining acceptable specificity (75%). Conclusions Findings support the BITSEA as a screener for social-emotional/behavioral problems and delays in social-emotional competence.

How to transform consumers into fans of your brand

Abstract: Purpose – Brand fan pages on social networks have become very popular online services. However, empirical research on fan pages is still in its infancy. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of fan pages on the customer‐brand relationship and what motivates users to participate.Design/methodology/approach – For this a framework was developed based on classical concepts of use and gratification theory, customer engagement, and involvement theory. The model is tested using a multi‐step approach of qualitative and quantitative methods.Findings – The paper can show a significant influence from online service usage behavior on the fan page on the customer‐brand relationship. Furthermore, the paper identifies different values such as functional and hedonic content as drivers of fan‐page participation.Research limitations/implications – The results are limited by the used data set, which is not representative for all industries and is cross‐sectional. Further research could build up a...

Efficacy of an acceptance-based behavior therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: evaluation in a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a chronic anxiety disorder, associated with comorbidity and impairment in quality of life, for which improved psychosocial treatments are needed. GAD is also associated with reactivity to and avoidance of internal experiences. The current study examined the efficacy of an acceptance-based behavioral therapy aimed at increasing acceptance of internal experiences and encouraging action in valued domains for GAD. Clients were randomly assigned to immediate (n = 15) or delayed (n = 16) treatment. Acceptance-based behavior therapy led to statistically significant reductions in clinician-rated and self-reported GAD symptoms that were maintained at 3- and 9-month follow-up assessments; significant reductions in depressive symptoms were also observed. At posttreatment assessment 78% of treated participants no longer met criteria for GAD and 77% achieved high end-state functioning; these proportions stayed constant or increased over time. As predicted, treatment was associated with decreases in experiential avoidance and increases in mindfulness.

Molecular markers of early Parkinson's disease based on gene expression in blood

Abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) progresses relentlessly and affects five million people worldwide. Laboratory tests for PD are critically needed for developing treatments designed to slow or prevent progression of the disease. We performed a transcriptome-wide scan in 105 individuals to interrogate the molecular processes perturbed in cellular blood of patients with early-stage PD. The molecular multigene marker here identified is associated with risk of PD in 66 samples of the training set comprising healthy and disease controls [third tertile cross-validated odds ratio of 5.7 (P for trend 0.005)]. It is further validated in 39 independent test samples [third tertile odds ratio of 5.1 (P for trend 0.04)]. Insights into disease-linked processes detectable in peripheral blood are offered by 22 unique genes differentially expressed in patients with PD versus healthy individuals. These include the co-chaperone ST13, which stabilizes heat-shock protein 70, a modifier of alpha-synuclein misfolding and toxicity. ST13 messenger RNA copies are lower in patients with PD (mean +/- SE 0.59 +/- 0.05) than in controls (0.96 +/- 0.09) (P = 0.002) in two independent populations. Thus, gene expression signals measured in blood can facilitate the development of biomarkers for PD.