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John A, Orkin K. Can Simple Psychological Interventions Increase Preventive Health Investment? JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION 2022; 20:1001-1047. [PMID: 35721005 PMCID: PMC9194950 DOI: 10.1093/jeea/jvab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Behavioral constraints may explain part of the low demand for preventive health products. We test the effects of two light-touch psychological interventions on water chlorination and related health and economic outcomes using a randomized controlled trial among 3,750 women in rural Kenya. One intervention encourages participants to visualize alternative realizations of the future, and the other builds participants' ability to make concrete plans. After 12 weeks, visualization increases objectively measured chlorination, reduces diarrhea episodes among children, and increases savings. Effects on chlorination and savings persist after almost 3 years. Effects of the planning intervention are weaker and largely insignificant. Analysis of mechanisms suggests both interventions increase self-efficacy-beliefs about one's ability to achieve desired outcomes. Visualization also increases participants' skill in forecasting their future utility. The interventions do not differentially affect beliefs and knowledge about chlorination. Results suggest simple psychological interventions can increase future-oriented behaviors, including use of preventive health technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anett John
- Department of Economics, University of Birmingham, UK
| | - Kate Orkin
- Blavatnik School of Government and Centre for Study of African Economies, University of Oxford, UK
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Simmons CS, Schmidt AT, Lancaster BD, Van Allen J. Executive function capacity links future thinking and exercise intent. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-CHILD 2021; 11:752-760. [PMID: 34392766 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2021.1960529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Environmental barriers limit exercise in adolescents, but the contribution of cognitive barriers are not as well characterized. Previous findings suggest future thinking may predict exercise intent, which has been linked to health and actual exercise. However, these models may be incomplete as they do not systematically incorporate potential cognitive contributions (e.g., executive function capacity) to exercise intent. This study investigated the possible mediating role of executive function capacity in the relation between future thinking and exercise intent. METHODS Data for the mediation models was collected from 101 adolescents aged 11-17 (M = 13.09) in a summer enrichment program. Adolescent participants completed self-report measures including Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFCS), Intent to Exercise, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF-2). RESULTS This study found that self-reported executive function capacity mediated the relation between future thinking and exercise intent even when controlling for age and subjective socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS While some exercise interventions aim to increase future thinking, this study provides support for additional research into how interventions may benefit from targeting executive function capacity directly to increase exercise intent and actual exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam T Schmidt
- Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | | | - Jason Van Allen
- Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
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Keller C, Ferrer RA, King RB, Collier E. Future directions of the National Institutes of Health Science of Behavior Change Program. Transl Behav Med 2021; 11:1795-1801. [PMID: 33837790 PMCID: PMC8083271 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The National Institutes of Health Science of Behavior Change Common Fund Program has accelerated the investigation of mechanisms of behavior change applicable to multiple health behaviors and outcomes and facilitated the use of the experimental medicine approach to behavior change research. Purpose This commentary provides a brief background of the program, plans for its next phase, and thoughts about how the experimental medicine approach to behavior change research can inform future directions in two areas of science—reproductive health and COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Conclusions The incorporation of a mechanisms-based approach into behavior intervention research offers new opportunities for improving health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rosalind B King
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elaine Collier
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Saleska JL, Turner AN, Gallo MF, Shoben A, Kawende B, Ravelomanana NLR, Thirumurthy H, Yotebieng M. Role of temporal discounting in a conditional cash transfer (CCT) intervention to improve engagement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) cascade. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:477. [PMID: 33691667 PMCID: PMC7944635 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10499-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Temporal discounting, the tendency of individuals to discount future costs and benefits relative to the present, is often associated with greater engagement in risky behaviors. Incentives such as conditional cash transfers (CCTs) have the potential to counter the effects of high discount rates on health behaviors. Methods With data from a randomized trial of a CCT intervention among 434 HIV-positive pregnant women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we used binomial models to assess interactions between discount rates (measured using a delay-discounting task) and the intervention. The analysis focused on two outcomes: 1) retention in HIV care, and 2) uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services. Results The effect of high discount rates on retention was small, and we did not observe evidence of interaction between high discount rates and CCT on retention. However, our findings suggest that CCT may mitigate the negative effect of high discount rates on uptake of PMTCT services (interaction contrast (IC): 0.18, 95% CI: − 0.09, 0.44). Conclusions Our findings provide evidence to support the continued use of small, frequent incentives, to motivate improved uptake of PMTCT services, especially among women exhibiting high rates of temporal discounting. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT01838005, April 23, 2013. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10499-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Londeree Saleska
- Division of Epidemiology, Cunz Hall, The Ohio State University, College of Public Health, 1841 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,The University of California Los Angeles, Global Center for Children and Families, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, 10920 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
| | - Abigail Norris Turner
- Division of Infectious Disease, Doan Hall, The Ohio State University, College of Medicine, 410 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Maria F Gallo
- Division of Epidemiology, Cunz Hall, The Ohio State University, College of Public Health, 1841 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Abigail Shoben
- Division of Epidemiology, Cunz Hall, The Ohio State University, College of Public Health, 1841 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Bienvenu Kawende
- The University of Kinshasa, School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Noro Lantoniaina Rosa Ravelomanana
- Division of Epidemiology, Cunz Hall, The Ohio State University, College of Public Health, 1841 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,The University of Kinshasa, School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Harsha Thirumurthy
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Marcel Yotebieng
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 3300 Kossuth Ave, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA
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de la Fuente J, González-Torres MC, Aznárez-Sanado M, Martínez-Vicente JM, Peralta-Sánchez FJ, Vera MM. Implications of Unconnected Micro, Molecular, and Molar Level Research in Psychology: The Case of Executive Functions, Self-Regulation, and External Regulation. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1919. [PMID: 31507487 PMCID: PMC6719524 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The proliferation of research production in Psychology as a science has been increasing exponentially. This situation leads to the necessity of organizing the research production into different levels of analysis that make it possible to delimit each research domain. The objective of this analysis is to clearly distinguish the different levels of research: micro-analysis, molecular, and molar. Each level is presented, along with an analysis of its benefits and limitations. Next, this analysis is applied to the topics of Executive Functions, Self-Regulation, and External Regulation. Conclusions, limitations, and implications for future research are offered, with a view toward a better connection of research production across the different levels, and an allusion to ethical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús de la Fuente
- School of Education and Psychology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.,School of Psychology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
| | | | | | - José Manuel Martínez-Vicente
- School of Psychology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain.,Center of Research of Psychology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
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Willoughby MT, Piper B, Kwayumba D, McCune M. Measuring executive function skills in young children in Kenya. Child Neuropsychol 2018; 25:425-444. [DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2018.1486395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael T. Willoughby
- Education & Workforce Development, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Benjamin Piper
- International Education, RTI International, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Megan McCune
- International Education, RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
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Muñoz Torrecillas MJ, Cruz Rambaud S, Takahashi T. Self-Control in Intertemporal Choice and Mediterranean Dietary Pattern. Front Public Health 2018; 6:176. [PMID: 29963545 PMCID: PMC6013565 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The Mediterranean Diet (hereinafter MD) is considered a healthy dietary pattern. Adherence to this pattern can be assessed by means of the KIDMED test by which individuals are assigned an index and classified into three groups of adherence to MD: high, medium, and low. In addition, impulsivity or impatience in intertemporal choice has been defined as a strong preference for small immediate rewards over large delayed ones. Objective: This study examines the relationship between dietary habits, specifically Mediterranean dietary pattern, measured by the KIDMED index, and the exhibited impatience in intertemporal choices, by means of the parameter k (discount rate of the hyperbolic discount function). Methods: A sample of 207 university students answered a questionnaire based on two tests: the KIDMED test, to assess the degree of adherence to MD, and an intertemporal choice questionnaire, to assess impatience or impulsivity. Individuals were grouped depending on their KIDMED score and then the discount rate or impulsivity parameter was calculated for each group. Results: Discount rates were inversely related to the degree of adherence to MD. The values of overall k were 1.53, 1.91, and 3.71% for the groups exhibiting high, medium and low adherence to MD, respectively. We also found higher k-values for larger rewards (magnitude effect) in the three groups. Conclusion: High adherence to MD is related to less steep time discounting, which implies less impulsivity (more self-control) or lower discount rates. Conversely, low adherence to MD is related to steeper time discounting, which implies impulsivity or higher discount rates. These findings could be used to identify the target population where policy interventions are needed in order to promote healthier diet habits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Taiki Takahashi
- Department of Behavioral Science, Center for Experimental Research in Social Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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