摘要:

ObjectivesThis study explored young adults' experiences of using e‐health internetbased computer or mobile phone applications (apps) and what they valued about those apps.Design and methodsA qualitative design was used. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with a community sample of 19 young adults who had used a publicly available phone or internet‐based application. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants valued an attractive user interface. Structure, ease of use, personalised features and accessibility (including dual phone‐computer access) were all important to participants and users indicated that continued use depended on these design features. Many believed that a focus on calorie counting was too limiting. Some users mentioned behaviour change strategies and known behaviour change techniques utilised by apps including; self‐monitoring, goal setting and behavioural feedback. Only a few users reported positive changes in physical activity levels.ConclusionsUse of particular design features and application of evidence‐based behaviour change techniques could optimise continued use and the effectiveness of internet/smart phone interventions.Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?E‐health is increasingly used to deliver weight loss/control programs.Most e‐health programs have not been founded on evidence‐based designs and it is unclear what features and functions users find useful or not so useful.What does this study add?Weight loss app users valued structure, ease of use, personalised features and accessibility.Goal setting and feedback on calorie intake/energy balance were the most widely used behaviour change techniques.Designers should consider an extensive food database, a food scanner, and pro

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1111/bjhp.12114

年代:2015

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectivesTo improve understanding of how individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes experience the risk of diabetes and how these experiences relate to the adoption of physical activity as a protective behaviour.DesignA qualitative study using semi‐structured interview with individuals identified by screening as at high risk of type 2 diabetes.MethodsFourteen individuals, aged 40–64, were interviewed twice, with a 2‐year interval between. Participants' experiences of their risk of diabetes and physical activity were assessed. The transcribed interview data were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis.ResultsTwo themes emerged from the data: a threatening risk perception and a rejected risk perception. The threatening risk perception occurred when the risk was unexpected by the participant, but became internalized through the screening procedure. The threatening perception also involved a commitment to increase physical activity to prevent diabetes. However, short‐term anxiety and subsequently emerging hopelessness were also part of this perception. The rejected risk perception involved indifference and scepticism regarding the risk. Here, physical activity behaviour and cognitions appeared to remain unchanged. Rejection also involved difficulties in accepting one's high‐risk identity. The rejecting group lacked motivation for increased physical activity, while the other group showed determination regarding increased physical activity, often leading to success.ConclusionPerceptions of the risk of diabetes emerged as threatening or as rejected. Participants' perceptions reflected varying and intertwining emotional, cognitive, and behavioural mechanisms for coping with the risk, all of which should be recognized in promoting physical activity among high‐risk individuals.Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?Diabetes screening has few adverse psychological effects on screened individuals. Diabetes can be prevented by increased physical activity and modest weight loss among high‐risk individuals. The evidence on the effects of screening on protective behaviour is limited and inconsistent.What does this study add?High‐risk individuals' threatening perception of risk appears encouraging increased physical activity.Individuals having problems in adjusting to high‐risk identification may not be motivated to engage in physical activity for prevention.Failure to achieve the outcomes expected from lifestyle changes may lead people with threatening risk perception to a sens

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1111/bjhp.12088

年代:2015

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectivesMen's reluctance to access health care services has been under researched even though it has been identified as a potentially important predictor of poorer health outcomes amongst men. Male gender role socialization and male development may be important in accounting for men's underutilization of mental health services in theUnited Kingdom.MethodA cross‐sectional online survey was used to administer standardized self‐report measures that were subject to regression analysis. Five hundred and eighty‐one men from theUKgeneral population completed the survey, and 536 participants formed the final regression analysis.ResultsMen who score higher on measures of traditional masculine ideology, normative alexithymia, and fear of intimacy reported more negative attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help. Normative alexithymia fully mediated the effect of fear of intimacy on attitudes towards professional help seeking. In the final regression model, education significantly accounted for a proportion of unique variance in men's help‐seeking attitudes.ConclusionsHypothesized consequences of male emotional and interpersonal development and male gender role socialization were associated with men's attitudes towards seeking psychological help. These are important factors which could help to improve help seeking and mental health outcomes for men. Limitations of this study and implications for future research are discussed.Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?Men are less likely to seek help for physical and psychological problems and have poorer health outcomes across nearly all major illness and injury. Men's reluctance to access health care services is believed to be a major contributory factor to poorer health outcomes for men.What does the study add?The study is a large‐scale survey of UK men's attitudes towards professional psychological help seeking. Results provide evidence that hypothesized consequences of male gender role socialization and dominant masculine norms are associated with men's attitudes towards seeking professional psychological help.Attitudes towards psychological help seeking were associated with masculinity, alexithymia, and intimacy.Alexithymia fully mediated the effect of intimacy on men's attitudes towards psychological help seeking.Promoting help seeking in men could improve men's emotional well‐being and interpersonal

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1111/bjhp.12089

年代:2015

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ObjectivesMany interventions targeting college student drinking have focused on negative health effects of drinking heavily; however, some research suggests that social factors may have a stronger influence on the drinking behaviour of young people. Moreover, few studies have examined message framing effects in the context of alcohol consumption. This study investigated the effects of social and health consequence framing on college students' intentions to engage in heavy drinking.DesignThis study used a 2 × 2 experimental design with an appended control condition.MethodsOne hundred and twenty‐four college students (74 women;Mage = 18.9) participated in this study for course credit. Participants read vignettes that were ostensibly written by a recent graduate from the university, who described an episode of drinking in which he or she experienced either social or health consequences. These consequences were framed as either a gain (i.e., positive consequences of not drinking heavily) or a loss (i.e., negative consequences of drinking heavily). After reading the vignette, participants completed a measure of heavy drinking intentions.ResultsRegression analyses revealed that social consequences were associated with lower heavy drinking intentions when framed as a loss and that health consequences were associated with lower heavy drinking intentions when framed as a gain. These effects were stronger among those who reported higher (vs. lower) levels of previous drinking.ConclusionsResults suggest that interventions that focus on the negative health effects of heavy drinking may be improved by instead emphasizing the negative social consequences of drinking heavily and the positive health consequences of avoiding this behaviour.Statement of contributionWhat is already known on this subject?Previous studies have shown that gain frames are more effective than loss frames when highlighting the health consequences of health risk behaviours, such as heavy drinking. The heavy drinking behaviour of young people is influenced by social factors (e.g., perceived social consequences). However, little is known about framing effects for social consequences of heavy drinking.What does this study add?This study builds on previous research by demonstrating that a loss frame is more effective than a gain frame when highlighting the social consequences of health risk behaviour.Framing effects are strongest for those with more previous drinking expe

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1111/bjhp.12100

年代:2015

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1111/bjhp.12129

年代:2015

数据来源: WILEY