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Biomedical subjects

Alexander J Rothman

Publications and source records attributed to Alexander J Rothman.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The impact of self-efficacy on behavior change and weight change among overweight participants in a weight loss trial.

Despite considerable clinical interest, attempts to link perceived self-efficacy with successful weight control have had mixed success. Definitive data on prospective associations between self-efficacy and weight loss are particularly sparse. This study examined relationships between self-efficacy beliefs, weight control behaviors, and weight change among individuals participating in a weight loss trial (N = 349, 87% women). Cross-sectionally, eating and exercise self-efficacy beliefs were strongly associated with corresponding weight loss behaviors. Self-efficacy beliefs prospectively predicted weight control behavior and weight change during active treatment but not during follow-up. Mediational models indicate that people's weight control behaviors mediate the impact of self-efficacy on weight change.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed2006

Specifying the determinants of the initiation and maintenance of behavior change: an examination of self-efficacy, satisfaction, and smoking cessation.

Using data from smokers (N = 591) who enrolled in an 8-week smoking cessation program and were then followed for 15 months, the authors tested the thesis that self-efficacy guides the decision to initiate smoking cessation but that satisfaction with the outcomes afforded by quitting guides the decision to maintain cessation. Measures of self-efficacy and satisfaction assessed at the end of the program, 2 months, and 9 months were used to predict quit status at 2, 9, and 15 months, respectively. At each point, participants were categorized as either initiators or maintainers on the basis of their pattern of cessation behavior. Across time, self-efficacy predicted future quit status for initiators, whereas satisfaction generally predicted future quit status for maintainers. Implications for models of behavior change and behavioral interventions are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

A satisfaction enhancement intervention for long-term weight loss.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of two satisfaction enhancement interventions for weight control on behavioral and weight changes among individuals in a 15-month weight loss program. The primary hypothesis was that long-term weight loss would be improved by an intervention that enhances perceived satisfaction with achieved outcomes. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Men and women (331) were randomized to weight control programs comprised of diet and exercise counseling and a cognitive intervention that emphasized either comparing experienced outcomes with expectation of ideal outcomes or comparing experienced outcomes with pretreatment status. The latter was expected to cause greater satisfaction with weight loss progress. RESULTS: The intervention manipulation was not successful in influencing cognitions, satisfaction, or weight change. DISCUSSION: The potential for intervening on satisfaction per se for the purpose of achieving greater or more sustained weight loss remains to be demonstrated.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effects of outcome expectations and satisfaction on weight loss and maintenance: correlational and experimental analyses--a randomized trial.

This study examines the hypothesis that highly favorable outcome expectations promote weight loss and hinder weight maintenance. To investigate the effects of outcome expectations and satisfaction with treatment outcomes on weight loss, 349 adults were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 weight loss programs that emphasize either (a) an "optimistic" message, focusing exclusively on the positive aspects of weight loss, or (b) a "balanced" message, giving equal time to positive and negative aspects of weight loss. Participants changed their weight loss cognitions in response to the intervention, but there was no significant difference between the intervention treatment groups in short-term or long-term (18-month) weight loss. Independent of treatment message, positive outcome expectations and satisfaction were both associated with weight loss.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

"Is there nothing more practical than a good theory?": Why innovations and advances in health behavior change will arise if interventions are used to test and refine theory.

Theoretical and practical innovations are needed if we are to advance efforts to persuade and enable people to make healthy changes in their behavior. In this paper, I propose that progress in our understanding of and ability to promote health behavior change depends upon greater interdependence in the research activities undertaken by basic and applied behavioral scientists. In particular, both theorists and interventionists need to treat a theory as a dynamic entity whose form and value rests upon it being rigorously applied, tested and refined in both the laboratory and the field. To this end, greater advantage needs to be taken of the opportunities that interventions afford for theory-testing and, moreover, the data generated by these activities need to stimulate and inform efforts to revise, refine, or reject theoretical principles.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Are unrealistic weight loss goals associated with outcomes for overweight women?

OBJECTIVE: To examine cross-sectional correlates of current, goal, and dream weight and their prospective associations with weight loss in treatment. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Goal and dream weights, demographic characteristics, and psychosocial factors were assessed by self-report questionnaire in 302 adult women enrolled in a weight loss trial. Height and weight were assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks of active treatment, and at 6- and 18-month follow-up. Regression techniques examined associations among baseline, goal, and dream weights, psychosocial factors, and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: On average, goal and dream weight losses were unrealistically high (-24% and -30%, respectively). High goals were associated with greater expected effort and greater expected reward but were not associated with psychological distress. Goal and dream weight losses were only weakly associated with behavioral or weight outcomes. An association between higher dream weight losses and greater weight loss at 18 months was the only outcome result to reach statistical significance. DISCUSSION: Results suggest that lack of realism in weight loss goals is not important enough to justify counseling people to accept lower weight loss goals when trying to lose weight.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The weight loss experience: a descriptive analysis.

BACKGROUND: Six months of loss followed by gradual regain to baseline is descriptive of most weight loss attempts. PURPOSE: This study sought to identify thoughts and feelings accompanying weight loss that might explain the phenomenon. METHODS: Thoughts, feelings, and body weight were measured weekly for 6 months in 41 women receiving behavioral treatment for obesity. RESULTS: Overall, the weight loss experience of these women was positive, requiring modest time and effort and being associated with more positive than negative thoughts and experiences. Over time, however, positive but not negative reactions to the weight loss experience decreased, as did the strength of beliefs that the benefits of weight loss were worth the effort. In addition, we found no relation between the women's perception of effort and weight loss results. CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate long-term rewards for behaviors needed for weight control may be an important cause of frequent weight loss failures.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The effects of framing and action instructions on whether older adults obtain flu shots.

The authors tested the effects of cues to action--messages intended to increase flu immunizations. North Dakota counties were randomly assigned to reminder letters, action letters, or no letters. Within the reminder-letter counties, Medicare recipients received either (a) a reminder from the state peer review organization (PRO) to obtain a flu shot or (b) a reminder from the PRO, framed either in terms of the loss associated with failing to get a shot or (c) the benefits associated with getting a shot. Within the action-letter counties, Medicare recipients leaned where and when to receive a flu shot. Reminder type failed to differentially affect the immunization rate (overall M = 24.5%). However, the action messages worked better (28.2%) than no message (19.6%).

Aged↗