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Background: The network approach has recently been introduced to clinical psychology and provides a powerful framework for analyzing variables in a system. Since then, its applications have rapidly spread to various fields of social sciences. Unlike in the case of clinical psychology, the peculiarities of the phenomena under study in social sciences have not received sufficient attention. In this paper, along with practical illustrations, we discuss what a system of psychological variables represents and what the interrelationships between the variables mean in the context of health behavior research. Additionally, we explore the structural analysis of the system which has not been the focus of the recent applications of network analysis in health psychology. Discussion: In this paper, we illustrate two approaches of incorporating observable behavioral variables in a system and strategies for investigating structural components of the system. We illustrate these two approaches with an analysis of cross-sectional data on adolescents' beliefs and behavior with respect to registering their choice regarding organ donation in the Netherlands. Furthermore, with this paper, we wish to facilitate a larger discussion on conceptualizing networks of psychological variables, which will guide the analysis and the interpretation of node level interactions as well as network level structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aims: People’s behaviors after alcohol use are more extreme and alcohol has a narrowing effect on a person’s cognitive capacity. We tested this effect, making use of the Lost-Letter Technique (LLT), in which the return rate of “lost letters” by public mail is used to measure altruistic behavior. We hypothesized that return rates would be lower when people are under the influence of alcohol, and that an anti-alcohol prime in the address would even further decrease return rates. Design and methods: 768 letters were dropped, half of those at times when some degree of intoxication was likely versus when sober passers-by were common. Three different addressees were used to convey an anti-alcohol cue, a charitable cue, and a neutral cue. Results: The average response rate was 33.1%, and was significantly lower during late bar hours than during lunch hours (20.3% versus 45.8%). Also, when envelopes were found by people who were more likely to have consumed alcohol, anti-alcohol cues gained significantly lower response rates (12.7% versus 23.1%). Discussion and conclusions: This study confirms that alcohol use causes less altruistic behavior and different responses to alcohol-related cues, suggesting that LLT is a promising method to study people’s behavior. Future research could also focus on other substances, (mood-)states, and technology as a means of data collection. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Reduced forms like yeshay for yesterday often occur in conversations. Previous behavioral research reported a processing advantage for full over reduced forms. The present study investigated whether this processing advantage is reflected in a modulation of alpha (8-12Hz) and gamma (30+Hz) band activity. In three electrophysiological experiments, participants listened to full and reduced forms in isolation (Experiment 1), sentence-final position (Experiment 2), or mid-sentence position (Experiment 3). Alpha power was larger in response to reduced forms than to full forms, but only in Experiments 1 and 2. We interpret these increases in alpha power as reflections of higher auditory cognitive load. In all experiments, gamma power only increased in response to full forms, which we interpret as showing that lexical activation spreads more quickly through the semantic network for full than for reduced forms. These results confirm a processing advantage for full forms, especially in non-medial sentence position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in sexual functioning of adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are understudied. In the current study, self-reported sexual behaviours, interests and attitudes of 50 adolescent boys, aged 15-18, with at least average intelligence and diagnosed with ASD, were compared with a matched general population control group of 90 boys. Results demonstrated substantial similarity between the groups in terms of sexual behaviours. The only significant difference was that boys with ASD reacted more tolerant towards homosexuality compared to the control group. Results reveal that sexuality is a normative part of adolescent development in high-functioning boys with ASD. Hence, attention should be given to this topic in education and mental health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The ecological perspective holds that human behavior depends on the interaction of different environmental factors and personal characteristics, but it lacks validation and operationalization. In the current paper, an ecological view was adopted to examine the interactive impact of several ecological systems on children's dietary intake and physical activity at childcare or similar facilities. The ecological view was operationalized into three types of interaction: 1) interaction between types of childcare environment (physical, social, political, economic); 2) interaction between micro-systems (the childcare and home environment) in meso-systems; and 3) interaction between childcare environment and child characteristics. The predictive value of each of these interactions was tested based on a systematic review of the literature. Discussion Several studies support the hypothesis that the influence of the childcare environment on children's physical activity and diet is moderated by child characteristics (age, gender), but interaction between environmental types as well as between micro-systems is hardly examined in the field of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. Qualitative studies and general child development research provide some valuable insights, but we advocate quantitative research adopting an ecological perspective on environmental influences. Summary Empirical studies operationalizing a true ecological view on diet and physical activity are scarce. Theorizing and assessment of interaction is advocated to become common practice rather than an exception in behavioral nutrition and physical activity research, in order to move the field forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The comprehension of appropriate information about illnesses and treatments, can have beneficial effects on patients' satisfaction and on important health outcomes. However, it is questionable whether people are able to understand risk properly. Aim: To describe patients' representation of risk in common medical experiences by linking such a representation to the concept of trust. A further goal was to test whether the representation of risk in the medical domain is associated to the level of expertise. The third goal was to verify whether socio-demographic differences influence the representation of risk. Methods: Eighty voluntary participants from 6 health-centers in northern Italy were enrolled to conduct a semi-structured interview which included demographic questions, term-associations about risk representation, closed and open questions about attitudes and perception of risk in the medical context, as well as about medical expertise and trust. Results: The results showed that people do not have in mind a scientific definition of risk in medicine. Risk is seen as a synonym for surgery and disease and it is often confused with fear. However, general knowledge of medical matters helps people to have a better health management through risk identification and risk information, adoption of careful behaviors and tendency to have a critical view about safety and medical news. Finally, trust proved to be an important variable in risk representation and risk and trust were correlated positively. Conclusions: People must receive appropriate information about the risks and benefits of treatment, in a form that they can understand and apply to their own circumstances. Moreover, contemporary health policy should empower patients to adopt an active self-care attitude. Methodologies to enhance people's decision-making outcomes based on better risk communication should be improved in order to enable low literacy population as well elderly people to better understand their treatment and associated risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Better understanding of critically reflective work behavior (CRWB), an approach for work-related informal learning, is important in order to gain more profound insight in the continuing development of health care professionals. Methods: A survey, developed to measure CRWB and its predictors, was distributed to veterinary professionals. The authors specified a model relating CRWB to a Perceived Need for Lifelong Learning, Perceived Workload, and Opportunities for Feedback. Furthermore, research utilization was added to the concept of CRWB. The model was tested against the data, using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The model was well represented by the data. Four factors that reflect aspects of CRWB were distinguished: (1) individual CRWB; (2) being critical in interactions with others; (3) cross-checking of information; and (4) openness to new findings. The latter 2 originated from the factor research utilization in CRWB. The Perceived Need for Lifelong Learning predicts CRWB. Neither Perceived Workload nor Opportunities for Feedback of other practitioners was related to CRWB. Discussion: The results suggest that research utilization, such as cross-checking information and openness to new findings, is essential for CRWB. Furthermore, perceptions of the need for lifelong learning are more relevant for CRWB of health care professionals than qualities of the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to evaluate whether the limited effectiveness of most community programs intended to prevent disease and promote health should be attributed to the quality of the conceptualization of their program theories. In a retrospective multiple case study we assessed the program theories of 16 community programs (cases) in the Netherlands (1990–2004). Methods were a document analysis, supplemented with member checks (insider information from representatives). We developed a community approach reference framework to guide us in reconstructing and evaluating the program theories. On the whole, programs did not clearly spell out the process theories (enabling the implementation of effective interventions), the program components (interventions) and/or the impact theories (describing pathways from interventions to ultimate effects). Program theories usually turned out to be neither specific nor entirely plausible (complete and valid). The limited effectiveness of most community programs should most probably be attributed to the limited conceptualization of program theories to begin with. Such a failure generally also precludes a thorough examination of the effectiveness of the community approach as such. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studies the association between social norms and the timing of leaving home. Although largely overlooked by most recent studies on leaving home, life-course theory suggests that age norms and age grading influence life-course decisions in general and leaving home in particular. We use Fishbein and Ajzen's model of "reasoned behavior" to integrate this strand of research with the more individualistic view that dominates current thinking. Using data from a Dutch panel survey, we use a Cox regression model with a control for sample selection to estimate the association between perceived age norms and the timing of leaving home. We show that perceived opinions of parents are associated with the actual timing of leaving the parental home but that societal norms and friends' norms concerning the timing of leaving home are not. In addition, the timing of leaving home is also associated with the perceived costs and benefits of leaving home and with the perceived housing market situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present an experimental study that examines the influence of work-goal differences and informational differences on the formation of a common identity in dyads. We show that when both kinds of differences are present within a dyad, these differences-- just like similarities--come to be seen as defining dyadic features. Furthermore, mediational analysis shows that as the accumulation of differences results in a clearer conception of the dyad, it fosters dyadic identification. This is not the case when dyad members only differ from each other in one respect (i.e. either in work goals or information), while remaining similar in the other. The results are explained in the light of recent insights and developments in the social identity tradition.

Effects of identification with one's group on memory of stereotype consistent and inconsistent information about one's group were examined in two studies. In the first study, we focused on supporters of a low status soccer team, and observed that die-hard fans were more likely to remember stereotype-inconsistent results of their team than fair-weather fans. This pattern was replicated in a second study, which was executed among supporters of a high status soccer team. We discuss the implications of these results for the role of motivational factors such as in-group identification in cognitive social psychology.

Due to scarcity of supply of transplantable human organs thousands of patients who definitely would benefit from an organ or tissue transplant are confronted with excessively long waiting lists, resulting in needless suffering and death. Public communication is suggested here as a possible instrument to reduce this scarcity. According to mass communication theory the nature of the persuasive appeal is the primary determinant of campaign-effectiveness, i.e. successfully influencing behaviour towards filling in donorcards. A conventional and a refutational message style are experimentally tested as to their effects. The main hypothesis, emanating from a SEU-type model of filling in donorcards is experimentally confirmed. It is therefore concluded that finally a campaign stressing both positive behavioural consequences and negative behavioural consequences by refutation is a more promising instrument in recruiting organ donors than a conventional campaign, stressing solely positive consequences.