British journal of health psychology
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Br J Health Psychol · Nov 2009
An interpretative phenomenological analysis of living with chronic low back pain.
A predominantly quantitative approach to the psychological study of chronic low back pain (CLBP) has shown that enduring negative emotional responses and passive coping strategies contribute towards disability. The main objective of this study was to extend existing knowledge by providing a detailed and contextualized understanding of the meaning of CLBP for participants with long-standing experiences of chronic pain. ⋯ The participants' experiences are represented by three main themes: 'maintaining integrity', 'the crucial nature of the pain' and 'managing the pain' that highlight participants' understanding of their pain within a biomedical framework. The findings are discussed with reference to the role of illness beliefs in the management of CLBP.
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Br J Health Psychol · Nov 2009
Metaphors of organ donation, social representations of the body and the opt-out system.
Organ donation is the only available treatment for end-stage failure of organs such as liver, lung, and heart and therefore increasing the number of organ donors is a priority for most countries. One measure that could be taken by a country to increase the number of organ transplants is to introduce the opt-out system of organ donation. Public opinion is divided on this issue and policy makers need to tread with caution before introducing legislation. ⋯ Analysis of the transcriptions of these focus groups yielded pertinent issues related to organ donation. Moreover, metaphors of organ donations and how these were related to social representations of the body and attitudes towards the opt-out system are discussed. It is being suggested that these findings could be of relevance to the present discussion on the opt-out system in the UK and in other countries.
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Br J Health Psychol · Sep 2009
Controlled Clinical TrialMultidisciplinary allocation of chronic pain treatment: effects and cognitive-behavioural predictors of outcome.
Multidisciplinary treatment approaches have been found to be effective for chronic pain patients although there are large individual differences in outcomes. To increase overall treatment effects, tools are needed to identify patients most likely to benefit from tailored, comprehensive modular treatment schemes. ⋯ The tested multidisciplinary allocation scheme for out-patient treatment of chronic pain complaints was effective in reducing pain intensity and functional disability. Findings also showed that especially those patients that are able to accept their condition are likely to profit most from the treatment in terms of pain reduction.
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Br J Health Psychol · May 2009
Meta AnalysisIntegrating the theory of planned behaviour and self-determination theory in health behaviour: a meta-analysis.
A meta-analysis of studies integrating the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and self-determination theory (SDT) in health contexts is presented. The analysis aimed to provide cumulative empirical support for a motivational sequence in which self-determined motivation from SDT predicts the proximal predictors of intentions and behaviour from the TPB. ⋯ Evidence from this synthesis supported the theoretical integration and proposed motivational sequence. Results are discussed with reference to the complementary aspects of the TPB and SDT and the need for integrated experimental or intervention studies on a broader range of health behaviours.
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Br J Health Psychol · Feb 2009
Trait anxiety determines depressive symptoms and fatigue in women with an abnormality in the breast.
The aim was to examine the role of trait anxiety and diagnosis on depressive symptoms and fatigue in women with early stage breast cancer or benign breast problems. ⋯ Trait anxiety plays a role in experiencing depressive symptoms and fatigue over time.