Abstract P036: Exploring Systems Thinking as an Underlying Mechanism in Improving Healthy Lifestyles of Overweight and Obese Adolescents: Psychometrics of the Systems Thinking Scale for Adolescent Behavior Change

Circulation ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 133 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley M Moore
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Adolescent Behavior ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Obese Adolescents

We have learned from the past that interventions targeting health behavior change involve assisting participants to identify and make changes in the habitual systems in their daily routines. Although the skills to change these habitual systems involve systems thinking (the ability to recognize patterns, interactions and interdependencies in a set of activities), no current measure exists to assess the extent to which systems thinking influences health behavior change. Our team is currently investigating the mediating role of systems thinking in enhancing healthy eating and exercise in overweight and obese adolescents. The purpose of this study was to develop and conduct psychometric testing of the Systems Thinking Scale for Adolescent Behavior Change (STS-AB). In a first phase of this study, a panel of experts in systems thinking was used to develop an initial item set that was tested for understandability, content validity and stability in a small sample (N= 24) of adolescents enrolled in a weight management program. In a second phase, using a larger study of 359 urban adolescents enrolled in a weight management trail aged 10-13 (58% girls; 80% African American), factor analysis, reliability, and validity of the 16-item STS-AB were assessed. Results of an exploratory factor analysis of the STS-AB indicated a 1-factor solution with good factor loadings, ranging from .40 to .67. The internal consistency reliability coefficient was .87. Test-retest reliability of the STS-AB was .48, p<.05. Systems thinking scores were higher in children who received systems thinking training compared to children not receiving training. Evidence of construct validity was supported by significant correlations with established measures of other variables commonly associated with health behavior change (motivation and self-efficacy for diet and physical activity). These findings indicate that the STS-AB is a valid and reliable measure of systems thinking for health behavior change in adolescents that can assist investigators to examine the extent to which systems thinking is a mechanism in health behavior change.

scholarly journals Development of the Systems Thinking Scale for Adolescent Behavior Change

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley M. Moore ◽  
Vilailert Komton ◽  
Clara Adegbite-Adeniyi ◽  
Mary A. Dolansky ◽  
Heather K. Hardin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Adolescent Behavior ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Weight Management Program

This report describes the development and psychometric testing of the Systems Thinking Scale for Adolescent Behavior Change (STS-AB). Following item development, initial assessments of understandability and stability of the STS-AB were conducted in a sample of nine adolescents enrolled in a weight management program. Exploratory factor analysis of the 16-item STS-AB and internal consistency assessments were then done with 359 adolescents enrolled in a weight management program. Test–retest reliability of the STS-AB was .71, p = .03; internal consistency reliability was .87. Factor analysis of the 16-item STS-AB indicated a one-factor solution with good factor loadings, ranging from .40 to .67. Evidence of construct validity was supported by significant correlations with established measures of variables associated with health behavior change. We provide beginning evidence of the reliability and validity of the STS-AB to measure systems thinking for health behavior change in young adolescents.

scholarly journals Mindfulness-Informed Guided Imagery to Target Physical Activity: A Mixed Method Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis D. Mitchell ◽  
Laura E. Martin ◽  
Austin S. Baldwin ◽  
Sara M. Levens
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Guided Imagery ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Activity Enjoyment

Physical activity offers substantial mind-body health benefits and reduced mortality, yet many individuals are chronically underactive. Physical activity interventions may benefit from integrative approaches that join components of mindfulness and neurobiological models of behavior. Mindfulness increases one’s awareness of cognitions and physical sensations to potentially facilitate self-regulation, while neurobiological models such as the dual system model of health behavior offer guidance on improving physical activity intervention targets. This 2-phase study includes an initial development process to create brief (∼4 min) mindfulness informed guided imagery audio files that target distinct cognitive and affective processes to promote physical activity. In the second phase, participants completed a 2-week pilot intervention study to gather qualitative and quantitative data on intervention feasibility and acceptability. Participants endorsed the mindfulness informed guided imagery as easy to use, enjoyable and helpful. Over a 2-week intervention period participants reported positive shifts in behavior change, physical activity enjoyment, increased mindfulness during physical activity, and increased physical exercise self-efficacy and satisfaction. Interview data revealed that participants increased their frequency of physical activity and tended to experience positive affect during physical activity, engaged in future oriented thinking and were able to view physical activity in a more positive light. Findings support the feasibility and acceptability of an integrative online mindfulness informed guided imagery intervention to promote physical activity enjoyment and engagement. This study extends health behavior change intervention research and provides supporting evidence for a flexible and tailorable online mindfulness-based intervention.

Predictors of Health Behavior Change in School-Based Obesity Prevention

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kara Harrington ◽  
Maureen E. Kenny ◽  
Deirdre Brogan ◽  
Lynn Y. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
School Based

A review of mHealth depression apps: Assessing app functions for the Self-Determination Theory (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Brownlow
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Basic Needs ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Healthcare Research ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Ideal Tool ◽  
Google Play

BACKGROUND Smartphone applications (apps) are an ideal tool that is highly accessible to people who wish to begin self-treatment for depression. While many studies have performed content analyses on healthcare apps, few studies have reviewed these apps for adherence to behavior theory. Furthermore, apps for depression management are underrepresented in healthcare research. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to assess mHealth depression apps using SDT as a theoretical framework for meeting needs of autonomy, competence and, relatedness METHODS All depression healthcare apps available in Australia from the iTunes and Google Play app stores that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Each app was reviewed based on price options, store availability, download rates, and how in-app functions met the three basic needs for motivation towards health behavior change outlined in the Self-Determination Theory (SDT). RESULTS The analysis of the apps showed that most apps were free to download (69.9%) and addressed at least one of the three needs (81.4%) of SDT. However, few apps addressed all three of the basic needs through their functions (7.7%), and no apps hosted all functions expected to stimulate motivation for health behavior change. Furthermore, neither store availability, price option nor download rate were accurate predictors that apps hosted in-app functions expected to meet the basic needs. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that some depression healthcare apps that meet the basic needs would effectively stimulate motivation (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness). However, each individual app is limited in its number of functions that meet the basic needs. People who want access to more functions would need to download a suite of apps.

A Video Game for Brazilian T1D Children about Knowledge of Disease and Self-care: A Methodological Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 193229682110175
Author(s):  
Valéria de Cássia Sparapani ◽  
Sidney Fels ◽  
Noreen Kamal ◽  
Rebecca Ortiz La Banca ◽  
Lucila Castanheira Nascimento
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Game Design ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Methodological Study ◽  
Video Game Design ◽  
Management Behaviors

Background: Video games are interactive technologies able to support children in health promotion, behavior changes, and chronic disease self-management. The use of health behavior change determinants in video game design can increase its effectiveness. This study describes the process of designing a video game for Brazilian children with T1D clarifying the use of health behavior change determinants that may influence self-management behaviors. Methods: This was a methodological study based on health behavior change theories and the user-centered design approach. The results of a qualitative study conducted with children aged 7 to 12 years identified learning needs about knowledge on diabetes and self-care tasks which contribute to inappropriate behaviors. A Behavioral Diagnosis presented health behavior change determinants, capable of influencing children’s learning needs and behaviors, that were considered to design The Heroes of Diabetes—the power of knowledge. Results: The results presented the process of designing 4 mini games with its description and theory foundation to reach children’s lack of understanding about T1D, insulin’s role, SMBG requirements, food groups and physical activity’s role in glycemic control. Knowledge, goal settings, extrinsic and intrinsic motivation determinants were related with video games design features. Conclusions: The findings support the use of health behavior change determinants into video game design as a guide to achieve children learning needs and that might influence self-management behaviors.

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