Exploring Psychosocial Determinants of Eating Behavior: Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Brazilian Adolescents

In most Western countries, children and adolescents do not eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables (FVs). Theoretical frameworks on social psychology of eating, such as the Reason Action Approach, Social Cognitive Theory, and Theory of Normal Conduct have been applied to understand how psychosocial variables can explain FV intake. However, considering those predictors is still rare on the understanding of FV intake among adolescents (particularly in Brazil) despite its importance within eating behavior. Therefore, this study explored important psychosocial determinants of weekly frequency of FV intake among Brazilian adolescents in a model testing socioeconomic status (SES) and body mass index (BMI). A cross-sectional design was performed with 429 students (58% female), mean age 14.45 (SD 1.86). Key variables of theoretical framework on social psychology of food were investigated by structural equation modeling. The model included self-efficacy, attitudes, and social norms (with its subcomponents descriptive and injunctive) as psychosocial predictors of weekly frequency of FV intake along with SES and BMI. An instrument developed for Brazilian Portuguese was used to collect psychosocial variables as well as to verify FV reported intake. The total model explained 45.5% of weekly frequency of FV intake, and self-efficacy was the only significant psychosocial determinant (λ = 0.51, p = 0.001). SES also showed an important effect on the model (λ = 0.21, p = 0.001), while for BMI no significance was observed. In conclusion, the model was adequate to understand psychosocial determinants of weekly frequency of FV intake for Brazilian adolescents, with self-efficacy and SES as the major determinants of this eating behavior.

Sociodemographic, Lifestyle, Physical, and Psychosocial Determinants of Cognitive Reserve

Background: Cognitive reserve aims to explain individual differences in the susceptibility to the functional impact of dementia in the presence of equal amount of neuropathological damage. It is thought to be shaped by a combination of innate individual differences and lifetime exposures. Which determinants are associated with cognitive reserve remains unknown. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the associations of sociodemographic, lifestyle, physical, and psychosocial determinants with cognitive reserve, and potential sex differences. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 4,309 participants from the Rotterdam Study (mean age 63.9±10.7) between 2006–2016. Participants completed five cognitive tests and a brain MRI-scan. Cognitive reserve was defined as a latent variable that captures variance common across five cognitive tests, while adjusting for demographic and MRI-inferred neuropathological factors. The associations of potential determinants and cognitive reserve, adjusted for relevant confounders, were assessed with structural equation models. Results: Current smoking (adjusted mean difference: –0.31, 95%confidence interval –0.42; –0.19), diabetes mellitus (–0.25, –0.40; –0.10) and depressive symptoms (–0.07/SD, –0.12; –0.03) were associated with a lower cognitive reserve whereas alcohol use (0.07/SD, 0.03; 0.12) was associated with higher cognitive reserve. Only smoking was associated with cognitive reserve in both men and women. Employment, alcohol use, diabetes, history of cancer, COPD, and depressive symptoms were only associated with cognitive reserve in women. Conclusion: Our study found that current smoking, diabetes mellitus, and depressive symptoms were associated with a lower cognitive reserve, whereas more alcohol use was associated with a higher cognitive reserve, but with clear differences between men and women.

Exploring Psychosocial Determinants of Diversity Sensitive Task Perception and Behavioural Intentions in a Health Care Student Population: Recommendations for Diversity Education in Health Care

Background: Diversity sensitive task perception and diversity sensitive behavioural intentions are strong predictors of diversity sensitive care. Nevertheless, it has been less clear which psychosocial determinants are affecting these concepts in health care providers. This article also explores whether there are differences in relationships between these concepts, and how these concepts are interrelated. The study focussed on the following psychosocial determinants: (a) ethnocentric attitudes and (b) intercultural capabilities. The latter concept is drawn from the four-dimensional construct of intercultural intelligence. Methods: A survey was conducted in a health care student population (N = 364). In addition to classic survey questions, behavioural intentions were measured through the use of eight vignettes comprising situations characterised by diversity in health care. Results: Regression analyses show that ethnocentric attitudes were negatively associated with diversity sensitive task perception and behavioural intentions. Interestingly, we found no significant relationship between cognitive intercultural capabilities (IC) and diversity sensitivity. Motivational- and behavioural intercultural capabilities were significantly associated with diversity sensitive task perception and behavioural intentions. Motivational IC had a stronger relationship with task perception. Behavioural IC had a stronger relationship with behavioural intentions. Adding diversity sensitive task perception in a supplementary regression model as an independent variable on behavioural intentions caused a shift in associations. The significant association between motivational IC and behavioural intentions disappeared, and a significant association between diversity sensitive task perception and diversity sensitive behavioural intention appeared. Conclusion: Diversity education should increasingly focus on diminishing ethnocentric attitudes and encouraging behavioural IC and motivational IC in health care students. The paper also suggests two theoretical hypothesises. Firstly, metacognitive IC is a concept strongly related to two IC: motivational IC and behavioural IC. Secondly, the relationship between motivational IC and behavioural intentions is fully mediated by diversity sensitive task perception. Further research that substantiate these theoretical hypothesises is recommended.

Psychosocial Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Intention Among White, Black, and Hispanic Adults in the US

Background COVID-19 vaccine uptake is an urgent public health priority. Purpose To identify psychosocial determinants (attitudes, normative pressure, and perceived behavioral control) of COVID-19 vaccination intentions for U.S. White, Black, and Hispanic adults, and how COVID-19 misperceptions, beliefs about the value of science, and perceived media bias relate to these determinants. Methods Longitudinal online survey using two national samples (18–49 years old/50 years and older), each stratified by racial/ethnic group (n = 3,190). Data were collected in October/November 2020 and were weighted by race group to be representative. Results Path analyses showed that more positive attitudes about getting vaccinated predict intention across age and racial/ethnic groups, but normative pressure is relevant among older adults only. Belief in the value of science was positively associated with most determinants across all groups, however the association of COVID-19 misperceptions and perceived media bias with the determinants varied by age group. Conclusions Messages that emphasize attitudes toward vaccination can be targeted to all age and racial/ethnic groups, and positive attitudes are universally related to a belief in the value of science. The varying role of normative pressure poses messages design challenges to increase vaccination acceptance.

DETERMINANTS PSYCHOSOCIAUX ET ABANDON SCOLAIRE DES ETUDIANTS INSCRITS DANS LES ETABLISSEMENTS FACULTAIRES DE L’UNIVERSITE DE NGAOUNDERE, CAMEROUN / PSYCHOSOCIAL DETERMINANTS AND DROP-OUT OF REGISTERED STUDENTS IN OPTIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NGAOUNDERE, CAMEROUN

<p>Les établissements facultaires classiques des Universités camerounaises connaissent depuis plusieurs années, le phénomène d’abandon des études qui touche les étudiants inscrits au premier cycle universitaire. Selon le rapport de Delpouve et Breillat (2010) réalisé à l’Université de Yaoundé 1, près de 31% d’étudiants abandonnent les études en première année. L’objectif de cette étude est d’examiner l’impact des déterminants psychosociaux sur l’abandon scolaire des étudiants au sein des facultés universitaires. Notre hypothèse d’étude stipule que l’abandon scolaire des étudiants, relève davantage du processuel que de l’événementiel. C’est à dire qu’il est influencé par les déterminants psychologiques et/ou sociaux. Cette hypothèse a été vérifiée sur la base des données recueillies à l’aide d’un questionnaire administré auprès de 149 anciens étudiant(e)s ayant abandonné au premier cycle d’études à l’Université de Ngaoundéré. Les résultats obtenus sont en faveur d’une validation de l’hypothèse de départ. Il existe donc une corrélation significative et positive entre les déterminants psychosociaux et l’abandon scolaires des étudiants inscrits dans les établissements facultaires de l’Université de Ngaoundéré. Des entretiens semi-directifs ont été menés auprès de 15 étudiants dans le but d’approfondir la compréhension du phénomène d’abandon des études observé à l’Université. </p><p> </p><p>The traditional faculty establishments of Cameroonian universities have known for several years the phenomenon of dropping out of studies affecting students enrolled in the first cycle of university. According to the report by Delpouve and Breillat (2010) carried out at the University of Yaoundé 1, nearly 31% of students drop out of studies in the first year. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of psychosocial determinants on the dropout of students in university faculties. Our study hypothesis stipulates that students dropping out of school is more a process than an event. That is to say, it is influenced by psychological and / or social determinants. This hypothesis was checked on the basis of the data using a questionnaire administered to 149 former students who dropped out in the first cycle of studies at the University of Ngaoundéré. The results obtained are in favor of a validation of the initial hypothesis. There is therefore a significant and positive correlation between psychosocial determinants and the school dropout of students enrolled in faculty establishments of the University of Ngaoundéré. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 students with the aim of deepening the understanding of the phenomenon of dropping out of studies observed at the university.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0856/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

What About Promotores? Promotores' Psychosocial Determinants That Influenced the Delivery of a Cervical Cancer Education Intervention to Hispanics

This study tested whether a cancer education intervention affected promotores' self-efficacy to deliver an intervention to Hispanics and which psychosocial determinants of promotores influenced the number of Hispanic residents reached by promotores in the subsequent education intervention. A quasi-experimental, pre/post-design with a treatment group (no control) assessed differences for promotores (n = 136) before and after exposure to the cancer education intervention. The design also included a cross-sectional evaluation of the number of residents promotores reached with the educational intervention. After being trained, the promotores delivered the intervention to Hispanic residents (n = 1,469). Paired t-tests demonstrated increases in promotores' self-efficacy from pre- to post-intervention. Regression models assessed associations between the numbers of residents reached and select psychosocial determinants of promotores. Age and promotores' years of experience influenced their delivery of a cervical cancer education intervention to Hispanics, but not their delivery of breast or colorectal cancer education interventions. This is the first study to examine which psychosocial determinants influence promotores delivery of cancer education interventions. The outcomes potentially have implications for CHW interventions and training by examining this potential connection between CHWs' psychosocial determinants and intervention outcomes.