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The American Academy Of Health Behavior 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting: "Health Communication, (Mis-)Information, And Behavior: Leveraging Technology For Behavioral Interventions And Health Behavior Research"

Health Behavior Research

The American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB) hosted its 24th Annual Scientific Meeting at The DeSoto Hotel in Savannah, Georgia on April 14-17, 2024. The meeting's theme was “Health Communication, (Mis-)Information, and Behavior: Leveraging Technology for Behavioral Interventions and Health Behavior Research". This publication describes the meeting theme and includes the refereed abstracts presented at the 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting.

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 …

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 …

A Longitudinal Examination Of Multiple Forms Of Stigma On Minority Stress, Belongingness, And Problematic Alcohol Use, Akanksha Das, Rose Marie Ward, Lauren Haus, Jackson Heitt, Jeffrey Hunger

Health Behavior Research

College students who experience stigma report problematic alcohol use. However, the stigma-health link focuses on one form of stigma, thereby excluding the intersectional oppression of experiencing multiple forms of stigma. The present work has two primary aims: 1) evaluating whether additive intersectional minority stress confers greater problematic alcohol use among multiply-stigmatized college students one year later, and 2) whether that link can be explained by 1) lower belongingness and 2) greater drinking to cope motives. Students (N=427) ranging in stigmatized identities (14.3% zero; 46.4% one; 29.5% two; 9.8% three or more), participated in an annual health survey at two subsequent …

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 …

Associations Between Delta-8 Thc And Four Loko Retail Availability In Fort Worth, Texas, Cassidy R. Loparco, Sofia Olsson, Vishaldeep Sekhon, Kayla K. Tillett, Robert A. Yockey, Melvin D. Livingston, Pamela J. Trangenstein, Matthew E. Rossheim

Health Behavior Research

Alcohol and cannabis are two of the most widely used substances among young people, and availability and price are two of the most significant determinants of use. Four Loko products contain up to 5.5 standard alcoholic drinks in a single can, are one of the least expensive ready-to-drink alcohol products on the market and are commonly consumed by underage drinkers. Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive substance with no federal regulations regarding minimum purchase age, ingredients and synthesis, marketing, and testing for potency or contaminants. Delta-8 THC products can be inexpensively synthesized and are sold for low prices. Given that young …

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 …

Comparative Effects Of Weight Loss Associated With A Consistent Volume Of Exercise Within Education-Focused Vs. Self-Regulation-Focused Obesity Treatments In Women, James J. Annesi

Health Behavior Research

Although exercise is generally included in behavioral weight-management treatments, its association with weight loss cannot be reconciled by its corresponding energy expenditures in formerly low-active adults with obesity. It has been suggested that the self-regulation needed to maintain exercise carries over to more controlled eating (i.e., coaction) and weight loss, with exercise-associated mood improvements also having positive impacts on eating behaviors and weight. To clarify these findings to improve behavioral interventions, women randomly assigned to community-based obesity treatments with either a self-regulation focus (n = 40) or educational focus (n = 25) were included in the present reanalysis …

The Cigarillo Purchase Task: A Qualitative Analysis, Amanda J. Quisenberry, Sarah J. Koopman Gonzalez, Elizabeth Klein, Erika Trapl

Health Behavior Research

The cigarillo purchase task is a novel procedure modeled after the cigarette purchase task. This procedure can be used to assess the reinforcing value, or the positive behavioral response, to cigarillo products. Little research has used the cigarillo purchase task and the aim of the current study was to evaluate user’s understanding of and thoughts about a cigarillo purchase task. A convenience sample of young adults ages 21-28 were recruited online to participate in semi-structured interviews about cigarillo and e-cigarette use. The analysis included responses from participants who were current users of cigarillos (n=7) or cigarillos and e-cigarettes (n=8). Audio-recorded …

The Relationship Antecedents Of Smoking (Ras) Scale: A New Scale To Assess Couple-Focused Triggers To Smoke., Erin M. Tooley, Joseph L. Fava, Belinda Borrelli

Health Behavior Research

The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the reliability and construct validity of a measure of relationship-focused antecedents for smoking (RAS). The scale includes both positively-valenced items (e.g.. “I feel like smoking when I am relaxing with my partner”) and negatively-valenced items (e.g., “I feel like smoking when my partner criticizes me”). Participants included 123 individuals who smoke cigarettes with co-habitating smoking (n=63) or non-smoking (n=60) romantic partners. Participants completed the RAS and a series of measures associated with smoking outcomes. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation resulted in a 2-component solution. The RAS showed excellent internal consistency …

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.

A Field Test Of Popular Chatbots’ Responses To Questions Concerning Negative Body Image, Ruopeng An, Christopher W. Byron Jr., Chen Chen, Xiaoling Xiang

Health Behavior Research

Background: Chatbots are computer programs, often built upon large artificial intelligence models, that employ dialogue systems to enable online, natural language conversations with users via text, speech, or both. Body image, broadly defined as a combination of thoughts and feelings about one’s physical appearance, has been implicated in many risk behaviors and health problems, especially among adolescents and young adults. Little is known about how chatbots respond to questions about body image.

Methods: This study assessed the responses of 14 widely-used chatbots (eight companion and six therapeutic chatbots) to ten body image-related questions developed upon validated instruments. Chatbots’ responses were …

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 …

Lessons Learned From Conducting Health Behavior Research In An Under-Resourced, Urban Community, Keri F. Kirk, Brittany Schuler, Daphne C. Hernandez

Health Behavior Research

Existing literature discusses challenges in conducting community-engaged health behavior interventions. However, discussions associated with the barriers to executing community-engaged health behavior research with vulnerable populations are limited in the literature. This current issue provides lessons learned for the purpose of improving community-engaged research within communities that are under-resourced. The lessons learned stem from challenges with the recruitment and enrollment procedures and study design with a previous qualitative community-engaged research project. The research recommendations proposed are geared toward students preparing to engage in dissertation research and early-stage investigators who are interested in conducting research in under-resourced communities.

Associations Of Psychological Inflexibility With Exercise Self-Efficacy And Fatigue Severity Among Individuals Seeking Treatment For Weight-Related Behaviors, Kara Manning, Brooke Y. Kauffman, Lorra Garey, Michael J. Zvolensky

Health Behavior Research

Rates of obesity are continuing to rise, contributing to several negative health outcomes and economic burden. Past work suggests that individuals with greater body mass index (BMI) are more likely to report feeling fatigue and are less likely to follow an exercise regimen, which may lead to weight-related problems. Psychological inflexibility, a rigid thinking style in which individuals attempt to over-control psychological reactions to discomfort, may be an underrecognized explanatory factor underlying greater fatigue and lower rates of exercise among individuals with weight-related concerns. The aim of the current study was to explore the relationship between psychological inflexibility and both …

Early Effects Of Improved Mood On Propensity For Emotional Eating During The Physical Activity-Only Phase Of A Community-Based Behavioral Treatment For Obesity In Women With High Mood Disturbance, James J. Annesi, Amelia A. Eberly

Health Behavior Research

Weight loss beyond the short term is problematic for individuals with obesity. Especially for women, emotional eating is one of the greatest barriers and might require attention early in a behavioral weight-loss program. Physical activity-associated mood improvement may be associated with reduced emotional eating. Women with obesity volunteered for a community-based weight-management treatment. Effects associated with the initial 10 weeks, which focused on behavioral support of physical activity (prior to addressing eating behavior change), were assessed. Groups were designated based on whether participants’ high total mood disturbance (TMD) scores reduced to a normal level (n = 45) or remained …

Breastfeeding Goal Attainment And Likelihood Of Future Breastfeeding: A Test Of Self-Affirmation Theory, Mackenzie Dm Whipps

Health Behavior Research

Breastfeeding is an important health behavior for pediatric and maternal wellbeing. However, many mothers in the United States do not meet breastfeeding duration guidelines, nor do they meet their own goals for breastfeeding. Non-attainment of breastfeeding goals has implications for the health and wellbeing of future children born into those families. Using publicly available national data, we tested a self-affirmation theory (SAT) hypothesis to explore the complex relationship between breastfeeding goal attainment and intention to breastfeed a future child. We found goal attainment predicted stronger future intention, and that this association was moderated by how highly the mother valued breastfeeding. …

Maternal Adverse And Protective Childhood Experiences And Prenatal Smoking, Karina M. Shreffler, Christine N. Joachims, Lucia Ciciolla, Julie M. Croff, Machele Anderson

Health Behavior Research

Prenatal smoking is associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes as well as health problems in early childhood. Recent research determined that maternal adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the odds of smoking during pregnancy. We consider the role of protective and compensatory childhood experiences (PACEs) in an effort to examine the extent to which positive childhood experiences are protective factors for maternal smoking behaviors. Between 2015-2018, 309 pregnant women in Oklahoma recruited from high-risk prenatal clinics, childbirth education classes, and social media were surveyed about their childhood experiences and smoking behaviors during pregnancy. Ordinal regression analysis was used to examine …

Physical Activity, Sitting Time, And Feelings Of Energy And Fatigue During The Early Stages Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: Does Grit Make A Difference?, Andreas Stamatis, Jessica Adams, Joel Martin, Matthew L. Smith, Italia Milani, Shane V. Caswell, Nelson Cortes, Ali Boolani

Health Behavior Research

Grit has been associated with feelings of energy when measured as the opposite end of fatigue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, grit has been linked to positive health-related behaviors, which are known to influence feelings of energy and fatigue. The objective of this study was to identify the association between grit, time spent sitting, physical activity (PA), and feelings of mental and physical energy (ME, PE) and fatigue (MF, PF) during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Participants (n = 859) completed surveys once. Using a series of multivariate regression models, we assessed the association …

Reasoned Action Approach To Analyze Differences In Athletes' Physical Activity During Covid-19, Olivia Branson, Karly S. Geller, Paul Branscum

Health Behavior Research

The purpose of this study was to examine the reasoned action approach (RAA) in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on college athletes’ physical activity (PA). Participants were college athletes (ages 18-22 years) who were involved in university, club, and/or intramural sport. The RAA constructs were measured for the three different types of PA behaviors. Statistical analyses included ANOVA and multiple regression analyses to evaluate the RAA determinants of PA intentions. Results partially supported theoretical expectations. All RAA constructs had an impact on perceived norms indicating a dominant influence. Remote social interaction/training during isolation periods are suggested to promote sustained …

A Qualitative Investigation Of Individual, Interpersonal, And Institutional Contributions To Postpartum Work-Family Balance, Sidney Smith, Laura Schwab Reese, Kilian Kelly, Tessa Bauman, Madison Wierenga, Anna Bohning, Andrea L. Demaria

Health Behavior Research

Managing personal and professional responsibilities may be challenging during the postpartum period, as employees navigate new roles, responsibilities, and family dynamics. The purpose of this paper was to understand the work/life balance experiences of diverse stakeholders and identify opportunities to improve the work environment. We conducted a series of in-depth focus groups with faculty, staff, and graduate students (n = 22), and in-depth interviews with administrators (n = 10) at a research-intensive university in the United States. A six-phase thematic analysis approach was used to examine the experiences and perspectives of individuals with different roles. Three themes with …

Global Perspectives For Strengthening Health Education: A Mixed-Methods Study, Mohammad Torabi, Wasantha Jayawardene, Dennis Daniels, Tapati Dutta, Nicola Bragazzi, David K. Lohrmann

Health Behavior Research

This study aimed to identify the knowledge, experiences, and attitudes about current practices of health education (HE) among government-affiliated high-profile health administrators in developed and developing nations. Respondents (N = 21) were purposively selected based on their affiliation as a health administrator at the national level, with roles in high-profile decision-making for devising policies/programs and allocating funding or advocating strategies to advance HE. Information was gathered using a web-based cross-sectional survey in 5 languages, consisting of 14 closed-ended and 8 open-ended questions. A majority were males (70%) and spoke English (57%), 45% had postgraduate degrees, and 57% were from high-income …

Examining The Influences Of Covid-19 Information Avoidance And Uncertainty On Perceived Severity Of The Pandemic: Applications From The Health Belief Model And Weick’S Model Of Organizing, Xuewei Chen, Jati Ariati, Ming Li, Gary Kreps

Health Behavior Research

Public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have been insufficient at keeping the virus from spreading rapidly and threatening public health around the globe. Not only has society been challenged by biomedical issues of disease contagion, infection, morbidity, and mortality, but has also confronted complex cognitive challenges to making sense of this health threat, especially related to accurately evaluating and responding appropriately to the severity of the pandemic. Perceived severity is an important cognitive factor associated with public willingness to adopt needed prevention, protection, and treatment behaviors for responding to serious health risks, like COVID-19. Information avoidance and uncertainty are …

“I Feel Like It’S One Of Those Things That Everyone Feels The Same Way About, No One Wants To Discuss It”: A Qualitative Examination Of Female College Students’ Pap Smear Experience, Ny'nika T. Mcfadden, Amanda H. Wilkerson, Heather J. Carmack

Health Behavior Research

The purpose of this study was to examine female college students’ Pap smear experience and communication with their provider before, during, and after the exam. In fall 2019, 158 female college students completed an online survey with closed and open-ended questions. Open-ended responses from participants reporting a previous Pap smear (n=36) were qualitatively analyzed to generate themes to explain female college students’ Pap smear experience and communication behavior with their provider before, during, and after the exam. The main themes identified included: Uncomfortable, Low Patient Engagement, Provider Support, and Provider Trust. Female college students overwhelmingly reported discomfort around …

Mentorship In The Field Of Aging: Purposes, Pivots, And Priorities, Patricia W. Slattum, Tiffany R. Washington, Sarah Dys, Patricia M. D’Antonio, Tonya J. Roberts, Matthew Lee Smith

Health Behavior Research

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is a multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to advancing the field of aging and improving the lives of older adults. With a long-standing commitment to mentorship and career development, this article focuses on GSA’s Mentoring Consultancies and Career Conversations events and their pivot to meet the needs and demands of current and future gerontologists amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This article provides a description of these events in the context of planning, content, and member engagement. Recommendations are provided to other organizations seeking to enrich their membership through mentorship and career development activities.