Psychosocial Factors Predicting HIV Disclosure Stage Transitions: An Evaluation of A Theory-Based Parental HIV Disclosure Intervention among Parents Living with HIV in China.

Appropriate parental HIV disclosures (i.e., parents living with HIV [PLH] tell their HIV diagnosis to their children) benefit parents, children, and family relations. Psychosocial factors could influence the decision-making process of parental HIV disclosure. Using the Health Action Process Approach to frame stages (pre-intention, intention, and action) in the decision-making process, this study aimed to investigate how psychosocial factors predict HIV disclosure stage transitions among PLH in China. Data were collected from a randomized clinical trial of a theory-based parental HIV disclosure intervention among 791 PLH. The predictive effects of psychosocial factors on disclosure stage transitions were examined using a Markov chain model matrix. Results showed that action self-efficacy and action planning were significant predictors of parental HIV disclosure stage transitions. Considering stage-specific psychosocial predictors may contribute to effective interventions to promote appropriate HIV disclosure among PLH in China.

Exploration of helpful elements contributing to engage in physical activity in patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: Although there are many reported benefits of physical activity for patients with cancer (e.g., improving quality of life), many patients with cancer do not meet the recommendations of physical activity guidelines. The amount of physical activity declines after diagnosis of cancer. This study aimed to clarify the elements that contribute engagement in regular moderate-or-higher-level intensity of physical activity (MHPA), based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), among patients with cancer. METHODS: Two web surveys were conducted among cancer outpatients, asking them to respond to a questionnaire. Participants provided information regarding their demographics, physical activity, purpose, advantages, disadvantages, barriers, triggers, and need for support for regular MHPA. RESULTS: Categories were obtained for purposes, advantages, disadvantages, barriers, triggers, and support needs for regular MHPA. For example, the support they considered necessary to regularly engage in MHPA were developed 9 categories, such as Improving the environment, Support for the implementation of PA (interpersonal), and Reducing the burden. Women and younger patients provided more statements about reducing their burden; younger patients also mentioned on improving the environment more among those who did not engage in MHPA. Additionally, patients with cancer who provided statements about interpersonal support reported higher barriers to physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings will contribute to the development of a scale to measure the components of the HAPA on physical activity in patients with cancer. In addition, it will help develop a support system that promotes engagement in regular MHPA.

The effect of nutritional education based on the health action process approach (HAPA) on the pregnancy outcomes among malnourished pregnant mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of nutritional education based on the health action process approach (HAPA) on pregnancy outcomes among malnourished pregnant mothers utilizing nutritional support. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trial, 234 malnourished pregnant women under nutritional support from the fourth month of pregnancy participated. Participants were randomly allocated in study groups by the balance block randomization method. Data were collected using a socio-demographic and pregnancy outcomes checklist as well as self-devised questionnaire assessing the constructs of the HAPA model before and three months after the educational intervention. The framework of the educational intervention was based on the constructs of the HAPA and included three one-hour training sessions through lectures, group discussions, 'question and answer' sessions, and the use of educational tools. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and SPSS software. RESULTS: Pregnancy outcomes including optimal weight gain during pregnancy (p = 0.47), neonate's birth weight (p = 0.58), gestational age at delivery (p = 0.83), type of delivery (p = 0.48) gestational anemia (p = 0.22), diabetes (p = 0.59) and hypertension (p = 0.29) were not significantly different in the intervention and control groups. The results showed that the educational intervention produced a significant increase in the total score (24 points) in the intervention group. Improvement of scores in the intervention group compared to the control was observed in all of the model constructs except outcome expectation (0.68 decrease). The educational intervention in the present study had a large measure of effect in total (SMD: 2.69, partial eta2: 0.664). CONCLUSION: A nutritional education intervention based on the HAPA model for malnourished pregnant women increased behavioral intention and planning for action to have better nutritional behavior. However, the intervention did not change the pregnancy outcomes significantly. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nutritional education based on the HAPA model can be used to improve nutritional behaviors of malnourished pregnant women.

What it takes to reduce sitting at work: a pilot study on the effectiveness and correlates of a multicomponent intervention.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effects of a simple-to-implement multicomponent intervention to reduce sedentary time of office workers. METHODS: Six groups of eight to ten office workers took part in the two-week Leicht Bewegt intervention. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline (T0, n = 52), after 2 weeks (T1, n = 46), and after 5 weeks (T2, n = 38), including subjective sedentary measures and social-cognitive variables based on the health action process approach (HAPA). Objective sedentary measures were obtained using activPAL trackers. RESULTS: The intention to reduce sedentary behavior during work increased significantly from T0 to T1. Participants' objective and subjective sitting time decreased significantly from T0 to T1, corresponding to an average decrease per 8-h-workday of 55 min (d = - .66) or 74 min (d = - 1.14), respectively. This reduction persisted (for subjective sitting time) at T2 (d = - 1.08). Participants indicated a high satisfaction with the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The Leicht Bewegt intervention offers a feasible and effective opportunity to reduce sedentary behavior at work. Randomized controlled trials including longer follow-up time periods are needed to validate its benefits in different workplaces.

Physical Activity Interventions Framed by the Health Action Process Approach for Adults with Long-Term Conditions: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Interventions that use the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model show promise for increasing PA frequency, duration, and intensity. However, there is limited understanding of how HAPA model variables have been operationalized for PA interventions in chronic disease to promote behavior change and sustained PA or whether the phase or continuous form of the HAPA model was used. The aim of this scoping review is to describe how the HAPA model variables for PA interventions were operationalized and provide details of implementation. METHOD: We searched five databases to identify studies published between January 1992 and March 2024. We aimed to describe (1) the characteristics of interventions including setting, delivery mode, duration, and content; (2) which HAPA variables were operationalized and the strategies used; and (3) the physical activity measures and outcome effects. RESULTS: The search identified 23 interventions in 30 papers (12 protocols, 3 quasi-experimental studies, and 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)). Seven of the 15 RCTs reported significant positive effects of the HAPA model on PA behavior outcomes. Interventions operationalized between three and nine HAPA constructs showed significant variability in how the HAPA model is used in intervention research. PA measures varied from self-report to validated objective instruments. CONCLUSION: We found a lack of clarity in decisions about which HAPA constructs were included in interventions. The wide variability in operationalized HAPA constructs made it challenging to compare interventions. Researchers should provide more detail about intervention design and implementation procedures to enhance transparency.

How to Improve People's Intentions Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The global COVID-19 pandemic has impaired the health and living conditions of millions of people. For governments to formulate policies promoting vaccination behavior, it is important to understand individuals' intentions to vaccinate. This study explores the effectiveness of a brief online intervention based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) in improving individuals' COVID-19 vaccination intention, as well as considering the reasons for their unwillingness to get vaccinated. METHOD: A total of 1,258 participants were assessed using a questionnaire to determine their phase of vaccination intention (pre-intention, intention, and action). Subsequently, focused on the underlying factors in the pre-intention phase (i.e., task self-efficacy, outcome expectation, and risk perception), a 7-day randomized controlled HAPA intervention (n intervention = 57, n control = 49) was conducted online for individuals who were not willing to get vaccinated. The measurement points included pre- (T1), post- (T2), and 30-day follow-up (T3). RESULTS: The intervention may effectively improve participants' COVID-19 vaccination intentions; however, it had no impact on their planning and actions involved in taking the vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides relevant reference data for government stakeholders to use in developing public awareness campaigns and policies to encourage COVID-19 vaccination.

Effects of a Web-Based Behavioral Activation Intervention on Depressive Symptoms, Activation, Motivation, and Volition: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Behavioral activation (BA) is effective for the treatment of depression. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA), which is derived from health psychology, can provide a motivational-volitional framework of BA. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the efficacy of a HAPA-based internet-delivered BA intervention (iBA; called InterAKTIV) in individuals with depression, also assessing HAPA-based motivational and volitional outcomes. METHODS: In a two-arm randomized controlled efficacy trial with a parallel design, 128 participants with a major depressive episode were randomly allocated to the intervention group (IG; TAU + immediate access to iBA) or control group (CG; TAU + access to iBA after follow-up). The primary outcome of clinician-rated depressive symptoms and secondary outcomes were assessed at baseline (T1), 8 weeks (T2), 6-month after randomization (T3). Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Linear mixed model analyses revealed a significant group*time interaction effect on clinician-rated depressive symptoms favoring the IG (F2, 156.0 = 7.40; p < 0.001, d = 0.79 at T2, d = 0.25 at T3). The IG was also superior regarding self-rated depressive symptoms, BA, most motivational, and all volitional outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study shows that HAPA-based iBA can significantly improve clinician-rated depressive symptoms, as well as outcomes used in the HAPA model in people with depression. Building on these efficacy results, in the next step, the relationship between BA interventions and activity levels should be investigated, taking into account motivation and volition as potential mediators.

Efficacy of a novel patient-focused intervention aimed at increasing adherence to guideline-based preventive measures in asplenic patients: the PrePSS trial.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a novel intervention improves the adherence to guideline-based preventive measures in asplenic patients at risk of post-splenectomy sepsis (PSS). METHODS: We used a prospective controlled, two-armed historical control group design to compare a novel, health action process approach (HAPA)-based telephonic intervention involving both patients and their general practitioners to usual care. Eligible patients were identified in cooperation with the insurance provider AOK Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Patients with anatomic asplenia (n = 106) were prospectively enrolled and compared to a historical control group (n = 113). Comparisons were done using a propensity-score-based overlap-weighting model. Adherence to preventive measures was quantified by the study-specific 'Preventing PSS score' (PrePSS score) which includes pneumococcal and meningococcal vaccination status, the availability of a stand-by antibiotic and a medical alert card. RESULTS: At six months after the intervention, we estimated an effect of 3.96 (95% CI 3.68-4.24) points on the PrePSS score scale (range 0-10) with mean PrePSS scores of 3.73 and 7.70 in control and intervention group, respectively. Substantial improvement was seen in all subcategories of the PrePSS score with the highest absolute gains in the availability of stand-by antibiotics. We graded the degree of participation by the general practitioner (no contact, short contact, full intervention) and noted that the observed effect was only marginally influenced by the degree of physician participation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who had received the intervention exhibited a significantly higher adherence to guideline-based preventive measures compared to the control group. These data suggest that widespread adoption of this pragmatic intervention may improve management of asplenic patients. Health insurance provider-initiated identification of at-risk patients combined with a patient-focused intervention may serve as a blueprint for a wide range of other preventive efforts leading to patient empowerment and ultimately to better adherence to standards of care.

Changes in Psychological Determinants of Behavior Change after Individual versus Group-Based Lifestyle-integrated Fall Prevention: Results from the LiFE-is-LiFE Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) intervention has been shown to promote physical activity in fall-prone older adults. However, the underlying mechanisms of how LiFE functions remain unclear. This study compares the effects of the individual and group-based LiFE formats on psychological determinants of behavior change derived from the health action process approach, habit formation theory, and self-determination theory. METHODS: Secondary analysis on basis of the randomized, non-inferiority LiFE-is-LiFE trial were performed. Questionnaire data on psychological determinants were obtained from older adults (M = 78.8 years, range 70-95) who took part in either the individual (n = 156) or the group-based (n = 153) LiFE intervention. Measurement points varied from three to six times, and from baseline (T1) up to a 12-month follow-up (T6). A generalized linear mixed model was specified for each determinant. RESULTS: Both LiFE and gLiFE participants reported lower levels of motivational determinants at T6. LiFE participants showed significantly higher values of action planning and coping planning at T6. Participants in both formats showed increased levels of action control at T6, whereas participants' habit strength decreased post-intervention but then stabilized over time. LiFE participants showed higher levels of autonomy, competence, and relatedness throughout the study, but levels of intrinsic motivation did not differ between formats and from T1 to T6. CONCLUSION: In both formats, but especially in the individual LiFE, the behavior change techniques used affected volitional rather than motivational or general determinants of behavior change. Habit strength as an important indicator of the sustainability of the LiFE exercises stabilized over time, indicating that participants, at least partly, sustained their formed habits long-term.

Breaking ground: nursing-led approach to alleviating constipation in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is one of the most common non-motor symptoms in PD patients, and the constipation, can appear before motor symptoms. Incorrect treatment of constipation in PD patients can result in colonic volvulus and pseudo intestinal obstruction, as well as a reduction in the therapeutic effect of anti-PD drugs due to absorption issues. There is, however, no comprehensive and scientific nursing intervention plan for PD patients' constipation who are constipated. METHODS: A multi-disciplinary nursing research group of five people was established to construct the first draft of intervention plan through literature review. We chose 15 experts from 7 universities and tertiary hospitals spread over 5 provinces (cities), including 4 neurologists, 9 clinical nursing specialists in neurology, 1 dietician, and 1 rehabilitator. Two rounds of consultations were held from April to July 2022 with 15 experts to screen and revise the indicators at each level, confirming their importance and feasibility at each level. RESULTS: There were three primary indicators (pre-intentional stage, intentional stage, and action stage) in the two rounds of expert correspondence, nine secondary indicators (disease risk perception, adverse consequence expectation, self-efficacy and intention of action; action plan, coping plan and coping self-efficacy; produce healthy behaviors, maintain healthy behaviors, recover behaviors and recover self-efficacy), and 22 tertiary indicators. CONCLUSIONS: After the implementation of two rounds of Delphi method, the final formed constipation intervention program for PD patients provides the basis for clinical nursing practice, which has the characteristics of convenience, comprehensiveness, dependence, scientific and feasibility. Therefore, it has application and promotion value.

Implementation of a Novel Medication Regimen Following Cardiac Rehabilitation: an Application of the Health Action Process Approach.

BACKGROUND: Medication adherence is an indispensable prerequisite for the long-term management of many chronic diseases. However, published literature suggests that non-adherence is widely prevalent. Health behavior change theories can help understand the underlying processes and allow the accumulation of knowledge in the field. The present study applied the health action process approach (HAPA) in an intensive longitudinal research design to investigate medication adherence in patients after discharge from inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. METHOD: In total, n = 139 patients (84.9% male, Mage = 62.2 years) completed n = 2,699 daily diaries in the 22 days following discharge from inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Patients' intentions to take medication and predictors were assessed in daily end-of-day questionnaires. Adherence to medication was measured subjectively (self-report) and objectively. Multilevel modeling was applied to disentangle the between- and within-person level. RESULTS: Higher levels of risk awareness and self-efficacy were positively associated with intentions to take medication at both levels of analysis. Contrary to theoretical assumptions, positive outcome expectations were not associated with intention, neither between- nor within-person. In contrast to published literature, patients showed very high medication adherence (95.2% self-report, 92.2% objectively). CONCLUSION: In line with the theoretical assumptions, the results showed that risk awareness and self-efficacy are promising modifiable factors that could be targeted to motivate patients to take medication as prescribed. Daily measurements revealed that patients took their medication as prescribed; thus, future studies should make every effort to recruit patients vulnerable to non-adherence to avoid ceiling effects.

Enhancing physical activity and reducing symptoms of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized controlled trial of the PrevOP-Psychological Adherence Program.

BACKGROUND: This primary analysis evaluated the "PREVenting the impairment of primary Osteoarthritis by high-impact long-term Physical exercise regimen-Psychological Adherence Program" (PrevOP-PAP), designed to support patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (OAK) to engage in regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) to reduce OAK symptoms (WOMAC scores). Theory-based on the health action process approach (HAPA), the intervention targeted volitional precursors of MVPA change: action and coping planning, maintenance and recovery self-efficacy, action control, and social network formation. We hypothesized that compared to an active control condition, increases in MVPA at the end of the 12-month intervention would translate into lower WOMAC scores at 24 months in the intervention condition. METHODS: Participants with radiographically verified moderate OAK (N = 241; 62.66% female; M(SD) = 65.60(7.61) years) were randomly assigned to the intervention (51%) or the active control condition. WOMAC scores (24 months) were the primary -, accelerometer-assessed MVPA (12 months) the key secondary outcomes. The PrevOP-PAP was a 12-month intervention with computer-assisted face-to-face and phone-based sessions designed to increase HAPA-proposed volitional precursors of MVPA change (up to 24 months; secondary outcomes). Intent-to-treat analyses included multiple regression and manifest path models. RESULTS: MVPA (12 months) did not mediate effects of the PrevOP-PAP on WOMAC scores (24 months). Compared to the active control condition, WOMAC scores (24 months) were lower in the intervention condition, but this effect did not remain stable in sensitivity analyses (b(SE) = -8.41(4.66), 95%-CI [-17.53; 0.71]). However, exploratory analyses revealed significantly stronger reductions in WOMAC-pain (24 months) in the intervention condition (b(SE) = -2.99(1.18), 95%-CI [-5.36; -0.63]). Groups did not differ in MVPA at 12 months (b(SE) = -3.78(3.42), 95%-CI [-10.80; 2.58]). Of the proposed precursors of MVPA change, action planning was higher in the intervention than in the control condition (24 months; b(SE) = 0.64(0.26), 95%-CI [0.14; 1.15]). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to an active control condition, the PrevOP-PAP did not produce reliable effects on WOMAC scores and none on preceding MVPA. Of the HAPA-proposed volitional precursors, only action planning was sustainably increased. Future interventions should use m-health applications to digitally support long-term changes in proposed volitional precursors of MVPA change. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00009677 ; also available at http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/ ; registration number: DRKS00009677; date of registration: 26/01/2016.

Health action process approach: promoting physical activity, and fruit and vegetable intake among Australian adults.

Based on the health action process approach (HAPA) this study examined whether changes in social cognition constructs could predict change in physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake for adult participants in My health for life, an Australian health promotion behaviour change program. Variance-based structural equation modelling was used to analyse data obtained from Australian adult program participants (n = 167) at baseline (T1), week 14 (T2), week 26 (T2), and 6-month post-program (T4). Change scores were calculated for the social cognition constructs and behaviour. Changes in action self-efficacy and outcome expectancies positively predicted changes in intentions. Action self-efficacy changes also predicted changes in maintenance self-efficacy which, in turn, mediated the effect of action self-efficacy on recovery self-efficacy and planning. Planning was predicted by changes in intentions and maintenance self-efficacy. Findings support the use of the HAPA model in designing complex health behaviour change interventions to achieve sustained behaviour change.

Health action process approach in oral health behaviour: Target interventions, constructs and groups-A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically map the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA)-based interventions in dentistry in relation to the type of intervention, the target groups and the constructs of the HAPA model that are used in the study and to assess the clinical relevance of the studies. METHODS: A search in the databases of the National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE-PubMed), PsychINFO and Cochrane-CENTRAL was conducted. A quality assessment to estimate the risk of bias and a qualitative descriptive analysis were performed. The overall gathered evidence was graded. RESULTS: Ten randomized controlled trials and three observational studies thus in total 13 studies were included. Flossing was the targeted behaviour in ten studies. The target groups consisted of students, adolescents and dental patients. Overall, all nine HAPA constructs were used, but only one study used all HAPA constructs. Six studies presented the used behavioural change techniques according to the BCT taxonomy. Based on the number of the used constructs, only two studies were classified as HAPA intervention studies. The most frequently used constructs were action control as an intervention and behaviour as an outcome measure. The overall evidence was graded with moderate certainty. CONCLUSION: In the majority of the studies, the targeted intervention was flossing and the population consisted of students, adolescents and dental patients. All studies used only a selection of the HAPA constructs. Therefore, only a minority of the studies can be considered real HAPA intervention studies.

Using the health action process approach to predict facemask use and hand washing in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

Personal hygiene including wearing facemask and washing hands are instrumental to reduce transmission of COVID-19. The present study applied the health action process approach (HAPA) to examine the process from intention to protective behaviors in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. A longitudinal online survey study was conducted among 229 individuals (61.6% females; M age = 25.37 years, SD age = 8.34 years) living in Hubei province, China. Action self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, risk perception, intention, planning and action control regarding facemask wearing and hand washing were assessed at baseline (Time 1), and behaviors were assessed a week later (Time 2). Data were collected from 30 January to 16 February 2020. Two structural equation models were specified to test the theory-driven determinants of the facemask wearing and hand washing respectively. The results showed that action self-efficacy predicted intentions to wear facemasks and wash hands. Intention and action control predicted both behaviors at Time 2. Associations between planning and behaviors were mixed. Mediation analyses revealed that action control significantly mediated the relationship between intention and both behaviors (facemask wearing: 90% CI [0.01, 0.12]; hand washing: 95% CI [0.01, 0.21]). Planning did not mediate the relationship between intention and the two behaviors. The findings illustrate that action self-efficacy is positively associated with intention to facemask wearing and hand washing, and action control contributes to bridging intention to behaviors. Both motivational and volitional factors warrant consideration in interventions to improve adherence to facemask wearing and hand washing in COVID-19.

Attitudes and behavioral intentions of aortic dissection survivors towards exercise: an application of the health action process approach framework.

BACKGROUND: Exercise can help patients with aortic dissection (AD) control blood pressure, prevent further progression of AD, promote mental health, improve the prognosis of cardiovascular disease, and improve their overall quality of life. However, it is not clear what the attitudes and behavioral intentions of AD survivors are towards exercise. METHODS: This exploratory qualitative research was based on the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) theory to explore the cognition, attitude, motivational factors, behavior intention, barriers and facilitators of exercise in patients with AD. Face-to-face and telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted in 24 AD patients from the Department of Cardio-Vascular Surgery of third-grade Class A hospitals in Wuhan, China from April 2021 to June 2021. The patient's current stage of behavior was evaluated according to the Patient-Centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise (PACE) questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the 24 participants interviewed, 9 (37.5%) were in the pre-intention stage, 8 (33.3%) were in the intention stage, and 7 (29.2%) were in the action stage. The three groups were significantly different in terms of their history of previous cardiac surgery (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.043) and in the type of interview conducted (Fisher's exact test, p < 0.001). In-patients with a history of cardiac surgery were more likely to be in the pre-intention stage (post-hoc test, p < 0.05). Patients from different stages had different structures. AD patients in the pre-intention stage were more likely to express risk perception and negative results for exercise. The self-efficacy of this group was often low, and lacked exercise intention and clear action plans (post-hoc test, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: More attention should be paid to in-patients with a history of cardiac surgery, including health advice on exercise after discharge and promotion of changes in their health behavior. Guidelines based on the available exercise data in AD patients should be established to provide recommendations for individualized exercise programs. This should provide a basis for promoting patient rehabilitation and improving postoperative quality of life.

Using the Health Action Process Approach to predict blood donation intentions and return behavior following a vasovagal reaction for whole blood and plasma donors.

BACKGROUND: To inform the development of interventions to retain donors following a vasovagal reaction (VVR), the aim of this study is to use the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) to identify predictors of intentions to re-donate and actual return behavior among whole blood (WB) and plasma donors who experienced a VVR. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 1136 WB donors (Mage  = 32.4 ± 12.5 years; 73.4% female) and 1141 plasma donors (Mage  = 36.5 ± 14.4 years; 73.3% female) completed an online survey after experiencing a VVR. Two hierarchical regression analyses were conducted for each donation type. In the first analysis, donation intentions were regressed onto the motivational HAPA constructs and social support. In the second analysis, donor return within 6 months was regressed onto social support, intentions, and the volitional HAPA constructs. RESULTS: The motivational and social support variables accounted for 47.2% of the variance in intentions to return in WB donors and 15.7% in plasma donors. For both groups, task self-efficacy, positive and negative outcome expectancies, and social support were significant predictors of intentions to return. Intentions and action planning were significant predictors of donor return in both groups, and recovery self-efficacy was significant for plasma only. CONCLUSION: The HAPA model can provide guidance to blood collection agencies to design phase-specific and individually-focused interventions to retain WB and plasma donors following a VVR.

Assessing sleep-related attitudes with the implicit association test: A prospective study in young adults.

The measurement of automatic attitudes towards sleep, in addition to reflective self-reports, might improve our ability to predict and explain sleep-hindering practices. Two types of implicit association tests (IATs), a sleep-related evaluations IAT and a sleep-related self-identity IAT, were developed to evaluate their efficacy for assessing automatic sleep-related attitudes. In addition, a speeded self-report measure of sleep evaluations was explored as a means to assess automatic sleep-related attitudes. The study included 136 young adults (age = 21.70 ± 2.22, 43% female). At baseline, the two IATs, the speeded self-report, and standard self-reports of sleep determinants (reflective attitudes, self-efficacy, intention and action planning for sleep-promoting behaviour), sleep hygiene practices, sleep quality, and sleep duration were assessed. All variables except for the sleep determinants were assessed again at 2-week follow-up. The results demonstrated good reliability of the two IAT versions, but both IATs were unrelated to the speeded self-report, the sleep determinants, sleep practices, sleep quality or sleep duration. The speeded self-report correlated significantly with the standard self-reports of sleep determinants. Baseline scores on the IATs or speeded self-report did not predict sleep hygiene practices, sleep duration or sleep quality at follow-up. The findings indicate that sleep-related IATs might not be suited to assess automatic sleep-related attitudes. Further investigation is needed to determine whether speeded self-reports are valid measures of automatic attitudes. Moreover, more empirical research is required to clarify the role of automatic processes for sleep hygiene behaviours.

Predictors of colorectal cancer screening intention based on the integrated theory of planned behavior among the average-risk individuals.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the predictors of colorectal cancer screening intention based on the integrated theory of planned behavior among average -risk individuals in Urmia. Identifying these predictors will help design and implement various interventions, including educational interventions, according to the needs of this group, thereby taking a step towards improving the colorectal cancer screening index. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was performed on 410 individuals at average risk of colorectal cancer referring to the comprehensive health services centers of Urmia in Iran. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of two parts. The first part captured the demographic information and medical history of the participants. The second part involved questions designed based on constructs of motivational phase of health action process approach, and theory of planned behavior, as well as behavioral intent to perform colorectal cancer screening. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Outcome expectancies, risk perception, action self-efficacy, and normative beliefs, respectively had the largest impact and were significant and positive predictors of colorectal cancer screening intention. The study's conceptual framework explained about 36% of the variance of behavioral intention among the average-risk individuals in Urmia. CONCLUSIONS: Constructs of motivational phase of health action process approach, and theory of planned behavior are valuable and appropriate to identify the factors affecting the intention to undergo colorectal cancer screening as well as to design and implement educational interventions in this field. The four constructs of outcome expectancies, risk perception, action self-efficacy, and normative beliefs are suggested to be integrated into all educational interventions designed and implemented to improve the colorectal cancer screening index.

Impacts of two behavior change interventions on determinants of medication adherence: process evaluation applying the health action process approach and habit theory alongside a randomized controlled trial.

Investigating the mechanisms of behavior change interventions provides a more fulsome understanding of how and why interventions work (or don't work). We assessed mechanisms of two interventions (mailouts alone, and mailouts plus telephone support, informed by the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) and Habit Theory), designed to increase medication adherence after myocardial infarction. We conducted a process evaluation alongside a pragmatic trial. Medication adherence was assessed via self-report at 12-months in the trial, and participants in all trial groups were invited to contemporaneously complete an additional questionnaire assessing targeted mechanisms (HAPA constructs and automaticity). We used multiple regression-based mediation models to investigate indirect effects. Of 589 respondents, 497 were analyzed (92 excluded due to missing data). Mailouts plus telephone support had statistically significant but small effects on intention, social support, action planning, coping planning, and automaticity. There were no indirect effects of interventions on medication adherence via these constructs. Therefore, while this intervention led to changes in proposed mechanisms, these changes were not great enough to lead to behavior change. Refinements (and subsequent evaluation) of the interventions are warranted, and our findings indicate that this could involve offering more intensive support to form plans and identify cues for taking medications, in addition to providing physical supports to encourage self-monitoring, feedback, and habit formation. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02382731.