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Biomedical subjects

Mark Conner

Publications and source records attributed to Mark Conner.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Daily hassles and eating behaviour: the role of cortisol reactivity status.

Previous research has shown high cortisol reactors to consume a greater amount of snack foods than low reactors following a laboratory stressor. The current study tested whether high cortisol reactors also consume more snacks than low reactors in response to field stressors. Fifty pre-menopausal women completed a laboratory stressor, provided saliva samples to assess cortisol reactor status and then completed daily hassles and snack intake diaries over the next fourteen days. Hierarchical multivariate linear modelling showed a significant association between daily hassles and snack intake within the overall sample, where an increased number of hassles was associated with increased snack intake. This significant positive association between number of hassles and snack intake was only observed within the high cortisol reactors and not within the low cortisol reactors. These findings suggest that high cortisol reactivity to stress promotes food intake. Furthermore, the eating style variables of restraint, emotional eating, external eating and disinhibition were more strongly associated with snack intake in high reactors than in low reactors. This suggests that cortisol reactivity may in part account for the moderating role of eating style on stress-induced eating. The results are discussed within the context of future health risk.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Role of anticipated regret, intentions and intention stability in adolescent smoking initiation.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of anticipated regret within the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) on intentions of adolescents to initiate smoking. To examine the moderating role of anticipated regret and intention stability on the relationship between intentions and smoking initiation in adolescents. METHODS: We conducted two studies measuring anticipated regret within the TPB applied to adolescent smoking initiation. In the first study, 347 non-smoking adolescents (between 11 and 12 years of age) completed the TPB and anticipated regret measures about smoking initiation. In the second study, 675 non-smoking adolescents (between 11 and 12 years of age) completed the TPB, anticipated regret, and intention stability measures in relation to smoking initiation. Smoking was assessed objectively by carbon monoxide breath monitor 9 months later. RESULTS: In Studies 1 and 2, regret significantly added to predictions of intentions over and above components of the TPB (p < .001). In Study 2, smoking behaviour was predicted by intentions and the relationship of intentions to behaviour was moderated by regret and intention stability. CONCLUSIONS: Regret and intention stability were shown to be important variables within the TPB in understanding intentions and behaviour of smoking initiation in adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The theory of planned behaviour and binge drinking: Assessing the moderating role of past behaviour within the theory of planned behaviour.

A sample of 398 undergraduate students completed questionnaires assessing the main constructs of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in relation to binge drinking, as well as past binge drinking behaviour. Of these, 273 were followed up at 1 week. Regression analyses revealed attitude, self-efficacy, and perceived control (negative relationship) to be predictive of binge drinking intentions. Intention and self-efficacy were, in turn, predictive of binge drinking at 1-week follow-up. Past behaviour was found to explain additional variance in intention and behaviour. In addition, past behaviour was found to moderate the attitude-intention and intention-behaviour relationships, such that weaker relationships were observed with increasing frequency of past behaviour. The results are discussed in relation to the need to develop and test alternative measures of habit. The implications of the findings for interventions to encourage more appropriate drinking behaviour are outlined.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Commentary on Hobbis and Sutton.

The present commentary highlights and discusses two issues raised by Hobbis and Sutton (this issue): the identification of key beliefs, and the methods suggested by Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for changing beliefs and behaviour. In relation to the first issue it is noted how the conception of key beliefs varies between the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and CBT. In relation to the second issue it is noted that CBT may well identify a number of useful techniques for changing beliefs, although a variety of other techniques may also be useful for changing beliefs.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy↗
PubMed2005

Bridging the intention-behaviour 'gap': the role of moral norm.

This research examined whether intentions aligned with moral norms better predict behaviour compared with intentions aligned with attitudes. Six data sets predicting behaviours in the health domain (smoking, driving over speed limit, applying universal precautions, exercising) were analysed. Moderated regression analysis indicated that participants whose intentions were more aligned with their moral norm were more likely to perform behaviours compared with participants whose intentions were more aligned with their attitude. However, further analysis indicated that this moderation effect was only present when participants construed the behaviour in moral terms. The findings suggest that the theory of planned behaviour should more clearly acknowledge the importance of internalized norms and self-expectations in the development of one's motivation to adopt a given behaviour.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Determinants of condom use among a random sample of single heterosexual adults.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the determinants of single heterosexuals' use of condoms during each sexual intercourse. DESIGN: Cohort of individuals followed over a period of 2 years. METHODS: Respondents were 574 single heterosexual individuals who answered questions during a telephone interview. RESULTS: Attitude, perceived behavioural control, self-efficacy and moral norm explained 65% of the variance in intentions to use condoms ( p, .0001). The determinants of condom use at 1 year follow-up (27% explained variance) were perceived behavioural control, past behaviour, and the interaction between intention and intention stability. At 2 years follow-up, the significant determinants were past behaviour and intention by intention stability. In the present study, intentions to use condoms which remained stable across time were strong predictors of condom use (at 1 year: beta = .42, p < .0001; at 2 years: beta = .39, p, < .003), while unstable intentions were not (at 1 year: beta = .02, ns; at 2 years: beta = .19, ns). CONCLUSION: Intention stability is a major determinant of the accuracy of intention for the prediction of subsequent behaviour.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Beyond intention: do specific plans increase health behaviours in patients in primary care? A study of fruit and vegetable consumption.

Increasing evidence suggests that implementation intentions are effective in moving people towards achieving health behaviour goals. However, the type of health behaviours for which they work best is unclear. Furthermore, implementation intentions appear to be less effective when studied in clinical rather than student populations. This prospective study tested implementation intentions with a complex, repeated health behaviour in a patient sample. A total of 120 cardiac patients in the UK were asked to increase their daily fruit and vegetable consumption by two portions and to maintain this over 3 months. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups (control, Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) questionnaire, TPB questionnaire+implementation intention) and telephoned at 7, 28 and 90 days follow-up to record daily consumption (24-h recall measure); 94 participants completed the study. Daily fruit and vegetable consumption increased from 2.88 portions (SD=1.67) at recruitment to 4.28 portions (SD=2.25) at 90 days. A 4x3 (time by group) mixed design ANCOVA was computed with daily fruit and vegetable consumption at recruitment entered as a covariate. This revealed a significant time effect (F (3, 270)=29.79, p<0.001) (eta2=0.25) but non-significant group (F (2, 90)=0.32, p=0.73) (eta2=0.07) and time by group effects (F (6, 270)=0.48, p=0.82) (eta2=0.01). There was also a significant main effect of the covariate (F (1, 90)=48.51, p<0.001) (eta2=0.35) and a significant time by covariate effect (F (3, 270)=12.14, p<0.001) (eta2=0.12). Substantial increases in fruit and vegetable consumption were achieved particularly by participants who were eating low levels at recruitment. Consumption was not improved by implementation intentions. These findings are discussed in the context of the targeted health behaviour and sample.

Female↗
PubMed2004

Stages of change or changes of stage? Predicting transitions in transtheoretical model stages in relation to healthy food choice.

Relatively little research has examined factors that account for transitions between transtheoretical model (TTM) stages of change. The present study (N = 787) used sociodemographic, TTM, and theory of planned behavior (TPB) variables, as well as theory-driven interventions to predict changes in stage. Longitudinal analyses revealed that sociodemographic, TPB, and 1 of the interventions predicted transitions between most stages of change. In fact, only progression from the preparation stage was not predictable. However, given that this change of stage marks the transition between cognition and actual behavior, the identification of variables that bridge this gap is crucial for the development of interventions to promote stage transitions.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Gender, sexuality, body image and eating behaviours.

One hundred and twenty one participants reported sexual orientation, body mass index, body shape concerns, eating motives and eating styles. Measures of body dissatisfaction were greater in heterosexual women and homosexual men (ps <.05), while heterosexual women had smaller (ps <.001) ideal body shapes. Eating weight control motive was lower in heterosexual men compared to women (ps <.05). Restrained eating was lower in heterosexual men compared to heterosexual women or homosexual men (ps <.001). The findings support the role of socially prescribed body shapes on body shape concerns, eating motivations, and eating styles in men and women and suggest impacts are greater for heterosexual women and homosexual men.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Perceptions and reasons for choice of fat- and fibre-containing foods by Swedish schoolchildren.

This study investigated schoolchildren's breakfast choices focusing on their reported usual intake and perceptions of fat-reduced or fibre-enriched alternatives. A total of 184 eleven- to fifteen-year-old were asked to participate, and 181 completed the study. Using pictures of food items, the children were instructed to reproduce their usual breakfast, and then breakfasts that would be: healthy, tasty, consumed by their parents, or approved by their parents. Participants' usual breakfast included breads and breakfast cereals containing a higher fibre content than that of the breakfast reported as most palatable. Their usual breakfast also contained products with less fibre than was the case for their healthy or perceived parental norm breakfasts. This may be interpreted as evidence that high-fibre bread and breakfast cereals are perceived as healthy but that consumption of these products is limited by palatability. In contrast to the ambivalence towards cereal products, corresponding disagreements between breakfasts were not observed for milk, and only a small systematic disagreement was observed for spread. Thus, the majority consumed the kind of milk and spread perceived as being healthy, tasty and parentally sanctioned despite the fact that full-fat products were frequently consumed. In conclusion, the results suggest that taste may be a barrier to consumption of high-fibre products, while consumption of low-fat products appears to be impeded by health beliefs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Applying an extended version of the theory of planned behaviour to physical activity.

This prospective study explored whether extending the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) with additional variables (descriptive norm, moral norm, anticipated affective reaction, self-identity and past behaviour) would account for additional variance in physical activity intentions and behaviour. Four interactions with past behaviour were also investigated. UK college employees participated in this study (n = 200, Time 1; n = 146, Time 2). Moral norm, self-identity and past behaviour each explained additional variance in intentions, over and above the TPB variables. Past behaviour moderated the impact of descriptive norm on intentions. Intentions, self-identity and past behaviour were significant predictors of behaviour, as measured by a self-report physical activity questionnaire. To increase physical activity, interventions might target moral norm and self-identity for physical activity. Focusing on positive descriptive norms might benefit sedentary individuals. The significant role of past behaviour is less useful in directing interventions.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Environmental influences: factors influencing a woman's decision to use dietary supplements.

Use of dietary supplements by women, particularly those over 40 years of age may be widespread in the United Kingdom. However, from surveillance data, there appears to be a disparity between nutrition and health needs and the rationale for and actual use of dietary supplements by women. This apparent paradox forms the basis for an inverse supplement hypothesis (i.e., supplement use in women appears to be most prevalent among those with least need). Little research has been done to examine the factors underlying the decision to use dietary supplements. Reasons for consuming dietary supplements are often complex, combining social, psychological, knowledge and economic factors. The theory of planned behavior is a widely used model for assessing factors influencing behavioral motivation and action that may be useful for assessing specific diet- and nutrition-related practices. It provided the basis for the development of a questionnaire to explore overall dietary supplement use in a cohort of women in the United Kingdom. The analysis of factors related to beliefs underlying dietary supplement use revealed differences between supplement users and nonusers. Differences included a stronger belief by users than nonusers that taking dietary supplements ensures against possible ill health. Both users and nonusers of supplements also perceived the media (books and magazines) to be a powerful influence on a person's decision to use supplements. These findings highlight the potential of the theory of planned behavior in exploring supplement-taking behavior while throwing light on the factors influencing an individual's motivations to use dietary supplements.

Choice Behavior↗
PubMed2003

Moderating role of attitudinal ambivalence within the theory of planned behaviour.

The present study examined the moderating role of attitudinal ambivalence within the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control (PBC), behavioural intentions and self-reported behaviour were assessed in relation to 20 healthy eating behaviours in a prospective questionnaire design in 232 members of the general public in the UK. Between-participants univariate and multivariate analyses indicated attitude-behaviour and PBC-behaviour relationships to be weaker in higher ambivalence compared to lower ambivalence respondents. These effects were confirmed in within-participants analyses. The findings are discussed in terms of the role of ambivalence in furthering our understanding of relationships in the TPB.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Evidence that perceived behavioural control is a multidimensional construct: perceived control and perceived difficulty.

Four studies were performed to test whether Ajzen's (1988, 1991) concept of perceived behavioural control is really an amalgamation of two variables, which we term 'perceived control' and 'perceived difficulty'. Perceived control refers to the extent to which people consider the performance of a behaviour to be under their voluntary control. Perceived difficulty refers to whether people consider a behaviour to be easy or difficult to perform, Findings from Studies 1 to 4 demonstrate that it is possible to perform manipulations that affect perceived control more than perceived difficulty, or that affect perceived difficulty more than perceived control. Studies 2-4 used a variety of paradigms to show that people distinguish between beliefs that are presumed to underlie perceived control and perceived difficulty. Finally, we performed a meta-analysis in Study 5 to determine whether perceived control or perceived difficulty is more important for predicting behavioural intentions and behaviours. Taken together, the findings support the distinction between perceived control and perceived difficulty, and also suggest that perceived difficulty is a better predictor of most behavioural intentions and behaviours than is perceived control.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2002

Can the Theory of Planned Behaviour mediate the effects of age, gender and multidimensional health locus of control?

OBJECTIVES: The present paper reports two studies designed to test the ability of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to mediate the effects of age, gender and multidimensional health locus of control (MHLC) on behavioural intentions and behaviour. DESIGN: Two studies are reported. Study 1 (N = 124) employed a cross-sectional design and examined three self-reported health-related behaviours: safe sex (condom use), binge drinking and drink-driving. Study 2 (N = 201) employed a prospective design and examined actual attendance at health screening. METHODS: Respondents completed questionnaires containing measures of MHLC and TPB. The data were analysed using a combination of bivariate correlations and hierarchical multiple regression. RESULTS: Study 1 showed that the TPB was a superior predictor of health-related behavioural intentions than both demographic variables and MHLC. Study 2 corroborated the findings of Study 1, and showed that TPB variables were useful predictors of actual behaviour, although the TPB failed to fully mediate the effects of gender on screening attendance. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst the TPB accounted for significant proportions of the variance in health-related behavioural intentions and behaviour, it failed to completely mediate the effects of demographic variables. Future work is required to identify social cognitive variables that will fully mediate the effects of demographics.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

The theory of planned behavior and healthy eating.

Application of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to healthy eating in 144 health promotion clinic attendees is reported. Respondents completed self-report TPB measures after the clinic (Time 1) and 6 months later (Time 2) with a measure of perceived past behavior. Intention stability was assessed on Time 1-2 differences. Six years later (Time 3), respondents completed measures of healthy eating intentions and behavior. Intentions were predicted by attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and perceived past behavior (cross-sectionally). Healthy eating behavior (Time 3) was predicted from intentions (Time 2). As intention stability increased, intentions and perceived past behavior became stronger and weaker predictors of behavior, respectively. Implications for understanding health cognitions in long-term performance of health behavior are discussed.

Adult↗