Search results for "Behavioural Science"
showing 10 items of 40 documents
Evaluation of the effectiveness of drug prevention programs: Analysis of the international scientific production (2002–2011)
2015
s / Drug and Alcohol Dependence 146 (2015) e202–e284 e205 Oxytocin effects on human aggressive responding Joseph L. Alcorn, Nadeeka Dias, N. Rathnayaka, Joy Schmitz, C. Green, Scott D. Lane Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Program in Neuroscience, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston, Houston, TX, United States Aims: In the search for interventions aimed at improving the social functioning of individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) and the oxytonergic system may hold promise as an intervention strategy for promoting prosocial behaviors. Acute administration of OT …
Determinants of diet and physical Activity (DEDIPAC): a summary of findings
2017
The establishment of the Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity (DEDIPAC) Knowledge Hub, 2013 – 2016, was the first action taken by the ‘ Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life ’ European Joint Programming Initiative. DEDIPAC aimed to provide better insight into the determinants of diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour across the life course, i.e. insight into the causes of the causes of important, non-commu nicable diseases across Europe and beyond. DEDIPAC was launched in late 2013, and delivered its final report in late 2016. In this paper we give an overview of what was achieved in terms of furthering measurement and monitoring, providing overviews of the state-of-the-art in the …
On the Convergence of Affective and Persuasive Technologies in Computer-Mediated Health-Care Systems
2015
This paper offers a portrayal of how affective computing and persuasive technologies can converge into an effective tool for interfacing biomedical engineering with behavioral sciences and medicine. We describe the characteristics, features, applications, present state of the art, perspectives, and trends of both streams of research. In particular, these streams are analyzed in light of the potential contribution of their convergence for improving computer-mediated health-care systems, by facilitating the modification of patients’ attitudes and behaviors, such as engagement and compliance. We propose a framework for future research in this emerging area, highlighting how key constructs and …
DEBATE: Do interventions based on behavioral theory work in the real world?
2019
Abstract Background Behavioral scientists suggest that for behavior change interventions to work effectively, and deliver population-level health outcomes, they must be underpinned by behavioral theory. However, despite implementation of such interventions, population levels of both health outcomes and linked behaviors have remained relatively static. We debate the extent to which interventions based on behavioral theory work in the real world to address population health outcomes. Discussion Hagger argues there is substantive evidence supporting the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions based on behavioral theory in promoting population-level health behavior change in the ‘real world…
Test-retest reliability and construct validity of the ENERGY-child questionnaire on energy balance-related behaviours and their potential determinant…
2011
Published version of an article in the journal: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Also available from the publihser:http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-8-136 BACKGROUND:Insight in children's energy balance-related behaviours (EBRBs) and their determinants is important to inform obesity prevention research. Therefore, reliable and valid tools to measure these variables in large-scale population research are needed.OBJECTIVE:To examine the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the child questionnaire used in the ENERGY-project, measuring EBRBs and their potential determinants among 10-12 year old children.METHODS:We collected data among 10-12 yea…
Development and reliability of a streetscape observation instrument for international use: MAPS-global
2018
Background: Relationships between several built environment factors and physical activity and walking behavior are well established, but internationally-comparable built environment measures are lacking. The Microscale Audit of Pedestrian Streetscapes (MAPS)-Global is an observational measure of detailed streetscape features relevant to physical activity that was developed for international use. This study examined the inter-observer reliability of the instrument in five countries. Methods: MAPS-Global was developed by compiling concepts and items from eight environmental measures relevant to walking and bicycling. Inter-rater reliability data were collected in neighborhoods selected to var…
Interpersonal Distance in the SARS-CoV-2 Crisis
2020
Background Mandatory rules for social distancing to curb the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic require individuals to maintain a critical interpersonal distance above 1.5 m. However, this contradicts our natural preference, which is closer to 1 m for non-intimate encounters, for example, when asking a stranger for directions. Objective This review addresses how humans typically regulate interpersonal distances, in order to highlight the challenges of enforcing atypically large interpersonal distances. Method To understand the challenges posed by social distancing requirements, we integrate relevant contributions from visual perception, social perception, and human factors. Results To date, research on pr…
Climate Change: An Educational Proposal Integrating the Physical and Social Sciences
2014
Abstract The scientific community has been debating climate change for at least twenty years. The EU has recommended a set of innovative reforms to science teaching, incorporating environmental issues in the scientific curriculum, answering the need for making school a place of civic education. This paper focuses on the presentation of materials designed to foster both deep understanding of the basic concepts involved in climate change as well as critical thinking for addressing some cognitive and emotional barriers that have been proved to hinder individual behavioural reactions.
Increasing Vaccine Acceptance and Uptake: A Review of the Evidence
2021
This article reviews the latest research on behavioral interventions to increase vaccine acceptance and uptake identifying the policies that work and underlying the determinants of their success. We focus primarily on studies that appeared after the publication of Brewer et al.’s (2017) in-depth survey of the behavioral literature on vaccination. We identify four major types of interventions that were tested in the lab, online or in the field: social norms-based interventions, opting-out strategies, reminders and recalls, and loss-framed/gain-framed messages (tailored to a particular population or not). Studies covered in this article can be a valuable resource to researchers as well as to …
The Effect of Pedometer Step Goal, Feedback and Self-Monitoring Interventions on Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity in Children.
2014
This study assessed the utility of 3-week goal-setting, self-monitoring and step-feedback pedometer interventions for increasing physical activity (PA) in children, and the relative impact of individual and group-standardised goals. Three classes of primary school children (n = 68) were randomised to: (a) individual-standardised goal (IS), (b) group-standardised goal (GS) or (c) open pedometer control (CON) groups. PA was assessed via accelerometry (baseline and end-point). There were no main effects for study group, but there was an interaction between time and group for moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), with MVPA time change differing between IS and CON, as MVPA increased in IS but decrease…