British Journal of Health Psychology最新文献

{"title":"Emotional eating and weight status: A systematic review and meta-analysis across adolescents and adults","authors":"C. Lederman,&nbsp;N. Rigal","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.70070","DOIUrl":"10.1111/bjhp.70070","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Purpose</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Emotional eating (EE), the tendency to eat in response to emotions rather than physiological hunger, has been associated with increased Body Mass Index (BMI). However, findings remain inconsistent, and no meta-analysis has examined whether the EE–BMI association differs across developmental stages. This study aimed to synthesize evidence on the relationship between EE and weight status in youth and adults.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A systematic search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase and PsycINFO was conducted in September 2025 and updated in January 2026, yielding 2667 records. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 41 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Samples comprised youth (12–21 years; <i>k</i> = 20) and adults (≥ 22 years; <i>k</i> = 21). Random-effects models were estimated using standardized mean differences (Hedges' g).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall, individuals with elevated BMI (≥ 25 kg/m²) reported higher EE scores than those with recommended BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m²) (SMD = 0.27, 95% CI [0.18, 0.36], <i>p</i> &lt; .001), with substantial heterogeneity (<i>I</i>² = 91.8%). In subgroup analyses, EE scores were higher in obesity than in overweight (<i>k</i> = 19; SMD = 0.25, 95% CI [0.14, 0.36], <i>p</i> &lt; .001). Age moderated the association in categorical models: Using a 21-year cut-off, the effect was not significant in youth (SMD = −0.04, <i>p</i> = .774) and was significantly stronger in adults (<i>β</i> = 0.20, <i>p</i> = .020); sensitivity analyses showed a similar moderation using an 18-year cut-off, but not using a 24-year cut-off. Study-level sex composition also moderated effects, with stronger EE–BMI associations in samples with a higher proportion of women (<i>β</i> = 0.53, <i>p</i> = .037).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>EE is positively associated with elevated BMI in adulthood, whereas this association was not observed in youth. Overall, the findings support prior evidence of a positive association between emotional eating and elevated BMI, particularly in adulthood. By contrast, age-related differences suggest that this association may not operate uniformly across developmental stages.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"31 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147624261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the relation between social media, dating app use and body image dimensions: A cross-country study","authors":"Gianluca Lo Coco,&nbsp;Rachel Rodgers,&nbsp;Emily A. Harris,&nbsp;Charlotte Markey,&nbsp;Alvaro Sicilia,&nbsp;Annie Aimé,&nbsp;Jacinthe Dion,&nbsp;Laura Salerno,&nbsp;Naomi Hayami-Chisuwa,&nbsp;Hannah J. White,&nbsp;Carolyn R. Plateau,&nbsp;Antonio Granero-Gallegos,&nbsp;Christophe Maïano,&nbsp;Gian Mauro Manzoni,&nbsp;Giada Pietrabissa,&nbsp;Catherine Bégin,&nbsp;Marie-Éve Blackburn,&nbsp;Esben Strodl,&nbsp;Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz,&nbsp;Marita McCabe","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.70067","DOIUrl":"10.1111/bjhp.70067","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Social media emphasize appearance ideals, and their use may be associated with body dissatisfaction. To date, however, data on the relationships specific to certain platforms such as dating apps are scarce, as are cross-country comparisons and studies including men. Thus, this study examined the relationship between social media and dating app use and body image among young adults across eight countries and considered gender and country as potential moderators.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A sample of 5933 young adults (mean age = 21.54 years; 67.6% female) from Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United States completed an online survey. Mixed-effects regression models tested the effects of time on social media and dating apps on body image outcomes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Longer time on social media was associated with lower body satisfaction and body appreciation, and a higher drive for leanness, thin-ideal internalization and appearance comparison. Longer time spent on dating apps was associated with lower body appreciation and appearance comparison, and a higher drive for muscularity. The associations between time spent on social media, dating apps and drive for muscularity were stronger for men than for women. Few variations across countries emerged.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Greater social media and dating app use may be related to poor body image and related indicators across countries, particularly among young men.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"31 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13034889/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147576071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring how men's physical activity behaviour changes during and after the Australian Fans-In-Training (Aussie-FIT) program: A qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework","authors":"Brendan J. Smith,&nbsp;Matthew D. McDonald,&nbsp;Joanne McVeigh,&nbsp;Dominika Kwasnicka,&nbsp;Hugh Riddell,&nbsp;Andrew Maiorana,&nbsp;Bryce Brickley,&nbsp;Toby Pavey,&nbsp;Eleanor Quested","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.70066","DOIUrl":"10.1111/bjhp.70066","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Sufficient physical activity (PA) reduces the risk of chronic disease. In Australia, men experience higher rates of overweight, obesity and cardiovascular disease than women. Gender-sensitized PA interventions like Australian Fans-In-Training (Aussie-FIT) leverage men's interest in sport to promote behaviour change and have shown promise for initiating PA. However, maintaining these changes remains a challenge. While previous research has identified barriers and facilitators to men's PA engagement, fewer studies examine <i>how</i> engagement evolves over time. This study aimed to explore how men make sense of their PA behaviour change journey during and after the 12-week Aussie-FIT program.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Design</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Qualitative study using individual semistructured interviews conducted 3 months post-program.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ten men (mean age = 58.2, SD = 8.85 years) participated in interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, with themes deductively mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Five themes were developed: Rediscovering the joy of physical activity through football; Social support in multiple contexts; Physical activity becoming ‘second nature’; Seeking and seizing opportunities and ‘It really inspired me to keep going, but then it stopped’. Themes mapped to seven TDF domains, with behavioural regulation, environmental context and resources and social influences most relevant for sustaining PA. Early engagement was supported by sport-based identity, nostalgia and social connection, while later engagement involved self-regulatory strategies and transitional support needs.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These results offer novel, process-oriented insights into how men engage with PA over time, reinforcing the dynamic nature of PA maintenance and the value of tailoring interventions to support men across the behaviour change journey.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"31 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13003011/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147487276","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Illness perceptions and behavioural responses as mechanisms of change in problem-solving treatment for Veterans with Gulf War Illness","authors":"Laura M. Lesnewich,&nbsp;Darren M. Winograd,&nbsp;Shou-En Lu,&nbsp;Karen S. Quigley,&nbsp;Wilfred R. Pigeon,&nbsp;David R. Litke,&nbsp;Drew A. Helmer,&nbsp;Lisa M. McAndrew","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.70062","DOIUrl":"10.1111/bjhp.70062","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Persistent ‘medically unexplained’ physical symptoms and syndromes (PPS), an umbrella term for symptom-based conditions with poorly understood pathophysiology and aetiology, disproportionately impact Gulf War Veterans. Behavioural interventions are efficacious and recommended as first-line treatments for PPS, but the mechanisms by which these interventions work remain unknown. This study sought to identify mechanisms of change that make problem-solving treatment (PST) efficacious for Veterans living with Gulf War Illness (GWI), a common form of PPS among Veterans who served in Operations Desert Shield/Storm.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Veterans with GWI were randomized to receive either PST or an active control intervention. Analyses focused on the 135 Veterans who were randomized to the PST condition. Outcomes of interest included disability, depressive symptoms, and physical symptoms. Threatening and protective illness perceptions as well as maladaptive and adaptive behavioural responses to illness were analysed as mechanisms of change (i.e., mediators) of these outcomes over time in single-arm mediation models.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>All three outcomes were mediated by reduced threatening illness perceptions (<i>p</i>-values .032–.047) and reduced maladaptive behavioural responses (all-or-nothing and limiting responses; <i>p</i>-values .004–.007). Changes in protective illness perceptions and adaptive behavioural responses to illness were not significant mediators of PST outcomes.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Consistent with the cognitive behavioural model of PPS and the Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation, changes in negative illness perceptions and behavioural responses may act as mechanisms of change in PST for GWI.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"31 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147460543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"‘The Hero's journey’: Narratives on the transition to motherhood with cystic fibrosis","authors":"Alena J. Haines,&nbsp;Lynette Mackenzie,&nbsp;Anne Honey,&nbsp;Peter Middleton","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.70064","DOIUrl":"10.1111/bjhp.70064","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study aimed to explore the impact of cystic fibrosis (CF) on the transition to motherhood using a strength-based narrative approach. It sought to elevate the voices of women with CF and examine how they navigate pregnancy and early motherhood in the context of chronic illness.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Design</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A qualitative narrative study was conducted, led by a researcher with lived experience of CF and motherhood. The study adopted a co-constructed, interpretive epistemology to centre participant perspectives and challenge deficit-based clinical narratives.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ten Australian women with CF who had given birth within the past 5 years participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Narratives were analysed using holistic and categorical methods, including thematic coding and story mapping. Reflexive collaboration and participant validation were used to enhance trustworthiness.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Findings</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Narratives consistently followed the ‘Hero's Journey’ archetype, with participants portraying themselves as resilient protagonists. Key strengths included hope, leadership, discernment, child-focus and optimism. While healthcare providers were often described as supportive allies, antagonistic interactions—particularly during pre-pregnancy counselling—undermined trust and joy. Postpartum, women struggled to balance CF treatment with mothering roles, often prioritising their child over medical compliance. Breastfeeding emerged as a specific area of conflict between maternal values and clinical expectations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Women with CF demonstrate significant strengths in navigating motherhood, yet face systemic challenges in receiving holistic, collaborative care. This study highlights the value of lived experience-led research and calls for healthcare teams to offer more tailored postpartum support and nuanced guidance around treatment, parenting and breastfeeding.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"31 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12972211/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147391048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Do adults with cardiovascular disease risk show meaningful reactivity to physical activity measurement? Coordinated analysis across six studies","authors":"Danielle Arigo,&nbsp;Kiri Baga,&nbsp;Amanda L. Folk,&nbsp;Gabrielle M. Salvatore,&nbsp;Iris Bercovitz,&nbsp;Ria Singh,&nbsp;Laura M. König,&nbsp;Meghan L. Butryn,&nbsp;Jacqueline A. Mogle","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.70063","DOIUrl":"10.1111/bjhp.70063","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To estimate the extent of physical activity (PA) measurement reactivity among adults ages 40–60 with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), to inform best practices for addressing reactivity in PA research and intervention.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Design</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Coordinated secondary analysis across six datasets from studies that used 6–7 days of observation following the introduction of PA measurement devices. Moderators of interest were demographic and study design characteristics.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We included data from participants ages 40–60 with ≥1 CVD factors who provided device-assessed PA behaviour across 6–7 days (<i>N</i> = 1825). We used multilevel modelling to examine participants' PA behaviour (i.e., activity units, steps per day) across days, with decreases in activity indicating reactivity. The threshold for statistical significance was set at <i>p</i> &lt; .05 and standardized effect sizes of interest were semipartial correlation coefficients (<i>sr</i>s) ≥.25; we also report conversions to Cohen's <i>d</i> and corresponding equivalence tests.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>No patterns met both criteria for significance for either main or moderation effects, including tests of study design features. Results from one small study showed a decrease in steps per day across days of observation (<i>p</i> = .15, <i>sr</i> = .26, <i>d</i> = .23, 90% CI: −.03, .50), though men showed an <i>increase</i> in steps per day (whereas women decreased).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Adults in midlife with CVD risk factors show little evidence of PA measurement reactivity. We recommend continuing to examine PA patterns in individual studies, though widespread use of burdensome procedures to prevent reactivity is not warranted in this at-risk population.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"31 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12963814/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147367030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dyadic planning as a complementary process to individual planning: Physical activity in daily diaries of persons with pre-obesity or obesity","authors":"Lea O. Wilhelm,&nbsp;Nina Knoll,&nbsp;Aleksandra Luszczynska,&nbsp;Eran Bar-Kalifa,&nbsp;Ulf Elbelt,&nbsp;Silke Heuse","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.70061","DOIUrl":"10.1111/bjhp.70061","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Individual planning techniques are frequent intervention components in physical activity (PA) promotion, but it remains underdetermined whether interpersonal regulatory efforts such as dyadic planning contribute to their success. This study examines individual planning and dyadic planning as predictors of PA in persons with pre-obesity and obesity who seek outpatient treatment for intended weight loss.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Design</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Intensive-longitudinal design with 8-day daily diaries.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>One hundred and twenty-seven persons with pre-obesity or obesity who consulted an outpatient endocrinology clinic took part in a correlational 8-day daily diary study. This secondary analysis used multilevel models to explain daily self-reported PA. Planning categories (<i>no planning; dyadic planning only; both individual and dyadic planning</i>; reference category: individual planning only) were created and entered as same-day predictors.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>On days with <i>no planning</i>, participants reported being less physically active than on days with individual planning only. While <i>dyadic planning only</i> did not emerge as a unique predictor of daily PA, participants were more physically active than usual when they <i>planned both individually and dyadically</i> as compared to planning individually only. No significant planning–PA associations emerged at the between-person level.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Consistent with scant previous research, we found dyadic planning to be mainly a complementary strategy to individual planning. Day-to-day individual planning together with dyadic planning was linked to more PA than individual planning alone. Our findings indicate that including planning partners in PA promotion for individuals with pre-obesity and obesity intending weight loss may be promising.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146259703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preselected and preferred immersive virtual reality versus narrative alone to induce post-stress relaxation in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: A pilot study on perceived stress and heart rate","authors":"Gorini Alessandra,&nbsp;De Maria Beatrice,&nbsp;Checchia Sara,&nbsp;Maioli Roberta,&nbsp;Vigorè Martina,&nbsp;Krasinska Patrycja,&nbsp;Bussotti Maurizio,&nbsp;Bernardelli Luca,&nbsp;Dalla Vecchia Laura Adelaide,&nbsp;Bouchard Stéphane","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.70059","DOIUrl":"10.1111/bjhp.70059","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Several studies have shown the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (IVR)-based relaxation techniques in alleviating stress within the general population. However, few data are available on patients, or on the effectiveness of different scenarios in inducing relaxation. This pilot study aims to compare the effectiveness of three relaxation techniques—preselected IVR (IVR-PS), preferred IVR (i.e. chosen by the participant from different alternatives—IVR-PR), and narrative alone (CTR)—in reducing physiological and psychological stress in 16 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) female patients (<i>N</i> = 16, average age: 46 ± 10.66 years; average education: 13.31 ± 3.8 years; mean duration of illness: 8.56 ± 5.24 years) following an acute stress.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Patients performed a mental stress test followed by three different relaxation sessions presented in a randomized order on three separate occasions. Self-perceived stress, level of relaxation, and heart rate (HR) were monitored during the sessions. Participants' ratings of their experiences were also collected.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The results indicated that the three relaxation methods were equally effective in reducing perceived stress induced by acute stress and in lowering HR. However, greater cognitive activation was reported in the two IVR conditions compared with the narrative condition.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This is the first study to show evidence of the impact of IVR on a rare population. Despite the lack of significant differences between the two IVR and narrative-alone conditions in physiological and subjective relaxation, more than half of the participants expressed a subjective preference for the virtual experience, especially for the preferred one.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12884363/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146144269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Illness representation profiles and biopsychosocial well-being: A longitudinal study in haematopoietic cell transplantation recipients","authors":"Aleksandra Kroemeke,&nbsp;Marta Kijowska,&nbsp;Małgorzata Sobczyk-Kruszelnicka,&nbsp;Joanna Dudek","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.70058","DOIUrl":"10.1111/bjhp.70058","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>One of the modifiable determinants of biopsychosocial well-being in patients admitted for haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is the illness representation. To date, studies on illness representations have mainly been cross-sectional, treating the sample as homogeneous. We investigated distinct illness representation profiles (including illness consequences, timeline, personal control, treatment control, identity, illness concern, coherence, and emotional representation) in patients before HCT, as well as profile predictors (i.e., demographic and clinical factors) and outcomes (i.e., pre- and post-transplant biopsychosocial indicators of well-being).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Design</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A longitudinal study.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Illness representations (B-IPQ), symptoms of depression (CES-D), anxiety (GAD), loneliness (RUCLA), psychological well-being (C-PTGI-SF), and health-related quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) were measured in 202 patients (57% male; mean age = 47.38 years; mean time since diagnosis = 19.05 months) after admission for HCT and 2 weeks after discharge (<i>N</i> = 119). Unconditional and conditional latent profile analyses were applied.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Three latent illness representation profiles were identified: positive (27%), negative (19%), and ambivalent (54%). Women were more likely to belong to the negative or ambivalent profiles. Patients with more favourable illness representations reported fewer depressive, anxiety, and loneliness symptoms, both prior to and after HCT. The positive and negative profiles differentiated well between patients with greater positive psychological well-being and poorer post-transplant overall quality of life, respectively.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The results highlight the variation in pre-HCT illness representation and demonstrate how biopsychosocial well-being is related to different illness representation subgroups in a concurrent and short-term manner, indicating the practical implications of the study.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimization of a group-based intervention for people living with severe obesity (PROGROUP): Understanding fidelity to delivery and the patient experience","authors":"Lily Hawkins,&nbsp;Mark Tarrant,&nbsp;Shokraneh Moghadam,&nbsp;Dawn Swancutt,&nbsp;Rod Sheaff,&nbsp;Laura Hollands,&nbsp;Jonathan Pinkney,&nbsp;Jenny Lloyd","doi":"10.1111/bjhp.70051","DOIUrl":"10.1111/bjhp.70051","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Understanding the fidelity of delivery of complex health behaviour interventions is crucial in determining their effectiveness and identifying aspects needing refinement. PROGROUP is a group-based intervention for people with severe obesity. It aims to promote a shared social identity to support behaviour change. Data from a feasibility randomized controlled trial (fRCT) were used to assess fidelity of intervention delivery and the impact on patient experiences, to optimize the intervention for a main trial.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data from 18 patient and five facilitator interviews, audio and video data of group sessions, two fidelity checklists, support calls and a group processes questionnaire were used to assess fidelity of delivery to intervention principles, patients' experience of the intervention and areas for optimization.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The number of activities delivered and facilitator confidence and rapport with the group affected fidelity to intervention principles. The facilitators' delivery style, group composition and attendance affected the groups' sense of social identity. Accordingly, the intervention content was revised to ensure better balance between educational material and group activities, to increase facilitator confidence and enable flexible delivery.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The success of group-based interventions relies on the facilitator addressing the group's needs and creating conditions for a shared social identity to develop. Assessment of fidelity to the manual content and core function of PROGROUP enabled identification of components needing refinement, incorporating both facilitator and patient perspectives. The assessment and optimization process offer a blueprint for evaluating other group-based interventions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":48161,"journal":{"name":"British Journal of Health Psychology","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12862884/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146107608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}