RESUMEN
Many psychological inclinations, such as maladaptive beliefs, can diminish the capacity of individuals to manage their weight effectively and sustainably. Yet, interventions that purportedly address these psychological inclinations and improve weight management are not always beneficial. To be effective, these interventions should offer participants several choices, should be devoid of features that have not been validated in isolation, and should arrange the various activities in an efficient and effective sequence. Few if any programs fulfill these criteria. The aim of this paper was to construct an intervention that assimilates all the validated features of interventions that overcome the psychological impediments to weight loss. To achieve this goal, we blended a technique called intervention component analysis with thematic analysis. Specifically, we extracted refereed journal articles about weight loss from PsycInfo, distilled the practical recommendations from these articles, excluded recommendations that had not been validated in isolation of other features, integrated overlapping recommendations, and applied several principles to arrange these recommendations into the most effective sequence. This procedure generated an intervention that could comprise up to 43 features and activities, including self-affirmation to foster openness to change, anecdotes about dramatic improvements, ambitious rather than modest targets, an emphasis on strategies rather than targets, rewards for attempts, implementation intentions with partners, self-hypnosis, cognitive reframing, and distancing. If these features are unsuccessful, practices that demand more resources-such as group disclosure, virtual environments, motivational interviewing, and customized programs-were also recommended.
Asunto(s)
Intervención Psicosocial , Pérdida de Peso , Humanos , Intención , MotivaciónRESUMEN
Research has not definitively ascertained the circumstances that motivate people to live a healthier lifestyle. To redress this shortfall, we report two overlapping studies that examined whether people are more inclined to value health benefits that seem enduring and fundamental rather than transient or superficial-even after controlling effort and cost. In these studies, 242 participants indicated the degree to which they implement 17 health behaviours-as well as the extent to which they perceive the benefits of these behaviours as enduring and fundamental. Furthermore, participants completed a measure that gauges future clarity. Finally, they chose which of two drugs-drugs that differ only on the longevity of effects-they prefer. Participants were more inclined to implement health behaviours that seemed to generate enduring and fundamental benefits. This effect was more pronounced in people who perceive their future as vivid and certain. Furthermore, participants tended to choose the drug that was touted as generating more enduring benefits, even after controlling cost and effort. As these results imply, to encourage healthy behaviour, health practitioners should help people clarify their future goals and then advocate behaviours that generate lasting benefits.
Asunto(s)
Predicción , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Motivación , Adulto , Anciano , Atención/efectos de los fármacos , Efectos Colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos , Femenino , Humanos , Estilo de Vida , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Preparaciones Farmacéuticas/administración & dosificación , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to test a model of people's willingness to seek help for mental illness whether currently diagnosed or not. A cross-sectional design was used to test this model in a non-clinical convenience sample of Greek-Cypriots. Participants were 196 Greek-Cypriots living in Cyprus (age M = 34.50 years, SD = 14.16). They provided demographic data on their age, gender, SES and whether diagnosed or not with a mental illness, from whom they have/would seek help for a mental illness, and their willingness to seek help. They completed the Inventory of Attitudes towards Seeking Mental Health Services, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Support, and the Practical Barriers in Seeking Mental Health Services Scales, translated into Greek for this study. Approximately 24% of the sample reported being diagnosed with a mental illness within the past 12 months, and around a third of these people were taking prescribed medication. Willingness to seek help across all participants was predicted negatively by stigma and positively by openness to help. The findings of the current study extend our previous limited understanding of the factors affecting people's willingness to seek help or their intentions towards the use of mental health services among Greek-Cypriots. Future research should consider whether there are any differences in help-seeking behaviours and motivations across people experiencing different disorders. Despite this limitation in the current data, these results can, in general terms, be used to inform policy in Cyprus for mental health promotions and interventions especially with respect to fostering an open attitude towards mental illness.
Asunto(s)
Trastornos Mentales/psicología , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud/psicología , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Estudios Transversales , Chipre/epidemiología , Femenino , Grecia/epidemiología , Humanos , Masculino , Trastornos Mentales/diagnóstico , Trastornos Mentales/epidemiología , Trastornos Mentales/terapia , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pruebas Psicológicas , Análisis de Regresión , Clase Social , Estigma Social , Apoyo Social , Estereotipo , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Many impulsive behaviors, unpleasant emotions, and misguided cognitions increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes and other conditions. This study tests the premise that such risk factors are inversely related to future clarity-the extent to which the future seems vivid and certain. Specifically, 211 participants completed the measures of future clarity and various determinants of health. Future clarity was positively associated with the inclination of participants to consume healthy food, abstain from cigarettes, participate in physical activity, and experience positive emotions. Future research should examine whether interventions designed to help individuals clarify and pursue their aspirations could stem lifestyle diseases.