Giulia Rosa Policardo, A. Nerini, Cristian Di Gesto, Camilla Matera
{"title":"Body Compassion Scale","authors":"Giulia Rosa Policardo, A. Nerini, Cristian Di Gesto, Camilla Matera","doi":"10.1027/2512-8442/a000088","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/a000088","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Background: In recent years, body image research has focused on the aspects of positive body image ( Smolak & Cash, 2011 ). This represents an important change in this area from a primary focus on negative body image to a comprehensive exploration of the body image concept. Aims: Validation of measures to help understand the positive and healthy characteristics of body image is therefore particularly important. The Body Compassion Scale (BCS; Altman, Linfield, et al., 2017 ) is a self-report scale aimed at measuring how compassionate one feels toward one’s own body. This study is a validation of BCS to confirm its factor structure and to assess its reliability and validity. Method: The 23-item scale was translated into Italian and presented to a sample of 695 Italian women. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed to examine the factor structure of the Italian version of the BCS. Results: Results were largely comparable to those obtained for the original English version of the BCS. The three-factor structure was largely replicated and expected associations with body dissatisfaction, psychological inflexibility, and psychological well-being were found. Limitations: BCS reliability was assessed only in terms of internal consistency; a longitudinal research design could be useful to assess the test-retest reliability. It would also be important for future research to study body compassion in different populations. Conclusion: This scale could be a useful measure for structured psychological interventions aimed at promoting a positive body image, but also in empirical research to obtain information on how individuals relate to their bodies.","PeriodicalId":51983,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Health Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2021-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78428002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Garrett E. Huck, Emre Umucu, Shaina Shelton, Dana Brickham, S. Smedema
{"title":"An Evaluation of the PERMA Model as a Framework for Reducing Psychiatric Comorbidity in Individuals With Alopecia Areata","authors":"Garrett E. Huck, Emre Umucu, Shaina Shelton, Dana Brickham, S. Smedema","doi":"10.1027/2512-8442/a000086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/a000086","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is among the most common immunological conditions. Although AA is considered to be a medically benign condition, those living with AA often report comorbid psychiatric conditions, high levels of functional impairment, and diminished quality of life. These consequences are largely due to the unique psychological turmoil associated with the condition. Unfortunately, little research has considered how to improve quality of life outcomes for this group. Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the PERMA framework of well-being is associated with the individual subjective experience of AA. A greater understanding of how PERMA applies to this group holds promise for assisting clinicians with devising psychosocial coping strategies for this population. Method: 274 individuals were recruited for participation. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between the PERMA variables and AA-related (a) subjective symptoms (e.g., self-consciousness, sadness) and (b) relationship impact (e.g., perceived attractiveness). Each analysis controlled for demographic and condition-specific variables. Results: Demographic and PERMA variables were found to be significantly associated with positive experiences of each quality of life outcome. Limitations: The male to female ratio of participants was biased toward females. Furthermore, the nature of cross-sectional survey research has inherent limitations. Conclusion: The findings provide support for a relationship between PERMA variables and quality of life outcomes among people with AA. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.","PeriodicalId":51983,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Health Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2021-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74976052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thomas Fankhänel, Benjamin Jovan Panic, Marcus A. Schwarz, Katrin Schulz, T. Frese
{"title":"Treating Excessive Consumers With Brief Intervention to Reduce Their Alcohol Consumption","authors":"Thomas Fankhänel, Benjamin Jovan Panic, Marcus A. Schwarz, Katrin Schulz, T. Frese","doi":"10.1027/2512-8442/A000079","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/A000079","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Background: General Practitioners’ (GP) readiness to implement screening and brief intervention to reduce alcohol consumption of excessive consumers is low. Although several barriers were identified by past research, improving these conditions has not led to improved implementation. Based on Expectancy Value Theory of Achievement Motivation we assume that low seriousness of the health problem in association with the treatment of excessive alcohol consumers may be considered as a crucial barrier too. Aims: By our study, we tested for the influence of the seriousness of the health problem on the GP’s readiness to implement brief intervention (BI) in comparison to crucial barriers such as insufficient financial reimbursement and low patient adherence. Method: In order to manipulate the seriousness of the health problem GPs were confronted with three different situations each introducing a fictitious patient with either excessive alcohol consumption, or binge drinking, or harmful alcohol consumption. Results: Questionnaires of 185 GPs were analyzed. As hypothesized GPs were less ready to treat patients with excessive consumption in comparison to patients with harmful consumption, t(184) = 5.51, p < .001, d = .40, and binge drinking, t(184) = 6.14, p < .001, d = .43. Their readiness was higher in case of high adherence, F(1, 181) = 17.35, p < .001, η2 = .09. Limitations: Recruitment of GPs was based on voluntary participation. GPs had to assess their readiness in the artificial context of case vignettes. Conclusion: GPs’ readiness to implement a BI was influenced by the seriousness of the health problem and expected patient adherence. No such effect was found for financial reimbursement.","PeriodicalId":51983,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Health Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2021-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73557637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigating Attachment Insecurity and Somatosensory Amplification, and the Mediating Role of Interpersonal Problems","authors":"D. Kealy, S. Rice, G. Chartier, Daniel W. Cox","doi":"10.1027/2512-8442/A000078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/A000078","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Background: Somatosensory amplification involves perceptual sensitivity to and cognitive-affective interpretation of bodily sensations and external stimuli, contributing to heightened experiences of somatic symptoms. However, little is known about somatosensory amplification in relation to vulnerabilities such as attachment insecurity. Aims: The present study investigated the link between attachment insecurity and somatosensory amplification, including the mediating role of dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors. Method: A sample of 245 adult community members completed the Somatosensory Amplification Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and abbreviated versions of the Experiences in Close Relationships scale and Inventory of Interpersonal Problems. Correlational and regression analyses were used to examine relations among study variables, including a hypothesized parallel mediation model. Results: Somatosensory amplification was significantly associated with attachment anxiety, but not attachment avoidance. Regression analyses, controlling for general anxiety symptoms and gender, found that interpersonal sensitivity (but not aggression or ambivalence) mediated the link between attachment anxiety and somatosensory amplification. Limitations: Study limitations include the use of cross-sectional data and a non-clinical sample. Conclusion: The findings indicate that somatosensory amplification may be related to individuals’ attachment anxiety, through the mediating effect of interpersonal sensitivity problems.","PeriodicalId":51983,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Health Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2021-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75683919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evidence on the Conceptual Distinctness of Normal Grief From Depression","authors":"J. Wittkowski, R. Scheuchenpflug","doi":"10.1027/2512-8442/A000077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/A000077","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Background: The distinctness of grief from depression has been the subject of a long scholarly debate, even influencing definitions of diagnostic criteria. Aims: This study aims at clarifying the issue by a multifaceted analysis of data from a large German sample. Method: A community sample of 406 bereaved persons answered the Wuerzburg Grief Inventory (WGI), a multidimensional grief questionnaire designed to measure normal grief in the German language, and the General Depression Scale – Short Version (GDS-S), a self-report depression scale. Data were analyzed by factor analysis to identify structural (dis-)similarities of the constructs, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to identify the influence of the factors relationship to the deceased, type of death, and time since loss on grief measures and depression scores. Results: Factor analysis clustered items referring to grief-related impairments and depression into one factor, items referring to other dimensions of grief on separate factors, however. Relationship to the deceased influenced the grief measures impairments and nearness to the deceased, but not depression scores if controlled for impairments. Type of death showed specific effects on grief scores, but not on depression scores. Time since loss influenced grief scores, but not depression scores. Limitations: The analysis is based on a self-selected community sample of grieving persons, self-report measures, and in part, on cross-sectional data. Conclusion: Factor analysis and objective data show a clear distinction of dimensions of grief and depression. The human experience of grief contains a sense of nearness to the lost person, feelings of guilt, and positive aspects of the loss experience in addition to components resembling depression.","PeriodicalId":51983,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Health Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2021-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85011511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Computerized Adaptive Testing for Sleep Disorders","authors":"Menghua She, Yaling Li, Dongbo Tu, Yan Cai","doi":"10.1027/2512-8442/A000076","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/A000076","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Background: As more and more people suffer from sleep disorders, the need to develop an efficient, inexpensive, and accurate assessment tool for screening sleep disorders has become more urgent. Aim: The aim of the current study was to develop a system allowing computerized adaptive testing for sleep disorders (CAT-SD). Methods: A large sample ( N = 1,304) was recruited to construct an item bank for CAT-SD and to investigate the psychometric characteristics of CAT-SD. First, analyses of unidimensionality, model fit, item fit, item discrimination parameters, and differential item functioning (DIF) were conducted to construct a final item pool to meet the requirements of item response theory measurement. Then, a simulated CAT study with real data was performed to investigate the psychometric characteristics of CAT-SD, including the reliability, validity, and predictive utility (sensitivity and specificity). Results: The final unidimensional item bank of the CAT-SD had good item fit, high discrimination, and no DIF. Moreover, it had acceptable reliability, validity, and predictive utility. Limitations: Non-statistical assembly constraints, execution environment, construction of item bank, criterion-related validity, and predictive utility (sensitivity and specificity) of CAT-SD, and sample representativeness are discussed. Conclusions: The CAT-SD could be used as an effective and accurate assessment tool for measuring the sleep disorders in individuals and offers a novel approach to the screening of sleep disorders utilizing psychological scales.","PeriodicalId":51983,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Health Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2021-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91097751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Irrational Health Beliefs Scale and Health Behaviors in a Non-Clinical Population","authors":"L. Pitel, Eva Ballová Mikušková","doi":"10.1027/2512-8442/A000075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/A000075","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. To date, there has been inconclusive evidence on the predictive ability of health-related cognitive distortion, as measured by the Irrational Health Belief Scale (IHBS), regarding health behaviors (HBs). The aims of our study were to provide a validation of the Slovak translation of the IHBS and to assess the relationship of the IHBS with a wide range of HBs, as well as the predictive ability of the IHBS regarding HBs over and above other health-related psychological constructs. A total of 448 students attending mostly Slovak universities completed the IHBS, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, the Big Five Inventory – 2, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, and the Bratislava Health Behaviors Questionnaire. The internal consistency and temporal stability of the Slovak version of the IHBS were confirmed. The IHBS correlated moderately with medical adherence but was unrelated to substance use and an unhealthy diet. The association of cognitive distortion with the sum score of HBs was only weak, albeit statistically significant. The IHBS had weak but significant incremental power. However, two health locus of control dimensions as well as negative emotionality were more strongly related to HBs than cognitive distortion in that multivariate model.","PeriodicalId":51983,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Health Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2021-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85752001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jane E. Miller, Paul D. Windschitl, Teresa A. Treat, A. Scherer
{"title":"Comparisons as Predictors of People’s Beliefs about the Importance of Changing Their Health Behaviors","authors":"Jane E. Miller, Paul D. Windschitl, Teresa A. Treat, A. Scherer","doi":"10.31234/osf.io/xqge3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/xqge3","url":null,"abstract":"The current study tested relative strengths of different comparison beliefs for predicting people’s self-assessments of whether they should increase their health-relevant behaviors (exercise, sleep, and fruit and vegetable consumption). Comparison beliefs relevant to three standards (perceived global, local, expert standards) were evaluated. Data were combined from three similar studies (total N = 744) that had a cross-sectional, within-subject design. Participants completed importance-of-change scales regarding the three health behaviors and reported comparison beliefs and absolute behavior frequencies/amounts. Results were consistent across the three behaviors. Comparison beliefs predicted ratings of importance of changing one’s behavior, even beyond what is predicted by reports of absolute behavior frequency. Expert comparisons were consistently most predictive above and beyond the absolute estimates and the other comparison standards. There was no evidence of a local dominance effect when examining local versus global comparisons. Comparison beliefs have unique utility for predicting people’s perceived importance of changing their heath behavior. The fact that expert comparisons were consistently most predictive (and local comparisons the least) may have implications for interventions designed for encouraging behavior change.","PeriodicalId":51983,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Health Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72580692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniela Zahn, Lara K. Gomille, J. Grammes, Patricia Gottschling, C. Fottner, M. Weber, Mario Wenzel, T. Kubiak
{"title":"The Effects of Self-Control on Glucose Utilization in a Hyperinsulinemic Euglycemic Glucose Clamp","authors":"Daniela Zahn, Lara K. Gomille, J. Grammes, Patricia Gottschling, C. Fottner, M. Weber, Mario Wenzel, T. Kubiak","doi":"10.1027/2512-8442/a000037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/a000037","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Background. The glucose hypothesis of self-control posits that acts of self-control may draw upon glucose as a source of energy, leading to a decrease in blood glucose levels after exerting self-control, mirroring the temporary depletion of self-control, but supporting evidence is mixed and inconclusive. This might partly be due to using methods that are not suitable to reliably quantify glucose utilization. Aims. We aimed at examining whether self-control exertion leads to an increase in glucose utilization. Method. In a sample of N = 30 healthy participants (50% women, age 26.5 ± 3.5 years) we combined a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic glucose clamp (a well-established and validated procedure in experimental endocrinology to reliably quantify systemic glucose utilization) with a standard self-control dual-task paradigm. In the first task, the experimental group completed a variation of a paper-and-pencil crossing out letter task (COLT) that demanded self-control; the control group completed a variation of the COLT that did not demand self-control. The second task for both groups was a computerized two-color word Stroop which demanded self-control. Results. We did not find a significant main effect for time, nor a time × group interaction with respect to glucose utilization, which indicates that glucose utilization did not differ significantly over time or between groups. Limitations. Due to the time-consuming and complicated clamp method, our sample was rather small. Conclusion. Our results revealed little evidence for the notion that self-control efforts are associated with a relevant increase in peripheral glucose utilization.","PeriodicalId":51983,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Health Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2019-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77702124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Patient Prototypes","authors":"Amy E. Houlihan","doi":"10.1027/2512-8442/a000041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1027/2512-8442/a000041","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Despite large bodies of research examining perceptions of illnesses and perceptions of people who engage in various health behaviors, very little research has examined perceptions of people who have a specific illness. The aims of this research were to create a measure of “patient prototypes,” mental representations of the type of person who has a specific illness, and to examine their associations with other health cognitions and behaviors. Two survey studies (Study 1: N = 208 and Study 2: N = 246) assessed patient prototype favorability for three illnesses (skin cancer, Human papillomavirus (HPV), and type 2 diabetes) as well as constructs from the common-sense model and prototype willingness model. Patient prototypes for the three illnesses were distinct in terms of specific traits and overall favorability. Generally, patient prototype favorability was unrelated to illness representation dimensions in the common-sense model but was positively associated with some constructs in the prototype/willingness model. All three prototypes were positively correlated with perceived vulnerability. The skin cancer prototype was positively correlated with measures of behavioral willingness, behavioral intention, and actual health behavior (UV exposure). Limitations include the use of young adult participants who have relatively little experience with the illnesses examined. Measures of patient prototype favorability and health behaviors need to be further examined and refined. The novel construct of patient prototype favorability provides a foundation for future inquiry into the role that patient perceptions play in health behavior and the implications for the prototype/willingness model and the common-sense model.","PeriodicalId":51983,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Health Psychology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2019-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91019271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}