Psychology & health
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Psychology & health · Jan 2013
A longitudinal study of patients' experiences of chronic low back pain using interpretative phenomenological analysis: changes and consistencies.
This paper present data from the second and third rounds of a three-phase longitudinal research project exploring the 'lived experiences' of patients with chronic low-back pain (CLBP) in the United Kingdom. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants 1 and 2 years after the first interviews and after attendance at a medically staffed chronic pain clinic. The transcribed accounts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and results compared with the data from time one. ⋯ It is proposed that these elements demonstrated embodied experiences and contributed to comprehensive enmeshment of self and pain with little re-establishment of any behavioural activity. In comparison, participants who had experienced pain relief due to physical treatments showed increased use of mind-body strategies, a future orientation and were considered to be less enmeshed in their experiences. These changes were discussed in relation to the relationship between pain remission and illness beliefs.
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Psychology & health · Jan 2013
Effects of and attention to graphic warning labels on cigarette packages.
The present study investigates the effects of graphic cigarette warnings compared to text-only cigarette warnings on smokers' explicit (i.e. ratings of the packages, cognitions about smoking, perceived health risk, quit intentions) and implicit attitudes. In addition, participants' visual attention towards the graphic warnings was recorded using eye-tracking methodology. ⋯ Smokers employ defensive psychological mechanisms when confronted with threatening warnings. Although aversive images attract attention, they do not promote health knowledge. Implications for graphic health warnings and the importance of taking their content (i.e. aversive vs. non-aversive images) into account are discussed.
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Psychology & health · Jan 2013
'The letting go, the building up, [and] the gradual process of rebuilding': identity change and post-traumatic growth in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.
The aim of this study was to explore the phenomenon of identity change and subsequent post-traumatic growth (PTG) in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Ten participants (average illness duration 7.4 years) were interviewed (average length, 79 minutes) via a semi-structured interview schedule and verbatim transcriptions were analysed with interpretative phenomenological analysis. ⋯ These themes outlined the experiences of those with ME/CFS as they underwent changes in identity due to the limitations the condition imposed on activities and roles, understanding others' behaviours after a period of isolation, the comparison of the past self with the present self and finally, the positive growth that was noted by two of the interviewees with regards to a new 'true' self. Despite the distressing and unpredictable nature of ME/CFS, it appears that individuals with this disorder can experience personal growth.