Health Psychology OpenPub Date : 2026-03-13eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1177/20551029261432387
David Del Valle, Ane Murillo, Nuria Torres, Idoia Saenz, Gloria Agesta, Edurne Arenaza, Antonia Dávila, Cristina Sarasqueta, Irene Diez-Itza
{"title":"The most influential factors in the psychological impact of an abnormal cervical screening result: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"David Del Valle, Ane Murillo, Nuria Torres, Idoia Saenz, Gloria Agesta, Edurne Arenaza, Antonia Dávila, Cristina Sarasqueta, Irene Diez-Itza","doi":"10.1177/20551029261432387","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20551029261432387","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To identify factors associated with higher levels of anxiety and poorer quality of life in women with abnormal results in a cervical screening programme. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 women aged 25-65 years with abnormal cervical screening results referred to the Cervical Pathology Clinic at Donostia University Hospital between May and November 2022. Anxiety and quality of life were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Human Papillomavirus-related Quality of Life (HPV-QoL) questionnaire, respectively. Multivariable linear regression models were used to identify factors independently associated with emotional outcomes. Higher state anxiety (STAI-S) was independently associated with greater baseline trait anxiety (STAI-T) (<i>p</i> < 0.001), a first positive HPV result (<i>p</i> = 0.05), and low-to-medium educational level (<i>p</i> = 0.03). Among HPV-positive women, poorer HPV-related quality of life was independently associated with higher baseline trait anxiety (<i>p</i> = 0.008) and lower educational level (<i>p</i> = 0.032). Baseline anxiety is the strongest determinant of emotional impact after an abnormal cervical screening result, followed by first-time HPV positivity and lower educational level<b>,</b> highlighting the multifactorial nature of emotional responses in cervical screening.</p>","PeriodicalId":55856,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Open","volume":"13 ","pages":"20551029261432387"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12988306/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147464032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology OpenPub Date : 2026-03-10eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1177/20551029261418060
Jody Geerts, Marcel Pieterse, Ester Siemerink, Peter Ten Klooster, Lucie Loman, Marleen Wensink, Falko Sniehotta, Christina Bode
{"title":"Cognitive bias modification training (IVY) countering fatigue in people with breast cancer: A waitlist-control feasibility study.","authors":"Jody Geerts, Marcel Pieterse, Ester Siemerink, Peter Ten Klooster, Lucie Loman, Marleen Wensink, Falko Sniehotta, Christina Bode","doi":"10.1177/20551029261418060","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20551029261418060","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The feasibility of a fatigue Cognitive Bias Modification training was evaluated in women on treatment for breast cancer in a multi-center waitlist-control design assessing feasibility criteria, such as recruitment, retention, and completion rates, as well as effects on fatigue bias.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Five hospitals were each asked to recruit 30 patients, who were sequentially divided in active and delayed treatment groups. Fatigue bias and self-reported outcomes (fatigue, vitality, avoidance, and all-or-nothing behavior) were measured in baseline, training, and follow-up phases.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Feasibility results were mixed with recruitment and retention not meeting predetermined criteria, but completion and variability were judged positively. Training effects on fatigue bias compared to control were found.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study evaluated a promising novel fatigue intervention. Continuation with an RCT is encouraged with recruitment and retention strategies reconsidered.</p><p><strong>Trial registry: </strong>This study's protocol (Geerts, et al., 2024) was preregistered at the Open Science Framework on October 31st, 2023.</p>","PeriodicalId":55856,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Open","volume":"13 ","pages":"20551029261418060"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12976413/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147445990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology OpenPub Date : 2026-02-27eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1177/20551029261429320
Keith Sanford
{"title":"The health-esteem model of motivation for exercise goals: A preliminary study.","authors":"Keith Sanford","doi":"10.1177/20551029261429320","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20551029261429320","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Health-Esteem Model identifies four health-behavior motivational variables that involve thinking about self-determined ideals: health-esteem, goal alignment, goal feasibility, and goal investment. This study provides a psychometric foundation for using this model to understand motivation for exercise. A sample of 401 participants considering or pursuing exercise goals completed an online survey containing a new questionnaire assessing the four Health-Esteem Model variables, along with three measures of exercise and eight existing scales assessing types of personal motivation for exercise. The new scales each produced robust correlations with exercise, explained variance that could not be explained by existing scales, and demonstrated unique associations with scales involving similar types of evaluation. The sales had bell-shaped distributions with high ceilings, adequate test-information curves, and good fit to an expected factor structure. This study provides strong psychometric support for Health-Esteem Model variables which are theoretically important for health intervention research and distinct from existing scales.</p>","PeriodicalId":55856,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Open","volume":"13 ","pages":"20551029261429320"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12949792/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147345845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology OpenPub Date : 2026-02-23eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1177/20551029251411974
Viktoria S Egele, Robin Stark
{"title":"A latent profile analysis of the sources of physical activity-specific self-efficacy.","authors":"Viktoria S Egele, Robin Stark","doi":"10.1177/20551029251411974","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20551029251411974","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although self-efficacy beliefs are an important predictor of physical activity, the origins of self-efficacy beliefs remain unclear, and a comprehensive joint perspective regarding the sources of self-efficacy is lacking. The present study investigates whether distinct profiles emerge in the sources of self-efficacy regarding physical activity. In a sample of 324 participants, latent profile analysis revealed that a five-profile solution fitted the data best. Significant differences were observed between these profiles concerning self-efficacy and physical activity. Discriminant analysis substantiated the profile assignments. Findings of this study suggest that multiple configurations of self-efficacy sources yield commendable levels of self-efficacy and physical activity. However, elevated levels of negative affect seem to have a detrimental effect on self-efficacy and physical activity, nearly irrespective of the other sources of self-efficacy. Implications of these findings for promoting self-efficacy in a person-centered manner to address the issue of physical inactivity and the concomitant health restrictions are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":55856,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Open","volume":"13 ","pages":"20551029251411974"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12929880/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147312631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology OpenPub Date : 2026-02-20eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1177/20551029261428515
Mary D Gaddy, Brent M Baum, Jamie M Nelson, Becky Kiesow, Yvonne Mullowney, William Tedrow, Laurie A Riemann, Jeannine M Brant
{"title":"Perspectives of participants undergoing holographic memory resolution<sup>®</sup> for chronic pain and associated biopsychosocial symptoms: A qualitative study.","authors":"Mary D Gaddy, Brent M Baum, Jamie M Nelson, Becky Kiesow, Yvonne Mullowney, William Tedrow, Laurie A Riemann, Jeannine M Brant","doi":"10.1177/20551029261428515","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20551029261428515","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Holographic Memory Resolution<sup>®</sup> (HMR<sup>®</sup>) is a mind-based intervention without somatic movement used to treat individuals with conditions including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain. No studies on the lived experiences of HMR exist. This phenomenological study explored the perspectives of a subset of participants undergoing HMR in a larger open-label trial for chronic pain, dysphoric memory, and accompanying biopsychosocial symptoms. Eighteen participants were interviewed one-month post-HMR regarding their lived experiences. Thematic analysis revealed HMR facilitated: (1) <i>Awareness of Coping Strategies</i> and personal creation of a safe place, visualization of color, and use of a metaphorical lockbox to store traumatic memories, (2) <i>Reframing of the Memory</i>, (3) <i>Relief and Release of Pain</i>, and (4) <i>Life Integration</i>, which involved getting their voice back and feeling empowered to strengthen connections with others. Findings highlight HMR as an impactful mind-based tool to control chronic pain and provide relief for associated biopsychosocial symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":55856,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Open","volume":"13 ","pages":"20551029261428515"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12924913/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147277961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology OpenPub Date : 2026-01-19eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1177/20551029251413630
Uwe Flick, Gundula Röhnsch
{"title":"\"It's sometimes a tightrope walk…\" - Exploring dyadic coping arrangements between young adults with chronic conditions and their peers (friends or partners) in interviewing both sides.","authors":"Uwe Flick, Gundula Röhnsch","doi":"10.1177/20551029251413630","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20551029251413630","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Living with long-term conditions requires adaptation and coping. It is unclear how young adults - often still in unstable social relationships - and their partners or friends cope with the challenges of a long-term condition. Our study aimed to explore how young adults and their friends or partners arrange themselves with this situation. In a comparative design, we interviewed 24 young adults with differing long-term conditions and 30 of their friends or partners in episodic interviews, which we analyzed with thematic coding. We identified four patterns of dyadic arrangements of coping for both sides: Joint Management and Supportive Arrangement show congruence and cooperation in dealing with the condition. Divergence and Diffusiveness illustrate conflicts and tensions. Our results show the importance romantic partners or close friends can have for dyadic disease management in young adulthood and suggest including friends and partners in training courses on long-term conditions and in professional support.</p>","PeriodicalId":55856,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Open","volume":"13 ","pages":"20551029251413630"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12816518/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146020715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology OpenPub Date : 2026-01-08eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1177/20551029251413309
Ali Ebrahimian, Morteza Mansourian, Sheida Vahidi, Fatemehsadat Alavi
{"title":"The role of artificial intelligence in promoting kindness in society: A qualitative study to advance well-being, equity, and positive social change.","authors":"Ali Ebrahimian, Morteza Mansourian, Sheida Vahidi, Fatemehsadat Alavi","doi":"10.1177/20551029251413309","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20551029251413309","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background and Objective:</b> Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to influence social behavior and public well-being. This study investigates AI's role in promoting kindness and identifies ethical strategies to foster empathy, support, and compassionate communities. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This qualitative content analysis involved purposive sampling of 30 participants, including AI experts, social scientists, religious leaders, developers, and users. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using Granheim and Lundman's method. Trustworthiness was ensured using Lincoln and Guba's criteria: credibility (via member checking), transferability (detailed contextual descriptions), dependability (audit trail), and confirmability (researcher reflexivity and documentation). <b>Results:</b> Five key themes emerged: emotional well-being, social justice, behavioral change, ethical responsibility, and education. AI fosters prosocial behavior, enhances social inclusion, and promotes sustainable relationships. <b>Conclusion:</b> When ethically and thoughtfully applied, AI can support and complement, but not replace, human relationships, particularly in promoting kindness and prosocial behaviors. This approach can strengthen social cohesion, enhance public health, and improve community well-being. Explicitly acknowledging AI's supportive role reinforces the manuscript's ethical positioning and conceptual clarity.</p>","PeriodicalId":55856,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Open","volume":"13 ","pages":"20551029251413309"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12783588/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145954144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology OpenPub Date : 2025-12-09eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1177/20551029251408544
Kimberly S Hsiung, Karishma A Datye, David G Schlundt
{"title":"Barriers and facilitators to continuous glucose monitor use in type 1 diabetes: A biopsychosocial model of the adolescent experience.","authors":"Kimberly S Hsiung, Karishma A Datye, David G Schlundt","doi":"10.1177/20551029251408544","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20551029251408544","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Our study aims to understand the barriers and facilitators surrounding continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in adolescents experiencing diabetes distress from type 1 diabetes through a biopsychosocial lens. We qualitatively analyzed interviews of 21 adolescents and coded their emotional experiences. Findings show that biologically, adolescents noted improved mood with healthier glucose ranges and future health prospects. Psychologically, adolescents preferred a sense of control over when to use, and take a break from, their CGM. Socially, they described mixed feelings surrounding how CGM use impacts relationships with friends, with family, and at school. The biopsychosocial framework captures the complexity and interplay among these factors, highlighting the desire for identity exploration, sense of belonging, and good health as important themes in adolescent diabetes management with a CGM. Clinicians can play a crucial role by bringing a biopsychosocial understanding of the CGM experience into care conversations for adolescents and families to consider.</p>","PeriodicalId":55856,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Open","volume":"12 ","pages":"20551029251408544"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12811557/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145999758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology OpenPub Date : 2025-12-07eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1177/20551029251405054
Taina Hintsa, Petri Karkkola, Juhani Julkunen, Esther Greenglass
{"title":"Time spent following the Russian-Ukranian war (RUW) and psychological distress: The role of sleep problems.","authors":"Taina Hintsa, Petri Karkkola, Juhani Julkunen, Esther Greenglass","doi":"10.1177/20551029251405054","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20551029251405054","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> The Russian-Ukranian war (RUW) broke in 2022. Finland is a neighboring country of Russia. People in Finland could be assumed to be especially vulnerable to war-related stress. We examined the relationship between time spent following the RUW from media, sleep problems and psychological distress in university students. <b>Methods:</b> The participants were university students who responded anonymously to a questionnaire. They reported their age, gender, time spent following RUW, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep problems. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS and Mplus for structural equation modeling. <b>Results:</b> The time spent following RUW from media was associated with greater psychological distress, and more sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances accounted for more than 12% of the association between time spent following RUW and psychological distress. <b>Conclusions:</b> Present findings suggest that sleep problems should be taken into account when supporting students. Support programs should emphasize the importance of sleep in psychological well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":55856,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Open","volume":"12 ","pages":"20551029251405054"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12682982/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145716717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Health Psychology OpenPub Date : 2025-12-03eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1177/20551029251406030
Katharina Weitkamp, Michelle Roth, Michaela Baumann, Guy Bodenmann
{"title":"Exploring domains and ways of expressing gratitude in older couples: A qualitative study.","authors":"Katharina Weitkamp, Michelle Roth, Michaela Baumann, Guy Bodenmann","doi":"10.1177/20551029251406030","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20551029251406030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In romantic relationships, gratitude promotes positivity, satisfaction and maintenance behaviour. However, little is known about specific domains of and ways of expressing gratitude in long-term relationships, particularly, as studies so far relied on pre-formulated self-report questionnaires that may fail to capture expressions of gratitude beyond direct verbal expressions. The research questions were: How do individuals experience gratitude in their current romantic relationship and how do they describe their partner's expressions of gratitude? Forty-three older couples were interviewed separately by phone. Interview data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Overall, a strong sense of gratitude was mentioned for the partner's personality, the relationship quality, the partner's support, their joint achievements and the life they have created together. Gratitude was expressed verbally, but also in idiosyncratic ways through love expressions, signs of affection, or gifts. To conclude, gratitude seems to be an integral part of long-term relationships and may be beneficial for healthy aging.</p>","PeriodicalId":55856,"journal":{"name":"Health Psychology Open","volume":"12 ","pages":"20551029251406030"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12678730/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145703004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}