Roger Keller

Predicting behavioral intentions and physical exercise: A test of the health action process approach at the intrapersonal level.

OBJECTIVE Theories of health behavior are usually tested on the between-person level. Associations between variables on the between- and the within-person level, however, can differ substantially. Thus, in order to better understand intrapersonal processes in the domain of health behavior, studies applying within-person analyses are needed. This study tested the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) on the within- and between-person level in the context of physical exercise. DESIGN Participants were 265 first-year students who completed nine online questionnaires every second week. Data were analyzed by focusing on intrapersonal associations applying multilevel modeling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Intentions for physical exercise and self-reported physical exercise served as main outcome measures. RESULTS Analyses mainly confirm associations specified by the HAPA at the intrapersonal level: outcome expectancies and self-efficacy, but not risk awareness, were positively associated with intentions for physical exercise. Physical exercise in turn was positively associated with intentions, self-efficacy, action control, but not with action planning. CONCLUSION The HAPA could be confirmed on the within-person level. Future studies should focus on testing other theories of health behavior at the within-person level.

Smoking is ok as long as I eat healthily: Compensatory Health Beliefs and their role for intentions and smoking within the Health Action Process Approach

Compensatory Health Beliefs (CHBs) are defined as beliefs that the negative consequences of unhealthy behaviours can be compensated for by engaging in healthy behaviours. CHBs have not yet been investigated within a framework of a behaviour change model, nor have they been investigated in detail regarding smoking. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate on a theoretical basis whether smoking-specific CHBs, as a cognitive construct, add especially to the prediction of intention formation but also to changes in smoking behaviour over and above predictors specified by the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA). The sample comprised 385 adolescent smokers (mean age: 17.80). All HAPA-specific variables and a smoking-specific CHB scale were assessed twice, 4 months apart. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Smoking-specific CHBs were significantly negatively related to the intention to stop smoking over and above HAPA-specific predictors. Overall, 39% of variance in the intention to quit smoking was explained. For the prediction of smoking, CHBs were not able to explain variance over and above planning and self-efficacy. Thus, smoking-specific CHBs seem mainly important in predicting intentions but not behaviour. Overall, the findings contribute to the understanding of the role of smoking-specific CHBs within a health-behaviour change model.

Smoking-specific compensatory health beliefs and the readiness to stop smoking in adolescents

OBJECTIVE Compensatory health beliefs (CHBs) are defined as beliefs that negative consequences of unhealthy behaviours can be compensated for by engaging in other health behaviours. CHBs have not yet been investigated in detail regarding smoking. Smoking might cause cognitive dissonance in smokers, if they are aware that smoking is unhealthy and simultaneously hold the general goal of staying healthy. Hence, CHBs are proposed as one strategy for smokers to resolve such cognitive dissonance. The aim of the present study was to develop a scale to measure smoking-specific CHBs among adolescents and to test whether CHBs are related to a lower readiness to stop smoking. DESIGN For the main analyses, cross-sectional data were used. In order to investigate the retest-reliability follow-up data, 4 months later were included in the analysis. METHOD A newly developed scale for smoking-specific CHBs in adolescents was tested for its validity and reliability as well as its predictive value for the readiness to stop smoking in a sample of 244 smokers (15-21 years) drawn from different schools. Multilevel modelling was applied. RESULTS Evidence was found for the reliability and validity of the smoking-specific CHB scale. Smoking-specific CHBs were significantly negatively related to an individuals readiness to stop smoking, even after controlling for other predictors such as self-efficacy or conscientiousness. CONCLUSIONS CHBs may provide one possible explanation for why adolescents fail to stop smoking.

Exposure to and annoyance with second-hand smoke in Switzerland: results of the Tobacco Monitoring Survey

Summary.Objectives: To present selected results on exposure to secondhand smoke and experienced annoyance with second-hand smoke in the Swiss population, particularly in restaurants and in the workplace.Methods: The data were collected as part of the Swiss Survey of Tobacco Use (“Tobacco Monitoring”) commissioned by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. It is a representative, continuous survey of tobacco consumption among 14- to 65-year-olds in Switzerland. Since January 2001, four times a year a new sample of 2 500 persons has been taken (i. e. 10 000 participants annually). The survey was conducted using standardized telephone interviews in German, French and Italian.Results: Approximately half of the working population in Switzerland is exposed to second-hand smoke in the workplace. In restaurants, cafes and bars, nearly 9 out of 10 people are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Non-smokers in particular report annoyance with second-hand smoke.Conclusions: The Swiss population has a high level of exposure to second-hand smoke. There is a need for public health educational programs and legislation aiming at banning smoking in public areas and in the workplace.Zusammenfassung.Passivrauch-Exposition und subjektiv empfundene Belästigung durch Tabakrauch in der Schweiz: Resultate der Schweizerischen Umfrage zum Tabakkonsum (Tabakmonitoring)Fragestellung: Im vorliegenden Artikel finden sich ausgewählte Ergebnisse zur Passivrauchexposition der Schweizer Bevölkerung sowie zur dadurch hervorgerufenen, subjektiv empfundenen Belästigung. Insbesondere wird auf das Passivrauchen in Gaststätten und am Arbeitsplatz eingegangen.Methoden: Die Daten wurden im Rahmen der Schweizerischen Umfrage zum Tabakkonsum (Tabakmonitoring) erhoben. Mit dem Tabakmonitoring wird der Tabakkonsum der 14- bis 65-jährigen Wohnbevölkerung der Schweiz repräsentativ und kontinuierlich erfasst. Seit Januar 2001 wird in jedem Quartal ein neues Sample mit 2 500 Personen gezogen, so dass pro Jahr die Antworten von insgesamt 10 000 Befragten zur Verfügung stehen. Die Befragung erfolgt mittels vollstandardisierter Telefoninterviews in deutscher, französischer und italienischer Sprache.Ergebnisse: Rund die Hälfte der Erwerbstätigen in der Schweiz ist am Arbeitsort dem Passivrauch ausgesetzt. In Restaurants, Cafés und Bars sind es fast neun von 10 Personen, die dem Tabakrauch anderer ausgesetzt sind. Vor allem die tabakrauchexponierten Nichtraucherinnen und Nichtraucher fühlen sich dadurch stark belästigt.Schlussfolgerungen: Die Schweizer Bevölkerung hat eine hohe Passivrauchexposition. Einerseits sollte das Wissen über die Schädlichkeit des Passivrauchens verstärkt der öffentlichkeit vermittelt werden. Andererseits braucht es gesetzliche Massnahmen zum Schutz der Nichtraucher, insbesondere in Gaststätten und am Arbeitsplatz.Résumé.Exposition à la fumée passive et impression subjective de gêne provoquée par le tabagisme passif en Suisse: Résultats de l’enquête suisse sur le tabagisme (“Monitorig Tabac”)Objectifs: Présenter une partie des résultats concernant l’exposition de la population suisse au tabagisme passif et l’incommodation ressentie, ce spécialement dans les lieux publics et sur le lieu de travail.Méthodes: Les données sur le tabagisme passif sont issues du “Monitorig Tabac”. Elles permettent de recenser de manière permanente et représentative la consommation de tabac chez les personnes âgées de 14 à 65 ans domiciliées en Suisse. Depuis janvier 2001, un échantillon de 2 500 personnes est tiré trimestriellement (soit 10 000 personnes par an). Le sondage est effectué au moyen d’entretiens téléphoniques entièrement standardisés en français, allemand et italien.Résultats: Environ la moitié de la population active en Suisse est exposée au tabagisme passif. Dans les restaurants, les cafés et les bars, près de neuf personnes sur 10 subissent le tabagisme des fumeurs. Ce sont en particulier les personnes nonfumeuses qui se sentent fortement dérangées par le tabagisme passif.Conclusions: La population suisse est largement exposée au tabagisme passif. L’information concernant les effets du tabagisme passif devrait être renforcée. Des bases légales permettant une protection des non-fumeurs, en particulier dans les espaces publics et sur le lieu de travail, devraient être créées.

Evaluating the decisional balance construct of the Transtheoretical Model : are two dimensions of pros and cons really enough?

ObjectivesThe Transtheoretical Model of behavior change (TTM) postulates that behavior change is a process involving progress through five distinct stages of change (SOC). One of the key components for progress to a later stage is decisional balance (pros and cons of changing to the target behavior). The goal of the present study is to test the two dimensions of decisional balance as postulated in the TTM in the context of exercising behavior.MethodsThe analyses are based on data from an online survey of 266 freshman students at the University of Zurich; participants self-reported their frequency of exercising and their weighing of the importance of 49 pros and cons of exercising.ResultsThe results indicate that a two-dimensional solution of decisional balance is insufficient. The analysis of pros and cons of exercising yielded a seven-factor solution with in part different progressions through the SOC.ConclusionsWith the subdivision into different pros and cons, intervention programs can be developed that better match the needs of participants in terms of fostering and decreasing the most important pros and cons of exercising.

Where do IPBES delegates in Europe see challenges, needs, gaps and opportunities in policy uptake of “Nature’s contributions to people”?

This research note illustrates how European national delegates to the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) perceive the challenges, needs, gaps and opportunities related to the policy implementation of “Nature’s contributions to people (NCP)” in their nation. Until now, only little information has been available on how IPBES delegations perceive national policy-uptake and the implementation of the IPBES core concept of NCP. Based on an online survey with IPBES delegates, we aim to provide a stock-take of how IPBES delegations see NCP currently being incorporated in national government policies in Europe and how these policies are being implemented through programmes. Survey results show IPBES delegates consider a lack of relevant data and methodologies for NCP assessments to be a major obstacle to the uptake and implementation of NCP concepts in Europe. We wonder if availability of data and methodologies are the most prominent challenges to make IPBES a success, and consider the need for policy uptake and implementation to be more prominently addressed within the IPBES process.

Wahrnehmung schriftlicher und grafischer Warnhinweise sowie Einstellung gegenüber Preiserhöhungen

Der vorliegende Bericht gibt Auskunft uber die Beachtung, Thematisierung und Wirkung der schriftlichen und grafischen Warnhinweise auf Zigarettenpackungen bei 14- bis 65-jahrigen Rauchenden und Nichtrauchenden, sowie die Akzeptanz von Preiserhohungen.