Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is widespread despite the controversy over its effectiveness. Although previous reviews have examined the demographics and attitudes of CAM users, there is no existing review on the traits or cognitions which characterise either CAM users or those who believe in CAM effectiveness. The current systematic review set out to address these gaps in the literature by applying a narrative synthesis. A bibliographic search and manual searches were undertaken and key authors were contacted. Twenty-three papers were selected. The trait openness to experience was positively associated with CAM use but not CAM belief. Absorption and various types of coping were also positively associated with CAM use and belief. No other trait was reliably associated with CAM use or belief. Intuitive thinking and ontological confusions were positively associated with belief in CAM effectiveness; intuitive thinking was also positively associated with CAM use. Studies researching cognitions in CAM use/belief were mostly on non-clinical samples, whilst studies on traits and CAM use/belief were mostly on patients. The quality of studies varied but unrepresentative samples, untested outcome measures and simplistic statistical analyses were the most common flaws. Traits and cognition might be important correlates of CAM use and also of faith in CAM.
Highlights
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses treatments outside of conventional healthcare including acupuncture, herbal medicine, homoeopathy, massage and yoga (Zollman & Vickers, 1999)
OtE correlated with CAM use (Hogan, 2006; Lo-Fo-Wong, Ranchor, de Haes, Sprangers & Henselmans, 2012), but not with CAM beliefs (Hogan, 2006)
Despite the availability of scientific evidence for orthodox medicine, CAM may be attractive because it appeals to emotions and does not rely on a broad scientific evidence base, this suits intuitive reasoners, even when they are aware that rational judgement has been overlooked (De Neys, Vartanian & Goel, 2008)
Summary
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) encompasses treatments outside of conventional healthcare including acupuncture, herbal medicine, homoeopathy, massage and yoga (Zollman & Vickers, 1999). Previous reviews suggest that psychological variables are powerful predictors of CAM use (Bishop, Yardley and Lewith 2007; Chang, Wallis & Tiralongo, 2012), to date though, no-one has reviewed the cognitions (e.g. thinking style) or traits (e.g. openness to experience, OtE; see John & Srivastava, 1999) which characterize CAM users, despite numerous empirical studies on these factors Lindeman, 2011; Svedholm & Lindeman, 2013 Sirios & Gick, 2002) and despite evidence that cognition and traits predict health behavior and health beliefs (Smith, Williams, O'Donnell & McKechnie, 2017). Study aims The first aim is to systematically review the cognitions and traits which characterise CAM users. The second aim is to review the cognitions and traits which are associated with beliefs in CAM effectiveness. We define cognition as ‘mental processes...in perceiving, remembering, thinking and understanding’ (Ashcraft & Radvamsky, 2010, p9) and traits as stable and habitual patterns of affect, behavior and cognition (Zillig, Hemenover & Dienstbier, 2002)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
