Social perceptions, age stereotypes, and health behaviours: an economic and public health perspective from China.

Objective: Research concerning trans-disease processes aims to ascertain an underlying mechanism of several seemingly dissonant behaviors, pathological conditions, or both. The theory of reinforcer pathology posits that excessive delay discounting and the maladaptive overvaluation of a particular commodity underlie a variety of dysfunctional health behavior ranging from substance abuse to overeating and financial responsibility. The present study extends recent health behavior research by examining the extent delay discounting and food valuation correlate with engagement in a latent factor model of health and financial behaviors among healthy-weight participants and participants with obesity using the Health Behaviors Questionnaire. Method: A total of 700 participants (n = 340, body mass index [BMI] < 30; n = 360, BMI > 30 kg/m2) were recruited using Amazon Mechanical Turk. Participants completed a monetary delay discounting assessment, the Health Behaviors Questionnaire, and 2 measures of food valuation: Behavioral economic demand and the Power of Food Scale (PFS). Results: Utilizing structural equation modeling, both delay discounting and food valuation significantly correlated with engagement in health and financial behavior for both groups. The comparison of latent factors between groups indicated that participants with obesity were less likely to engage in multiple health behaviors and that these differences can be partially attributed to differences in delay discounting and food valuation. Conclusion: These results replicate previous research and further support the role of delay discounting as a trans-disease process. Given these results, trans-disease interventions, such as episodic future thinking, designed to specifically target reinforcer pathology may have a profound effect on overall functioning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

The impact of the Great Recession on health-related risk factors, behaviour and outcomes in England

The primary aim was to assess the psychological factors that influence engagement in health behaviors in individuals with chronic pain using a new measure, the Behavioral Engagement Test for Chronic Pain (BET-CP). A secondary aim was to determine preliminary psychometric properties of the BET-CP. Participants were 86 adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain recruited from University of Florida pain clinics and the community. Participants completed a battery of self-report instruments online, including the BET-CP and measures of related constructs. Items on the BET-CP assessed motivation, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and the symptom benefit required to engage across four health behaviors: exercise, diet, sleep, and pain self-management (e.g., relaxation and activity pacing). Participants reported modest expectations of pain-related symptom improvement if they practiced the health behaviors (22-26% improvement), but they required twice that (47-54% improvement) to make it worth their while to commit to practicing them. Participants expected to get the most symptom relief from relaxation and activity pacing, but they were most confident and motivated to eat a healthy diet. In a subsample of participants who provided data for psychometric analysis, the BET-CP demonstrated strong test-retest reliability across 7 days and adequate convergent validity. While patients with musculoskeletal pain have outcome expectancies that are nearly in line with research on behavioral pain treatments, their stringent requirements for symptom benefit may impede engagement in the health behaviors recommended for their pain-related symptoms. Additional psychometric study with larger sample sizes is needed to further validate the BET-CP.

Identifying psychological factors associated with engagement in healthy behaviors in later life is a key to effective behavior interventions. In all, 204 adults ( Mage = 80) took a questionnaire assessing objective and perceived health, positive affect and negative affect, aging attitudes, and three classes of health behaviors: eating/nutrition, exercise, and general health behavior. Regression models found better eating behavior was best explained by older age, more exercise was best explained by more positive affect, and better general lifestyle behavior was best explained by worse perceived health. Programs promoting health behaviors in older adults can utilize the findings to tailor interventions to the health behavior of interest.

BackgroundCollege students’ health behavior is a topic that deserves attention. Individual factors and eHealth literacy may affect an individual’s health behaviors. The integrative model of eHealth use (IMeHU) provides a parsimonious account of the connections among the digital divide, health care disparities, and the unequal distribution and use of communication technologies. However, few studies have explored the associations among individual factors, eHealth literacy, and health behaviors, and IMeHU has not been empirically investigated.ObjectiveThis study examines the associations among individual factors, eHealth literacy, and health behaviors using IMeHU.MethodsThe Health Behavior Scale is a 12-item instrument developed to measure college students’ eating, exercise, and sleep behaviors. The eHealth Literacy Scale is a 12-item instrument designed to measure college students’ functional, interactive, and critical eHealth literacy. A nationally representative sample of 525 valid college students in Taiwan was surveyed. A questionnaire was administered to collect background information about participants’ health status, degree of health concern, major, and the frequency with which they engaged in health-related discussions. This study used Amos 6.0 to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis to identify the best measurement models for the eHealth Literacy Scale and the Health Behavior Scale. We then conducted a multiple regression analysis to examine the associations among individual factors, eHealth literacy, and health behaviors. Additionally, causal steps approach was used to explore indirect (mediating) effects and Sobel tests were used to test the significance of the mediating effects.ResultsThe study found that perceptions of better health status (t520=2.14-6.12, P<.001-.03) and greater concern for health (t520=2.58-6.95, P<.001-.003) influenced college students’ development of 3 dimensions of eHealth literacy and adoption of healthy eating, exercise, and sleep behaviors. Moreover, eHealth literacy played an intermediary role in the association between individual factors and health behaviors (Sobel test=2.09-2.72, P<.001-.03). Specifically, higher levels of critical eHealth literacy promoted students’ health status and their practice of multiple positive health behaviors, including eating, exercise, and sleep behaviors.ConclusionsBecause this study showed that eHealth literacy mediates the association between individual factors and health behaviors, schools should aim to enhance students’ eHealth literacy and promote their health behaviors to help them achieve high levels of critical eHealth literacy. Although some of the study’s hypotheses were not supported in this study, the factors that influence health behaviors are complex and interdependent. Therefore, a follow-up study should be conducted to further explore how these factors influence one another.

Examine differences in the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and engagement in health behaviour among a cross-cultural sample of Hong Kong Chinese, mainland Chinese, Caucasian, and South Asian men living in Hong Kong. Cross-sectional. A community sample of 495 Hong Kong Chinese (n=161), mainland Chinese (n=107), Caucasian (n=122), and South Asian (n=105) men enrolled in the study. Ages ranged from 18 to 81years (M=39.87). Participants completed self-report measures of conformity to masculine norms, health behaviour, social support, and job stress. Younger age was predictive of greater engagement in health behaviour among all men. Stronger conformity to masculine norms was predictive of engagement with health behaviour among Hong Kong, mainland Chinese, and Caucasian men, but not South Asian men. Social support was negatively predictive of engagement in health behaviour among Hong Kong Chinese, mainland Chinese, and South Asian men, suggesting that greater levels of social support may hinder engagement in health behaviour in some men. Job stress had a negative impact on engagement with health behaviour among Hong Kong Chinese and South Asian men only. Present findings demonstrate the need for a broader examination of the relationship between masculinity and health behaviour, focusing not only on the negative, but also the positive impact that masculinity can have on men's health behaviour. Findings are discussed in terms of their implication on men's health and health promotion. Statement of contribution What is already known about this subject? Men around the globe have higher mortality and morbidity across all leading diseases. Explanations have focused on men's poor health-seeking behaviour and how this impedes on health. The pursuit of masculinity is thought to contribute to poor health outcomes in men. What does this study add? Conformity to masculine norms was predictive of engagement in health behaviour. This is one of few studies cross-culturally examining masculinity and health in a Chinese context. Findings provide examples of how conformity can support engagement in health behaviour.

ObjectivesIn the context of rapid transformations in family structures, understanding how household composition can affect adults’ health behaviours is crucial, particularly when considering the potential role of such close social relationships in shaping those behaviours. This paper documents how household structure relates to individual health behaviours.Study designWe pooled cross-sectional data from the Portuguese National Health Interview Surveys of 2014 and 2019, covering 26,000+ households.MethodsLinear and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between different household compositions (single dwelling adults, single parents, couples with or without children) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet, frequency of physical activity, likelihood of risky alcohol consumption, and smoking, distinguishing between men and women.ResultsPeople living alone and single parents were significantly less likely to adhere to the Mediterranean diet than individuals living in couple. Single dwellers had significantly higher likelihood of engaging in risky alcohol consumption or being smokers than individuals living in couple and/or with children. Analyses by gender revealed that women in couples with children were less likely to practice physical activity than women in couples without children; this difference was not observed among men.ConclusionsOverall, family contexts strongly correlate with individual health behaviours, with people living alone or in single-parent households appearing at higher risk of having less healthy diets, risky alcohol consumption, and smoking. This study identifies key target groups for policies aiming to improve population health (behaviours) including, critically, single dwellers and single parent households.Key massagesWhat is already known on this topicSocial relationships, particularly within the family, play a significant role in shaping individuals’ health behaviors. With rapid changes in family structures, understanding how household composition influences adult behaviors is crucial.What this study addsThis study reveals that single dwellers generally exhibit unhealthier behaviors, except in the case of physical activity. Additionally, it highlights that having children tends to promote healthier lifestyles among couples.How this study might affect research, practice, or policyThe findings underscore the importance of considering household composition in health interventions and policy development. Specifically, attention may need to be directed towards individuals living alone and single-parent households to address potential health disparities and promote healthier behaviors.

BackgroundCancer survivors are able to live much longer today than in the past due to advances in treatment. The promotion of health behaviors is important to address among cancer survivors. Not only can health behaviors reduce the risk of comorbidities, but they may also be key to improving psychological health among cancer survivors, such as psychological distress, perceptions of one’s general health, and distress of cancer mortality (i.e., cancer fatalism). Our overall goal is to 1) determine which individual health behaviors (e.g., fruit consumption, physical activity, and sleep) are associated with psychological health among cancer survivors and 2) determine if the number of health behaviors engaged in is associated with better psychological health among cancer survivors.MethodsUsing data from the HINTS 5 Cycle III survey (N = 856 cancer survivors), we compared whether participants who met guidelines for seven health behaviors (e.g., fruit and vegetable consumption, moderate physical activity, sleep duration) had improved psychological health. Multiple ordinal regression models controlling for sociodemographic variables were used to determine if meeting more recommendations was related to psychological health and then specifically which behaviors were of greatest importance to psychological health.ResultsMeeting guidelines for sleep quality and moderate physical activity was associated with higher general health and meeting guidelines for vegetable intake and better sleep quality was associated with less psychological distress. Although the associations were not significant, cancer survivors who met more of the health behavior guidelines reported higher general health, lower psychological distress, and less distress about what could be done to lower one’s chances to get cancer.ConclusionsMeeting the guidelines for individual and multiple health behaviors is associated with favorable psychological health among cancer survivors. The findings can contribute to the development of health behavior interventions that focus on multiple health behaviors to improve psychological health and quality of life among cancer survivors.

BackgroundIndividuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to undertake harmful health behaviors like substance use. Less is known about the association of PTSD with healthful behaviors such as healthy diet and exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine differences across physical health indicators and health behaviors in individuals with and without PTSD.MethodsA cross-sectional, case–control study of health indicators and self-reported health behaviors in a community and military veteran sample was used.ResultsBased on a structured psychiatric interview, 25 participants had PTSD, and the remaining 55 without PTSD served as the comparison group. Participants were 40 years old on average and 45% were female. Multivariate analysis of variance analyses revealed that participants with PTSD had significantly higher body mass index (p = 0.004), had more alcohol use (p = 0.007), and reported fewer minutes of vigorous exercise (p = 0.020) than those without PTSD. Chi-square analysis of diet content and eating behavior constructs found that individuals with PTSD ate fewer fruits (p = 0.035) and had more guilt after overeating (p = 0.006).ConclusionsThese findings replicate prior research on the link between PTSD and negative health outcomes and engagement in harmful health behaviors and highlight the need for further examination of the association between PTSD and other health behaviors like diet content, eating behaviors, and exercise.

Older adults with more ageist attitudes and aging anxiety and who endorse an external health locus of control (HLOC) have poorer mental and physical health and less engagement in healthy behaviors than those who report less ageist attitudes, aging anxiety, and endorse an internal HLOC. However, middle-aged adults have not been examined in this literature. Using Terror Management Theory as a framework, this study examined the relationship of middle-aged adults’ aging anxiety, ageist attitudes, and HLOC with health behaviors and mental and physical health outcomes. 391 middle-aged participants (40-55 years) completed measures of ageist attitudes, aging anxiety, HLOC (Internal, External, and Powerful Other), engagement in health behaviors, mental health, and physical health. The path analysis model demonstrated acceptable fit, χ2(2)=7.794, p=.02, CFI=.99, TLI=.92, RMSEA=.09). For health behaviors, eight of the 10 paths were significant; higher aging anxiety, higher ageist attitudes, and less endorsement of internal HLOC were related to less engagement in healthy behaviors. For mental health and physical health, five of the 10 paths were significant; in general, higher aging anxiety, higher ageist attitudes, and less endorsement of internal HLOC were related to poorer mental and physical health. This study demonstrated that middle-aged adults’ aging anxiety, ageist attitudes, and health locus of control are related to their health behaviors and mental and physical health. Furthermore, higher endorsement of specific forms of ageist attitudes and aging anxiety were related to worse reported mental and physical health and to less engagement in health behaviors. Implications of these findings will be discussed.

Family history of coronary heart disease, health care and health behaviors

Family history of coronary heart disease, health care and health behaviors

Health behaviors play an important role in determining individual health status; thus, understanding differences in the health behaviors of elderly individuals and their influencing factors is a prerequisite for the formulation and implementation of health behavior promotion policies for elderly individuals. The objectives of this study were to explore differences in health behaviors among Chinese elderly people and their influencing factors. Based on data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) in 2014, this paper applied latent class analysis (LCA) to explore differences in the health behaviors of elderly individuals in China and employed a multinomial logit model to identify the influencing factors that cause these differences. Results showed that there are five classes of health behaviors among elderly individuals in China: passive, relatively passive, general, relatively positive, and positive, the proportions of which were 31.07%, 15.86%, 24.06%, 17.24%, and 11.76%, respectively. Community medical and health services, pension, living arrangements, and family income were the primary factors explaining differences in the health behaviors of elderly individuals. In addition, there were significant demographic differences in the health behaviors of elderly individuals in China, including gender, age, education, marital status, census register, region, and others. There are significant differences in the behaviors of elderly individuals in China, and the behaviors of the majority of elderly people are not healthy. China is expected to invest more medical and health resources to tackle health prevention and management and to provide targeted education, guidance, and intervention in elderly health behaviors, urging them to control and correct risky health behaviors with a focus on elderly individuals that are the oldest, are females, have low education levels, and live in the countryside and in towns.

The business cycle and health behaviors

BackgroundStudies have suggested associations between self-reported engagement in health behaviors and reduced risk of cognitive decline. Most studies explore these relationships using one health behavior, often cross-sectionally or with dementia as the outcome. In this study, we explored whether several individual self-reported health behaviors were associated with cognitive decline when considered simultaneously, using data from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP), an Alzheimer’s disease risk-enriched cohort who were non-demented and in late midlife at baseline.MethodWe analyzed longitudinal cognitive data from 828 participants in WRAP, with a mean age at baseline cognitive assessment of 57 (range = 36–78, sd = 6.8) and an average of 6.3 years (standard deviation = 1.9, range = 2–10) of follow-up. The primary outcome was a multi-domain cognitive composite, and secondary outcomes were immediate/delayed memory and executive function composites. Predictors of interest were self-reported measures of physical activity, cognitive activity, adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet (MIND), and interactions with each other and age. We conducted linear mixed effects analyses within an Information-theoretic (IT) model averaging (MA) approach on a set of models including covariates and combinations of these 2- and 3-way interactions. The IT approach was selected due to the large number of interactions of interest and to avoid pitfalls of traditional model selection approaches.ResultsModel-averaged results identified no significant self-reported health behavior*age interactions in relationship to the primary composite outcome. In secondary outcomes, higher MIND diet scores associated with slower decline in executive function. Men showed faster decline than women on delayed memory, independent of health behaviors. There were no other significant interactions among any other health behaviors and cognitive trajectories.ConclusionsWhen multiple covariates and health behaviors were considered simultaneously, there were limited weak associations with cognitive decline in this age range. These results may be explained alone or in combination by three alternative explanations: 1) the range of cognitive decline is in middle age is too small to observe relationships with health behaviors, 2) the putative associations of these health behaviors on cognition may not be robust in this age range, or 3) the self-reported measures of the health behaviors may not be optimal for predicting cognitive decline. More study may be needed that incorporates sensitive measures of health behaviors, AD biomarker profiles, and/or other disease comorbidities.