Showing papers in "Journal of Health Psychology in 2013"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provided population norms for the Short Form Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) and investigated the relationship between PSS-4 scores and sociodemographic variables.
Abstract: This article provides population norms for the Short Form Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4) and investigates the relationship between PSS-4 scores and sociodemographic variables. The PSS-4 was administered to an English sample (n = 1568) and was found to have acceptable psychometric properties. Sociodemographic variables explained 19.5% of variance in PSS-4 scores, and mean PSS-4 scores were significantly different from the mean scores reported in Cohen and Williamson's original study. Greater levels of perceived health status, greater levels of social support, being male and being older were predictive of lower PSS-4 scores. Norm values for interpreting PSS-4 scores are presented.
362 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a meta-analysis of eligible studies assessing the bivariate association between social capital and self-reported health and all-cause mortality was performed, showing social capital increased odds of good health by 27 percent (95% confidence intervals [CI] =21, 34%).
Abstract: Social capital refers to various levels of social relationships formed through social networks. Measurement differences have lead to imprecise measurement. A meta-analysis of eligible studies assessing the bivariate association between social capital and self-reported health and all-cause mortality was performed. Thirty-nine studies met inclusion criteria, showing social capital increased odds of good health by 27 percent (95% confidence intervals [CI] =21%, 34%). Social capital variables, reciprocity increased odds of good health by 39 percent (95% CI = 21%, 60%) and trust by 32 percent (95% CI =19%, 46%). Future research suggests operationalizing measures by assessing differences by race/ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic status.
173 citations
TL;DR: The findings do not support the view hypothesizing that burnout and depression are separate entities and question the nosological added value of the burnout construct.
Abstract: The link between burnout and depression remains unclear. In this study, we compared depressive symptoms in 46 burned-out workers, 46 outpatients experiencing a major depressive episode, and 453 burnout-free workers to test the distinctiveness of burnout as a clinical entity. Participants with burnout and major depressive episode reported similar, severe levels of overall depressive symptoms. The between-syndrome overlap was further verified for eight of the nine major depressive episode diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Our findings do not support the view hypothesizing that burnout and depression are separate entities and question the nosological added value of the burnout construct.
167 citations
TL;DR: This paper explored participants' experience of fear associated with participation in extreme sports and found that participants' experiences of extreme sports were revealed in terms of intense fear, but this fear was integrated and experienced as a potentially meaningful and constructive event in their lives.
Abstract: Extreme sports are traditionally explored from a risk-taking perspective which often assumes that participants do not experience fear. In this article we explore participants' experience of fear associated with participation in extreme sports. An interpretive phenomenological method was used with 15 participants. Four themes emerged: experience of fear, relationship to fear, management of fear, and fear and self-transformation. Participants' experience of extreme sports was revealed in terms of intense fear but this fear was integrated and experienced as a potentially meaningful and constructive event in their lives. The findings have implications for understanding fear as a potentially transformative process.
131 citations
TL;DR: Grit and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) Conscientiousness dimension were examined with respect to the transtheoretical model (TTM) stages of change for exercise behavior to suggest that grit is a potentially important differentiator of TTM stage for moderate and high intensity exercise.
Abstract: Grit and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) Conscientiousness dimension were examined with respect to the transtheoretical model (TTM) stages of change for exercise behavior. Participants (N = 1171) completed an online survey containing exercise-related TTM staging questions, the Short Grit Scale and BFI Conscientiousness. Ordinal regression analyses showed that grit significantly predicted high intensity and moderate intensity exercise TTM stage while BFI Conscientiousness did not. The results suggest that grit is a potentially important differentiator of TTM stage for moderate and high intensity exercise.
125 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that three moderating factors must be considered: support-approving norms (cultural context); support-requiring situations (stressful events); and support-accepting personal style (low neuroticism).
Abstract: Although it is commonly assumed that social support positively predicts health, the empirical evidence has been inconsistent. We argue that three moderating factors must be considered: (1) support-approving norms (cultural context); (2) support-requiring situations (stressful events); and (3) support-accepting personal style (low neuroticism). Our large-scale cross-cultural survey of Japanese and US adults found significant associations between perceived support and health. The association was more strongly evident among Japanese (from a support-approving cultural context) who reported high life stress (in a support-requiring situation). Moreover, the link between support and health was especially pronounced if these Japanese were low in neuroticism.
113 citations
TL;DR: Findings may be related to the psychological and physical hazards of firefighting and indicate the importance of research on associated professions.
Abstract: This study aimed to assess the associations between mental health conditions, individual and job characteristics and sleep disturbances among firefighters. Of 303 participants, 51.2% reported sleep disturbances. Psychological distress and psychosomatic disturbances were significantly associated with sleep disturbances. Suicidal ideation, unhealthy alcohol use and time as a firefighter were also associated with sleep disturbances but at a borderline level of significance (0.05 < p < .085). These findings may be related to the psychological and physical hazards of firefighting and indicate the importance of research on associated professions.
92 citations
TL;DR: This article draws upon a series of qualitative and quantitative studies undertaken in the development and evaluation of a bowel cancer screening decision aid for low literacy populations to indicate that different types of health literacy are required in decision-making.
Abstract: This article explores the concept and measurement of health literacy in the context of shared health decision-making. It draws upon a series of qualitative and quantitative studies undertaken in the development and evaluation of a bowel cancer screening decision aid for low literacy populations. The findings indicate that different types of health literacy (functional, interactive and critical) are required in decision-making and present a set of instruments to assess and discriminate between higher level health literacy skills required for engagement in decision-making. It concludes that greater sophistication in both the definition and measurement of health literacy in research is needed.
90 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that the prevention of heightened body dissatisfaction during the reproductive phase will only be effective when models of risk factors have been examined systematically and rigorously.
Abstract: This article systematically reviews the literature pertaining to correlates of body dissatisfaction during pregnancy. A total of 8 electronic databases were searched and 251 papers identified, 56 of which met inclusion criteria. Full text scrutiny of these papers reduced the final list of reviewed papers to 22. Results of the review highlight that psychological factors were associated with body dissatisfaction during pregnancy, and noted the surfeit of studies examining the relationship was between body dissatisfaction and depression. It is concluded that the prevention of heightened body dissatisfaction during the reproductive phase will only be effective when models of risk factors have been examined systematically and rigorously.
82 citations
TL;DR: Experiences of men currently using eating disorder services are explored, finding difficulty admitting the eating disorder may link with eating disorder psychopathology as well as gender-specific issues.
Abstract: This study aimed to explore experiences of men currently using eating disorder services. Eight men from two eating disorder services were interviewed about their experiences of seeking and receiving treatment. Two superordinate themes emerged from Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: (1) difficulty seeing self as having an eating disorder; and (2) experiences of treatment: how important is gender? The underlying themes varied in their specificity to men, with some echoing findings from the female eating disorder literature. Difficulty admitting the eating disorder may link with eating disorder psychopathology as well as gender-specific issues. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
80 citations
TL;DR: There were minimal differences across ED sub-diagnoses and various cross-cultural differences emerged and reduced social activities may be an important risk and maintaining factor for ED symptomatology.
Abstract: The objective of this article was to examine lifestyle behaviours in eating disorder (ED) patients and healthy controls. A total of 801 ED patients and 727 healthy controls from five European countries completed the questions related to lifestyle behaviours of the Cross-Cultural Questionnaire (CCQ). For children, the ED sample exhibited more solitary activities (rigorously doing homework [p<0.001] and watching TV [p<0.05] and less socializing with friends [p<0.05]) than the healthy control group and this continued in adulthood. There were minimal differences across ED sub-diagnoses and various cross-cultural differences emerged. Reduced social activities may be an important risk and maintaining factor for ED symptomatology.
TL;DR: This qualitative study explores the perceptions of participation in people with differing socio-economic status with themes related to health literacy and relationship with health-care professionals.
Abstract: Participation in health care is an important element of self-management in chronic illness, and policy emphasises patient’s choice. Evidence suggests that this may be inequitable and inadequate, since active participation is strongly associated with socio-demographic variables. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of participation in people with differing socio-economic status with themes related to health literacy and relationship with health-care professionals. Patients perceive participation in different ways, related to their prior expectations of a health-care consultation, cultural expectations and social position. Policies aimed at simply improving ‘health literacy’ and choice will not be successful if these broader disparities are not addressed.
TL;DR: Spousal undermining is relatively rare but is associated with patients’ disease management and warrants further investigation to better understand how spouses influence partners’ day-to-day management of chronic diseases.
Abstract: Marriage can enhance health for individuals with a chronic disease, yet spouses may also undermine disease management. The current study investigated spousal undermining of dietary regimen in 129 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 40 patients reported that their spouses tempted them with forbidden foods, and 15 reported that their spouses conveyed disregard for their diabetic diet. Spousal tempting was associated with worse dietary adherence, and spousal disregard with worse nondietary adherence. Spousal undermining is relatively rare but is associated with patients' disease management and warrants further investigation to better understand how spouses influence partners' day-to-day management of chronic diseases.
TL;DR: Both invalidation and social support were additively associated with patients’ mental health, but only discounting was significantly associated with Patients’ physical health.
Abstract: This study examined whether social support and invalidation (lack of understanding and discounting by others) are differently associated with physical and mental health. Participants were 1455 patients with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, osteorarthritis, or another rheumatic disease. Participants completed online questionnaires. Social support correlated negatively with discounting responses of others (moderately) and lack of understanding (strongly). Both invalidation and social support were additively associated with patients' mental health, but only discounting was significantly associated with patients' physical health. This suggests that improving health of patients with rheumatic diseases requires the consideration of both social support and invalidation.
TL;DR: Qualitative analysis indicated that 28% of focus group comments were related to emotional health, 27% to social participation, 26% to physical health, 10% to cognitive health, and 9% to end of life issues.
Abstract: This qualitative study explored health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in individuals with Huntington disease (HD). Sixteen focus groups were conducted (n = 6 groups with symptomatic HD individuals; n = 5 with individuals who are at-risk or prodromal for HD; n = 3 non-clinical HD caregivers; n = 2 groups with HD clinicians). Qualitative analysis indicated that 28% of focus group comments were related to emotional health, 27% to social participation, 26% to physical health, 10% to cognitive health, and 9% to end of life issues. Findings highlight the importance of developing HD-targeted items to ensure sensitive assessment of HRQOL in HD research and clinical practice.
TL;DR: A survey examined how perceived benefits of organ donation for others and the self affect people’s willingness to register as donors, finding that empathic concern predicted donation willingness and moderated the effect of other-benefit perceptions.
Abstract: Trait empathy and self-interest exert a strong influence on different prosocial behaviors, but their role in the promotion of organ donation registration is unclear. A survey examined how perceived benefits of organ donation for others and the self affect people's willingness to register as donors. Perceived other-benefits did not predict registration. Those with lower risk and greater self-benefit perceptions were more willing to donate. Empathic concern predicted donation willingness and moderated the effect of other-benefit perceptions, such that other-benefit perceptions predicted donation willingness among those with greater empathic concern. Applications of these findings to organ donation promotion are discussed.
TL;DR: This study is a systematic review of the studies that looked at sense of coherence in adolescent samples and valuable information is provided regarding the characteristics of the samples, the reliability of the sense ofCoherence scale versions, the influence of demographic variables and how family, school, peers and neighbourhood impact sense ofcoherence development.
Abstract: The salutogenic model has led to revolutionary changes in the study of health. In recent years, a large amount of research has been carried out on the relationship between sense of coherence and health, but relatively little is known about sense of coherence in adolescence. This study is a systematic review of the studies that looked at sense of coherence in adolescent samples. Valuable information is provided regarding the characteristics of the samples, the reliability of the sense of coherence scale versions, the influence of demographic variables and how family, school, peers and neighbourhood impact sense of coherence development. Furthermore, future directions for the study of sense of coherence in adolescence are provided.
TL;DR: Interventions need to be directed towards ameliorating the impact of challenging behaviours, but not social support, moderated this association: parents of children with intellectual disabilities reported poorer physical health when both challenges and stress were perceived to be high.
Abstract: The present study examined the moderating role of social support and challenging behaviour on the stress- physical health relationship in parents caring for children with intellectual disabilities. Parents of children with intellectual disabilities (n = 70) reported more physical health problems compared to control parents (n = 45) and were more likely to visit their general practitioner. Furthermore, challenging behaviours, but not social support, moderated this association: parents of children with intellectual disabilities reported poorer physical health when both challenging behaviours and stress were perceived to be high. These findings suggest that interventions need to be directed towards ameliorating the impact of challenging behaviours.
TL;DR: New initiatives in health literacy must bring attention to the demands and expectations of health systems and to the proficiencies of the various health professionals who prepare documents and information for the public and who interact with communities and patients.
Abstract: Insights for action in the relatively new field of health literacy have been constrained by the emphasis on the literacy skills of the individuals. Early studies into the relationship between literacy and health outcomes were not appropriately balanced with examinations of individuals' skills and health system demands. Most studies focused on the measures of patients' reading skills without due attention to the health tasks undertaken, the health materials used, or the skills of providers with whom patients were interacting. Furthermore, public health is founded on the epidemiologic notion of the reciprocal relationship between individuals and environments. Early studies in health literacy did not attend to context-the physical and social environment of health-care settings. New initiatives in health literacy must bring attention to the demands and expectations of health systems and to the proficiencies of the various health professionals who prepare documents and information for the public and who interact with communities and patients.
TL;DR: In seven studies, modest correlation was evident between generalized anxiety disorder and depression, Fisher’s Z = .30 (95% confidence interval: .19–.42), suggesting that each psychiatric disorder is best conceptualized as contributing unique variance to coronary heart disease prognosis.
Abstract: Generalized anxiety disorder prevalence and comorbidity with depression in coronary heart disease patients remain unquantified. Systematic searching of Medline, Embase, SCOPUS and PsycINFO databases revealed 1025 unique citations. Aggregate generalized anxiety disorder prevalence (12 studies, N = 3485) was 10.94 per cent (95% confidence interval: 7.8-13.99) and 13.52 per cent (95% confidence interval: 8.39-18.66) employing Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria (random effects). Lifetime generalized anxiety disorder prevalence was 25.80 per cent (95% confidence interval: 20.84-30.77). In seven studies, modest correlation was evident between generalized anxiety disorder and depression, Fisher's Z = .30 (95% confidence interval: .19-.42), suggesting that each psychiatric disorder is best conceptualized as contributing unique variance to coronary heart disease prognosis.
TL;DR: Internalized stigma strongly related to poorer outcomes while resistance demonstrated a weaker, opposite effect, and interventions to reduce internalized stigma and leverage resistance are warranted.
Abstract: Illness stigmatization among inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) is poorly understood. We aim to characterize internalized stigma and stigma resistance in IBD patients, and evaluate their relationships to outcomes. A total of 191 IBD patients reported internalized stigma, resistance, demographic and clinical information, and several outcomes: health-related quality of life (HRQOL), psychological distress, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. Overall 36% experienced internalized stigma and 88% moderate to high stigma resistance behaviors. Internalized stigma strongly related to poorer outcomes while resistance demonstrated a weaker, opposite effect. Internalized stigma and stigma resistance are important considerations for IBD outcomes. Interventions to reduce internalized stigma and leverage resistance are warranted.
TL;DR: This study adopted a discursive approach to explore how not drinking alcohol (non-drinking) is construed in relation to masculine identity among 12 undergraduate interviewees and revealed three prominent discourses.
Abstract: This study adopted a discursive approach to explore how not drinking alcohol (non-drinking) is construed in relation to masculine identity among 12 undergraduate interviewees Three prominent discourses were revealed First, non-drinking was constructed as something strange requiring explanation Second, contradictory discourses constructed non-drinking as, simultaneously, unsociable yet reflective of greater sociability Third, non-drinking was constructed as something which has greater negative social consequences for men than for women Opportunities for challenging traditional gender role expectations are considered
TL;DR: The data analysis revealed no regret as the women described engaging in meaningful, generative activities that contributed to society and the experiences and processes of making the choice.
Abstract: Choosing not to have children is considered a deviation from cultural norms, particularly the dominant pronatalist discourse; this is especially so for women. However, little research has documented the experience of Australian women who have consciously chosen to remain childless. Ten voluntarily childfree women participated in unstructured interviews about their choice and its ramifications. The data analysis revealed three broad themes - the experiences and processes of making the choice; the ongoing effects of their choice, ranging from support and acceptance to pressure and discrimination; and no regret as the women described engaging in meaningful, generative activities that contributed to society.
TL;DR: This article presents an example of a community-based project that adopts an empowerment education model in health literacy and concludes with the assertion that although developing health literacy skills is important, the authors must never lose sight of unbalanced power relations and unfair structures that hinder positive social change.
Abstract: The concept of health literacy is evolving. The re-emergence of Freireian-inspired health literacy projects moves the conceptualisation of health literacy from merely the ability to apply functional literacy skills in a health-care context to a wider ability to exert control over the determinants of health. This article presents an example of a community-based project that adopts an empowerment education model in health literacy. Based within a small indigenous community in the Philippines, participants were engaged in critical reflection to gain a better understanding of how health is conceptualised within their socio-economic and political environment and its implications for practice, power relations and subjective experiences. The article concludes with the assertion that although developing health literacy skills is important, we must never lose sight of unbalanced power relations and unfair structures that hinder positive social change.
TL;DR: The study has identified specific illness perceptions of inflammatory bowel disease sufferers that are strongly associated with patients’ quality of life and clinicians may be able to allay these significant and often unexpressed concerns, and improvequality of life for patients with inflammatory bowel Disease.
Abstract: The present study investigates illness perceptions of inflammatory bowel disease patients in an outpatient population, examining whether these illness perceptions are related to disease severity, quality of life and psychological adjustment. A cohort of 102 inflammatory bowel disease outpatients was prospectively enrolled on the study. The participants completed a questionnaire assessing illness perceptions, anxiety, depression and disease-specific symptoms. The study has identified specific illness perceptions of inflammatory bowel disease sufferers that are strongly associated with patients' quality of life. By raising and addressing these issues, clinicians may be able to allay these significant and often unexpressed concerns, and improve quality of life for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
TL;DR: Results indicate that reformulating statements into questions can avoid defensive responses elicited by textual- and graphic warning labels.
Abstract: Research on warning labels printed on cigarette packages has shown that fear inducing health warnings might provoke defensive responses. This study investigated whether reformulating statements into questions could avoid defensive reactions. Smokers were presented with either warning labels formulated as questions, textual warning labels, graphic warning labels, or no warning labels. Participants' smoking-related risk perception was higher after exposure to warning labels formulated as questions or no warning labels than after exposure to textual or graphic warning labels. These results indicate that reformulating statements into questions can avoid defensive responses elicited by textual- and graphic warning labels.
TL;DR: Undergraduate women completed self-report measures of religiosity, life satisfaction, body appreciation, body acceptance by others, functional orientation, and intuitive eating and regression analyses showed that relationship with God contributed variance to most of the well-being variables.
Abstract: Positive body image is defined as healthy body-related attitudes that go beyond the absence of distressful symptoms. A warm and secure relationship with an important other person has been linked wi...
TL;DR: It is concluded that patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and mild to moderate depression benefit from a multidisciplinary pain management programme in contrast to anxious patients.
Abstract: We examined the relative impact of baseline anxiety, depression and fear of movement on health related quality of life at 12-month follow-up after a multidisciplinary pain management programme. One hundred and eleven patients who had chronic musculoskeletal pain (mean age 45 years, 65% women) attended during 2003-2005 a multidisciplinary three-phase pain management programme with a total time frame of six to seven months, totalling 19 days. The Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to rate anxiety, the Beck Depression Inventory depression, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia fear of movement. The generic 15D questionnaire was used to assess health related quality of life. Baseline data were collected at admission, follow-up data at 12 months. Mean health related quality of life increased significantly from baseline to 12-month follow-up. Anxiety at baseline predicted significant negative change in the health related quality of life, depression predicted significant positive change in the health related quality of life. Fear of movement did not predict any significant change in the health related quality of life. We concluded that patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and mild to moderate depression benefit from a multidisciplinary pain management programme in contrast to anxious patients. The findings imply further research with bigger sample sizes, other than HRQoL outcome measures as well as with other groups of patients.
TL;DR: The results show that by writing personal blogs, cancer patients reconstructed their life story, expressed their closure of life, and expected to be remembered after death.
Abstract: This qualitative research explored how cancer patients’ writing and reading on the Internet play a role in their illness experience. Focus-group interviews were conducted, with 34 cancer patients p...
TL;DR: Trigger factors are frequent in migraine patients, and avoidance of such factors may result in a better control of the disorder, whereas environmental factors were important trigger factors in patients with migraine without aura.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine potential trigger factors in migraine patients. A total of 126 migraine patients were interviewed about possible trigger factors for migraine. The most common trigger factors were emotional stress (79%), sleep disturbance (64%) and dietary factors (44%). Sleep and stress were significant trigger factors in patients with migraine with aura, whereas environmental factors were important trigger factors in patients with migraine without aura. Stress, sleep and environmental factors were important trigger factors in women and differed significantly from men. Trigger factors are frequent in migraine patients, and avoidance of such factors may result in a better control of the disorder.