Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons^™

Trait Hope And Preparation For Future Care Needs Among Older Adult Primary Care Patients, Jodi L. Southerland, Deborah L. Slawson, Robert Pack, Silvia Sörensen, Jeffrey M. Lyness, Jameson K. Hirsch

Jameson K. Hirsch

We examined associations between trait hope and preparation for future care needs (PFCN) among 66 older adult primary care patients in western New York. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing PFCN (awareness, information gathering, decision-making, concrete planning, and avoidance), and the Adult Trait Hope Scale. In multivariate regressions, lower hope, particularly less agency, was associated with more awareness of needing care, whereas higher hopefulness, particularly pathways thinking, was associated with increased decision-making and concrete planning. Greater hopefulness appears to be linked to goal-directed planning behaviors, although those with lower hope may actually be more aware of the need for planning. Evidence-based ...

Basic Psychological Needs, Suicidal Ideation, And Risk For Suicidal Behavior In Young Adults, Peter C. Britton, Kimberly A. Van Orden, Jameson K. Hirsch, Geoffrey C. Williams

Jameson K. Hirsch

Associations between the satisfaction of basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness with current suicidal ideation and risk for suicidal behavior were examined. Two logistic regressions were conducted with a cross-sectional database of 440 university students to examine the association of need satisfaction with suicidal ideation and risk for suicidal behavior, while controlling for demographics and depressive symptoms. Suicidal ideation was reported by 15% of participants and 18% were found to be at risk for suicidal behavior. A one standard deviation increase in need satisfaction reduced the odds of suicidal ideation by 53%, OR (95% CI) = 0.47 (0 ...

Amelioration Of Prenatal Alcohol Effects By Environmental Enrichment In A Mouse Model Of Fasd, Aniruddho Chokroborty-Hoque

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy results in a spectrum of behavioural and cognitive deficits collectively known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Currently, little is know about if and how the external environment may modulate these deficits. I have used C57BL/6 mice to study this interaction between prenatal alcohol exposure and the postnatal environment. Alcohol exposure during synaptogenesis produces high levels of anxiety-like traits and decreased memory performance. Alcohol-exposed mice (and matched unexposed controls) were put in 'environmentally-enriched' conditions of voluntary exercise, physical activities and cognitive stimulation to ascertain the effects of a positive postnatal environment. The results show ...

Optimism And Planning For Future Care Needs Among Older Adults, Silvia Sörensen, Jameson K. Hirsch, Jeffrey M. Lyness

Jameson K. Hirsch

Aging is associated with an increase in need for assistance. Preparation for future care (PFC) is related to improved coping ability as well as better mental and physical health outcomes among older adults. We examined the association of optimism with components of PFC among older adults. We also explored race differences in the relationship between optimism and PFC. In Study 1, multiple regression showed that optimism was positively related to concrete planning. In Study 2, optimism was related to gathering information. An exploratory analysis combining the samples yielded a race interaction: For Whites higher optimism, but for Blacks lower optimism ...

Perceived Health In Lung Cancer Patients: The Role Of Positive And Negative Affect, Jameson K. Hirsch, Andrea R. Floyd, Paul R. Duberstein

Jameson K. Hirsch

Purpose: To examine the association of affective experience and health-related quality of life in lung cancer patients, we hypothesized that negative affect would be positively, and positive affect would be negatively, associated with perceived health. Methods: A sample of 133 English-speaking lung cancer patients (33% female; mean age = 63.68 years old, SD = 9.37) completed a battery of self-report surveys. Results: Results of our secondary analysis indicate that trait negative affect was significantly associated with poor physical and social functioning, greater role limitations due to emotional problems, greater bodily pain, and poor general health. Positive affect was significantly associated ...

The Interrelations Between Spiritual Well-Being, Pain Interference And Depressive Symptoms In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis, Sheri A. Nsamenang, Jameson K. Hirsch, Raluca Topciu, Andrew D. Goodman, Paul R. Duberstein

Jameson K. Hirsch

Depressive symptoms are common in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), and are frequently exacerbated by pain; however, spiritual well-being may allow persons with MS to more effectively cope with pain-related deficits in physical and role functioning. We explored the associations between spiritual well-being, pain interference and depressive symptoms, assessing each as a potential mediator, in eighty-one patients being treated for MS, who completed self-report measures: Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Pain Effects Scale, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised. At the bivariate level, spiritual well-being and its subscale of meaning and peace were negatively associated ...

Health Behaviors Among College Students: The Influence Of Future Time Perspective And Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction, Preston L. Visser, Jameson K. Hirsch

Jameson K. Hirsch

Health behavior change may prevent many fatal diseases, and may be influenced by social and motivational constructs. We assessed the interaction effect of future time perspective and basic psychological need fulfillment on positive and negative health behaviors. Future time perspective was associated with more positive, and less negative, health behaviors. Need fulfillment was associated with only positive health behaviors. In moderation analyses, individuals reporting both high need fulfillment and future perspective reported greater positive health behaviors, and were especially unlikely to smoke. Enhancing future-mindedness and supporting need satisfaction in interventions targeting modifiable health behaviors is encouraged.

Functional Impairment, Illness Burden, And Depressive Symptoms In Older Adults: Does Type Of Social Relationship Matter?, Joshua P. Hatfield, Jameson K. Hirsch, Jeffrey M. Lyness

Jameson K. Hirsch

Objective: The nature of interpersonal relationships, whether supportive or critical, may affect the association between health status and mental health outcomes. We examined the potential moderating effects of social support, as a buffer, and family criticism, as an exacerbating factor, on the association between illness burden, functional impairment and depressive symptoms. Methods: Our sample of 735 older adults, 65 years and older, was recruited from internal and family medicine primary care offices. Trained interviewers administered the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Duke Social Support Inventory, and Family Emotional Involvement and Criticism Scale. Physician-rated assessments of health, including the Karnofsky Performance ...

Family Criticism And Depressive Symptoms In Older Adult Primary Care Patients: Optimism And Pessimism As Moderators, Jameson K. Hirsch, Kristin L. Walker, Ross B. Wilkinson, Jeffrey M. Lyness

Jameson K. Hirsch

Objective: Depression is a significant global public health burden, and older adults may be particularly vulnerable to its effects. Among other risk factors, interpersonal conflicts, such as perceived criticism from family members, can increase risk for depressive symptoms in this population. We examined family criticism as a predictor of depressive symptoms and the potential moderating effect of optimism and pessimism.

Methods: One hundred five older adult, primary care patients completed self-report measures of family criticism, optimism and pessimism, and symptoms of depression. We hypothesized that optimism and pessimism would moderate the relationship between family criticism and depressive symptoms.

Results: In ...

Addressing Common Mental Health Issues Prevalent Among Honors College Students, Steven Pham

Honors Theses

The prevalence and severity of mental health disorders on college campuses has been increasing nationwide. This review aims to address some of the prevalent mental health issues that continuously plague college students today. Recent trends in college student mental health are analyzed as well as literature regarding common disorders including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. A comparison of honors and non-honors students is provided to contribute to an otherwise lacking area of research surrounding honors student populations. Effective practices and policies for colleges and universities to incorporate into their counseling services are also considered, with viable goals centering on the ...

Teen, Parent, And Clinician Expectations About Obesity And Related Conditions During The Annual Well-Child Visit, Andrew S. Bossick, Charles Barone, Gwen L. Alexander, Heather A. Olden, Tanya Troy, Andrea E. Cassidy-Bushrow

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: This study aimed to examine family (patient, parent/guardian) and clinician preferences for identification and management of obesity and obesity-related conditions during the well-child visit.

Methods: Four focus groups with teen patients (n = 16), four focus groups with parents (n = 15) and one focus group with providers (n = 12) were conducted using a structured moderator guide tailored to each population. Eligible patients had a well-child visit during the past 12 months and a diagnosis of overweight, obesity, hyperlipidemia or elevated blood pressure. Parents who attended their child’s well-child visit and whose child met the diagnostic criteria were eligible ...

Racial Differences In Neighborhood Perceptions And Their Influences On Physical Activity Among Urban Older Women, Wenjun Li, Elizabeth Procter-Gray, Gretchen A. Youssef, Scott E. Crouter, Jie Cheng, Kristen Brown, Linda C. Churchill, Anthony Clarke, Judith K. Ockene, Michelle F. Magee

Judith K. Ockene

Background: Proper levels of physical activity (PA) are important to healthy aging. Little is known about racial differences in influences of neighborhood perceptions (NP) on PA and use of neighborhood resources among community-dwelling older women.

Materials and methods: In 2014 and 2015, 49 white and 44 black women of age 65 and older living in Washington, DC were queried about their PA, NP, use of neighborhood resources and sociodemographic characteristics. They wore an accelerometer and a Global Positioning System device concurrently for 7 consecutive days. Data were analyzed by race.

Results: Compared to Whites, Blacks had lower NP scores (71 ...

Racial Differences In Neighborhood Perceptions And Their Influences On Physical Activity Among Urban Older Women, Wenjun Li, Elizabeth Procter-Gray, Gretchen A. Youssef, Scott E. Crouter, Jie Cheng, Kristen Brown, Linda C. Churchill, Anthony Clarke, Judith K. Ockene, Michelle F. Magee

Wenjun Li

Background: Proper levels of physical activity (PA) are important to healthy aging. Little is known about racial differences in influences of neighborhood perceptions (NP) on PA and use of neighborhood resources among community-dwelling older women. Materials and methods: In 2014 and 2015, 49 white and 44 black women of age 65 and older living in Washington, DC were queried about their PA, NP, use of neighborhood resources and sociodemographic characteristics. They wore an accelerometer and a Global Positioning System device concurrently for 7 consecutive days. Data were analyzed by race. Results: Compared to Whites, Blacks had lower NP scores (71 ...

The Feasibility Of Incentivizing Participation In An Online Social Network Weight Loss Program, Sherry L. Pagoto, Molly E. Waring, Effie Olendzki, Jessica L. Oleski, Christine N. May, Martinus M. Evans

Molly E. Waring

Engagement in online social network-delivered weight loss interventions is a predictor of weight loss. Incentivizing engagement in a subset of participants may increase group engagement and subsequent weight loss. In a pilot feasibility trial, 56 adults with obesity were randomized to two Facebook-delivered weight loss interventions, one had 10% users incentivized to engage daily and the other did not. We compared conditions on engagement and weight loss, and then compared incentivized users and natural high engagers on weight loss. Participants were 46.3 (SD: 10.3) years and 89% female. The incentivized user condition had greater total engagement (p=0 ...

The Role Of Attitude, Control And Intention To Explain Fruit And Vegetable Intake Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Women With Low Socioeconomic Status, Michele Debiasse, Deborah J. Bowen, Sherry L. Pagoto, Joseph M. Massaro, N. Istfan, Lisa M. Quintiliani

Sherry L. Pagoto

Objective: Fruit and Vegetable (FV) intake-a modifiable risk factor for chronic diseases-is lower among racial/ethnic minorities and low Socio- Economic Status (SES) groups when compared to other populations. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is one theoretical model studied to explain and influence individual health behaviors, including FV intake, in middle class populations, but not exclusively in diverse, low SES groups. This cross-sectional study evaluated the utility of select TPB variables to explain intention to consume and intake of FV in this population.

Design: Demographics, BMI, select TPB variables, and FV intake were measured via survey. Bivariate analyses were ...

Slipbuddy: A Mobile Health Intervention To Prevent Overeating, Bengisu Tulu, Carolina Ruiz, Joshua Allard, Joseph Acheson, Andrew Busch, Andrew Roskusku, Gage Heeringa, Victor Jaskula, Jessica Oleski, Sherry L. Pagoto

Sherry L. Pagoto

Obesity is one of the top health issues around the globe. Rapid adoption of smartphones presents an opportunity for delivering technology-based interventions that are designed to tackle behaviors that contribute to weight gain. Research shows that the vast majority of weight loss apps in the market place do not go beyond deploying tracking based strategies that are burdensome to the users. In this study, we present a new mobile app and an intervention system called SlipBuddy that puts less burden on users and implements stimulus control strategy to help users lose weight. We describe the SlipBuddy system in detail and ...

Recruiting Low Income Post-Partum Women Into A Weight Loss Trial: In-Person Versus Facebook Delivery, Valerie J. Silfee, Andrea Lopez-Cepero, Stephenie C. Lemon, Milagros C. Rosal

Milagros C. Rosal

Several studies, such as the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), have provided foundational evidence for the effect of lifestyle modification interventions on diabetes prevention and weight loss. However, translating these programs to the real-world has proven difficult. There remains a need to increase the feasibility and reach of translational weight loss interventions.

PURPOSE: To compare the recruitment rates of overweight low income postpartum women into a DPP-adapted behavioral weight loss program delivered in-person versus delivered via Facebook.

METHODS: We compared two 8-week pilot behavioral weight loss trials; one delivered via weekly in-person group sessions and the other delivered entirely via Facebook ...

Recruiting Low Income Post-Partum Women Into A Weight Loss Trial: In-Person Versus Facebook Delivery, Valerie J. Silfee, Andrea Lopez-Cepero, Stephenie C. Lemon, Milagros C. Rosal

Stephenie C. Lemon

Several studies, such as the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), have provided foundational evidence for the effect of lifestyle modification interventions on diabetes prevention and weight loss. However, translating these programs to the real-world has proven difficult. There remains a need to increase the feasibility and reach of translational weight loss interventions.

PURPOSE: To compare the recruitment rates of overweight low income postpartum women into a DPP-adapted behavioral weight loss program delivered in-person versus delivered via Facebook.

METHODS: We compared two 8-week pilot behavioral weight loss trials; one delivered via weekly in-person group sessions and the other delivered entirely via Facebook ...

Emotional Eating Is Associated With Intake Of Energy-Dense Foods In Latinos, Andrea Lopez-Cepero, Christine Frisard, Stephenie C. Lemon, Milagros C. Rosal

Milagros C. Rosal

Background: Latinos experience profound health disparities in diet-related chronic conditions. Emotional eating (EE) has been positively associated with such conditions, however, little is known about the relationship between EE and energy-dense food intake that may influence risk for developing these conditions. Objective: To examine associations between EE and energy-dense food intake in Latino men and women. Methods: Latino individuals were recruited from a community health center in Lawrence, MA. Participants completed standardized assessments. EE was measured with the Three Factor Eating Behavior Questionnaire R18-V2. Dietary intake was measured with a culturally tailored Food Frequency Questionnaire. Energy-dense food groups defined as ...

The Home Matters: Adolescents Drink More Ssbs When Available At Home, Christina F. Haughton, Molly E. Waring, Lori Pbert, Milagros C. Rosal, Stephenie C. Lemon

Molly E. Waring

Objective: Sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has increased by 300% in the past three decades and the largest source of both added sugar and calories in the diets of US adolescents. It has been argued that the increased intake of SSBs has contributed to the rising prevalence of obesity. The availability and accessibility of foods/drinks in multiple levels of an adolescent’s environment can influence one’s choices and impact consumption. The aim of this study is to examine the association between adolescent self-report of the availability of SSBs in their home and SSB consumption and whether neighborhood and ...