摘要:

Objectives.This study reports an application of the health belief model (HBM) to the prediction of breast self‐examination (BSE) among women with a family history of breast cancer. The study also considered the influence of breast cancer worries and past behaviour.Methods.Eight hundred and thirty‐three women completed questionnaires, based on the HBM, to assess their beliefs about breast cancer and BSE. Of these women, 567 were followed‐up at 9 months when BSE frequency was assessed.Results.Discriminant function analysis was employed to discriminate among infrequent, appropriate and excessive BSE. Two functions were calculated which were predictive of group membership. The first function maximally discriminated between the infrequent BSE group and the other two groups, with infrequent self‐examiners reporting a greater number of self‐efficacy and emotion barriers, fewer benefits and less frequent BSE at Time 1. The second function maximally discriminated between the excessive BSE group and the appropriate BSE group, with excessive self‐examiners reporting higher levels of breast cancer worries and perceived severity and fewer self‐efficacy barriers.Conclusions.The results highlight the importance of focusing on excessive as well as infrequent BSE. Interventions designed to enhance women's confidence in their ability to perform BSE, coupled with attempts to reduce breast cancer worries, may encourage more appropriate and

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910704X24752

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2005

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Objectives.The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between celebrity worship and body image within the theoretical perspective of intense para‐social relationships with celebrities.Design.Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between celebrity worship and body image.Method.Three samples, 229 (102 males and 127 females) adolescents, 183 (88 males and 95 females) full‐time university undergraduate students, and 289 (126 males and 163 females) adults were administered an amended version of the Celebrity Attitude Scale, the Attention to Body Shape Scale, and the Body Shape Questionnaire –Revised.Results.Significant relationships were found between attitudes toward celebrities and body image only among female adolescents. Multiple regression analyses suggested that Intense‐personal celebrity worship accounted for unique variance in scores in body image.Conclusions.Findings suggest that in female adolescents, there is an interaction between Intense‐personal celebrity worship and body image between the ages of 14 and 16 years, and some tentative evidence has been found to suggest that this relationship disappears at the onset of adulthood, 17 to 20 years. Results are consistent with those authors who stress the importance of the formation of para‐social relationships with media figures, and suggest that para‐social relationships with celebrities perceived as having a good body shape may lead to a poor body image in femal

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910704X15257

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2005

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Objectives.This longitudinal study focused on 126 long‐term heroin users who had never been in specialist treatment for use of any drug. The primary aim of the study was to assess whether this ‘hidden’ population resembled heroin users identified with drug treatment agencies, or alternatively, to test whether heroin could indeed be used in a controlled, non‐intrusive fashion for an extended period of time.Design and methods.Recruitment was achieved through chain‐referred purposive sampling methods, and data were collected through two semi‐structured interviews. 67% of participants were re‐recruited for follow‐up.Results.Participants had levels of occupational status and educational achievement comparable to that in the general UK population, and considerably higher than typically found in heroin research. At the conclusion of the study, six participants had entered treatment. While there was evidence of intensive risky patterns of drug use among the sample, there was equal evidence for planned, controlled patterns of use. Some drug‐related negative health and social outcomes had occurred on a lifetime basis, but ongoing problems were rare, and heroin was not a significant predictor in either context. In contrast to typical samples of heroin users, high levels of negative health and social outcomes did not appear to be inevitable within this sample. Frequency of heroin use was predicted by attributional items, indicating the importance of psychological factors in drug use and addiction.Conclusions.Drug research should more fully incorporate previously hidden populations to more fully inform theory and practice. The pharmacological properties of specific substances should not be assumed to inevitably lead to addictive and destructive pat

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910704X14582

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2005

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Objective.The study used a working memory approach to examine the nature of the imagery processes underlying food cravings.Design and method.A sample of 60 dieters and 60 non‐dieters were asked to imagine either a food induction or a holiday induction scenario. Participants then performed 18 trials of either a visual imagery task (loading the visuo‐spatial sketch pad) or auditory imagery task (loading the phonological loop). Food craving was measured before and after the induction scenario, and then after every 6 trials of the imagery task.Results.Craving intensity increased following instructions to imagine the food (but not holiday) induction scenario, especially for dieters. As predicted, the visual imagery task was superior to the auditory imagery task in reducing the level of food craving.Discussion.The results confirmed the imaginal basis of food cravings. Specifically, they demonstrated that the imagery processes involved in food cravings are predominantly visual in nature. Hence concurrent tasks that load the visuospatial sketch pad of working memory can be used to reduce food cravings. The findings have potential application in the treatment of craving episodes in clinical populati

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910704X14249

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2005

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Objective.Optimism is associated with superior emotional well‐being in people with chronic and acute health problems, possibly because optimists are more likely to implement problem‐focused coping. Another interpretation posits that optimism can be a defensive response designed to diminish affective reactions to health problems. The study objective is to investigate this possibility.Design.A cross‐sectional examination of relationships between dispositional and relative optimism, threat avoidance and emotional well‐being in 85 cardiac patients.Results.Blunting, a measure of threat avoidance, was found to be associated with both optimism and emotional well‐being, and the common variance was predictive of positive affect. As expected, this link was stronger in people with low self‐efficacy for problem‐focused coping.Conclusion.These findings support a defensive interpretation of optimism amongst patients with recently‐experienced cardiac disease, particularly as the effect was more pronounced in the low self‐efficacy subsample. We discuss possible explanations for these findings and implications for the study of coping wit

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910704X15266

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2005

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Objectives.This paper demonstrates the value of a narrative approach for health psychology. It focuses on the lives of two Black men with prostate cancer, drawn from a larger study investigating the links between masculinities and prostate cancer.Design.The study was a qualitative, interview‐based study. Each participant was interviewed four times.Methods and analysis.The men were asked to describe and discuss their prostate cancer experience, as well as their lives prior to illness. In order to gain a perspective on individual experiences of men with prostate cancer, we took a narrative approach to gathering and analysing data. Results are reported through two descriptive narratives.Conclusions.The narratives of the men described in the paper show how the interaction of race with health and illness is neither predictable nor consistent at the individual level. Black men, like all men with prostate cancer, have diverse experiences and are influenced by a wide array of personal and societal factors. While the high risk of prostate cancer among Black men makes proactive interventions advisable, such interventions will be most effective if the heterogeneity of men's experiences are taken into accoun

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910704X14429

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2005

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Objectives.The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of single heterosexuals' use of condoms during each sexual intercourse.Design.Cohort of individuals followed over a period of 2 years.Methods.Respondents were 574 single heterosexual individuals who answered questions during a telephone interview.Results.Attitude, perceived behavioural control, self‐efficacy and moral norm explained 65% of the variance in intentions to use condoms (p<.0001). The determinants of condom use at 1 year follow‐up (27% explained variance) were perceived behavioural control, past behaviour, and the interaction between intention and intention stability. At 2 years follow‐up, the significant determinants were past behaviour and intention by intention stability. In the present study, intentions to use condoms which remained stable across time were strong predictors of condom use (at 1 year: β=.42,p<.0001; at 2 years: β=.39,p<.003), while unstable intentions were not (at 1 year: β=.02,ns; at 2 years: β=.19,ns).Conclusion.Intention stability is a major determinant of the accuracy of intention for the prediction of subsequent

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910704X14258

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2005

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Objectives.To explore how families make decisions about elective leg‐lengthening surgical treatment.Design.Interviews were conducted and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 1995).Methods.Data were gathered using semi‐structured interviews with nine mothers of children who had recently decided to undergo treatment.Results.Overall, the decision process was guided by the mothers' central concern to act responsibly as a parent. Thematic analysis indicated that the decision was taken in a social context where short stature could lead to discrimination and disability. The decision‐making process evolved gradually over several years as mothers and children gathered information about treatment. While mothers emphasized that ultimately it was their child's decision, they monitored the decision process and filtered the information available in an attempt to ensure that the child made a well‐informed and wise choice.Conclusions.The decision was presented as an ongoing process by the mothers, their concerns representing their desire to do their best as parents for their children. Theoretically, the mothers' description of the process can be understood in terms of their attempts to resolve an ethical dilemma. Clinical implications include recognition of the role of the psychologist in supporting mothers in their decision making and thus indirectly helping c

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910704X14609

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2005

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Objectives.This study examined the impact of the job strain model on exercise and healthy eating within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour.Design.Participants completed a questionnaire measuring the components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the job strain model. A follow‐up questionnaire a week later measured behaviour.Method.The questionnaires were completed by e‐mail. The initial questionnaire was completed by 331 employees, and 286 follow‐up questionnaires were returned.Results.Job demands affected exercise indirectly by lowering perceptions of behavioural control over exercise. However, variables from the job strain model were not related to exercise intentions or behaviour. In contrast, employees in passive jobs intended to eat more sweets and snack foods and employees in low strain jobs were more likely to realize their intentions to eat more sweets and snack foods. However, variables from the job strain model did not influence consumption of fruit and vegetables.Conclusions.While people may consider the impact of job strain on exercise whilst making decisions about whether or not to exercise, job strain has a more direct impact on healthy eating. However, job strain may only affect consumption of so‐called ‘high density’ foods, rather than foods such as fruit and

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910704X14636

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2005

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Objectives.To examine the stability of beliefs and intentions towards repeat attendance at breast cancer screening, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The aims of the study were to examine whether and how cognitions changed in the course of the programme, and whether intentions that were assessed proximally were better predictors of behaviour than those assessed distally.Design and methods.A total of 2,657 women filled out a baseline questionnaire (T1), 2 months after being invited for an initial mammogram in the Dutch Breast Cancer Screening Programme. Actual attendance data in the second and third screening rounds were subsequently collected and follow‐up questionnaires were sent to parts of the sample at four points in time: shortly before (T2) and after (T3) the second screening round, and shortly before (T4) and after (T5) the third screening round.Results.Only minor changes in beliefs and intentions were found. In the assessments shortly before screening, women were somewhat less positive about attending than in the assessments shortly after screening. Throughout the course of the programme, women's opinions about attending remained positive. In fact, women became somewhat more convinced that they were vulnerable to getting breast cancer, and that participating in screening was beneficial to them. Actual attendance in subsequent rounds of screening was higher than expected. Proximal beliefs and intentions were only slightly more predictive of actual behaviour than distal beliefs.Conclusions.In organized breast cancer screening, beliefs and intentions remain positive and rather stable. Although our results should be interpreted with caution, due to little variation in behaviour, they suggest that the gap between intentions and behaviour could not be substantially reduced by proximal assessment of determinant

ISSN:1359-107X    

DOI:10.1348/135910704X14645

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:2005

数据来源: WILEY