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Shivak SM, Caissie DM, Power HA, Asmundson AJN, Wright KD. The relationship between maladaptive health beliefs, pandemic-related stress, and health anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Psychol Rep 2023; 12:69-78. [PMID: 38425889 PMCID: PMC10900977 DOI: 10.5114/hpr/169169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research has demonstrated that people experience specific distress and anxiety regarding COVID-19. This distress may consist of interconnected symptom categories corresponding to a COVID stress syndrome. Susceptibility to COVID stress syndrome may be related to one's maladaptive health beliefs; however, no research has investigated the association between maladaptive health beliefs and COVID stress. The present study explored the impact of health beliefs on COVID stress, health anxiety, and associated psychological constructs. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE This cross-sectional survey study included 221 adults (M age = 20.59, SD = 2.28). Participants completed an online survey including demographic questionnaires and self-report measures of health beliefs, COVID stress, health anxiety, and related psychological constructs. RESULTS Health anxiety, anxiety sensitivity, state/trait anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty, and depression accounted for significant variance in COVID stress (F(6, 214) = 11.18, R2 = .24, p < .001). Health beliefs (i.e., perceived likelihood of illness, medical service inadequacy, and difficulty coping) were associated with greater COVID stress, although health beliefs were not found to mediate the relationship between health anxiety and COVID stress. CONCLUSIONS Health beliefs were associated with greater COVID stress, although health beliefs did not mediate the relationship between health anxiety and COVID stress. The relationship between health anxiety and COVID stress may be better explained by other COVID-related cognitions (e.g., vaccine efficacy, dangerousness of COVID-19). The findings highlight the importance of peoples' health beliefs during the pandemic. Given anxiety's influence on peoples' behavioural responses to the pandemic, further research should identify COVID-specific cognitions for prevention of COVID stress and health anxiety.
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Airoldi S, Kolubinski DC, Nikčević AV, Spada MM. The relative contribution of health cognitions and metacognitions about health anxiety to cyberchondria: A prospective study. J Clin Psychol 2021; 78:809-820. [PMID: 34559886 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Cyberchondria involves the excessive and compulsive use of the Internet to search for health information. The present study investigated the relative contribution of health cognitions and metacognitions about health anxiety to prospective cyberchondria scores, controlling for health anxiety and hours spent online per day. METHODS A convenience sample of 221 participants was recruited for the purpose of this study with a final sample totaling 125 participants (58.4% females, Mage = 34.51 years) who completed the full survey at baseline (T0 ) and a measure of cyberchondria after 30 days (T1 ). RESULTS The results of the study showed that metacognition about health anxiety relating to beliefs about the uncontrollability of thoughts was the only significant predictor of prospective cyberchondria scores when controlling for health anxiety. CONCLUSIONS These results offer further support to the role of beliefs about the uncontrollability of thoughts in cyberchondria. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Airoldi
- Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK
| | - Daniel C Kolubinski
- Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK
| | - Ana V Nikčević
- Department of Psychology, Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames, UK
| | - Marcantonio M Spada
- Division of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, London, UK
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Waters EA, Ackerman N, Wheeler CS. Cognitive and Affective Responses to Mass-media Based Genetic Risk Information in a Socio-demographically Diverse Sample of Smokers. J Health Commun 2019; 24:700-710. [PMID: 31525122 PMCID: PMC6900866 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2019.1664676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Many individuals receive information about genomics from the mass media. When media reports are about conditions that are considered behavioral, such as smoking, they may negatively affect some health-promoting cognitions. We examined how informing adult smokers about the genetic basis for nicotine addiction influenced smoking-related health cognitions and affect and whether responses varied by socio-demographics or genetics beliefs. We recruited 392 smokers (Mage = 44.5, 52.8% African American, 51.3% no college experience, 66.2% women) from public locations in a mid-sized Midwestern city. They were randomly assigned to read a news article describing either a pharmacy's decision to stop selling tobacco (n = 78) or the discovery of a gene associated with increased risk of nicotine addiction and lung cancer (n = 314). Participants also completed a survey assessing socio-demographics, health cognitions (quit intentions, self-efficacy, response efficacy, perceived risk), affect (worry, anticipated regret), genetic determinism, and other genetics beliefs. ANOVAs revealed no statistically significant main effects of genetic information on any health cognitions or affects. Linear regressions revealed that socio-demographics and genetics beliefs moderated very few effects. This suggests that concerns that mass media-based dissemination of genetic discoveries may have detrimental effects on smoking-related cognitions and affects are likely unwarranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika A Waters
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nicole Ackerman
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Courtney S Wheeler
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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Li ASW, Figg G, Schüz B. Socioeconomic Status and the Prediction of Health Promoting Dietary Behaviours: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2019; 11:382-406. [PMID: 30884154 DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary behaviours are strongly patterned by socioeconomic status (SES). However, the role of SES in the self-regulation of health promoting dietary behaviours is not fully understood. This systematic review with meta-analysis investigated whether four individual-level measures of SES (income, occupation, education, and ethnicity) moderate the relationships between Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) variables and different health promoting dietary behaviours in adults. METHODS A systematic literature search identified 106 studies from 77 articles providing information on TPB variables, SES, and health promoting dietary behaviours-choosing health promoting foods and restricting health compromising foods. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to generate pooled correlations corrected for sampling and measurement error, and meta-regression was used to test moderating effects of study-level SES. RESULTS All TPB variables were significantly and positively associated with both health promoting dietary behaviours, with intention having the strongest correlation with behaviour. However, none of the relationships between TPB variables and health promoting dietary behaviours were significantly moderated by study-level SES. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest robust associations between TPB predictors and healthy dietary behaviour that are not patterned by individual-level SES measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georgia Figg
- University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Benjamin Schüz
- University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Dai L, Xu Z, Yin M, Wang X, Deng Y. Validation of the Chinese version of the Health Cognitions Questionnaire in Chinese college students. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:1845-1854. [PMID: 31308677 PMCID: PMC6616270 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s210842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The cognitive behavioral model is considered the most comprehensive for explaining the pathogenesis of health anxiety (HA). The model proposes 4 dysfunctional beliefs that play a vital role in developing and sustaining HA: a) the likelihood of contracting or having an illness, b) awfulness of the illness, c) difficulty coping with illness, and d) inadequacy of medical services. The Health Cognitions Questionnaire (HCQ), widely used in English populations, was developed for assessing these core cognitions. As HA is a growing problem in China, we translated the HCQ into a Chinese version (CHCQ) and examined its psychometric properties. These core cognitions were compared among individuals with and without medical conditions. METHODS A set of questionnaires that included the CHCQ and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) was used to gather data from 1,319 Chinese college students. After 4 weeks, 145 of the students completed the CHCQ again. The validity, reliability, and measurement invariance were evaluated among individuals with various medical conditions. RESULTS The final CHCQ included 19 items. A 4-factor structure was well suited to the data. Good internal consistency (Cronbach's α for total score was 0.849, subscales ranged from 0.753 to 0.841), test-retest reliability (the interclass correlation coefficient for total score was 0.762, subscales ranged from 0.626 to 0.683), and criterion validity of the CHCQ were demonstrated. Measurement and structural invariance were established. Individuals with a diagnosed disease scored higher on the likelihood-of-illness subscale (Cohen's d =0.22, p < 0.01) than those without an illness. CONCLUSION The CHCQ shows promise for the assessment of 4 core HA-related cognitions in the Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisha Dai
- Clinical Psychology Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Zan Xu
- Student Affairs Department, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Yin
- Clinical Psychology Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Clinical Psychology Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunlong Deng
- Clinical Psychology Department, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People's Republic of China.,Psychosomatic Health Institute, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, People's Republic of China
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Xanthopoulos MS, Kim JY, Blechner M, Chang MY, Menello MK, Brown C, Matthews E, Weaver TE, Shults J, Marcus CL. Self-Efficacy and Short-Term Adherence to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment in Children. Sleep 2017; 40:3852151. [PMID: 28541508 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsx096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Study Objectives Infants, children, and adolescents are increasingly being prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), yet adherence is often poor. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between caregiver and patient-reported health cognitions about CPAP prior to starting CPAP and CPAP adherence at 1 month. We hypothesized that greater caregiver-reported self-efficacy would be positively associated with CPAP adherence in children. We also evaluated patient-reported self-efficacy and caregiver- and patient-reported risk perception and outcome expectations as they related to adherence, as well as how demographic factors influenced these relationships. Methods A pediatric modification of the Self-Efficacy Measure for Sleep Apnea Questionnaire was administered to children and adolescents with OSAS-prescribed CPAP and their caregivers during the clinical CPAP-initiation visit. The primary outcome variable for adherence was the average total minutes of CPAP usage across all days from the date that CPAP was initiated to 31 days later. Results Unadjusted ordinary least-square regression showed a significant association between caregiver-reported self-efficacy and adherence (p = .007), indicating that mean daily CPAP usage increased by 48.4 minutes when caregiver-reported self-efficacy increased by one point (95% confidence interval 13.4-83.4 minutes). No other caregiver- or patient-reported cognitive health variables were related to CPAP use. Conclusions This study indicates that caregiver CPAP-specific self-efficacy is an important factor to consider when starting youth on CPAP therapy for OSAS. Employing strategies to improve caregiver self-efficacy, beginning at CPAP initiation, may promote CPAP adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ji Young Kim
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Ming-Yu Chang
- Division of Pediatric General Medicine, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Taoyuan, China
| | | | | | | | - Terri E Weaver
- College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Justine Shults
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Carole L Marcus
- Sleep Center.,Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Fowler SL, Klein WMP, Ball L, McGuire J, Colditz GA, Waters EA. Using an Internet-Based Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool to Improve Social-Cognitive Precursors of Physical Activity. Med Decis Making 2017; 37:657-669. [PMID: 28363033 DOI: 10.1177/0272989x17699835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internet-based cancer risk assessment tools might serve as a strategy for translating epidemiological risk prediction research into public health practice. Understanding how such tools affect key social-cognitive precursors of behavior change is crucial for leveraging their potential into effective interventions. PURPOSE To test the effects of a publicly available, Internet-based, breast cancer risk assessment tool on social-cognitive precursors of physical activity. METHODS Women (N = 132) aged 40-78 with no personal cancer history indicated their perceived risk of breast cancer and were randomly assigned to receive personalized ( www.yourdiseaserisk.wustl.edu ) or nonpersonalized breast cancer risk information. Immediately thereafter, breast cancer risk perceptions and physical activity-related behavioral intentions, self-efficacy, and response efficacy were assessed. RESULTS Personalized information elicited higher intentions, self-efficacy, and response efficacy than nonpersonalized information, P values < 0.05. Self-efficacy and response efficacy mediated the effect of personalizing information on intentions. Women who received personalized information corrected their inaccurate risk perceptions to some extent, P values < 0.05, but few fully accepted the information. CONCLUSION Internet-based risk assessment tools can produce beneficial effects on important social-cognitive precursors of behavior change, but lingering skepticism, possibly due to defensive processing, needs to be addressed before the effects can be maximized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Linda Ball
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO (LB, JM, GAC, EAW)
| | - Jaclyn McGuire
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO (LB, JM, GAC, EAW)
| | - Graham A Colditz
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO (LB, JM, GAC, EAW)
| | - Erika A Waters
- Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO (LB, JM, GAC, EAW)
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