New Articles from Annals of Behavioral Medicine and Translational Behavioral Medicine

SBM's two journals, Annals of Behavioral Medicine and Translational Behavioral Medicine: Practice, Policy, Research (TBM), continuously publish online articles, many of which become available before issues are printed. Two recently published Annals and TBM articles are listed below.

SBM members who have paid their 2023 membership dues are able to access the full text of all Annals and TBM online articles via the SBM website by following the steps below.

1. Go to the Members Only section of the SBM website.
2. Log in with your username and password.
3. Click on the Journals link.
4. Click on the title of the journal which you would like to electronically access.

To check your membership status, or if you are having trouble accessing the journals online, please contact the SBM national office at info@sbm.org or (414) 918-3156.

 

Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Context Matters: Patterns in Physical Distancing Behavior Across Situations and Over Time During the Covid-19 Pandemic in the Netherlands 

Carlijn Bussemakers, PhD, Mart van Dijk, PhD, Bas van den Putte, PhD, Marijn de Bruin, PhD

Background

Physical distancing is an effective preventative measure during respiratory infectious disease outbreaks. Prior studies on distancing behaviors have largely ignored context characteristics (physical, social) and time.

Purpose

We investigated patterns in physical distancing over time and across situations, as well as sociodemographic variation herein.

Methods

We employed data from five rounds of a cohort study conducted throughout the pandemic by the Dutch public health institute (RIVM; N ≈ 50.000 per round). We conducted Latent Class Analyses to investigate patterns of physical distancing in a range of situations, followed by regression models to investigate associations between distancing behavior and sociodemographic and context characteristics.

Results

Participants differed in their general tendency to adhere to distancing guidelines across situations, but there were also substantial differences in distancing behavior between situations, particularly at work, with friends and family and outdoors. Distancing at work was strongly associated with work environment characteristics. Younger age groups reported less distancing behavior, particularly with close relations (friends or family) and at work. In periods when the pandemic situation was most severe, people adhered more strongly to distancing guidelines and age differences were most pronounced during these periods.

Conclusions

Physical and social context matters for physical distancing, highlighting the importance of developing strategies for pandemic preparedness that improve opportunities for physical distancing (e.g., reducing crowding, one-way traffic) and accommodate young people to safely meet even in times of high pandemic severity and lockdowns. Future studies should account for the physical and social context in which distancing behavior is observed.

 

Association Between Optimism and Incident Stroke Among Stroke Survivors: Findings From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing 

Joseph Chilcot, PhD, Ruth A Hackett, PhD

Background

Personality has been implicated in stroke death. However, the role of personality in stroke incidence is unclear.

Purpose

Our primary aim was to investigate associations between optimism, determination, control, and the “Big Five” personality traits on incident stroke. A secondary aim was to assess the potential mediating role of health behaviors in the personality-stroke relationship.

Methods

A total of 3,703 stroke-free participants from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing provided data on personality using the Midlife Development Inventory at Wave 5 (2010/11). Self-reported incident stroke was assessed from Waves 6 to 8 (2012–2017). Associations were modeled using discrete-time survival proportional odds logistic models. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, history of other cardiometabolic diseases, and health behaviors.

Results

Over 6 years follow-up there were 125 incident strokes. Higher optimism (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53, 0.82), openness (HR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.53, 0.98), and conscientiousness (HR = 0.59; 95% CI 0.42, 0.84) were associated with reduced incident stroke risk in unadjusted models. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors and history of cardiometabolic disease, only the association between optimism and incident stroke remained significant (HR = 0.72; 95% CI 0.57, 0.92). The effect of optimism remained significant in a final model adjusting for health behaviors (HR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.60, 0.96). There was evidence of a small but significant mediating effect of physical activity.

Conclusions

Higher trait optimism was associated with reduced stroke risk. This association was partially mediated by physical activity albeit the effect was small, and caution warranted inferring causality. The interplay of personality, behavior, and clinical risk factors in stroke incidence and survivorship needs further investigation.

 

Translational Behavioral Medicine

A culturally and linguistically adapted text-message Diabetes Prevention Program for Latinos: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Effectiveness

Taynara Formagini, Juliana Teruel Camargo, Jaime Perales-Puchalt, Betty M Drees, Monica Fracachan Cabrera, Mariana Ramírez

Abstract

Despite the general positive outcomes of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), the program’s reach, adherence, and effectiveness among Latinos are still suboptimal. Text-message DPP can potentially overcome barriers and improve DPP outcomes for this group. We aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminarily effectiveness of a culturally and linguistically adapted text-message DPP for Latinos. We enrolled 26 eligible Spanish-speaking Latino adults at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (A1c = 5.7%–6.4%, body mass index ≥25) in a 6-month culturally and linguistically adapted text-message DPP. Participants received (i) two to three daily automated text-messages about healthy eating, physical activity, problem-solving skills, lifestyle change motivation, and logistics, (ii) on-demand keyword-driven messages, and (iii) on-demand chat messages with a DPP coach. Outcomes included feasibility (e.g. adherence), acceptability (e.g. satisfaction), and preliminary effectiveness (e.g. weight loss). Twenty-four participants completed the program and follow-up assessments. Participants’ mean body weight changed from 191.2 to 186.7 pounds (P = .004); 45.8% of participants lost ≥3%, and 29.2% lost ≥5% of body weight. Body mass index and waist circumference were also reduced [0.9 kg/m2 (P = .003) and 1.1 cm (P = .03), pre–post]. Self-reported physical activity frequency was increased (P = .003). No statistically significant changes in diet quality were found. Most participants were satisfied with the program and perceived it to help prevent diabetes. Our pilot study of an innovative text-message DPP for Latinos demonstrated the program was acceptable, feasible, and potentially effective. Using text-message for DPP can reduce barriers to in-person participation by increasing the program’s reach without compromising fidelity and effectiveness.

Developing a Culturally Tailored Digital Health Intervention for Insomnia in Black Women

Eric S Zhou, Anna Revette, Lee M Ritterband, Traci N Bethea, Lauren Delp, Patricia D Simmons, Lynn Rosenberg

Abstract

Insomnia disorder is highly prevalent among Black women. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the optimal treatment, but very little efficacy research has been conducted in minority populations. Culturally tailoring intervention content may increase participant engagement and improve treatment outcomes. We culturally tailored an Internet-delivered CBT-I program (Sleep Healthy Using the Internet; SHUTi) for Black women. First, relevant stakeholders were identified. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after stakeholders completed each of the six SHUTi intervention sessions. Questions focused on improving program relatability and engagement for Black women. Key themes pertinent to peripheral, evidential, and sociocultural strategies for cultural adaptation were identified using thematic content analysis, and adaptation recommendations were developed. A total of 50 interviews, across 9 stakeholders, were conducted. Two overarching themes were identified: (i) there was limited visual African American representation, and (ii) there was a lack of diversity in the environments and lifestyles of the patient vignettes. Respondents provided peripheral, evidential, and sociocultural recommendations for program modifications, emphasizing the importance of race-concordant visual content and didactic content exploring the diverse cultural and social contexts in which insomnia occurs for Black women. As more diverse patients seek evidence-based insomnia treatment, digital health interventions must consider whether it is therapeutically important to address and tailor for cultural differences. Here, stakeholders made clear recommendations for taking cultural contexts into account to improve patient engagement with the program. Further research should work to understand the extent to which culturally tailored interventions are beneficial for health outcomes among minority populations.