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Although there are several recent studies regarding the role that online social networks (SNs) bloggers can play in the success or failure of today's businesses, the ways by which they can actively influence their follower's purchase behavior still needs further investigation. Thus, this study aims to examine how bloggers' interactive practices (BIPs) have a positive effect on their followers' intentions to purchase the products promoted by them by the mediating roles of bloggers' credibility and followers' para-social interactions. This study drew on three well-formulated theories (i.e. social cognitive theory, theory of reasoned action, and social learning theory) to design its conceptual framework. To this end, this study surveyed 548 female followers of 12 female bloggers on Instagram, operating in Iran. This research has used the PLS-based structural equations modeling to evaluate the validity of its measurement and structural models. The results of this research show that BIPs improve followers' attitudes toward bloggers' credibility in two dimensions of "expertise" and "reliability". Followers' attitudes toward bloggers' credibility play an important role in reinforcing their para-social interactions with bloggers. Followers' para-social interactions play a role in fortifying their intentions to purchase the products promoted by bloggers. The most significant empirical contribution of this study is that it explains the interactive practices taken by bloggers into account strengthen the purchase demands of their followers. Therefore, bloggers due to their ability to influence people's purchase intentions are a challenge for today's businesses, which must be transformed from a potential threat to an actual opportunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop and assess a tailored community-based intervention protocol for preventing substance use based on social cognitive theory in adolescents. A tailored community-based substance use prevention intervention was undertaken with 140 boys and girls (14-18- years old) participating in the study in Isfahan, Iran. The intervention group attended eight 45-minute theory-based sessions based on social cognitive theory from 2018 to 2020. Data were analyzed 6, 18, and 24 months later by the SPSS.23 software. Social cognitive theory indicators, including positive outcome expectancies (p <.001, F = 25, ES = 0.34), negative outcomes expectancies (p <.001, F = 31.2, ES = 0.38), and self-efficacy (p <.001, F = 12.3, ES = 0.45) showed significant improvements at three stages (6, 18, and 24 months after intervention). The program also demonstrated significant but low effect size reductions in the incidence of cigarette (ES = 0.15), alcohol (ES = 0.05), and other drug use (ES = 0.01) in the intervention group among three follow-ups. The results support the effectiveness of the community-based intervention program based on social cognitive theory in reducing the incidence of substance use among Iranian adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stress and anger are among the most common mental health problems in adolescents. The skill of coping with stress and controlling emotions is one of the vital skills in adolescence. This study aims to investigate the effect of educational intervention on anger and stress management skills in female adolescents based on social cognitive theory (SCT). Methods: The present pre-test post-test clinical trial was conducted among 12-14-year-old girls in Birjand City, Iran in 2019. One school was randomly selected as intervention and one school as control. The participants included 80 girls randomly selected and assigned to the intervention and control groups. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire investigating the effective factors on anger and stress control skills based on the SCT. The validity and reliability of this scale were confirmed by a panel of experts and Cronbach’s α was above 0.7. Questionnaires and informed consent forms were completed by participants in the pre-test stage and two months after the educational intervention. Seven training sessions were held in two months. The implementation of the project lasted for four months. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 22 and t-test. Results: The results showed that the mean scores of perceived social support (P=0.003), perceived reinforcement (P=0.03), and self-control (P<0.001) increased significantly in the intervention group after the intervention. Moreover, the mean score of self-efficacy (P=0.007) changed significantly in the control group after the intervention. Conclusion: Parent training has been effective in promoting social support and perceived reinforcement. Paying attention to the role of parents, preparing a suitable training package, and using active training methods have played a role in the effectiveness of the intervention. Therefore, the application of this educational package is recommended in future related interventions and similar studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nurse-led programs have a determinant role in the engagement of individuals in the self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as they contribute to improving quality of life. Self-management assisted by social support is vital, especially as it describes the importance of nurses in promoting health for people with T2DM, as this intervention can help reduce the consequences and progression of the disease. Objective: To map programs focused on nurse-led social support for people with T2DM. Materials and Methods: This is a scoping review in line with the methodological guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute. The search descriptors used were "autocuidado" (self-care), "intervenção liderada por enfermeiro" (nurse-led intervention), and "diabetes mellitus tipo 2" (type 2 diabetes mellitus), with searches in the Web of Science, Medline, CINAHL, Capes Theses and Dissertations Catalog, Scopus, JBI Evidence Synthesis, PsycINFO, and the Portuguese Open Access Scientific Repositories databases conducted between February and March 2022. The eligibility criteria were studies published within the last 10 years, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, covering the individual's experience in programs focused on self-management through nurse-led social support. Results: A total of 12 studies were included, all of which were published in the United States, England, and Iran, focusing on social support for self-management in people with T2DM, and centered on care facilities for people with chronic diseases. It was found that most nurse-led programs have been implemented in developed countries and that their main characteristic is their emphasis on social cognitive theory. The population was characterized by being mostly women, aged over 22, with a low level of education. Conclusions: The study met the proposed objective by demonstrating that, despite the low implementation cost with high social and economic returns, the development of these programs is still scarce. The need for further studies focusing on emotional levels, such as depression and anxiety, is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study focuses on identifying the key factors associated with ergonomic behaviors (ERBE) among women workers on assembly lines (WwAL) to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused by repetitive motions and unfavorable body postures. To achieve this objective, this study employed Bayesian networks (BN) analysis based on social cognitive theory (SCT). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the predictive factors of ERBE among 250 WwAL from six different industries located in Neyshabur, a city in northeastern Iran. The study used a two-stage cluster sampling method for participant selection and self-report questionnaires to collect data on demographic characteristics, variables associated with SCT, ERBE, and the standard Nordic questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using Netica and SPSS version 21, which involved statistical analyses such as independent t-tests, Pearson correlation, and ANOVA tests at a significance level of p < 0.05. BN analysis was conducted to identify the important factors that impact ERBE. Results: The majority of individuals reported experiencing chronic pain in their back, neck, and shoulder areas. Engaging in physical activity, consuming dairy products, and attaining a higher level of education were found to be significantly associated with the adoption of ERBE p < 0.05. Among the various SCT constructs, observational learning, intention, and social support demonstrated the highest levels of sensitivity towards ERBE, with scores of 4.08, 3.82, and 3.57, respectively. However, it is worth noting that all SCT constructs exhibited a certain degree of sensitivity towards ERBE. Conclusions: The research findings demonstrate that all constructs within SCT are effective in identifying factors associated with ERBE among WwAL. The study also highlights the importance of considering education levels and variables related to healthy lifestyles when promoting ERBE in this specific population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cigarette butt–littering behavior is common among most smokers. The present study aimed to determine the predictors of butt-littering behavior in a sample of Iranian male current smokers based on the Bandura's social cognitive theory variables. In this cross-sectional study, 291 smokers who throw their cigarette butts in public parks in Tehran city, Iran were selected and completed the study instrument. Finally, the data were analyzed. The average number of butts littered daily by the participants was 8.59 (± 8.661). The results of multiple Poisson regression showed that knowledge, perceived self-efficacy, positive and negative outcome expectations, self-regulation, and observational learning variables were statistically significant predictors of butt-littering behavior among the participants. It is concluded that Bandura's social cognitive theory is a suitable theoretical framework for predicting butt-littering behavior and might be used to develop theory-based environmental education efforts in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The use of preventive behaviors of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) requires proper training, which leads to correct decisions regarding maintaining postures at work and performing stretching exercises. Due to very repetitive work, applying manual force, improper postures, and static contractions of proximal muscles, assembly-line female workers suffer from musculoskeletal pains. It is assumed that structured and theory-based educational intervention using a learning-by-doing (LBD) approach may increase the preventive behaviors against MSDs and reduce the consequences of these disorders. Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted in three phases: phase 1: validation of the compiled questionnaire, phase 2: determining the social cognitive theory (SCT) constructs that predict the preventive behaviors of MSDs in assembly-line female workers, and phase 3: designing and implementing the educational theory. The educational intervention is based on the LBD approach, and the study population includes assembly-line female workers in electronic industries of Iran, who are randomly divided into two intervention and control groups. The intervention group received the educational intervention in the workplace and the control group does not receive any intervention. The theory-based educational intervention includes evidence-based information along with pictures, fact sheets, and published literature about a good posture at work and the need to perform proper stretching exercises. The educational intervention aims to improve the knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and intention of assembly-line female workers to adopt preventive behaviors of MSDs. Discussion: The present study will evaluate the effects of maintaining a good posture at work and performing stretching exercises on the adherence to preventive behaviors of MSDs among assembly-line female workers. The developed intervention is easily implemented and evaluated in a short period of time based on the improved score of the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) method and the mean score of adherence to stretching exercises and can be provided by a health, safety, and environment (HSE) expert. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov IRCT20220825055792N1. Registered on 23 September 2022 with the IRCTID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As substance use disorders are globally among the top causes of preventable mortality and morbidity among adolescents, there is a need for developing effective prevention programs to address the rising prevalence and the associated health consequences. The main aim of this study is to develop a community-based study protocol for preventing substance use in Iranian adolescents. An ecological approach, mobilizing for action through planning and partnership (MAPP), was used to develop a study protocol for preventing substance use among 14–18-year-old adolescents participating in this study. Participants were randomized to the intervention (n = 70) or control (n = 70) groups. The intervention group was exposed to eight individual sessions by two qualified trainers over eight weeks to stimulate (1) positive outcome expectations, (2) self-efficacy, e.g., to resist social pressure, (3) self-regulation, e.g., by self-monitoring of stress and emotions. Outcomes were assessed by the percentage reduction in substance use after six, 18, and 24 months after the intervention. In this study, we have been to outline and explain the steps of developing and implementing a community-based study protocol. This protocol, if practical and effective, could be easily implemented in various settings and would reach large numbers of young people cost-effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the key issues for women’s health is pregnancy. Healthy nutrition during pregnancy is a reliable guarantee for proper pregnancy and childbirth. This study sought to determine the impact of an educational intervention based on social cognitive theory on the nutritional behavior of pregnant women in Iran Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was carried out in women of reproductive age in Iran, from February to April 2020. The samples were divided into experimental (n = 150) and control (n = 150) groups. The questionnaire included demographic questions, questions related to the structures of social cognitive theory and nutritional behavior questionnaire. The data were analyzed through the SPSS20 and AMOS23 software. Results: The mean age of the women was 28.11 ± 6.54 and 28.83 ± 6.62 years in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The results of the Structural Equation Model showed that direct effect of self-efficacy, self-regulation, and mutual determinants on behavior were significant. After the educational intervention, nutritional behavior in the experimental group was increased significantly. Also, there was a significant difference between two groups in structures such as outcome expectations, outcome value, self-efficacy and knowledge. But there was no significant increase in the self-regulation and social support after educational intervention. Conclusion: Social cognitive theory as a theoretical framework is able to predict healthy eating behavior during pregnancy. Also educational intervention based on the structures of social cognitive theory, improved the behavior of pregnant mothers. Educational intervention based on social cognitive theory and providing simple and understandable training packages for pregnant women is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the emergence of new strains of Covid-19, the adoption of preventive behaviors is still considered a requirement to control this disease. Therefore, considering the importance of social cognitive factors in adopting various types of preventive behaviors, the present study was conducted to design and psychometrically measure the social cognitive factors related to Covid-19 preventive behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 526 people ages 18 and over with multi-stage stratified, cluster and random sampling in Isfahan, Iran in 2022. The questionnaire was validated and formulated in three stages: designing, creating and reducing items. After collecting information and creating a bank of items, qualitative and quantitative methods were used to calculate the tool's validity. Data analysis was done in SPSS23 software at a significance level of less than 0.05. In the present study, the average age score of the participants was 39.16 ± 11.48. The results related to the construct validity in the exploratory part show that the five factors (Outcome expectations, self-efficacy, social support, self-regulation and barrier self-efficacy) obtained have a specific value higher than one and range from 1.376 to 9.343. Correlation between factors shows that all factors have a relatively high relationship with each other (P < 0.05). According to the exploratory factor analysis, the final questionnaire contains 29 items and 5 constructs from socio-cognitive theory. The results showed that the thematically and technically designed tool has been prepared in an appropriate way for each of the structures and can accurately measure the structures of outcome expectations, self-efficacy, social support, self-regulation and barrier self-efficacy to explain the preventive behaviors of Covid-19 to evaluate., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Despite the known useful effects of regular physical activity during the preconception period on pregnancy outcomes, sedentary lifestyle is a prevalent phenomenon in reproductive-aged women. Using social cognitive theory (SCT) as its theoretical framework, the aim of this study was to explain physical activity model in the women preparing for pregnancy in Isfahan, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 Iranian women undergoing preconception care. The SCT constructs were measured using a researcher-made questionnaire. The duration of physical activity with moderate/severe intensity was also measured using the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient and multivariable linear regression. The theoretical model was tested using structural equation modeling. The results showed that observational learning (β =.65, p <.0001) was the most important determinant of the physical activity level. The default model provided an adequate to good fit to the data (CMIN/DF = 2.10, p =.097). The results of the present study emphasized the role of observational learning in forming physical activity behavior in pre-pregnancy period; therefore, the design of interventions for providing the opportunity of observational learning may improve the level of physical activity among the women preparing for pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative contributions of health literacy to promote health-related behaviors and characteristics of social cognition are still equivocal, and relevant information is limited. We aimed to examine the effect of the mother's health literacy level on their teenage children's sun protective behaviors based on social cognitive theory. This was a cross-sectional study of 202 women who had children between 12 and 18 year-old and they live in Sabzevar, Iran. The Test of Functional Health Literacy in adults (TOFHLA) questionnaire and sun protective behavior questionnaire based on structures of the social cognitive theory were used to collect data. Multiple statistical tests (correlation and the regression analysis) were analyses to examine whether the health literacy level of mothers associated with sun protective behaviors of their children. The results showed health literacy level of mother was positively significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with all constructs of social cognitive theory and teens' performance to avoid sunlight (r = 0.242, P < 0.01). Likewise, the self-efficacy showed the strongest correlation with a health literacy level of the mother (r = 0.360, p < 0.01), and with the performance of the teenagers (r = 0.282, p < 0.01). Linear regression showed that all constructs of social cognitive theory and health literacy level of mothers predicted 34.9% of teenage children's sunlight protective behaviors. Health literacy level of mother and constructs from social cognitive theory are significantly supported determinants of sun protective behaviors and could be considered in developing and designing educational interventions program to facilitate a healthy active lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of implicit leadership theories on performance and the mechanism linking them have received insufficient theoretical and research attention. Drawing on Bandura's social cognitive theory, the present study contributes theory through examining the assertion that higher congruence between followers' implicit leadership theory and the characteristics of supervisors enhance job performance through higher quality of leader–member exchange and self-efficacy. Moreover, in the proposed model, attachment insecurity was considered as the antecedent of the congruence and leader–member exchange in addition to the moderator of the relationship between them. Capitalizing upon Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), this study tested the model in a field study using a sample of employees in knowledge-oriented firms in Iran. The results suggest that the congruence between followers' implicit leadership theory and the characteristics of supervisors does not directly impact performance and leader–member exchange and self-efficacy are the full mediators. The results also showed that attachment insecurity is the predictor of neither the congruence nor the leader–member exchange. Additionally, attachment insecurity moderates the relationship between these two variables in a way that when attachment insecurity is high, the congruence has more positive impact on leader–member exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prevalence of diabetes tends to grow and can be controlled by identifying personal and social factors affecting lifestyle. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the adherence to health behaviors and several cognitive social theory (SCT) structures in women referred to the Diabetes Forum in Shahrekord, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed among 198 diabetic women selected using a sample size formula and random sampling method with proportion to sample size. The questionnaire was three-fold including demographic questionnaires, adherence to health behaviors in diabetic patients, and a researcher-made questionnaire based on cognitive theory structures. Data analysis was carried out using Pearson's correlation coefficient, t-test, analysis of variance, and linear regression in SPSS software, version 18. Results: There was a direct and significant correlation between follow-up of adherence to health behaviors, such as diet and physical activity, and outcome expectations, self-efficacy, and self-regulation (P<0.05). The expectations of outcome were directly and significantly correlated with self-regulation and self-efficacy (P<0.05). The studied structures predicted 31.3% of the behavior. In this study, self-efficacy was a strong predictor of behavior compared to other structures (β=0.662). Conclusion: There was a direct and significant correlation between adherence to health behaviors and SCT structures, outcome expectations, self-efficacy, and self-regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: A wide variety of factors such as individualistic and social/environmental factors appear to determine whether or not individuals can successfully quit substance use. In this study, Social Cognitive Theory was used as a theoretical framework to predict substance use abstinence among a sample of Iranian substance users. Methods: Data from 269 male substance users undergoing residential treatment were analyzed using logistic regression to assess the effects of socio-cognitive factors (treatment motivation, perceived social support, drug avoidance self-efficacy, and drug quitting outcome expectations) and background characteristics measured at 5-7 days after admission on drug abstinence status measured at 6-month follow-up. Results: Abstinence rate after 6-month follow-up was 48.6%. Perceived social support, treatment motivation, prior substance use treatment, and age of onset of substance use were predictors of abstinence. However, substance use treatment outcome was not influenced by drug avoidance self-efficacy, drug quitting outcome expectations, and demographic variables. Conclusion: Our findings do not support the notion that pretreatment drug avoidance self-efficacy and drug quitting outcome expectancies are among the most consistent predictors of substance use treatment outcome. Accordingly, future research is recommended to explore post-treatment levels of these variables on treatment outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoporosis is common among women which may be mostly due to the low intake of calcium. This article reports the development, cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of a Calcium Intake Questionnaire based on the social cognitive theory (CIQ-SCT) among Iranian women. Methods: In 2016, this cross-sectional study was carried out among 400 younger than 50 years old women in Isfahan, Iran. After literature review, a preliminary 35-item questionnaire was developed. Then, forward-backward translation and cultural adaptation of the tool was conducted. Content Validity Index confirmed by an expert panel and Face Validity was evaluated in a pilot study. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA &CFA) were conducted on the calibration and validation sample, respectively. Reliability was also assessed using internal consistency test. Results: After determining content and face validity, 20 items with 5 factors (self-efficacy, outcome expectations, social support and self-regulation) were obtained. Cronbach alpha for the instrument was found to be 0.901. In EFA, we identified a 4-factor model with a total variance of 72.3%. The results related to CFA (CMIN/DF=1.850, CFI =0.946, TLI=0.938, RMSEA=0.069 [90% CI: 0.057-0.081]) indicated that the model was fit to the social cognitive theory. Selfregulation was detected as the best predictor for calcium intake. Conclusion: The CIQ-SCT showed acceptable levels of reliability and validity in explaining the calcium intake based on the constructs of social cognitive theory. Further psychometric testing is recommended in different population to approve the external validity of the instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of water constrains the economic development of all countries in arid and semi-arid areas and is forecast to become an even greater problem in the near future. Given the complexity of the water scarcity problem, an emerging drought in Iran (the worst in 30 years) has become an increasingly important issue, making more sustainable water management a necessity. Government bodies involved in water resource management mainly concentrate on increasing water supply, while approaches to decreasing water demand receive less attention. Iranian water users have been slow to implement voluntary water conservation. Encouraging voluntary action requires an understanding of existing behaviors, and of how behavioral changes can be made. In this context, a study was carried out to identify the most prominent drivers of, and impediments to, water conservation, using social cognitive theory. A sample of 360 farmers living in western parts of Iran was selected through a multi-stage, stratified, random sampling method. Findings revealed that farmers’ intention to conserve water was predicted mainly by outcome expectancy and self-efficacy. Moreover, self-efficacy was the most important determinant of farmers’ actual behavior in conserving water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Uncontrolled diabetes is an important public health problem that endangers the quality of life of patients. Promoting self-management through well-planned training is an essential strategy to control diabetes effectively. This study aimed to examine the effects of a training program based on social cognitive theory (SCT) on self-management behavior, glycemic index, and quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus., Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design. The statistical population included 106 adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus assigned to the intervention and control groups [n 1  = n 2  = 53], who received services from two urban health centers. A multi-method, SCT-based training program consisting of six 60-80-min sessions was run, followed by 2-3 follow-up home visits [once a month for each participant] for the intervention group. The data were collected before and three months after the intervention and were analyzed in SPSS 19., Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the main variables. After the intervention, there was a significant increase in the intervention group's mean scores of knowledge, self-efficacy, social support, outcome expectations, self-regulation, self-management behavior, glycemic index, and quality of life. There were no significant changes in these constructs in the control group after the intervention. The regression analysis results indicated that social cognitive theory and self-management could explain the variance in quality of life [adjusted R-squared = 0.476]., Conclusions: The findings support the effectiveness of the multi-method, SCT-based educational intervention in improving self-management behaviors, glycemic index, and quality of life among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is suggested that the quality of type 2 diabetes care programs should be promoted. However, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The purpose of this study was to validate the Iranian version of the Identity Style Inventory (ISI). Participants were 376 (42% males) university students. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed a clear three-factor structure of identity style and a mono-factor structure of commitment in the overall sample as well as in gender subgroups. Convergent validity was demonstrated by theoretically consistent associations between the ISI factors and dimensions of psychological well-being. These findings suggest that the Iranian version of the ISI is a promising tool for evaluating social-cognitive processes that underpin the dynamics of identity formation in Iranian university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent Iranian girls are at high risk for physical inactivity due to cultural barriers such as restrictions regarding exercising in public and research is needed to explore ethnic and gender-related factors associated with physical activity (PA) participation. Using social cognitive theory as the guiding model, the purpose of this study was to test the fit and strength of barriers self-efficacy, outcome expectations, self-regulation and social support in explaining PA in female Iranian adolescents (n = 558). Using path analysis, social support was modeled as an antecedent of self-efficacy and outcome expectations, while self-efficacy was modeled as an antecedent of outcome expectations, self-regulatory planning and PA. Outcome expectations and self-regulatory planning were subsequently modeled as additional antecedents of PA. The model explained 52% of the variance in PA. The two significant (P < 0.05) direct effects were from self-efficacy and outcome expectations. Social support from mothers, fathers and friends had significant indirect effects on PA through self-efficacy. These results will allow for future research and interventions not only for female Iranian adolescents but also for similar cultural and immigrant groups that have been neglected to date in the PA literature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Children's health and welfare have a special place in research and policy in many countries. One of the most important concerns is the increasing rate of backache in children due to many of behavioral risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program on promoting back-related behavior as well as knowledge, skills, beliefs, and self-efficacy among fifth grade girls., Methods: The theory-based back care (T-Bak) study was a school-based randomised controlled trial (RCT) that assessed the effectiveness of developing a back care training program based on the social cognitive theory (SCT). A total of 104 schoolchildren aged 11 ± 1.0 years were assigned to intervention (n = 52) and control (n = 52) groups. The intervention group received six sessions training on proper lifting and carrying techniques, having proper posture during daily activities, and correct backpack wearing techniques with a 1-week interval while the control group received nothing. Then, the two groups were assessed for knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, beliefs, and behavior at four points in time: baseline, immediate, three and six-months post-intervention. The changes of the outcomes investigated using univariate repeated measures analysis of variance. Partial eta squared measure (η p 2 ) was used to calculate effect sizes., Results: A positive change was found for the intervention group back-related behavior from baseline to immediate post-intervention and follow-ups (F = 78.865, p < 0.001, η p 2  = 0.22). Overall there were 36.4% improvement for knowledge (η p 2  = 0.21), 53.2% for the skills (η p 2  = 0.25), 19.5% for the self-efficacy (η p 2  = 0.11), and 25.6% for the beliefs (η p 2  = 0.14) scores from baseline to 6 months' follow-up assessments among the intervention group (p < 0.001). The results also showed a significant interaction effect between group and time., Conclusion: The T-Bak intervention was effective in improving back-related behavior in pupils. It is now available and could be evaluated further in back-care related studies., Trial Registration: Current Controlled Trials IRCT20180528039885N1, 30th Oct 2018, 'Prospectively registered'. https://www.irct.ir/trial/31534.

Background: Depression is a serious mental health illness among adolescents especially girls. Web-based treatment can possibly become a solution for reducing mental health problems in adolescents. This study is one of the first trials aimed to evaluate the efficiency of web-based depression improvement program among female adolescents based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)., Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial., Methods: A six-month randomized controlled trial based on the SCT was implemented in female schools in Hamadan City, west of Iran in 2018 on 128 female students with mild to moderate depressive symptoms (CES-D =10-45). They were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group (n= 64 in each group). Depression improvement program was implemented through the website via short videos, animations and Power-Point slides. Depression was evaluated using Center for Epidemiologic Depression Scale. A researcher-made questionnaire based on the sheerer and Perceived-Social-Support-Scale-Revised (PSSS-R) questionnaires were used to evaluate the SCT constructs. The data were analyzed using SPSS software., Results: The intervention program resulted in the improvement of depression in 12 wk based on Intent-to-treat analyses. Nevertheless, these achievements seem to have decreased by 24 wk in intervention group. The intervention increased the mean scores of the constructs of social support and self-regulation from baseline to 12 wk in the intervention group (P<0.05). The intervention had no effect on outcome expectations and self-efficacy. There were no statistically significant associated between theory constructs changes and changes in depression (P>0.05)., Conclusion: The web-based intervention improved depression in female students. Future training using strategies for the sustainable improvement of depression in female students are needed.

Background: The present randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the effectiveness of a theory-based physical activity (PA) intervention for rural patients with prediabetes. It was hypothesized that a PA intervention program based on the social cognitive theory (SCT) will modify fasting blood sugar (FBS) among rural people with prediabetes, which in turn will result in a decrease in diabetes incidence in the rural area., Methods: A cluster RCT on prediabetic people was conducted in Ahar, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. A PA intervention in prediabetes was performed over 16 weeks of follow-ups in 12 villages (six per arm). Residents (n = 272; n = 136 per arm) were invited to participate in the study through rural health care centers during screening for eligibility. Participants in the intervention and control groups were informed of their prediabetic conditions and encouraged to make appropriate changes to their lifestyles to modify their prediabetes. The intervention was an educational program delivered over 16 weeks and involved behavioral change techniques. Through the education program, the intervention group received one session per week lasting about 90 min (a total of 16 sessions). The importance of risk control with PA, the duration of hill climbing, as well as exercise and safety tips were explained in a brochure that was given to the participants. Anthropometric measures, glycemic status, and PA were evaluated at the beginning of the program and after 16 weeks of follow-up., Results: The PA program showed a reduction in FBS mg/dl at 16 weeks (large-effect-size Cohen's d = -0.63, p = 0.001) compared to the control condition. PA intervention led to a large effect size on diastolic blood pressure (BP, - 1.01) and a medium effect size for systolic BP (- 0.57), body mass index (BMI, - 0.33), and weight (- 0.35). Based on generalized linear mixed model analysis, significant reductions in FBS (mg/dl), BMI, weight, and diastolic BP were found in the intervention group compared to the control group., Conclusion: Our results support the effectiveness of an SCT-based PA intervention to reduce the risk of prediabetes developing into diabetes among rural patients with prediabetes. Findings suggest that implementation of SCT-based PA intervention for a rural population at risk of diabetes has potential benefits., Trial Registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT201607198132N4 . Registered on 1 September 2017. Prospectively registered.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to use social cognitive theory to predict overweight and obesity behaviors in adolescent girls in Iran. Valid and reliable questionnaires about nutritional and physical activity regarding social cognitive theory constructs (self-efficacy, social support, outcome expectations, and outcome expectancies), dietary habits, and physical activity were filled by 172 overweight and obese girl adolescents. The mean age and body mass index were 13.4 ± 0.6 years and 28.2 ± 3.6 kg/m(2), respectively. Body mass index was significantly related to hours of television viewing (p = .003) and grams of junk food (p = .001). None of the social cognitive theory constructs were found to be significant predictors for servings of fruits and vegetables, grams of junk foods, minutes of physical activity, and hours of sedentary behaviors. In future, more culturally appropriate models need to be developed in Iran that can explain and predict prevention behaviors of obesity in Iranian adolescents., (© The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.)