Biomedical subjects

Kanayo Umeh

Publications and source records attributed to Kanayo Umeh.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Theory of planned behaviour and ecstasy use: an analysis of moderator-interactions.

OBJECTIVE: This study tested potential moderator interactions between components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in relation to ecstasy use, extending previous research. It was expected that attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control (PBC) would moderate each other in predicting intended use of this drug. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 200 young adults. RESULTS: In hierarchical multiple regression analysis, past behaviour and attitude independently predicted intention; previous use of ecstasy and more positive attitudes towards ecstasy use were associated with stronger intentions to use this drug in the future. Moreover, there was a significant interaction between attitude and PBC (R(2)(change) = 0.05). Slope analysis revealed that PBC better predicted intention given more positive attitudes towards ecstasy use. CONCLUSIONS: This moderator function may help explain predictive inconsistencies reported in the literature. Implications for the TPB are considered.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2001

Perceptions of threat, benefits, and barriers in breast self-examination amongst young asymptomatic women.

AIM: Young age at diagnosis of breast cancer is a negative prognostic factor, but early detection of breast pathology may improve prognosis. The present study examined the role of health perceptions (Health Belief Model; HBM) in young women's breast self-examination (BSE). It was hypothesized that cues to action, health motivation, and perceptions of threat (vulnerability, severity), benefits, and barriers, will predict BSE, but that threat perceptions will be more powerful predictors than benefits and barriers. METHOD: Questionnaire data from 178 asymptomatic women (aged 18-35 years) living in the northwestern region of England were analysed. RESULTS: Using hierarchical logistic regression controlling for demographic factors, only severity and barriers emerged as important predictors; lower perceived seriousness of breast cancer and fewer perceived obstacles to practising BSE predicted performance of BSE. For every unit increment on the severity and barrier scales, the odds of a respondent performing BSE decreased by approximately 8 and 20%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide qualified support for the HBM. Perceived barriers was the most powerful predictor, although respondents assessed breast-cancer severity based on early detection through BSE. Implications for clinical interventions are considered.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Work stress differentials between psychiatric and general nurses.

Reducing occupational stress among nursing staff is a public health priority in many western countries. This study assessed stress differentials between psychiatric nurses (PNs) and general nurses (GNs), and the moderating function of social support. It was expected that PNs would report different (higher) stress levels than GNs given PNs' lower levels of social support. A questionnaire was completed and returned by 73 nurses at several public hospitals in England. Multivariate analysis of variance showed that social support moderated stress differentials between PNs and GNs, albeit not as anticipated; the latter group reported significantly higher and lower stress levels when social support was low and high, respectively. This interaction was applicable to both the quality and quantity of social support. Overall, the benefits of social support seemed to accrue primarily to GNs. Implications of these findings for the development of stress-reduction interventions are considered.

Adaptation, Psychological↗