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Comparison Of Health-Related Fitness And Modifiable Lifestyle Behaviors Between Swat Officers And Professional Firefighters: An Exploratory Study, Joel Martin, Anne Akagi, Michael Toczko, Megan Sax Van Der Weyden, Kayleigh Newman, Joseph Hahn, Marcie B. Fyock-Martin

Health Behavior Research

Emergency responders engage in occupations that benefit from living a healthy lifestyle to ensure physical and mental preparedness. We compared fitness and healthy lifestyle behaviors between special weapons and tactics (SWAT) officers and firefighters. We analyzed data from 14 SWAT officers and 17 firefighters. Self-reported healthy lifestyle behavior measures included physical activity, sleep quality, and dietary behaviors. Fitness measures included body composition, flexibility, muscular strength, and endurance. Firefighters had higher (p < .05) body mass, body mass index, body fat percentage and fat mass than SWAT officers. SWAT officers performed better (p < .05) than the firefighters on vertical jump, push-ups, and a maximum plank hold. We found no difference regarding sleep quality or dietary behaviors; however, SWAT officers reported more minutes of vigorous (p = .006) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p = .035). Our findings suggest that fitness and lifestyle behaviors vary among different emergency responder populations and public …

Impact Of An Adaptive Worksite Diabetes Prevention Trial On Health Action Process Approach Outcomes Regarding Dietary Intake And Physical Activity, Danielle E. King, Carla K. Miller, Haikady N. Nagaraja, Kentaro Fujita, Jennifer S. Cheavens

Health Behavior Research

Weight loss, through a reduction in energy intake and increase in energy expenditure, can reduce diabetes risk in people with prediabetes. However, lifestyle change can be challenging even with positive intentions. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) theoretical framework bridges the intention-behavior gap by targeting planning behaviors and strengthening efficacious beliefs for behavioral change. In the current trial, an adaptive design was employed to examine differences in HAPA measures (i.e., planning and self-efficacy) regarding the target behaviors of dietary intake and physical activity (PA). Adults ≥ 21 years old with overweight or obesity and prediabetes (n = 185) received the …

Warning Crowdsourced Study Participants About Possible Consequences For Inattentive Participation Relates To Informed Consent, Regardless Of Effects On Data Quality, Jon Agley, Casey Mumaw

Health Behavior Research

Brühlmann and colleagues recently examined the effects of “warning statements” on insufficient effort responding (IER) in crowdsourced research, specifically Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Among other findings, it showed that passively reading a warning statement did not significantly reduce careless responding relative to a control condition. This brief essay discusses the context around IER on crowdsourced data collection platforms, finding Brühlmann’s contribution valuable. It then points out how crowdsourced studies by U.S. researchers using mechanisms like attention checks to control for IER plausibly should include warning statements regardless of their effect on IER due to federal research regulations around payment transparency.

Using College Students As Peer Leaders In A Tobacco Prevention Program And The Effect On Student Participant Smoking Beliefs And Social Influence Leadership, Elizabeth A. Kleitz, Namuna Sunar, Greenlee Rigby

Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences

This study evaluates the effectiveness of using college students as peer leaders in an after-school tobacco prevention program for upper elementary students. Thirty-three students and three counselors participated in a six-week intervention, focusing on social influence and active-learning strategies. The program aimed to improve students' smoking outcome expectancies and their ability to influence peers against tobacco use. Despite following best practices, the study found no significant changes in students' smoking beliefs or observed leadership abilities. These results suggest that while initial anti-tobacco beliefs remained strong, the short duration and structured setting may have limited opportunities for significant behavioral changes. This …

Electronic Nicotine Product (Enp) Graphic Warnings: Association Between Exposure And Changes In Perceived Susceptibility And Severity Of Explosion And Lung Injuries, Erica Harp, Matthew E. Rossheim, Xiaoquan Zhao, Christian Seiter, Ogechikamma C. Emechebe, Eric Soule

Health Behavior Research

Electronic nicotine products (ENPs) are the most prevalent form of tobacco use among U.S. young adults. Research is needed to investigate how to communicate new risks from ENPs to the public. In this study, we tested the comparative persuasiveness of ENP explosion and lung injury graphic warnings. We recruited a sample of 343 young adults (18 to 28 years; 146 male, 197 female), including both ENP users and nonusers, via Amazon Mechanical Turk in October 2020. We randomly assigned participants to one of six exposure conditions: two images of lung injuries with prevalence statistics, two images of battery explosion injuries …

Just Pin It: Understanding The Dynamics Of Pinterest Use, Motivation, Self-Efficacy, And Health Behaviors, Kathryn E. Dolphin, Rachel Char, Summer Rogers

Health Behavior Research

Image-based social media platforms, such as Pinterest, have revolutionized how individuals seek, share, and interpret health information. Previous research suggests a link between consuming social media content and intentions to engage in health behaviors; however, it is unclear if individuals who actively seek health-related information on social media engage in healthier behaviors. This mixed-methods study explored the relationships among Pinterest use, motivations, self-efficacy, and health behaviors. Women participants (n = 227) completed surveys that included sociodemographic characteristics, motivation, self-efficacy, Pinterest use, and diet and exercise behaviors. Independent samples t-tests assessed differences in exercise behaviors, and multivariate analyses of variance …

"Coping In The Time Of Crisis": A Study On College Students' Mental Health And Coping Mechanisms Amidst The Covid-19 Pandemic., Amir Bhochhibhoya, Liz Mcdowell, Sayward Harrison

Health Behavior Research

The sudden closure of colleges and universities, among other challenges, disrupted higher education across US states during the subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impacting the mental health of college students. The study was designed to comprehend the major stressors that college students encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic and the strategies they employed to cope with these stressors. The participants included undergraduate students from a small rural public university in the Southeast region of the US. A survey comprising 35 items to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on mental health and coping mechanisms was employed. The study included 170 …

Health Belief Model, Demographic, And Sexual Behavioral Factors Associated With Mpox Vaccination Among Men Who Have Sex With Men, Christopher Owens, Randolph Duane Hubach

Health Behavior Research

The mpox virus outbreak (formerly known as monkeypox) in the United States created an urgent need to inform vaccination acceptance and uptake interventions. We quantitatively examined the association of the Health Belief Model, demographic, and sexual behavioral factors with men who have sex with men (MSM) getting the mpox vaccine. We qualitatively explored MSM’s perceived barriers to obtaining the mpox vaccine. A convenience sample of MSM in the United States (n = 554) completed a mixed-method online cross-sectional survey. A series of chi-square tests of independence, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regressions were used to analyze associations between participants who were …

What Now: The Role Of Attitude And Communicative Actions When Making Decisions During A Disease Crisis, Ashley Mcleod-Morin, Lauri Baker, Angela B. Lindsey, Lisa K. Lundy, Ricky Telg

Journal of Applied Communications

During a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations often communicate about a risk to encourage people to take particular protective actions, and the decision-making process about protective actions can be especially complex. It is important to determine how organizations can encourage specific behaviors and, as such, this study sought to investigate how attitudes and communicative actions influenced behavior related to recommendations from the CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address the purpose of this study, an online quantitative survey was distributed to United States residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from this study reveal that attitude and transmission and …

Examining The Relationship Between Health Literacy And Preventive Care Use, Xuewei Chen, Guofan Luo, Ming Li, Gary Kreps

Health Behavior Research

We examined the role of health literacy on preventive care among college students and assessed individual health literacy skills from a theory-based multidimensional perspective using both subjective and objective measures. Methods: Participants (n=561) completed our online survey with valid responses. Data collection was conducted from April to June 2020. We assessed participants’ health literacy using different measures, including Health Insurance Literacy Measure (HILM), eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), All Aspect of Health Literacy Scale (AAHLS), and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS). The first three were subjective measures. The last one was an objective test. Preventive care included annual flu vaccinations, annual …

Associations Of Essential Worker Status, Sex, Lifestyle Behaviors, And Moods: Findings From A Sample Of Working Adults In The United States During The Early Stages Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ali Boolani, Joel Martin, Erica Jansen, Nelson Cortes, Shane Caswell, Jeremy Lackman, Staci Drewson, Matthew Lee Smith

Health Behavior Research

COVID-19 profoundly impacted the world by causing disruptions in the global job markets due to business closures to support physical distancing in the earliest stages of the pandemic. To maintain basic societal function in the early stages of the pandemic, workers were classified based on the nature of their employment responsibilities as essential (i.e., continued working outside the home) and non-essential (i.e., required to work from home). Using a cross-sectional design, this study identified the lifestyle behaviors (sleep, diet, physical activity) and mood among US workers. An internet-based survey was used to collect data from US adults from April 13 …

Class Standing Differences In Bystander Intervention Intentions To Prevent Sexual Assault: A Reasoned Action Approach, Sarah E. Rush Griffin, Christine Hackman, Paul Branscum, Neha Gautam

Health Behavior Research

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in determinants of bystander intervention (BI) participation based on undergraduate students' year in school using the Reasoned Action Approach (RAA). Students (n = 291) were recruited from general education courses at two universities in the United States and completed an online survey evaluating intentions, attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) associated with engaging in BI. Next, attitudes, perceived norms, and PBC were used to predict intentions using separate linear regression models – one model with upper-level students and another model with first-year students. Both models significantly predicted intentions, with …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Current Cannabis Use Among U.S. Young Adults, Afolakemi C. Olaniyan, Keith A. King, Laura A. Nabors, Ashley L. Merianos

Health Behavior Research

Cannabis use is a significant public health issue among U.S. young adults. The objective of this study was to assess the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and current cannabis use among U.S. young adults. We conducted a secondary analysis of the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, which involved 498 U.S. young adults 18-24 years old who had data available for analysis on ACEs and current cannabis use. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were fitted to examine the associations between ACEs and current cannabis use. Adjusted models included participants’ sex, race/ethnicity, education level, and household income …

Psychometric Properties Of The Adolescent And Young Adult Men – Health Indicators Scale (Ayam-His), Michael J. Rovito, Shari Dworkin, Keri Allen, Kathy E. Rovito, Sydney Martinez

Health Behavior Research

The goal of this current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the AYAM-HIS among a select sample of AYAMs, a priority population experiencing disparate health outcomes compared to women. These preliminary results indicate that AYAM-HIS yielded reliable and valid data, thus providing a means to measure indicators of health behaviors and possible outcomes within this population. The AYAM-HIS can provide the necessary information to assess current health behaviors so as to provide a foundation from which interventions can be designed. Future research into reducing survey fatigue related to AYAM-HIS and testing with diverse populations are warranted.

Strategy For Expanding Nutrition Professionals’ Competency: A Pilot Case Study In Dissemination And Implementation Science Training, Ayron E. Walker, Elizabeth A. Claydon, Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller, Daniel Totzkay, Melissa D. Olfert

Health Behavior Research

Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) science trainings are essential to build knowledge among a variety of current and future health professionals.

The objective of this study was to pilot-test and assess implementation of a nutrition-specific D&I science training.

Participants (students enrolled in nutrition and public health programs) completed pre/post surveys and exit interviews. Descriptive statistics and a qualitative thematic analysis used deductive coding; in which coding and theme development are directed by existing concepts. Initial coding was completed by one researcher and validated by an additional researcher to describe and provide examples of the categories the Kirkpatrick Model and Implementation Outcomes …

Alcopops Disproportionately Consumed By Minors In Sexual Assault Cases, Matthew E. Rossheim, Kwynn M. Gonzalez-Pons, Kayla Tillett, Ryan D. Treffers, Pamela J. Trangenstein, Jennifer Lerch, Faye Taxman, Kaylin Greene, Cassidy Loparco, David H. Jernigan

Health Behavior Research

Alcohol is present in a large proportion of sexual assault cases. However, research largely overlooks the role that providing alcoholic beverages – particularly those with high-alcohol- content and/or whose flavors mask the taste of alcohol – may have in making young people more vulnerable to being assaulted. This research is especially important given the rise in the availability of sugar-sweetened alcopops and their high-alcohol-content counterparts “supersized alcopops,” which contain up to 5.5 standard alcoholic drinks. In the current study, we examined whether alcopops and supersized alcopops, relative to beer, were involved in disproportionately more sexual assault cases involving victims who …

“We Have To Improve Our Culture About This”: Family Planning Decision-Making Among Women And Men Living In Florence, Italy, Alyssa Amidei, Taylor Raff, Andrea L. Demaria

Health Behavior Research

The male condom is the most widely used family planning method in Italy and Southern Europe. Most family planning research is focused on women and, therefore, could be missing significant gender differences in behavior, as male partners play a critical role in decision-making and pregnancy prevention. This study aimed to explore attitudes toward contraceptive methods, including decision-making and desired improvements related to family planning in Italy. Semi- structured interviews with 42 men and women aged 18–50 years (29.1±7.9) living in or near Florence, Italy, were conducted between May and June 2019. Techniques from thematic analysis allowed for a constant comparative …

Impact Of A Study Abroad Course In Helping Undergraduate Students Affirm Their Career Aspirations To Become Veterinarians: A Qualitative Inquiry, Jose M. Uscanga, M. Craig Edwards, J. Shane Robinson, Rob Terry Jr., Udaya Desilva

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education

Twenty-five students who participated in a study abroad course tailored to veterinary medicine during the summer of 2019 were the study’s sources of data. Using photovoice and phenomenology research methods, we sought to explore, understand, and interpret the impact of a study abroad course on pre-vet students’ views regarding veterinary medicine and their aspirations to become veterinarians. Students perceived that veterinary medicine in Mexico was structured differently from the U.S. approach and the nation’s socioeconomic and agroclimatology conditions impacted the delivery of veterinary care and affected the work settings and practice of veterinarians. They not only discerned the uniqueness of …

Mental Health Problems Among Elementary School Students Mandated To E-Learning: A Covid-19 Rapid Review Caveat, Renée M. D'Amore, Angelina N. Halpern, Lauren R. Reed, Kevin M. Gorey

International Journal of School Social Work

Extended lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic mandated millions of students worldwide to e-learning and by default made many of their parents proxy homeschool teachers. Preliminary anecdotal, journalistic and qualitative evidence suggested that elementary school children and their parents were probably most vulnerable to this stressor and most likely to experience mental health problems because of it. We responded with a rapid review of 15 online surveys to estimate the magnitude of such risks and their predictors between 2020 and 2021. The pooled relative risk of mental health problems among school children and their parents was substantial (RR = 1.97). Moreover, …

Positive College Experiences Moderate The Association Between Resilience And Anxiety Symptoms Among Underrepresented College Students, Jihun Woo, Erum Z. Whyne, Jaylen I. Wright, H. Matthew Lehrer, Mary A. Steinhardt

Health Behavior Research

Generalized anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health concerns for college students. Resilience, one’s ability to recover from adversity, is a critical component in reducing anxiety. The association between resilience and anxiety may be strengthened by positive college experiences of institutional support and experiential learning, particularly among underrepresented students. This study explored whether positive college experiences (Gallup “Big Six”) moderated the association between resilience (Brief Resilience Scale) and anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7) among underrepresented college students (N = 430; 73.5% first year; 38.1% first generation) at a large public institution. Controlling for demographic variables, greater resilience …

An Exploratory Model Of Shared Decision-Making In Women's Reproductive Health In Indiana: A Cross-Sectional Study, Stephanie Meier, Alfu Laily, Laura Schwab Reese, Monica Kasting, Andrea L. Demaria

Health Behavior Research

Ecological approaches to shared decision-making (SDM) are underexplored in women’s reproductive health. The purpose was to identify ecological factors important to women in contraceptive and prenatal care SDM. In this cross-sectional study, women (18-45 years) living in Indiana who had sought reproductive healthcare completed an online survey (N=432). Multiple linear regression was utilized to identify predictors of SDM. Furthermore, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were conducted to explore ecological factors associated with SDM in contraception and prenatal care. Healthcare professional type was associated with decreased contraceptive SDM scores, but not prenatal care SDM scores. Access, …

Investigating Moderation In The Prospective Relationship Of Marijuana Use To Subsequent Illicit Substance Use: Evidence From Add Health, Radhika Prasad, Ming Wen, Zobayer Ahmmad, Daniel Adkins

Health Behavior Research

Whereas socially normalized substances (e.g., marijuana) may increase the probability of subsequent progression to more harmful illicit substances, previous empirical research on the topic has yielded inconsistent results. Few studies have prospectively examined whether age of first documented current marijuana use is related to later harmful illicit substance use over multiple life course stages, or considered potential moderation of the process by age of first documented current marijuana use, gender, or race/ethnicity. To investigate this topic, data from five waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult (N=20,774), spanning ages 12-42, were used to analyze the prospective association …

Potentially Misleading Weight Loss Advertisements Targeting Men: Examining Influence Of Celebrity Athlete Endorsement On Ad Believability And Purchase Intentions, Andrew C. Pickett, Katie M. Brown, Zack J. Damon, Natasha T. Brison

Health Behavior Research

Given the prevalence of false or exaggerated claims in advertisements for weight loss products, as well as risks associated with use of unproven dietary supplements and exercise plans, they are subject to heightened scrutiny from regulators. However, celebrity athlete endorsers are increasingly featured in advertisements promoting weight loss products targeting men. This study employed a 2x2 (athlete endorser vs. non-celebrity; plausible vs. unrealistic advertising claim) experimental design, whereby participants (n= 292) were exposed to one of four ad conditions. Results suggest the athlete endorser was perceived as more credible than a non-celebrity, being rated as more expert. Significant …

Effects Of Body Satisfaction And Emotional Eating On Obesity Treatment-Related Changes In Weight And Waist Circumference Over 2 Years: A Serial Multiple Mediation Analysis, James J. Annesi, Francine A. Stewart

Health Behavior Research

Maintenance of lost weight beyond 6 months in adults with obesity remains problematic. To reliably impact obesity over the long term, an improved understanding of treatment-associated changes in psychosocial factors is required. Women are especially susceptible to body image concerns and emotional eating; however, associations among those variables within weight-management processes have been limited to either cross-sectional or short-term analyses. Women with obesity (M_age = 47.4 years, SD = 8.6) who participated in either a year-long YMCA-based cognitive-behavioral treatment emphasizing self-regulation of exercise and eating (n = 54), or a similar treatment that also included brief phone …

Indirect Effect Of Self-Regulated Exercise On Mood Through Self-Efficacy Changes, James J. Annesi

Health Behavior Research

To improve deficient long-term effects, an improved understanding of psychosocial factors occurring within behavioral obesity treatments is required. The aim of this study was to suggest paths from changes in self-regulation toward reduced negative mood to inform the direction of more comprehensive investigations and treatment foci. Initially low active women (N = 87) participated in a theory-driven community-based behavioral obesity program emphasizing self-regulation and exercise. There were significant (ps < .001) improvements in exercise amounts, exercise-related self-regulation and self-efficacy, negative mood, and emotional eating during the weight loss phase of baseline–Month 6, and significant (ps < .01) deteriorations during the weight-loss maintenance phase of Month 6–Month 24. During both phases, significant paths (95% CIs [-0.31, -0.01], [-0.14, -0.01], and [-0.50, -0.01]) from changes in self-regulation toward reduced negative mood were through self-efficacy, but not exercise change itself. The mood change-emotional eating change relationships were significant (95% CIs [0.16, 0.39] and [0.19, 0.48]). Although extensions of this research are required to better understand long-term obesity intervention processes, the present findings suggest importance of treatment foci on identified psychological mechanisms of exercise treatment-mood change relationships.

Rural Redemption: A Model To Help Understand The Perspectives Of Rural Americans Related To Vaccine Science, Lauri Baker, Ashley Mcleod-Morin, Chen-Xian Yang, Audrey E. H. King, Shelby Thomas, Kristina Boone

Journal of Applied Communications

Rural communities are vital to the foundation of American agriculture and are currently disproportionately affected by health and environmental challenges that will require broad scientific solutions. Cooperative Extension professionals and agricultural communicators are increasingly tasked with communicating about the science surrounding these topics and need effective tools for determining strategic communication tactics to influence personal behaviors. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of community-based social marketing (CBSM) concepts and trust in science on rural Americans’ intentions and attitudes toward the COVID-19 vaccine. A hypothesized model was developed that included concepts of CBSM, trust in science, intentions, …

Emotional Eating And Diet-Related Self-Efficacy, Motivation, And Norms In Adolescents, Tyler Mason, Rachel Dayag, Anna Dolgon-Krutolow, Kathy Lam, Diana Zhang, Vivienne Hazzard, Kathryn Smith

Health Behavior Research

The objective of the current study was to examine the association between emotional eating and self-efficacy, motivation, and social norms for consumption of fruits and vegetables (F/V) and energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods and beverages, as well as interactions with body mass index-z score (BMI-z). Adolescents completed self-report measures of demographics, emotional eating, and dietary health behavior theory constructs. Emotional eating was associated with lower self-efficacy for consumption of F/V and for limiting EDNP foods/beverages; greater motivation for limiting of EDNP foods/beverages; lower social norms for consumption of F/V; and greater social norms for consumption of EDNP foods/beverages. There were no …

A Descriptive Study Of Health Literacy And Social Determinants Of Health As Curricula Topics In Medical School Education, Nicholas J. Felter, Valerie A. Ubbes

Health Behavior Research

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the extent to which health literacy and social determinants of health exist together in medical school curricula, and the attitudes and beliefs of medical school educators toward the relevance of these topics taught in the curriculum. The research used a descriptive cross-sectional survey design of institutions that comprised the Accelerating Change in Medical Education (ACE) Consortium of the American Medical Association. The study population was 36 ACE institutions, but only 11 ACE institutions made up the study sample. Results also showed that five health literacy items were taught as curricula topics in …

Relationships Between Self-Regulation And Use Of Parenting Strategies For Eating And Physical Activity Behaviors Among Mexican-Heritage Mothers, Haley Delgado, M. Renee Umstattd Meyer, Tyler Prochnow, Megan Mcclendon, Joseph R. Sharkey

Health Behavior Research

It is important to understand theoretically based support behaviors that can promote healthy eating and active living among Mexican-heritage mothers. This study examined the relationship between maternal self-regulation (the capacity to plan, guide, and monitor one’s behavior flexibly in the face of changing circumstances) and use of parenting strategies among mothers residing along the Texas-Mexico border. Mothers (n = 116) were recruited from three geographic regions within Hidalgo County, Texas. A 21-item survey was administered to measure self-regulation through goal setting and limit setting. The Parenting Strategies for Eating and Activity Scale (PEAS) was used to measure parenting strategies …

Influence Of The Use Of Social-Media And Exposure To Pornography On The Sexual Behaviour Of Youths In Selected Tertiary Institutions In Southwest Nigeria, Oladipupo Samuel Olaleye, Ademola Ajuwon

Health Behavior Research

Exposure to pornography is fraught with health and social implications. In Nigeria, there is a dearth of information on how youths have been exposed to pornography on social media (SM) and the effects of this on their sexual behaviors (SB). This study described the pattern of SM use, exposure to pornography, and the effects of this exposure on SB of young persons in southwest Nigeria. Two hundred students were randomly selected from two tertiary institutions. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire that explored the respondents’ SM usage pattern, exposure to pornography, and SB. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, …