Differences In Psychological Factors Research Articles

Investigating motivations to eat: Refining and validating a framework of Eating Behaviour Traits in dieters and the general population

Due to relationships between diet and health including obesity, there is a need to examine the explanatory power of factors that motivate people to (over or under) eat. In a previous investigation, a four-factor subscale-based model of eating behaviour traits (EBTs) was developed which identified individual differences in psychological factors influencing motivations to eat and some residual uncertainties. The current study used a data-driven and theory-driven approach, including individual items to refine and extend previous EBT models. The aim was to examine and validate the domain structure of a framework for EBTs. The analysis used two samples including a representative sample of the UK population (n = 2010, 51% female, 49% male, 18–88 years), and members of a weight management program (n = 2317, 96.6% female, 2.8% male, 21–84 years), who completed 5 questionnaires including 10 EBTs. The results found some support for a 6-factor model, encompassing reactive eating, negative emotional eating, positive emotional eating, restricted eating, homeostatic eating, and body-food choice congruence (data-driven model) or eating for health (theory-driven model). There were differences between the data-driven model and the theory-driven model regarding the 6th factor. Additionally, the data-driven model did not distinguish between eating for pleasure and reactive eating. The models demonstrated that the eating behaviour factors were significantly associated with BMI category. Overall, this research contributes to a more structured understanding of the dimensions of motivation underlying EBTs, emphasising the utility of this framework for identifying at-risk individuals and tailoring interventions to meet specific individual needs.

Profiles of depressive symptoms and influential factors among people living with HIV in China

BackgroundDepressive symptoms are highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH). We leveraged Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify profiles of depressive symptoms among PLWHs. We also investigated differences in psychological factors of interest, demographic characteristics, and HIV-related factors across patients’ profiles.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at one hospital and two designated prison facilities in Hunan province, China. A total sample of 533 PLWHs (320 recruited from the hospital, 213 recruited from prisons) completed the survey. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Family function, resilience, childhood trauma, demographic characteristics, and HIV-related factors were also evaluated. We conducted LPA and multinomial logistic regression analyses to: 1) identify distinct profiles for depressive symptoms; 2) identify demographic characteristics, and HIV-related, and psychological factors predicting PLWHs’ likelihood to express a specific profile.ResultsWe identified three distinct profiles of depressive symptoms among PLWHs: severe symptoms (11.8%), moderate symptoms (40.5%), and low/no symptoms (47.7%). Moderate/ severe family dysfunction, low resilience, experiencing emotional abuse and neglect were more likely to fall in the “severe symptoms” rather than the “low/no symptoms” profile. In addition, severe family dysfunction, low resilience, and experiencing emotional neglect indicated a higher likelihood of being classified in the “moderate symptoms” profile, compared to the “low/no symptoms” profile.ConclusionIdentifying profiles of depressive symptoms among PLWHs using the PHQ-9 items allows for understanding of the distinct paths of development of depressive symptoms and for developing tailored prevention and intervention programs for PLWHs.

Are Morphometric and Biomechanical Characteristics of Lumbar Multifidus Related to Pain Intensity or Disability in People With Chronic Low Back Pain After Considering Psychological Factors or Insomnia?

IntroductionLumbar multifidus muscle (LMM) dysfunction is thought to be related to pain and/or disability in people with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Although psychosocial factors play a major role in pain/disability, they are seldom considered as confounders in analyzing the association between LMM and CLBP.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine: (1) differences in psychological factors, insomnia, and LMM characteristics between people with and without CLBP; (2) associations between psychological factors, insomnia, or LMM characteristics and low back pain (LBP) intensity or LBP-related disability in people with CLBP; and (3) whether LMM characteristics are related to LBP symptoms in people with CLBP after considering confounders.MethodsSeventy-eight volunteers with CLBP and 73 without CLBP provided sociodemographic information, filled the 11-point numeric pain rating scale and Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ). They completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FAB), and Insomnia Severity Index Scale (ISI). Resting and contracted thickness of LMM at L4-S1 levels were measured from brightness-mode ultrasound images. Percent thickness changes of LMM at L4-S1 levels during contraction were calculated. Resting LMM stiffness at L4-S1 was measured by shear wave elastography. Associations among LMM, psychosocial or insomnia parameters and clinical outcomes were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsPeople with CLBP demonstrated significantly higher LBP-intensity, RMDQ, HADS, FAB, PCS, and ISI scores than asymptomatic controls (p < 0.05). The former also had significantly smaller percent thickness changes of LMM at L4/L5 during contraction. LBP-intensity was positively related to scores of PCS-total, PCS-helplessness, FAB-total, FAB-work, and ISI in people with CLBP (p < 0.05). RMDQ scores were positively associated with the scores of HADS-total, HADS-depression, PCS-total, FAB-total, FAB-physical activity, PCS-helplessness, and ISI in people with CLBP (p < 0.05). FAB-work and ISI scores together explained 24% of LBP-intensity. FAB-total scores alone explained 34% of variance of LBP-related disability in people with CLBP.ConclusionMore fear-avoidance belief or insomnia is related to greater LBP-intensity and/or LBP-related disability in people with CLBP. Although people with CLBP were thought to have aberrant LMM morphometry/function, no LMM characteristics were related to LBP-intensity or LBP-related disability after considering other confounders.

Sharpening Working Memory With Real-Time Electrophysiological Brain Signals: Which Neurofeedback Paradigms Work?

Growing evidence supports the idea that the ultimate biofeedback is to reward sensory pleasure (e.g., enhanced visual clarity) in real-time to neural circuits that are associated with a desired performance, such as excellent memory retrieval. Neurofeedback is biofeedback that uses real-time sensory reward to brain activity associated with a certain performance (e.g., accurate and fast recall). Working memory is a key component of human intelligence. The challenges are in our current limited understanding of neurocognitive dysfunctions as well as in technical difficulties for closed-loop feedback in true real-time. Here we review recent advancements of real time neurofeedback to improve memory training in healthy young and older adults. With new advancements in neuromarkers of specific neurophysiological functions, neurofeedback training should be better targeted beyond a single frequency approach to include frequency interactions and event-related potentials. Our review confirms the positive trend that neurofeedback training mostly works to improve memory and cognition to some extent in most studies. Yet, the training typically takes multiple weeks with 2–3 sessions per week. We review various neurofeedback reward strategies and outcome measures. A well-known issue in such training is that some people simply do not respond to neurofeedback. Thus, we also review the literature of individual differences in psychological factors e.g., placebo effects and so-called “BCI illiteracy” (Brain Computer Interface illiteracy). We recommend the use of Neural modulation sensitivity or BCI insensitivity in the neurofeedback literature. Future directions include much needed research in mild cognitive impairment, in non-Alzheimer’s dementia populations, and neurofeedback using EEG features during resting and sleep for memory enhancement and as sensitive outcome measures.

Clinical and psychological factors in coronary heart disease patients with statin associated muscle side-effects

BackgroundTo compare clinical and psychological factors among patients with self-perceived statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS), confirmed SAMS, and refuted SAMS in coronary heart disease patients (CHD).MethodsData were obtained from a cross-sectional study of 1100 CHD outpatients and a study of 71 CHD outpatients attending a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study to test effects of atorvastatin 40 mg/day on muscle symptom intensity. Clinical and psychosocial factors were compared between patients with and without SAMS in the cross-sectional study, and between patients with confirmed SAMS and refuted SAMS in the randomized study.ResultsBilateral, symmetric muscle symptoms in the lower extremities during statin treatment were more prevalent in patients with confirmed SAMS compared to patients with refuted SAMS (75% vs. 41%, p = 0.01) in the randomized study. No significant differences in psychological factors (anxiety, depression, worry, insomnia, type D personality characteristics) were detected between patients with and without self-perceived SAMS in the cross-sectional study, or between patients with confirmed SAMS and refuted SAMS, in the randomized study.ConclusionsPatients with confirmed SAMS more often present with bilateral lower muscle symptoms compared to those with refuted SAMS. Psychological factors were not associated with self-perceived SAMS or confirmed SAMS. A careful pain history and a search for alternative causes of muscle symptoms are likely to promote communication in patients with SAMS, and may reduce the risk for statin discontinuation.

Relationships of Psychological Constructs with Physical Activity in Korean University Students

OBJECTIVES The purposes of this study were to investigate differences in health risk perception, exercise knowledge, self-efficacy, exercise adherence, pros, cons, and physical activity by gender and the level of exercise participation and to identify the influences of the psychological constructs on physical activity in Korean university students.METHODS A total of 495 university students (213 males, 282 females; age = 20.55 years, SD = 2.01) from three universities located in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do voluntarily participated in this study. In order to measure physical activity and its related psychological variables, five standardized Korean questionnaires were applied. Data were analyzed by descriptive analysis, MANOVAs, and multiple regression analysis.RESULTS It was confirmed that there were some partial differences in psychological factors and physical activity (total, intermediate/high intensity) depending on the gender and level of participation in sports of the students. Also there were differences in factors that affected their physical activities by gender and level of participation in sports.CONCLUSIONS It needs to be continued in order to gain more empirical knowledge from evidence-based investigations applying the theory-based interventions with some other variables such as gender, age and the level of physical activity participation.

Gender, Age and Grade Level Differences in Psychological Factors among Immigrant Francophone Adolescent Learners in the South African School Setting

Psychological factors are important for boys or girls, depending on age and grade level. This study examines emotional regulation, aggressiveness, empathy, and sympathy, as psychological factors to peer interaction, manifest in adolescence. Eighty-three participants were conveniently and purposively selected at South African schools (N= 83, 52 girls and 31 boys, aged between 14 and 19 years). A psychological factors scale was purposively employed as a data collection instrument. The chi-square results partially confirmed previous results, namely, aggressiveness and sympathy, by gender and age. However, this did not apply to emotional regulation. This study recommended that the South African education system consider aggressiveness a psychological factor, playing a critical role in violence at schools among young adolescents.

Psychological factors in personal and clinical recovery in bipolar disorder

Background: Research into bipolar disorder (BD) has primarily focused upon clinical recovery (CR), i.e. symptom reduction, and overlooked personally meaningful recovery outcomes emphasized by service users. Personal recovery (PR) has been a major focus in the formulation of mental health policies and guidelines, and yet, research into factors influencing PR in BD is in its infancy. Methods: This study compared psychological associates of concurrent PR and CR, and determined psychological factors in PR prospectively at 6 months. Results: 107 participants completed baseline assessments, of whom 84% completed follow-up at 6 months. Controlling for potential confounders, multiple linear and ordinal regression models showed that some psychological factors underpinned both CR and PR at baseline: worse PR and CR outcomes were associated with higher negative self-dispositional appraisals and dysfunctional attitudes. Better PR, but worse CR ([hypo]mania related) were associated with higher adaptive coping. Additionally, better PR (but not CR) was associated with higher concurrent risk taking at baseline and predicted at follow-up by higher levels of baseline rumination. Better CR ([hypo]mania related), but not PR, was associated with lower impulsivity, but higher BAS processes. Limitations: Psychological and clinical factors were not measured at follow up and may have changed over time. Participants were a convenience sample. Conclusions: Understanding psychological factors driving recovery in BD is essential for refining the conceptual framework of PR, and informing psychological models and related interventions for BD. The identified differences in psychological factors highlight the importance of more individualised, PR focused therapeutic approaches.

Differences in psychological factors, disability and fatigue according to the grade of chronification in non-specific low back pain patients: A cross-sectional study.

Differences in pain processing, muscle structure and function have been reported in patients with low back pain (LBP) with different grades of pain chronicity. The present study aims to examine differences in psychological factors, disability and subjective fatigue between subgroups of LBP based on their chronification grade. Twenty-one healthy controls (HC) and 54 LBP patients (categorized based on the grades of chronicity into recurrent LBP (RLBP), non-continuous chronic LBP (CLBP), or continuous (CLBP)) filled out a set of self-reporting questionnaires. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Multidimensional Pain Inventory (MPI) scores indicated that anxiety, pain severity, pain interference and affective distress were lower in HC and RLBP compared to non-continuous CLBP. Anxiety scores were higher in non-continuous CLBP compared to RLBP, continuous CLBP and HC. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Helplessness (PSCH) was higher in non-continuous CLBP compared to HC. The Survey of Pain Attitudes (SOPA) showed no differences in adaptive and maladaptive behaviors across the groups. The Pain Disability Index (PDI) measured a higher disability in both CLBP groups compared to HC. Moreover, the Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) showed higher levels of disability in continuous CLBP compared to non-continuous CLBP, RLBP and HC. The Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) revealed that patients with non-continuous CLBP were affected to a higher extent by severe fatigue compared to continuous CLBP, RLBP and HC (subjective fatigue, concentration and physical activity). For all tests, a significance level of 0.05 was used. RLBP patients are more disabled than HC, but have a tendency towards a general positive psychological state of mind. Non-continuous CLBP patients would most likely present a negative psychological mindset, become more disabled and have prolonged fatigue complaints. Finally, the continuous CLBP patients are characterized by more negative attitudes and believes on pain, enhanced disability and interference of pain in their daily lives.

Coronavirus (COVID‐19) in the United Kingdom: A personality‐based perspective on concerns and intention to self‐isolate

ObjectivesPublic behaviour change is necessary to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID‐19). Based on the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) framework, this study presents an examination of individual differences in some relevant psychological factors.DesignCross‐sectional psychometric.MethodsUK respondents (N = 202) completed a personality questionnaire (RST‐PQ), measures of illness attitudes, concerns about the impact of coronavirus on health services and socio‐economic infrastructures, personal safety, and likelihood of voluntary self‐isolation.ResultsRespondents most concerned were older, had negative illness attitudes, and scored higher on reward reactivity (RR), indicating the motivation to take positive approach action despite prevailing worry/anxiety. Personal safety concerns were highest in those with negative illness attitudes and higher fight–flight–freeze system (FFFS, reflecting fear/avoidance) scores. Results suggest people are experiencing psychological conflict: between the urge to stay safe (FFFF‐related) and the desire to maintain a normal, pleasurable (RR‐related) life. Ways of ameliorating conflict may include maladaptive behaviours (panic buying), reflecting reward‐related displacement activity. Intended self‐isolation related to FFFS, but also low behavioural inhibition system (related to anxiety) scores. Older people reported themselves less likely to self‐isolate.ConclusionsInterventions need to consider individual differences in psychological factors in behaviour change, and we discuss relevant literature to inform policy makers and communicators. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) personality systems can influence perception of persuasive health messages.However, there is limited evidence for their direct effects on health concerns and behaviours, and none relating to specific infectious diseases. What does this study add? Reward reactivity (RR) is associated with concern about impact of coronavirus on the NHS and other social infrastructures, indicating the motivation to take positive‐approach action despite worry/anxiety.Personal safety concerns are related to fight–flight–freeze system traits (FFFS, reflecting fear/avoidance).Intended self‐isolation related to FFFS, but also low behavioural inhibition system (related to anxiety) scores.Older people reported themselves less likely to self‐isolate.Results suggest psychological conflict: between the urge to stay safe (FFFF‐related) and the desire to maintain a normal, pleasurable life (RR‐related).Ways of ameliorating conflict may include maladaptive behaviours (panic buying), reflecting reward‐related displacement activity

Contribution of Personality Traits, Psychological Factors, and Health-Related Quality of Life to Medication Adherence in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

PurposeThis study sought to investigate the associations between personality traits and medication adherence and to identify predictors of good medication adherence in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.Materials and MethodsA total of 207 RA patients using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs were invited for an interview and questionnaire study. Medication adherence was measured using the Compliance Questionnaire for Rheumatology (CQR). Personality traits were analyzed with the five-factor model of the Korean version of the Big Five Inventory 10. Psychological factors were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and British Columbia Cognitive Inventory. Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and functional disability were evaluated with the EuroQoL-5 dimension questionnaire and Health Assessment Questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate predictors of good medication adherence.ResultsNonadherence to medication was reported by 66.7%. The number of daily prescribed pills was higher in the medication adherence group than in the nonadherence group. Concomitant oral glucocorticoid doses were associated with medication adherence. A high level of conscientiousness and diabetes mellitus comorbidity were associated with better medication adherence [odds ratio (OR), 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–4.38 and OR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.12–8.07, respectively]. There were no significant differences in psychological factors or HRQoL between medication adherence and nonadherence groups.ConclusionThe personality trait of conscientiousness was associated with medication adherence among the five personality traits evaluated. Patients with diabetes mellitus also showed higher medication adherence than those without this comorbidity.

Does symptom activity explain psychological differences in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease? Results from a multi-center cross-sectional study

ObjectiveIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have similar symptoms and are affected by psychological factors via gut-brain-interactions. However, previous studies on IBS and IBD showed inconsistent results regarding psychological factors, potentially because they failed to consider the impact of symptom activity. The aim of this study was 1) to compare psychological distress and psychological risk factors among patients with IBS, IBD and healthy controls (HC), and 2) to assess the impact of symptom activity. MethodsA controlled cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients with IBS and IBD were recruited in several primary, secondary, and tertiary medical care units between 02 and 12/2017 in Germany. Overall, 381 matched participants (127/group, 63% female) were included. For the second analyses, patients with IBD were distinguished in patients with active (n = 93) and non-active (n = 34) symptoms. Psychological distress (somatization, depression, anxiety, and illness anxiety) and risk factors (adverse childhood experiences, attachment style, and mentalizing capacity) were measured. ResultsPatients with IBS showed higher psychological distress and more psychological risk factors than patients with IBD and HC. However, patients with IBD and active symptoms showed similar psychological distress than patients with IBS, except for lower illness anxiety (p < .001, η2 = 0.069). ConclusionWith the exception of higher illness anxiety in IBS patients, differences in psychological factors between patients with IBS and IBD were more strongly associated with symptom activity than with the underlying diagnosis. Therefore, this study challenges previous concepts of distinguishing functional and organic gastrointestinal diseases, but highlights the role of symptom activity and illness anxiety. Trial registrationDRKS00011685.

(352) Sex Differences in Sensory Processing: The Role of Stimulus Modality ad Psychological Factors

The experience of pain varies greatly from person to person. Many factors affect individual differences in pain, including sex and psychological factors. Previous studies have separately examined the effects of sex and psychological factors on pain, but most have not examined them in combination. The aim of this preliminary, exploratory analysis was to investigate sex differences in pain in a large sample to determine how pain responses and psychological measures of males compare to those of females using multiple quantitative sensory testing paradigms and multiple psychological measures. 141 participants (55 males, 86 females, mean age=29.1±6.8) were exposed to noxious heat, cold, and non-noxious audio stimuli. Participants were asked to rate their pain intensity and unpleasantness from thermal stimuli and the loudness of auditory stimuli. Psychological measures included the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Scale, PROMIS Anxiety, PROMIS Depression, PROMIS Pain Interference, and Pain Catastrophizing Scales. Univariate analyses and multiple linear models were constructed. Significant sex differences were found for cold and auditory stimuli but not heat. Females had lower cold tolerance during cold water hand immersion (means: males=76.2 seconds, females=59.7 seconds; p=.010). However, for 0.5°C cold phasic contact stimuli, males had greater pain intensity ratings (means: males=1.8, females=1.1; p=.030), and pain unpleasantness ratings (means: males=1.5, females= 0.9; p=0.040). Males had greater sensitivity to auditory stimuli as demonstrated by higher auditory unpleasantness ratings (means: males=4.1, females= 3.1; p=.049). Sex differences in psychological measures were found only for anxiety, which was greater in females (means: males=11.2, females=13.7; p=.006) and impulsivity, which was greater in males (means: males=56.0, females=51.7; p=.003). After adjusting for anxiety and impulsivity, the sex differences in cold pain tolerance, contact cold pain, and auditory sensitivity were not significantly different. Thus, sex differences in sensory processing are modality specific but may arise from sex differences in psychological factors.

한국 대학생의 인터넷중독실태와 공중보건학적 모델에 기반한 인터넷중독 영향요인 연구

Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of internet addiction among college students in Korea based on the public health model. Individual factors, environment factors, and agent factors including escape and anonymity related to internet addiction were analyzed. Methods: This study used a probability sample of 509 college students from universities located in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that included standardized instruments to measure various factors and internet addiction. Results: Among the participants, 16.3% were categorized as having internet addiction and 71.1% were categorized as the high-risk group. Consistent with previous studies, male students reported higher prevalence of internet addiction(18.1%) compared to female students (15.3%). Those in the addiction group, high-risk group, and low-risk group showed significant differences in psychological factors, environmental factors, and agent characteristics. Results from logistic regression indicated that impulsiveness, easy access to a cyber cafe, anonymity and a sense of escaping reality were found to increase the risk of internet addiction. Conclusion: The present study confirmed the usefulness of public health model to understand internet addiction among young people. Previous studies on internet addiction mostly focused on individual factors, but the results of the present study confirmed the influence of environmental factors, such as easy access to internet games and characteristics of internet itself. Implications of the study in internet addiction prevention and harm reduction policy development targeting the environment are discussed.

The Analysis of Differences in Psychological Factors and Personal Capabilities between Employed and Unemployed Youth Using MIMIC Model

The Analysis of Differences in Psychological Factors and Personal Capabilities between Employed and Unemployed Youth Using MIMIC Model

Stability and change of lifestyle profiles in cardiovascular patients after their first acute coronary event.

BackgroundAcute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle and health behavior changes play an important role in the primary and secondary prevention of ACS recurrence. Changes in unhealthy lifestyles after an acute coronary event have been analyzed by considering separate behaviors individually, even though research on the healthy population has demonstrated that unhealthy behaviors tend to co-occur.PurposeThe aim of this study was to identify lifestyle profiles of ACS patients and to explore their pathways of change for one year after their first coronary event by adopting a typological approach.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty-three patients (84% male; mean age = 57.14) completed self-report measures of health-related behaviors at the beginning of cardiac rehabilitation, and six months and twelve months after. At each wave depression, anxiety and heart rate were also evaluated. Cluster analysis was performed to identify lifestyle profiles and to analyze their change over time. Differences in psychological factors and heart rate among clusters were assessed.ResultsPatients' diet, physical activity, and smoking behavior greatly improved six months after their first coronary event. No further improvements were detected after one year. At each wave specific lifestyle profiles were identified, ranging from more maladaptive to healthier clusters. Patients with multiple unhealthy behaviors experience greater difficulties in maintaining a healthier lifestyle over time. Moreover, the results demonstrated the association between lifestyle profiles at twelve months after the acute coronary event and depression measured six months earlier. Finally, the most maladaptive lifestyle profile had many members with elevated heart rate at twelve months after the cardiac rehabilitation.ConclusionsCurrent findings may have a strong practical impact in the development and implementation of personalized secondary prevention programs targeting lifestyles of ACS patients.

Associations between psychological factors and the effect of home-based physical exercise in women with chronic neck and shoulder pain.

Background:Exercise is often used in the treatment of chronic neck and shoulder muscle pain. It is likely that psychological aspects have an impact on the results of exercise-based treatments.Objectives:(1) To examine the associations between psychological factors and the effect of a home-based physical exercise intervention. (2) To examine differences in psychological factors at baseline between (a) subjects who continued in the trial and those who did not and (b) subjects who completed the intervention and those who did not.Method:A total of 57 women with chronic neck and shoulder pain were included in a home-based exercise intervention trial. Pain intensity, disability, and psychological factors (anxiety and depression symptoms, catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, self-efficacy, and pain acceptance) were measured at baseline, after 4–6 months, and after 1 year of exercise. Associations between the psychological factors and changes in pain intensity and disability were analysed, as well as differences in psychological factors at baseline between subjects who continued in and completed the intervention, and those who did not.Results:Associations between positive changes in pain intensity and disability were found for low fear-avoidance beliefs and low-pain self-efficacy at baseline. In addition, fear-avoidance beliefs at baseline were higher in the subjects who dropped out of the intervention than in those who continued. Pain acceptance at baseline was higher in the subjects who completed the intervention at the end of the trial.Conclusion:Particularly, fear-avoidance beliefs and pain self-efficacy should be taken into consideration when implementing home-based physical exercise as treatment for chronic neck pain. In addition, high pain acceptance might improve the adherence to prescribed exercise.

Sex Differences in Psychological Factors Associated with Social Discounting

AbstractThe social discounting paradigm is a powerful means of quantifying altruism in humans, who are typically willing to forgo some amount of personal earnings in exchange for increased earnings for another person. The amount of money that people are willing to forgo decreases with increasing social distance. In this study, we examined variables related to sex, intolerance of uncertainty, and empathy, all of which are theorized to affect the social discounting rate. Participants (27 men and 28 women) completed measures of intolerance of uncertainty, empathy, and social discounting. We found sex differences in psychological predictors of social discounting: in women, empathy (but not intolerance of uncertainty) predicts the social discounting rate, while in men, social discounting is associated with intolerance of uncertainty (but not empathy). Possible neurobiological, social, and cognitive explanations for this sex difference are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Psychological interventions in promoting sustainable consumption behaviour: an empirical study

This study aims to understand the role of psychological attributes like attitude and norm in promoting sustainable consumption behaviour. An analysis has been done to investigate source of influences and marketing initiatives that can help to establish sustainable consumption behaviour. CFA was used to evaluate the measurement model and its validity and reliability; MANOVA was used to test differences in psychological factors between green product purchasers and non-purchasers; and multiple regression analysis was used to predict the relationships between psychological attributes and recycling intention. Results show a positive outlook by customers towards green products and they would appreciate if companies start sharing information about sustainable initiatives started by them in terms of environmentally friendly product design and processes. Psychological attributes like attitude and norms exhibited relationship with sustainable behaviour. This study would provide useful insights to marketers in designing and communicating environmentally friendly products to address sustainable consumption behaviour issues.

Gender Differences in Psychological Factors affecting the Subjective Well-Being of Care Workers

Gender Differences in Psychological Factors affecting the Subjective Well-Being of Care Workers