Garry Prentice

Post-traumatic growth, illness perceptions and coping in people with acquired brain injury

Post-traumatic growth is a process by which an individual who has faced a significantly adverse and life-altering event, can show evidence of an ability meaningfully to construe benefits from such adversity. The purpose of this study was to investigate, in a sample of people with acquired brain injury (ABI), the contribution of illness perceptions, distress, disability, and coping strategies and health to post-traumatic growth. Seventy people with an ABI took part in this cross-sectional investigation, comprising 70% males and 30% females. Traumatic brain injury accounted for the majority of brain injuries (56%), with 31% arising from a cerebrovascular accident and the remaining 13% arising from hypoxia, brain tumours, brain abcesses and encephalitis. The average time since injury was 70.43 months (SD = 55.30, range = 7–350). Participants completed assessments comprising post-traumatic growth (Post-traumatic Growth Inventory), beliefs about their condition (Illness Perception Questionnaire Revised), coping strategies (Brief COPE), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and functional disability (Functional Independence Measure and Functional Assessment Measure). All participants were accessing post-acute brain injury rehabilitation and support services. Results showed that greater levels of post-traumatic growth were associated with greater use of adaptive coping strategies (r=.597), lower levels of distress (r = –.241) and stronger beliefs about treatment-induced controllability of the effects arising from brain injury (r=.263). Greater use of adaptive coping strategies accounted for the greater proportion of the variance in post-traumatic growth (sr 2  = 0.287) and was the only variable found to make a unique and statistically significant contribution to the prediction of growth. Illness perceptions more generally were not significantly associated with growth experiences. This study provides additional evidence of the factors associated with the process of post-traumatic growth, in particular adaptive coping strategies that may help to facilitate growth, although the direction of this relationship requires further empirical investigation. The findings of this study may have implications for professionals providing neurorehabilitation services.

Intentions to Participate in Counselling among Front-Line, At-Risk Irish Government Employees: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour.

ABSTRACT The study set out to examine intentions to engage in counselling among at-risk Irish government employees and the differential utility of two alternative theory of planned behaviour (TPB) models of behaviour to explain intentions to participate in counselling. Individuals (N=259) employed in a front-line, at-risk occupation for the Irish government completed a TPB-based questionnaire. Quantitative analyses revealed that participants held positive to neutral intentions to participate in counselling, irrespective of gender. The original TPB model explained 49.9% of variance in intentions whereas an alternative TPB model, splitting the perceived behavioural control (PBC) construct between its internal and external control components, explained a further 8.9% of variance. Furthermore, self-efficacy was found to be the strongest predictor of intentions. This study therefore supports the use of the TPB in understanding counselling-seeking behaviour.

Prediction of self-monitoring compliance: application of the theory of planned behaviour to chronic illness sufferers.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and asthma are chronic illnesses that affect a substantial number of people. The continued high cost of clinic- and hospital-based care provision in these areas could be reduced by patients self-monitoring their condition more effectively. Such a move requires an understanding of how to predict self-monitoring compliance. Ajzens theory of planned behaviour (TPB) makes it possible to predict those clients who will comply with medical guidelines, prescription drug intake and self-monitoring behaviours (peak flow or blood sugar levels). Ninety-seven clients attending a medical centre located in a large urbanised area of Northern Ireland completed TPB questionnaires. Significant amounts of variance explained by the TPB model indicated its usefulness as a predictor of self-monitoring behaviour intentions in the sample. The results also highlighted the importance of subjective norm and perceived behavioural control within the TPB in predicting intentions. The utility of the TPB in this study also provides evidence for health promotion professionals that costly clinic/hospital treatment provision can be reduced, whilst also being satisfied with ongoing client self-monitoring of their condition.

Promoting mental health awareness in sport clubs

Purpose The World Health Organization estimate that millions of people across the world experience mental health problems, yet traditionally athletes have been poorly supported to manage their mental health. This study applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour to determine the effect of a mental health awareness programme on sports coaches’ knowledge and intentions to offer support to athletes who experience mental health problems. Design/methodology/approach Adult coaches (n=244) were recruited to attend the Mood Matters in Sport Programme (MMSP) mental health awareness intervention or act as a control. A 2 (group) x 2 (time) quasi-experimental design was adopted. All participants completed the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule and Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale at the beginning and end of the programme. Two months post programme delivery focus groups were conducted. Findings A mixed ANOVA showed a significant interaction effect wherein there were improvements in mental health knowledge and intention...

Minority Stress, Homonegativity, Alcohol Use and Mental Health Among College Gay Males

Minority stressors, extent of disclosure, and connection to the gay community were examined in relation to alcohol use and psychological strain in gay male students. This study examined whether membership in a campus-based lesbian, gay, and bisexual society acts as a cultural vulnerability for alcohol use while at the same time providing important coping resources that result in lower levels of psychological distress. Members did not differ from nonmembers in relation to binge drinking, social support, psychological strain, or overall alcohol consumption, but they were less likely to abstain. A variety of measures of minority stress predicted binge drinking behavior.

Assessments, Appraisals, Attributes and Attendance

The ability to predict academic performance has been a long-standing goal for educational and psychological researchers. Drawing from the areas of stress, motivation, self-competency beliefs, and learning, the present study extends this research by focusing on precursors to academic performance. Using a multiple regression analysis, the present research evaluated the impact of expectancy, valence, perceived difficulty, threat, challenge, age, and gender on exam performance goals. Hierarchical multiple regression was then used to assess additional contributions from goals and attendance to exam grades. Participants included 156 psychology students enrolled in an intermediate level statistics class. Questionnaires were used to measure demographic, appraisal, and motivational variables. Exam grades and attendance were drawn from academic records. Performance goals were significantly influenced by perceived difficulty, expectancy, valence, threat, challenge, and age, but not gender. Both attendance and goals ...

Prisoner intentions to participate in an electronic monitoring scheme: an application of the theory of planned behaviour

Purpose – There is a need to address the implications of offender electronic monitoring (EM) within Ireland. Thus this research examined prisoner EM participation intentions through an application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991).Design/methodology/approach – A male sample (n=101) from two Dublin prisons completed a TPB survey anonymously.Findings – The moderately favourable prisoner attitudes suggested positive orientations towards participation in EM but did suggest some perceived difficulties. Subjective norms had a strong positive influence on intentions.Research limitations/implications – Prisoner intentions were generally positive towards EM participation. This bodes well for future EM schemes in Ireland. It is also essential to gather other perspectives relevant to the prison system, when implementing EM.Originality/value – The TPB offers an effective approach to understanding prisoners EM intentions. More specifically, the TPB pinpointed the prisoners’ favourable intentions ...