Developing a community-based intervention for Dutch older adults in a socioeconomically disadvantaged community.

Unhealthy eating and low levels of physical activity are major health risks, especially for older adults and people with a low socioeconomic status. The aim of this article is to describe the development of a community-based intervention aimed at promoting physical activity and healthy eating among people aged 55 years and over, in a socioeconomically disadvantaged community. The Intervention Mapping protocol was used to develop the intervention. We conducted a literature search, consultation with community partners and inhabitants, and a quantitative study, in order to obtain insight into the determinants of the target population and to identify appropriate theory-based methods and practical strategies for behavioural change. An assessment was performed of the problem with respect to health behaviour and the underlying determinants. Findings were translated into program, performance and change objectives which specify determinants related to behavioural change. Theory-based methods and practical applications were selected, resulting in a plan for adoption and implementation. The intervention included a local media campaign, social environmental approaches and physical environmental activities in the community, with an intermediating role for inhabitants and health professionals in the promotion of the campaign. An evaluation plan was produced to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. The Intervention Mapping protocol was a helpful instrument in developing a feasible, theory and evidence-based intervention tailored to a specific target population in the area of health promotion. The systematic and structured approach provided insight into the relationship between the objectives, methods and strategies used to develop the comprehensive intervention.

Moderators of physical activity and healthy eating in an integrated community-based intervention for older adults.

BACKGROUND: An integrated community-based intervention was developed to stimulate physical activity (PA) and healthy eating in older adults in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area. This study aims to assess whether its short-term effects among older adults vary by sociodemographic, psychosocial and health-related variables. METHODS: The study was a controlled pre-post quasi-experimental design (intervention condition n = 430; control condition n = 213), with a baseline measurement and a 9-month follow-up measurement. The intervention consisted of a local media campaign and environmental approaches. Changes in PA and fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) were dependent variables assessed at 9-month follow-up. Sociodemographic, psychosocial and health-related variables at baseline were tested as potential moderators of the effects of the conditions. RESULTS: We found different types of moderators in particular for transport-related PA and FVC. Regarding sociodemographic characteristics, gender was a moderator for household-related PA, and educational level for transport-related PA and FVC. Self-efficacy, as a psychosocial variable, was a moderator of transport-related PA and vegetable consumption. Concerning health-related outcomes, baseline levels of transport-related PA and fruit consumption were moderators for transport-related PA and fruit consumption. If adjusted for multiple testing, only three moderators persisted: educational level regarding vegetable consumption, and baseline levels regarding transport-related PA and fruit consumption. CONCLUSION: The effects of the community intervention vary somewhat by sociodemographic, psychosocial and health-related variables. The intervention seems to be especially beneficial to those who are most in need of more PA and healthy eating.

Reach and effectiveness of an integrated community-based intervention on physical activity and healthy eating of older adults in a socioeconomically disadvantaged community.

The aim of this study is to assess the reach and effectiveness of an integrated community-based intervention designed to promote physical activity and healthy eating among older adults in a socioeconomically disadvantaged community in the Netherlands. The intervention was evaluated with a controlled pre-post quasi-experimental design, with 430 randomly selected older adults participating in the intervention group and 213 in a control group at baseline. The intervention included a local media campaign and environmental approaches (e.g., community involvement) and was implemented during a 3-month high-intensity period, followed by a 6-month low-intensity one. Levels of physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption were assessed at baseline and at 3 and 9 months after baseline. At the follow-up measurements, the intervention had reached respectively 68 and 69% of the participants in the intervention group. No significant differences were found between the intervention group and the control group in changes to any outcome except for transport-related PA at 3 and 9 months follow-up. The systematically developed community-based intervention reached a relatively large proportion of the participants, but had only small effects on the levels of physical activity and healthy eating in older adults in the short and medium term.

A Mobile Phone App Intervention Targeting Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: The Efficacy of Textual and Auditory Tailored Health Information Tested in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Mobile phone apps are increasingly used to deliver health interventions, which provide the opportunity to present health information via different communication modes. However, scientific evidence regarding the effects of such health apps is scarce. OBJECTIVE: In a randomized controlled trial, we tested the efficacy of a 6-month intervention delivered via a mobile phone app that communicated either textual or auditory tailored health information aimed at stimulating fruit and vegetable intake. A control condition in which no health information was given was added. Perceived own health and health literacy were included as moderators to assess for which groups the interventions could possibly lead to health behavior change. METHODS: After downloading the mobile phone app, respondents were exposed monthly to either text-based or audio-based tailored health information and feedback over a period of 6 months via the mobile phone app. In addition, respondents in the control condition only completed the baseline and posttest measures. Within a community sample (online recruitment), self-reported fruit and vegetable intake at 6-month follow-up was our primary outcome measure. RESULTS: In total, 146 respondents (ranging from 40 to 58 per condition) completed the study (attrition rate 55%). A significant main effect of condition was found on fruit intake (P=.049, partial η(2)=0.04). A higher fruit intake was found after exposure to the auditory information, especially in recipients with a poor perceived own health (P=.003, partial η(2)=0.08). In addition, health literacy moderated the effect of condition on vegetable intake 6 months later (P<.001, partial η(2)=.11). A higher vegetable intake was found for recipients with high health literacy after exposure to the textual or auditory intervention compared to the control condition (contrasts P=.07 and P=.004, respectively). In the case of relatively low health literacy, vegetable intake was the highest in the control condition (contrasts text control: P=.03; audio control: P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence-based insight into the effects of a mobile health app. The app seems to have the potential to change fruit and vegetable intake up to 6 months later, at least for specific groups. We found different effects for fruit and vegetable intake, respectively, suggesting that different underlying psychological mechanisms are associated with these specific behaviors. Based on our results, it seems worthwhile to investigate additional ways to increase fruit and vegetable intake in recipients with low health literacy. CLINICALTRIAL: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 23466915; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN23466915 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6hTtfSvaz).

A Cross-Sectional Study of Psychological Comparison Processes That May Underlie the Acceptance of Chronic Pain.

Acceptance of chronic pain varies between patients but may also be expected to develop and change within patients. In this latter framework, the present study explored three psychological processes that may contribute to changes in acceptance: social comparisons, temporal comparisons and counterfactual comparisons. In general, these comparisons are used to cope with negative life events, and they may also play a role in acceptance of pain. In this study, the two subscales of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (Activity Engagement and Pain Willingness) were complemented with a scale of Affective Acceptance. Using linear regression analyses, data from these three acceptance scales were regressed on three scales of temporal comparison processes, four scales of social comparison processes and one scale of counterfactual comparisons. The results showed that the comparison processes explained up to 37% of the variance in acceptance, especially a higher frequency of thinking of one's present condition in relation to a condition in the past, and feeling bad when comparing with others who are doing better, were consistently related to lower acceptance. These explorative results may inspire experimental studies to influence comparison processes and, eventually, to address those comparison processes in interventions for patients with chronic pain to improve acceptance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: In addition to beliefs indicating Activity Engagement and Pain Willingness, Affective acceptance of pain may also be a relevant dimension and manifestation of acceptance Social comparisons, temporal comparisons and counterfactual comparisons are related to acceptance of pain In patients with pain psychological comparison processes can be relevant in diagnosing possible causes of non-optimal acceptance of chronic pain Practitioners may try to influence each of the three types of psychological comparison processes in individuals and observe the effects.

A survey on HIV-related health-seeking behaviors among transgender individuals in Jakarta, based on the theory of planned behavior.

BACKGROUND: Male-to-female transgender (waria) individuals are at high risk for HIV. This study aims at mapping the psychological determinants of four HIV-related health-seeking behaviors. This knowledge can be used to develop effective interventions to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. METHODS: The study involved 209 waria from five districts in Jakarta, selected with a cluster sampling procedure. Cross-sectional data were gathered through structured interviews. The four examined behaviors are, visiting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) services regularly, adherence to STI treatment, taking an HIV test and picking up the result of HIV test. For all four behaviors, specific measures of the psychological determinants as defined by the Theory of Planned Behavior were developed: attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control (PBC). Logistic regression analyses were conducted with these three psychological measures as independent variables and the behaviors as dependent variables. RESULTS: Of the 209 waria, 20.6 % had never visited STI services in the last 6 months, while 56.5 % had visited the services once or twice, and 23 % had visited the service three or more times. A HIV test had been taken by 90.4 % of the waria, and of those, 64.6 % had picked up the results. About 85 % of the waria who did a HIV test had been tested for HIV one or two times in the last 6 months and 10 % had been tested three to four times. The variance in behaviors that was explained by the concepts defined in the Theory of Planned Behavior ranged from 15 to 70 %; PBC was the most powerful predictor. Furthermore, the results showed that in several cases the relationships of attitudes or subjective norms with the dependent variable were mediated by one or both other independent variables. CONCLUSIONS: The results regarding the prominent role of PBC suggest that interventions should increase waria's control over the behavior: Engaging in specific desired behaviors should be made easier for them. Besides, waria's attitudes and subjective norms should be addressed, by education, but possibly also by providing waria with a positive experience with the behavior, for example, by designing a professional and friendly health care system.

Development of a training programme for home health care workers to promote preventive activities focused on a healthy lifestyle: an intervention mapping approach.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle is an important aspect in maintaining good health in older adults, and home health care (HHC) workers can play an important role in promoting a healthy lifestyle. However, there is limited evidence in the literature regarding how to develop an effective training programme to improve the physical activity level and fruit and vegetable consumption of older adults within a HHC setting. The aim of this paper is to describe how Intervention Mapping (IM) was used to develop a training programme to promote preventive activities of HHC workers relating to the physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake of older adults living at home. METHODS: IM, a systematic theory and evidence-based approach was used to develop, implement and evaluate the training programme. This entailed a literature search, a survey, semi-structured interviews and consultation with HHC workers and various field experts, and a pilot training session. RESULTS: The determinants associated with the provision of preventive activities were identified, and an overview was created of those objectives, matching methods and practical applications that could influence these determinants. The performance objectives for the HHC workers were early detection and monitoring, promoting a healthy lifestyle, informing colleagues, continuing allocated preventive activities and referring to other experts and facilities. Findings were translated into a comprehensive training programme for HHC workers focused on motivating older adults to adopt and maintain a healthier lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: IM was a useful tool in the development of a theory-based training programme to promote preventive activities by HHC workers relating to fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity of older adults.

The effectiveness of the Allen Carr smoking cessation training in companies tested in a quasi-experimental design.

BACKGROUND: The Allen Carr training (ACt) is a popular one-session smoking cessation group training that is provided by licensed organizations that have the permission to use the Allen Carr method. However, few data are available on the effectiveness of the training. METHODS: In a quasi-experimental design the effects of the existing practice of providing the ACt to smokers (n = 124) in companies on abstinence, were compared to changes in abstinence in a cohort of similar smokers in the general population (n = 161). To increase comparability of the smokers in both conditions, smokers in the control condition were matched on the group level on baseline characteristics (fourteen variables) to the smokers in the ACt. The main outcome measure was self-reported continuous abstinence after 13 months, which was validated using a CO measurement in the Act condition. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses showed that when baseline characteristics were comparable, significantly more responding smokers were continuously abstinent in the ACt condition compared to the control condition, Exp(B) = 6.52 (41.1% and 9.6%, respectively). The all-cases analysis was also significant, Exp(B) = 5.09 (31.5% and 8.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Smokers following the ACt in their company were about 6 times more likely to be abstinent, assessed after 13 months, compared to similar smokers in the general population. Although smokers in both conditions did not differ significantly on 14 variables that might be related to cessation success, the quasi-experimental design allows no definite conclusion about the effectiveness of the ACt. Still, these data support the provision of the ACt in companies.

The eye movement desensitization and reprocessing procedure prevents defensive processing in health persuasion.

In the present study, the method of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is studied to understand and prevent defensive reactions with regard to a negatively framed message advocating fruit and vegetable consumption. EMDR has been shown to tax the working memory. Participants from a university sample (n = 124) listened to the persuasive message in a randomized laboratory experiment. In the EMDR condition, they were also instructed to follow with their eyes a dot on the computer screen. The dot constantly moved from one side of the screen to the other in 2 seconds. In addition, a self-affirmation procedure was applied in half of the participants. EMDR led to a significant increase in persuasion, only in recipients in whom the persuasive message could be expected to activate defensive self-regulation (in participants with a moderate health value and in participants with low self-esteem). In those with a moderate health value, EMDR increased persuasion, but only when recipients were not affirmed. In addition, EMDR increased persuasion only in recipients with low self-esteem, not in those with high self-esteem. These results showed that EMDR influenced persuasion and in some way lowered defensive reactions. The similarities and differences in effects of EMDR and self-affirmation further increased our insight into the psychology of defensiveness.

The working memory approach of persuasion: Induced eye movements lead to more social media self-control behaviours.

In the framework of prevention of social media addiction, persuasive messages can be used to stimulate people to engage in social media self-control behaviours. However, the effects of these messages may be weakened by defensive reactions. In the Working Memory account of Persuasion, these defensive self-regulatory actions in the Working Memory (WM) are activated to lower a given threat. Because the WM has limited capacity, and these defensive processes take WM capacity, they can be inhibited by inducing eye movements (EMi). Adults (N = 117) from the general population listened in an online experiment to an auditory message on the negative consequences of social media use (SMU). Half of the participants were randomly assigned to the EMi condition; they were asked to keep watching a moving red square on their screen during the exposure to the auditory message. SMU self-control behaviour was the outcome measure, assessed by self-report 2 weeks later. The effects of EMi on SMU self-control behaviour were moderated by individual differences, indicating defensive self-regulatory actions: EMi significantly increased behaviour in participants who scored low on Cognitive Self-affirmation Inclination, high on SMU-control-failure, and, unexpectedly, low in SMU. This study detected defensive reactions towards persuasive information concerning SMU, using the EMi research paradigm.

Communication rules regarding support seeking in patients with a physical illness, according to people with a Surinamese or a Dutch cultural background.

Objective: People with different cultural backgrounds can evaluate the appropriateness of direct and indirect support seeking differently. In this study we explored how direct and indirect communication rules for verbal support seeking by patients with diabetes were perceived among Dutch and Surinamese female participants, and whether the appropriateness differed for the ingroup, outgroup and intercultural support seeker-support provider interactions. Methods: The study applied a 2 (direct versus indirect support seeking) X 2 (Surinamese patient versus Dutch patient) X 2 (Surinamese support provider versus Dutch support provider)-design. Dutch and Surinamese participants (N = 686) were randomly assigned to one of the eight conditions in which they were provided with a depiction of the patient, the direct or indirect request for help, and the help provider. The main outcome was the rated appropriateness of the help-seeking request in the specific context. Results: The results revealed a significant main effect of communication style: both, Surinamese and Dutch participants evaluated the direct help-seeking as more appropriate compared to indirect help-seeking, independent of patient or provider culture. This effect was particularly strong in participants who scored high on the individual difference in independent self, as shown by a significant interaction. Discussion: Literature usually identifies that Surinamese and Dutch populations have different cultural backgrounds and values that express themselves in different attitudes, in general more collectivistic and more individualistic, respectively. However, with regard to help seeking preferences the study results did not verify this expectation. These findings underscore the importance of the support providers' role in assessing and understanding the individuals' communication style with regard to help-seeking, rather than assuming communication preferences on the basis of cultural background.

Residential Treatment Exclusively for Tobacco Use Disorder: A Narrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use disorder is a major public health issue, and novel smoking cessation approaches are urgently needed. Residential treatment programs have been suggested as a potentially effective treatment for tobacco use disorder. However, there is limited literature on residential treatment programs for patients who are exclusively dependent on nicotine. AIM: The aim of this study is to review the literature on residential treatment programs for patients admitted exclusively for tobacco use disorder. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed with the aim of identifying relevant articles on residential treatment exclusively for tobacco use disorder from inception until February 2023. References in retrieved articles were screened for additional relevant articles. RESULTS: Fourteen studies on residential treatment programs for tobacco use disorder were identified. The duration of the residential cessation programs ranged from 3 days to 3 weeks. Individualized or group cognitive behavioral therapy and tailored pharmacotherapy were the key components of the programs. Eligibility criteria for the programs included moderate to severe tobacco use disorder as measured by Fagerström or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), consistent relapses, smoking-related comorbidities (eg, cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases), and daily use of (smokeless) tobacco. The 6- and 12-month 7-day point prevalence rate ranged from 58% to 26%, whereas the 6- and 12-month continuous abstinence rate ranged from 52% to 29%. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the literature we reviewed, residential smoking cessation programs targeted exclusively at individuals with tobacco use disorder have shown effectiveness, particularly for those who are highly dependent on tobacco and have a history of relapse. However, more research is needed to further explore the effectiveness of these programs and to determine the optimal program components and duration.

Measuring Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A Prospective Validation Study of the Dutch Version of the Rehabilitation Adherence Measure for Athletic Training (RAdMAT-NL).

Purpose: Measuring exercise adherence is important in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For this, the Rehabilitation Adherence Measure for Athletic Training (RAdMAT) seems to be a promising instrument, and a Dutch version (RAdMAT-NL) is available. The aim of this study was to explore the dimensionality and construct validity of the RAdMAT-NL in patients with COPD. Secondly, we examined whether the items of the RAdMAT-NL could be summed to a single score. Patients and Methods: This prospective study included 193 patients with COPD from 53 primary physiotherapy practices in The Netherlands and Belgium. Patients and their physiotherapist provided data including the RAdMAT-NL, at one, two, and three months after inclusion. Horn's parallel analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used to assess the dimensionality of the RAdMAT-NL. Fit to the dichotomous Rasch model for measurement was used to confirm the unidimensionality of the extracted RAdMAT-NL subscales and total scale. To evaluate construct validity, Spearman correlations with other indicators of adherence were calculated, including SIRAS score, percentage attendance and change in exercise skills. Results: EFA identified two dimensions of the RAdMAT-NL, "Participation" (13 items) and "Communication" (3 items), explaining 50.8% of the total variance. Rasch analysis confirmed the unidimensionality of the two dimensions. The unidimensional Rasch model was rejected for a summed score of all 16 RAdMAT-NL items. Medium to large significant positive correlations between the RAdMAT-NL subscale participation and different measures of adherence supported its convergent validity. Conclusion: The RAdMAT-NL exhibited two subscales that fitted the unidimensional Rasch model for objective measurement. Construct validity was supported by convergence with other established measures of adherence.

Feasibility, effectiveness and safety of self-management in pulmonary rehabilitation: a study protocol using a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation design.

Background: As population ageing accelerates worldwide, chronic diseases will place an increasing burden on society and healthcare systems. Self-management interventions may become a key strategy for addressing chronic disease burden and healthcare costs, also in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). One of the challenges here is long-term adherence. Understanding the level of adherence to PR may help inform clinical decision-making to focus more on self-management and less on clinical supervision. For this reason, a prediction model (PATCH) was developed. The presented protocol concerns a study that aims 1. to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of self-management within pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on health outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 2. to evaluate the predictive validity of the PATCH tool, and 3. to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of self-management and the PATCH tool by patients and physiotherapists. Methods and analysis: This is a protocol of a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation design, performed in primary physiotherapy practices in The Netherlands. The aim is to include 108 patients with COPD who have already followed PR for at least six weeks (maintenance stage of PR). According to the Dutch KNGF Guideline COPD, physiotherapists should reduce the number of supervised treatments after the maintenance phase and support self-management. In practice, this does not (always) happen. This protocol is based on implementing guideline advice: clinical supervision will be halved but patients are stimulated to engage in self-management by exercising unsupervised, leading to no change in the total planned exercise frequency. During the supervised sessions physiotherapists will assess and stimulate self-management. At baseline, and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, health outcomes (including adherence) will be evaluated as the primary outcome of this study. At each measurement, the physiotherapist will decide on the basis of individual scores whether the patient needs more clinical supervision or not. Secondary outcomes are the discriminatory power of the PATCH tool (can patients be correctly classified as adherent or non-adherent), and feasibility and acceptability of self-management and the PATCH tool by patients and physiotherapists. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews will be used for assessment of the outcomes.Trial registration number: METc 2023/074.

Prognostic factors of adherence to home-based exercise therapy in patients with chronic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Patients with a chronic disease may have an increased risk of non-adherence to prescribed home-based exercise therapy. We performed a systematic review with the aim to identify variables associated with adherence to home-based exercise therapy in patients with chronic diseases and to grade the quality of evidence for the association between these prognostic factors and adherence. Methods: Cohort studies, cross-sectional studies and the experimental arm of randomized trials were identified using a search strategy applied to PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO and CINAHL from inception until August 1, 2022. We included studies with participants ≥18 years with a chronic disease as an indication for home-based exercise therapy and providing data on prognostic factors of adherence to home-based exercise. To structure the data, we categorized the identified prognostic factors into the five WHO-domains; (1) Patient-related, (2) Social/economic, (3) Therapy-related, (4) Condition-related, and (5) Health system factors. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool. Prognostic factors of adherence were identified and the quality of the evidence between the prognostic factors and adherence were graded using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework for predictor studies. We performed a meta-analysis of the obtained information. Results: A total of 57 studies were included. Within patient-related factors moderate- and high-quality evidence suggested that more self-efficacy, exercise history, motivation and perceived behavioral control predicted higher adherence. Within social-economic factors moderate-quality evidence suggested more education and physical health to be predictive of higher adherence and within condition-related factors moderate- and low-quality evidence suggested that less comorbidities, depression and fatigue predicted higher adherence. For the domains therapy-related and health-system factors there was not enough information to determine the quality evidence of the prognostic factors. Conclusion: These findings might aid the development of future home-based exercise programs as well as the identification of individuals who may require extra support to benefit from prescribed home-based exercise therapy. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=277003, identifier PROSPERO CRD42021277003.

Owner's Anthropomorphic Perceptions of Cats' and Dogs' Abilities Are Related to the Social Role of Pets, Owners' Relationship Behaviors, and Social Support.

BACKGROUND: For sustainable and healthy relationships with pets, attributing some degree of human abilities to the pet (anthropomorphization) might be necessary. We hypothesize that the tendency to anthropomorphize pet animals is related to relationship behaviors (communication and making up) and the experience of social support. Perceiving the pet in a human social role (e.g., family member or friend) might mediate this relationship. METHOD: Associations were tested in a mixed sample of cat and dog owners by means of multiple linear regression, moderation, and (moderated) mediation analyses. The differences between cat and dog owners were examined with pet type as the moderator in a moderated mediation analysis. RESULTS: Dog owners anthropomorphize their pets more than cat owners. The social role of the pet mediates the association between anthropomorphization and relationship behavior and social support. The mediation effects were stronger for cat owners than for dog owners. Moreover, our newly developed comparative anthropomorphism measure was a better predictor than the commonly used general anthropomorphism measure (IDAQ).

Lowering Red Meat and Processed Meat Consumption With Environmental, Animal Welfare, and Health Arguments in Italy: An Online Experiment.

Introduction: In addition to being a source of valuable nutrients, meat consumption has several negative consequences; for the environment, for animal welfare, and for human health. To persuade people to lower their meat consumption, it is assumed that the personal relevance of the topic of lowering meat consumption is important as it determines how people perceive the quality of the arguments. Method: In an experimental exploratory field study (n = 139), participants recruited from the general Italian population were randomized to one of the four conditions with a text with pictures on the environmental, animal welfare, or health consequences of meat consumption, or a text on mustard (the control condition). The dependent variables were self-reported consumption of red meat and processed meat after 2 weeks. Personal relevance was assessed in the pre-test with self-reported meat consumption and intention. Results: The interaction between pre-test meat consumption and condition was significant: In participants who scored high on pre-test meat consumption, the self-reported red meat consumption after 2 weeks in the health argument condition was significantly lower compared to the control condition and the environmental argument condition. The effects of pre-test intention as a moderator were less certain. Discussion: The persuasive effects of the different arguments made a difference only in people who ate a relatively high level of meat in pre-test, and the type of arguments made a difference. Although the present outcomes are caused by the specific formulations of the arguments in this study, the results do show that it is relevant to choose the arguments carefully to ensure effectiveness.

Determinants and promotion of oral hygiene behaviour in the Caribbean and Nepal.

The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of oral hygiene behaviour (OHB) based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) among dental care seekers in two cultural different regions: the Caribbean (Aruba/Bonaire) and Nepal. In addition, measures of oral health knowledge (OHK) and the expected social outcomes of having healthy teeth (ESO) were investigated. The main effects of the predictors as well as their interactions with region (Caribbean vs. Nepal) were examined. The interaction term contributed significantly to the amount of explained variance. In the Caribbean, OHB was determined by Attitude and Social Norms, and in Nepal by Perceived Behaviour Control and ESO. On the basis of these findings, quite different oral health care interventions are called for in developing and underdeveloped countries.

A Mediation Model on How Conspiracy Beliefs Concerning the Corona-Crisis Are Related to Corona-Related Behaviours.

Background: The endorsement of Conspiracy Beliefs concerning corona (CBc) may make people reject information from the general media, leading them to not follow recommendations on prevention behaviours, getting tested, and getting vaccinated. The aim of the present study was to understand the relationship between CBc and engaging in these corona-related behaviours. Method: Two samples of participants (N = 1,004 and N = 159) were recruited independently. Participants filled in a survey that assessed four indicators of the three behaviours, four general psychological determinants (e.g., the seriousness of COVID-19), five behaviour-specific psychological determinants (e.g., test reliability, vaccine effectiveness), and CBc. Results: The explained variances of the different models with regard to the four indicators of behaviour ranged from 3.9 to 75%. Mediation analyses using Hayes PROCESS model 4 showed significant mediation by general determinants in both samples, and mediation by several behaviour-specific determinants in one sample. Discussion: Conspiracy Beliefs concerning corona may lead to rejection of general media information, and this may lead to states of psychological determinants that do not stimulate to engage in prevention behaviours, testing, or vaccination. The present study shedS some light on how CBc could be related to corona-related behaviours.