Positive Outcome Expectancies Research Articles

Attitude to Co-Administration of Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccines among Pregnant Women Exploring the Health Action Process Approach Model.

Respiratory tract diseases caused by influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 can represent a serious threat to the health of pregnant women. Immunological remodulation for fetus tolerance and physiological changes in the gestational chamber expose both mother and child to fearful complications and a high risk of hospitalization. Vaccines to protect pregnant women from influenza and COVID-19 are strongly recommended and vaccine co-administration could be advantageous to increase coverage of both vaccines. The attitude to accept both vaccines is affected by several factors: social, cultural, and cognitive-behavioral. In Palermo, Italy, during the 2021-2022 influenza season, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate pregnant women's intention to adhere to co-administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. The determinants of vaccination attitude were investigated through the administration of a questionnaire and the Health Action Process Approach theory was adopted to explore the cognitive behavioral aspects. Overall, 120 pregnant women were enrolled; mean age 32 years, 98.2% (n = 118) of Italian nationality and 25.2% (n = 30) with obstetric or pathological conditions of pregnancy at risk. Factors significantly associated with the attitude to co-administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant women were: high level of education (OR = 13.96; p < 0.001), positive outcome expectations (OR = 2.84; p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (OR = 3.1; p < 0.001). Effective strategies to promote the co-administration of the influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine should be based on the communication of the benefits and positive outcomes of vaccine co-administration and on the adequate information of pregnant women.

Assessing teachers' intervention-related expectations and self-efficacy: An examination of the factor structure of the implementation beliefs assessment.

Individual-level determinants are hypothesized to enable or prevent successful implementation of evidence-based practices, yet there are limited options for measuring theory-informed, individual-level determinants that influence teachers' and other implementers' delivery of school-based interventions. The goal of this study was to develop a self-report scale that measures variables that have been associated with initial and sustained behavior change related to school-based intervention implementation according to the health action process approach (HAPA). Participants were a nationally representative sample of kindergarten through Grade 12 public school teachers, stratified by grade level and geographical region. Item generation was based on a systematic review of the literature on outcome expectations and self-efficacy, the core constructs related to initiating and sustaining behavior change from the HAPA and in consultation with the theory developer. The sample was randomly split; half of the sample was used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and the other half was used for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The EFA resulted in a final factor structure of three dimensions of the Implementation Beliefs Assessment (IBA): (a) implementation self-efficacy, (b) positive outcome expectations, and (c) negative outcome expectations. This structure was supported in the other half of the sample using CFA. Additional analyses supported the reliability of IBA data. The IBA represents a step forward toward psychometrically sound measurement of factors associated with initial and sustained behavior change. Implications for future research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Transforming outcome expectations into retention among hospital nurses: A cross-sectional study.

To examine the main effects and interaction effects of outcome expectations (e.g., anticipated satisfactory salary and benefits), nurse identity (a sense of membership in the nursing profession), and information-access efficiency of the electronic medical record system (how the system enables nurses to quickly retrieve the needed information) on nurses' retention. This study uses a cross-sectional survey and adopts proportionate random sampling to recruit a representative sample of nurses of a medical centre in Taiwan. This study successfully obtained completed questionnaires from 430 nurses during December 2021 to January 2022. Data are analysed by using hierarchical regressions. Positive outcome expectations and identification as a member in the nursing profession are associated with retention. Information-access efficiency strengthens the link between outcome expectations and retention, while nurse identity weakens this link. Outcome expectations can help retain nurses, particularly those who perceive high levels of information-access efficiency and possess weak nurse identity. That is, outcome expectations have a complementary role with nurse identity in retaining nurses. Nurse managers should devise means to build positive outcome expectations for nurses. In addition, either strengthening nurses' identification with the nursing profession or improving the information-access efficiency of the electronic medical system may also help retain nurses. This study examined how to transform outcome expectation to nurse retention, offering nurse managers to devise new means to retain nurses. STROBE statement was chosen as EQUATOR checklist. No patient or public contribution.

Low-Fidelity Prototype of a Sensor-Dependent Interaction Platform: Formative Evaluation With Informal Caregivers of Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment.

Unobtrusive sensing technologies developed for monitoring deviant behaviors in older adult care require integration with an interaction platform to facilitate the flow of information between older adults and their caregivers. However, the continuous monitoring capabilities generate a considerable amount of data that must be interpreted, filtered, and personalized before being communicated to the informal caregivers based on their specific care needs and requirements. For the effective implementation of unobtrusive sensing solutions (USSs) in the care of older adults with cognitive impairment, we aimed to explore the expectations and preconditions regarding the implementation of USSs from the perspective of informal caregivers. Subsequently, we designed and evaluated a low-fidelity prototype of an interaction platform for its conceptual workflow and usability, incorporating persuasive system design features based on the needs and requirements of informal caregivers. Overall, 6 informal caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment living alone participated in this qualitative interview study. We explored the expectation and preconditions regarding implementation through open-ended questions and conducted a formative evaluation (usability study with a think-aloud approach) to evaluate the conceptual workflow and used persuasive system design features in the interaction platform. Overall, a combination of inductive and thematic analyses was used to analyze the interviews. The results of this study present both positive and negative outcome expectations regarding the implementation of USSs, highlighting benefits such as objective decision-making and peace of mind and concerns about information overload and the potential substitution of human contact. Strategic information communication agreements between informal and formal caregivers were deemed crucial for the successful implementation of USSs in care. Overall, informal caregivers had a positive experience with the low-fidelity prototype of the interaction platform, particularly valuing the personalization feature. In conclusion, to achieve successful implementation, a holistic design approach is necessary, and equal consideration should be given to the personalization-privacy paradox to balance users' needs and privacy.

Explaining the personal cognitive factors affecting physical activity and nutritional behaviors in the middle-aged at risk of coronary artery disease: A directed qualitative content analysis.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cardiovascular disease worldwide. Nutrition and physical activity are recognized as the major lifestyle-related behaviors to reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases. It is essential to explain personal cognitive factors to identify potential ways to increase physical activity and improve nutritional behavior. Therefore, the present study aimed to explain the personal cognitive factors affecting physical activity and nutritional behavior in the middle-aged population at risk of a CAD. The present qualitative study was conducted with a directed content analysis approach. A purposive sampling was used with maximum variety of sex, age, education, marital status, job, and risk factors of CAD. The data were collected through semistructured interviews with 20 middle-aged participants at the risk of CAD visiting comprehensive health centers in Bandar Abbas city. The interviews continued until data saturation. The present findings led to the identification of 4 main categories (i.e., self-efficacy, collective efficacy, outcome expectations, knowledge) and 10 subcategories. It seems that to increase the self-efficacy, attention should be paid to individuals' past experiences, self-efficacy of action and maintenance and successful middle-aged peers. Measures should be taken to improve and strengthen it. Peer support, networking, forming online groups (in social networks), and a comprehensive use of social media can help increase collective efficacy. Expectations of positive and negative outcomes and the public knowledge can also be modified through accurate and appropriate information provided in different campaigns for awareness-raising.

The influence of negative urgency and mood inductions on alcohol cognitions.

Negative urgency (NU), the tendency to act rashly during negative emotional states, is a robust risk factor for alcohol misuse that is posited to function in part through alcohol-related cognitions. Nonetheless, relatively little research has examined mood-based fluctuations in such cognitions, which could help to explain how the trait of NU translates to impulsive alcohol-related behaviors. We examined how NU impacted several alcohol cognitions (positive/negative alcohol expectancies, positive/negative alcohol valuations, and alcohol craving for positive/negative emotional reinforcement) before and after negative, neutral, or positive mood inductions. We hypothesized that NU would predict greater and more favorable endorsement of alcohol and its effects following negative (vs. positive or neutral) mood induction. Participants (N = 428) were southern-midwestern college students recruited for an online experiment. Following the provision of consent, participants rated NU and preinduction alcohol cognitions, and were then randomly assigned to one of three (negative, neutral, or positive) mood inductions; subsequently, postinduction alcohol-cognition ratings were immediately obtained. We conducted six robust multilevel linear models (one per DV) examining NU's influence on within-person changes in alcohol cognitions across each mood induction. No three-way interactions were identified and only one two-way interaction involving NU was identified. There were main effects across mood induction conditions and time points for NU predicting greater endorsement of positive and negative alcohol outcome expectancies, and greater alcohol craving for positive and negative emotional reinforcement. Greater NU predicts greater perceived likelihood of alcohol's effects, alongside greater desire for mood improvement from alcohol. The absence of three-way interactive effects indicates NU's influence on mood-dependent fluctuations in alcohol cognitions may manifest over longer timescales (e.g., months and years), involve alternative cognitive processes (e.g., drinking motives and implicit alcohol cognitions), and apply more broadly to desires for mood improvement than purely negative emotional reinforcement.

Development and psychometric assessment of Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) in terms of smoking cessation among Chinese smokers

The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) is a two-stage (pre-intentional and post-intentional) behavioral change model that distinguishes between motivation and volition in behavior change process. This study aims to develop HAPA-based assessments for smoking cessation among current smokers. The HAPA-based measures were developed and the draft measures included nine constructs, namely, risk perception in smoking-induced cancer, risk perception in smoking-induced systemic disease, positive outcome expectancy, negative outcome expectancy, self-efficacy in quitting smoking, self-efficacy in maintaining, self-efficacy in re-initiating, quitting planning and coping planning in smoking cessation, with a total of 26 items. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in China in 2022. Principal Component Analysis was used for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Cronbach’s α coefficient was calculated to evaluate the internal consistency. Variables such as severity of smoking addiction were selected to evaluate the correlation between the HAPA scale and these variables. Of the 928 participants, 76.4% (709/928) were male and the median age was 35 years. Five factors were extracted by EFA. The factor loadings of each item were all greater than 0.60, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 90.15%. The Cronbach’s α coefficient of each HAPA-based subscales was 0.929–0.986. The HAPA-based measurements are comprehensive, reliable and valid in the assessment of smokers’ smoking cessation cognition, which can be used to guide the design and implementation of intervention and the development of theory.

Factors Affecting Breast Screening Behavior of First-Degree Relatives of Breast Cancer Patients in China: A Cross-sectional Study.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and first-degree relatives (FDRs) of breast cancer patients have a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer. However, the factors affecting breast cancer screening behavior of FDRs in China remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the social cognitive theory factors influencing screening behaviors of FDRs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and 430 FDRs were recruited. Data were collected using demographic information and self-reported questionnaire based on the social cognitive theory. The structural equation modeling method was used to analyze the influence of social cognitive factors on breast cancer screening behavior. The model showed a good fit (goodness of fit = 0.462). Goal setting and self-regulation (β = 0.631, P < .001) and positive outcome expectation (β = 0.098, P = .042) were positively related to breast cancer screening behavior. Negative outcome expectation was negatively related to breast cancer screening behavior (β = -0.102, P = .024). In addition, positive outcome expectation, negative outcome expectation, and goal setting and self-regulation are mediators of self-efficacy (β = 0.475, P < .001) to breast cancer screening behavior. Goal setting and self-regulation are important influences on breast cancer screening behavior. The social cognitive theory is both applicable to and effective in explaining and predicting breast cancer screening behavior. Health professionals can develop appropriate intervention strategies based on the social cognitive theory among FDRs. It is necessary to focus on the people who influence women, such as spouses, mothers, or daughters.

Emotion Dysregulation and E-Cigarette Expectancies among College Student E-Cigarette Users

Background: E-cigarette outcome expectancies (i.e., beliefs about the expected consequences of e-cigarette use) are a key factor in motivating use. Emotion regulation difficulties have demonstrated significant associations with outcome expectancies; however, there has yet to be an examination of associations between specific emotion regulation difficulties and specific e-cigarette outcome expectancies, which could serve as targets for intervention efforts. Therefore, the current study sought to examine the unique predictive ability of specific emotion regulation difficulties in terms of e-cigarette outcome expectancies. Methods: Participants were 116 college student e-cigarette users (Mage = 19.72, SD = 1.88; 71.6% female) who completed self-report questionnaires for course credit. Results: Greater difficulties engaging in goal-directed behavior when experiencing negative emotions and fewer difficulties accessing effective emotion regulation strategies were associated with positive reinforcement outcome expectancies. Greater emotion regulation difficulties in general were also associated with negative reinforcement outcome expectancies, though there were no significant individual predictors. Conclusion: These results suggest that greater emotion regulation difficulties are associated with mood-related e-cigarette outcome expectancies, and targeting emotion regulation difficulties, particularly difficulty engaging in goal-directed behavior when upset, may be useful to incorporate into intervention efforts.

Doctoral students from Chinese prestigious universities who wish to work in the government sector: Perceptions and mechanisms

AbstractThis paper addresses the perceptions and mechanisms of doctoral student job decisions regarding the pursuit of careers in the government sector in China. Through the lens of social cognitive career theory (SCCT), we analysed 30 semi‐structured interviews that had been conducted with doctoral students from two prestigious Chinese universities who wish to work as civil servants. This study describes doctoral students' understanding of careers in government employment from the perspectives of work content, promotion channels and professional norms. The mechanisms influencing student career choices include personal goals, self‐efficacy, outcome expectations and environment. The clear goal of political ambition and work–life balance directly drives doctoral students to choose government institutions for employment. The diploma signal of doctoral degree itself and academic training give doctoral students a high sense of self‐efficacy, which is necessary for their choice of employment in the government. Occupational safety, occupational benefits and occupational value constitute the expectations of positive outcomes providing doctoral students with good feedback. In the current environment, the labour market situation and the impetus of universities combine to form a push force and the preferential recruitment policies of the state form a pull force, which jointly promote doctoral students to make decisions to work in government sector. In this paper, the fact that the Chinese government introduced the ‘special selected graduates’ scheme for doctoral students from prestigious universities in hope of recruiting intellectual elites to improve the quality of civil servants and the modernization level of social governance. Universities encourage PhD graduates to enter the government, hoping that this would enhance their social influence and reputation, thereby safeguarding their status as prestigious universities. From an institutional perspective, the process of doctoral students becoming civil servants can be said to be a form of cooperation between the government and universities.

Determinants of Bluetooth-Enabled Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring in Federally Qualified Health Centers.

In 2021, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) launched the National Hypertension Control Initiative (HTN Initiative) with the goal to enhance HTN control through Bluetooth-enabled self-measured blood pressure (BT-SMBP) monitoring and use this data to inform clinical decisions in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) with a large proportion of their population with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP). We sought to understand the experience of Michigan-based FQHCs in implementing the HTN initiative. Staff from three Michigan-based FQHCs were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews from September to November 2022. Interviews were conducted in-person and were based on the Tailored Implementation in Chronic Diseases framework. Content analysis was performed by three coders. Ten staff participated in interviews (FQHC 1: n = 6, FQHC 2: n = 1, FQHC 3: n = 3). The FQHCs differed in their stage of implementation and their approach. FQHC 1 created a large-scale, community health worker driven program, FQHC 2 created a small-scale, short term, BP device loan program, and FQHC 3 created a primarily outsourced, large-scale program through a contracted partner. Positive staff attitudes and outcome expectations, previous experience with SMBP grants, supportive clinic leadership, social support, and free BP cuff resources were identified as facilitators to implementation. Patients' high social needs, SMBP-related Technology, and insufficient workforce and staff capacity were identified as barriers. BT-SMBP among FQHC patients is promising but challenges in integrating SMBP data into clinic workflow, workforce capacity to support the high social needs of participants, and to assist in reacting to the more frequent BP data remain to be overcome.

The relevance of outcome expectations in group hypnosis for stress reduction: a secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

There is evidence that patients' positive outcome expectations prior to study interventions are associated with better treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, to date, only few studies have investigated whether individual outcome expectations affect treatment outcomes in hypnosis. To examine whether outcome expectations to hypnosis prior to starting treatment were able to predict perceived stress, as measured on a visual analog scale (VAS), after 5 weeks. We performed a secondary data analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial of intervention group participants only. Study participants with stress symptoms were randomized to 5 weekly sessions of a group hypnosis program for stress reduction and improved stress coping, plus 5 hypnosis audio recordings for further individual practice at home, as well as an educational booklet on coping with stress. Perceived stress for the following week was measured at baseline and after 5 weeks using a visual analog scale (0-100 mm; VAS). Hypnosis outcome expectations were assessed at baseline only with the Expectations for Treatment Scale (ETS). Unadjusted and adjusted linear regressions were performed to examine the association between baseline expectations and perceived stress at 5 weeks. Data from 47 participants (M = 45.02, SD = 13.40 years; 85.1% female) were analyzed. Unadjusted (B = 0.326, t = 0.239, p = 0.812, R2 = 0.001) and adjusted (B = 0.639, t = 0.470, p = 0.641, R2 = 0.168) linear regressions found that outcome expectations to hypnosis were not associated with a change in perceived stress between baseline and after 5 weeks in the intervention group. Our findings suggest that the beneficial effect of group hypnosis in distressed participants were not associated with outcome expectations. Other mechanisms of action may be more important for the effect of hypnosis, which should be explored in future research.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03525093.

Neural Correlates of Positive Outcome Expectancy for Aggression: Evidence from Voxel-Based Morphometry and Resting-State Functional Connectivity Analysis.

Positive outcome expectancy is a crucial cognitive factor influencing aggression, yet its neural basis remains unclear. Therefore, the present study combined voxel-based morphometry (VBM) with a resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) analysis to investigate the brain correlates of positive outcome expectancy in aggression in young people. In the VBM analysis, multiple linear regression was conducted to explore the relationship between individual differences in aggressive positive outcome expectancy and regional gray matter volume (GMV) among 325 undergraduate students. For the RSFC analysis, seed regions were selected based on the results of the VBM analysis. Subsequently, multiple linear regression was employed to examine whether a significant correlation existed between individual differences in aggressive positive outcome expectancy and the RSFC of seed regions with other brain regions in 304 undergraduate students. The findings indicated that aggressive positive outcome expectancy was positively correlated with GMV in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), right temporoparietal junction (TPJ), and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). Moreover, it was also positively associated with RSFC between the PCC and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The prediction analysis indicated robust relationships between aggressive positive outcome expectancy and the GMV in the PCC, right TPJ, as well as the RSFC between the PCC and the left DLPFC. Our research provides the initial evidence for the neural basis of positive outcome expectancy in aggression, suggesting the potential role of the PCC as a hub in its neural network.

Pay discrimination litigation: Lessons learned

Orientation: We investigated the reasons for success or failure of pay discrimination claims in South Africa.Research purpose: To learn from reasons for judgements in equal pay litigation to clarify pertinent legal concepts and principles related to equal pay, towards improved pay practices.Motivation of the study: To clarify the concepts of justifiable and unfair pay discrimination. To make recommendations preventing unnecessary breakdown of the employer-employee relationship, curtailing unproductive pay discrimination legal action.Research approach/design and method: Content analysis was used to categorise the reasons for the success or failure of 22 pay discrimination litigation cases brought before the CCMA, Labour Courts, and the Labour Appeal Court (1999–2020). Cases were examined prior to and after amendments Section 6(4), of the Employment Equity Amendment Act 47 of 2013.Main findings: Contrary to the expectation of more positive outcomes for employees after changes to the EEA came into effect, 21 out of 22 cases were unsuccessful. Legal reasons are detailed in the findings. Claimants were from the lower income bands. Case arguments often misguided. Union representation seems ineffectual.Practical/managerial implications: There is a lack of understanding of the requirements to argue unfair pay discrimination before a court. Organisations should mediate in cases where employees claim unfair discrimination, to prevent the irretrievable breakdown or the employer–employee relationship resulting in litigation. Organisations should refrain form intentional or unintentional unfair discrimination.Contribution/value-add: This study demonstrates that employees and their representatives lack knowledge of pay discrimination legislation. We provide explanation of pertinent concepts and principles when judging the merits of a pay discrimination case.

Self-esteem and optimism in patients with major depression disorder: a cross-sectional study.

Depressive disorders are common mental illnesses characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. Self-esteem refers to the appraisal of one's worth and personality, whereas optimism reflects a positive attitude and the expectation of positive outcomes. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the average self-esteem and optimism of patients with depression in 2022. The present study is a single center and prospective descriptive-analytical study in which 121 patients out of 154 participants with major depression using convenience sampling were studied. Recruitment started on 10 June 2022 and ended on 12 July 2022. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT -R). Data analysis was performed using statistical tests and the Pearson correlation coefficient with SPSS software version 21. The mean and SD of patients' self-esteem scores were 14.68±1.30, and the mean and SD for optimism scores were 9.90±1.68. Pearson correlation analysis showed that educational level had a significant inverse relationship with patients' self-esteem scores (r=-0.009, P=0.03), and sex had a significant relationship with patients' optimism scores (r=0.175, P=0.008). Considering the importance of self-esteem and optimism in the recovery and return to society of patients with major depression, it is necessary to take measures to strengthen and increase self-esteem and optimism in these patients.

The impact of human-AI collaboration types on consumer evaluation and usage intention: a perspective of responsibility attribution.

Despite the widespread availability of artificial intelligence (AI) products and services, consumer evaluations and adoption intentions have not met expectations. Existing research mainly focuses on AI's instrumental attributes from the consumer perspective, along with negative impacts of AI failures on evaluations and willingness to use. However, research is lacking on AI as a collaborative agent, investigating the impact of human-AI collaboration on AI acceptance under different outcome expectations. This study examines the interactive effects of human-AI collaboration types (AI-dominant vs. AI-assisted) and outcome expectations (positive vs. negative) on AI product evaluations and usage willingness, along with the underlying mechanisms, from a human-AI relationship perspective. It also investigates the moderating role of algorithm transparency in these effects. Using three online experiments with analysis of variance and bootstrap methods, the study validates these interactive mechanisms, revealing the mediating role of attribution and moderating role of algorithm transparency. Experiment 1 confirms the interactive effects of human-AI collaboration types and outcome expectations on consumer evaluations and usage willingness. Under positive outcome expectations, consumers evaluate and express willingness to use AI-dominant intelligent vehicles with autonomous driving capabilities higher than those with emergency evasion capabilities (AI-assisted). However, under negative outcome expectations, consumers rate autonomous driving capabilities lower compared to emergency evasion capabilities. Experiment 2 examines the mediating role of attribution through ChatGPT's dominant or assisting role under different outcome expectations. Experiment 3 uses a clinical decision-making system to study algorithm transparency's moderating role, showing higher transparency improves evaluations and willingness to use AI products and services under negative outcome expectations. Theoretically, this study advances consumer behavior research by exploring the human-AI relationship within artificial intelligence, enhancing understanding of consumer acceptance variations. Practically, it offers insights for better integrating AI products and services into the market.

Factors Influencing Intention on Condom Use During Sexual Intercourse With Regular Female Partners Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Western China: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis.

Given the rapid rise in HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, they may be a potential bridge for HIV transmission to the general female population, and increasing condom use is an important protective measure. This study aimed to explore factors that influence the intention of condom use during sexual intercourse with regular female partners among MSM in Western China, based on the Health Action Process Approach model. This study used a baseline sample from a cohort study of the National Science and Technology Major Project. A nonprobability sampling method was adopted to recruit MSM from western China. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related characteristics, sexual behavior, and constructs of the Health Action Process Approach model was collected through structured questionnaires, and the data were analyzed using a structural equation model. Among 232 participants, 62.9% (146 of 232) intended to use condoms every time they had sex with their regular female partners during the following 3 months. The results of the structural equation model showed that self-efficacy had the greatest influence on behavioral intention (β = 0.398, P < 0.001), followed by negative outcome expectancy (β = -0.303, P < 0.05). In addition, risk perception (β = 0.206, P < 0.05) and positive outcome expectancy (β = 0.270, P < 0.01) had indirect effects on intention, whereas self-efficacy played a mediating role in these indirect influencing factors. Risk perception, outcome expectancy, and self-efficacy are predictors of condom use intention, with self-efficacy in particular serving as a significant medium for future interventions. These findings could provide a reference for future targeted interventions to reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission from MSM to the female population.

Therapist's warmth and competence increased positive outcome expectations and alliance in an analogue experiment

Objective: The quality of the therapeutic alliance, treatment motivation, outcome expectations (OE), and specific health behaviour predicts psychotherapy success. Therapists should be able to improve these factors to optimize outcomes. This study investigated the therapist’s interpersonal behaviour to optimize alliance, motivation, OE, and health behaviour. Method: A stressed study sample (N = 465) completed an online analogue experiment. We gave participants positive information about psychotherapy effectiveness and varied the therapist’s interpersonal behaviour along the dimensions of warmth and competence. Results: High (vs. low) competence and high (vs. low) warmth increased alliance, OE, and help-seeking scores, while high (vs. low) competence increased motivation to do psychotherapy. We found no effects on health behaviour. Conclusion: In contrast to previous correlational analyses, our experimental study supports the causal role of the therapist’s warmth and competence and its impact on alliance, motivation, and OE. We discuss approaches for future studies and clinical implications.

Anxiety-related constructs and smoking outcome expectancies among Latinx smokers.

Hispanic/Latinx (hereafter Latinx) smokers in the United States (US) experience unique smoking cessation-related challenges. Smoking outcome expectancies (i.e., positive and negative beliefs about the consequences of smoking behavior) have been linked to the maintenance of smoking and comorbidity with negative emotional states such as anxiety among Latinx smokers. However, past work has not characterized rates of probable anxiety disorder and elevated levels of anxiety sensitivity among English-speaking daily Latinx smokers from the United States or concurrently evaluated the explanatory relevance of anxiety symptoms and anxiety sensitivity for negative and positive smoking outcome expectancies. The present investigation sought to (a) determine the base rate of probable anxiety disorder and elevated anxiety sensitivity and (b) explore the unique roles of anxiety symptoms and anxiety sensitivity in relation to negative and positive smoking outcome expectancies. Participants included 338 English-speaking Latinx adult daily cigarette smokers from the United States (Mage = 35.53 years; SD = 8.65; age range 18-61; 37.3% female). Findings revealed high rates of probable anxiety disorder (50.9%) and elevated anxiety sensitivity (73.4%) among English-speaking Latinx smokers from the United States. Anxiety sensitivity, but not anxiety symptoms or disorders, was significantly related to negative consequences, negative reinforcement, positive reinforcement, and appetite/weight control smoking outcome expectancies. Overall, anxiety experiences were common among Latinx smokers, and anxiety sensitivity was a relatively more consistent and robust predictor of negative and positive outcome expectancies relative to anxiety symptoms and probable anxiety disorder. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Early pregnancy dispositional optimism and pregnancy outcomes among nulliparous people

Dispositional optimism, the expectation of positive outcomes after personal challenges, is a resilience factor associated with widespread health benefits. However, the data on pregnancy-related outcomes are more limited. This study aimed to assess the association of early pregnancy dispositional optimism with adverse perinatal outcomes. This was a prospective cohort study completed between May 2019 and February 2022 at a single, large tertiary medical center. Nulliparous pregnant people were recruited from outpatient obstetrical care sites. Participants completed a validated assessment of dispositional optimism at <20 weeks of gestation and were followed up until delivery. The primary outcome was an adverse maternal outcome composite that included gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and/or cesarean delivery. The secondary outcomes included individual composite components and a neonatal morbidity composite. Bivariate analyses compared characteristics and primary and secondary outcomes by dispositional optimism score quartile. Multivariable logistic regression compared outcomes by dispositional optimism score quartile with the highest quartile serving as the referent, controlling for confounders determined a priori. Overall, 491 pregnant people were approached for participation, and 135 pregnant people (27.5%) declined participation. Among the 284 individuals who enrolled and had complete outcome data, the median dispositional optimism score was 16.0 (interquartile range, 14-18), and 47.9% of individuals experienced at least 1 adverse maternal outcome 135 (47.9%). After adjusting for confounders, the odds of adverse maternal outcomes were significantly higher in the lowest 2 optimism quartiles: quartile 1 (adjusted odds ratio, 3.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.57-7.36) and quartile 2 (adjusted odds ratio, 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-4.79) than the highest quartile. This was driven by significantly higher rates of hypertension (quartile 1: adjusted odds ratio, 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-6.29) and cesarean delivery (quartile 1: adjusted odds ratio, 2.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-6.55). There was no difference noted when quartile 3 was compared with quartile 4. Lower early pregnancy dispositional optimism was associated with significantly higher odds of adverse maternal outcomes. Interventions targeting improvements in optimism may be a novel mechanism for reducing perinatal morbidity.