Outlook | Newsletter of the Society of Behavioral Medicine

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. Three recently published Annals and TBM online articles are listed below.

SBM members who have paid their 2015 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.

Go to the Members Only section of the SBM website (https://www.sbm.org/membership/members).
Log in with your username and password.
Click on the Journals link (listed third in the list of member benefits).
Click on the title of the journal which you would like to electronically access.

To check if you are a current SBM member, 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

Caregiving Motivation Predicts Long-Term Spirituality and Quality of Life of the Caregivers

Authors: Youngmee Kim, PhD, Charles S. Carver, PhD, and Rachel S. Cannady BS
Abstract: Studies have shown that caregivers report impaired quality of life (QOL). This study investigated how caregiving motives predict long-term spirituality and QOL among cancer caregivers and the role of gender in these associations. Caregiving motives of family members (n = 369) were measured 2 years after their relative’s cancer diagnosis (T1), and both spirituality and QOL (mental and physical health) were measured at 5 years post-diagnosis (T2). Structural equation modeling was used to test spirituality dimensions as potential mediators of links from caregiving motives to QOL. Among male caregivers, autonomous caregiving motives at T1 related to better mental health at T2, apparently because these motives led caregivers to find greater peace and meaning in life at T2. Findings suggest that caregivers may benefit from interventions that facilitate their ability to be autonomously motivated and find contentment in their caregiving experience, which may improve spiritual adjustment and QOL years later.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase HIV Preventive Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills in Ugandan Adolescents

Authors: Michele L. Ybarra MPH, PhD, Josephine D. Korchmaros PhD, Tonya L. Prescott, BA, and Ruth Birungi MA
Abstract: One in 25 Ugandan adolescents is HIV positive. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of an Internet-based HIV prevention program on Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model-related constructs. Three hundred and sixty-six sexually experienced and inexperienced students 13–18+ years old in Mbarara, Uganda, were randomly assigned to the five-lesson CyberSenga program or the treatment-as-usual control group. Half of the intervention participants were further randomized to a booster session. Assessments were collected at 3 and 6 months post-baseline. Participants’ HIV-related information improved over time at a greater rate for the intervention groups compared to the control group. Motivation for condom use changed to a greater degree over time for the intervention group—especially those in the intervention + booster group—compared to the control group. Behavioral skills for condom use and motivation and behavioral skills for abstinence were statistically similar over time for both groups. CyberSenga improves HIV preventive information and motivation to use condoms.

Expectations Are More Predictive of Behavior than Behavioral Intentions: Evidence from Two Prospective Studies

Authors: Christopher J. Armitage, PhD, Paul Norman, PhD, Soud Alganem, PhD, and Mark Conner, PhD
Abstract: Understanding the gap between people’s behavioral intentions and their subsequent behavior is a key problem for behavioral scientists, but little attention has been paid to how behavioral intentions are operationalized. Two studies were conducted in the domains of alcohol consumption (N = 152) and weight loss (N = 141). Participants completed questionnaires assessing their behavioral intentions, expectations, and self-efficacy at baseline; alcohol consumption/weight were assessed at both baseline and follow-up. In study 1, expectations were more predictive of alcohol consumption than behavioral intentions, controlling for baseline alcohol consumption and self-efficacy. In study 2, changes in expectations were more predictive of weight loss than changes in behavioral intentions, controlling for baseline weight and self-efficacy. The findings support a potentially important distinction between behavioral intentions and expectations.

Translational Behavioral Medicine

Enabling Lay Providers to Conduct CBT for Older Adults: Key Steps for Expanding Treatment Capacity

Authors: Cynthia Kraus-Schuman PhD, Nancy L. Wilson, MSW, Amber B. Amspoker, PhD, Paula D. Wagener, BA, Jessica S. Calleo, PhD, Gretchen Diefenbach, PhD, Derek Hopko, PhD, Jeffrey A. Cully, PhD, Ellen Teng, PhD, Howard M. Rhoades, PhD, Mark E. Kunik, MD, MPH, and Melinda A. Stanley, PhD
Abstract: The Institute of Medicine advocates the examination of innovative models of care to expand mental health services available for older adults. This article describes training and supervision procedures in a recent clinical trial of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for older adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) delivered by bachelor-level lay providers (BLPs) and to PhD-level expert providers (PLPs). Supervision and training differences, ratings by treatment integrity raters (TIRs), treatment characteristics, and patient perceptions between BLPs and PLPs are examined. The training and supervision procedures for BLPs led to comparable integrity ratings, patient perceptions, and treatment characteristics compared with PLPs. These results support this training protocol as a model for future implementation and effectiveness trials of CBT for late-life GAD, with treatment delivered by lay providers supervised by a licensed provider in other practice settings.

Translating Evidence-Based Interventions from Research to Practice: Challenges and Lessons Learned

Authors: M. R. Lopez-Patton, S. M. Weiss, J. N. Tobin, D. L. Jones, M. Diaz-Gloster, and the SMARTEST Women’s Team
Abstract: Despite the increasing popularity of translation research, few studies have described the process and challenges involved in implementing a translation study. The main objective was to determine whether a multi-component group behavioral intervention could be successfully translated from an academic setting into the community health system of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in Miami, NY, and NJ. Key challenges and “lessons learned” from the dissemination and implementation process for the SMART/EST (Stress Management and Relaxation Training/Emotional Supportive Therapy) Women’s Project (SWP) III in low-resource primary care settings are described. The Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) model served as the theoretical framework for the translation of the study. This study outlines several essential factors related to Glasgow’s RE-AIM model that need to be considered in order to accomplish successful translation of evidence-based interventions from traditional academia to “real-world” community health center settings.

Tweet for health: using an online social network to examine temporal trends in weight loss-related posts

Authors: Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy, PhD, MS, RD, and Michael W. Beets, MEd, MPH, PhD
Abstract: Few studies have used social networking sites to track temporal trends in health-related posts, particularly around weight loss. To examine the temporal relationship of Twitter messages about weight loss over 1 year (2012), temporal trends in #weightloss mentions and #fitness, #diet, and #health tweets which also had the word “weight” in them were examined using three a priori time periods: (1) holidays: pre-winter holidays, holidays, and post-holidays; (2) season: winter and summer; and (3) New Year’s: pre-New Year’s and post-New Year’s. Regarding #weightloss, there were 145 (95 % CI 79, 211) more posts/day during holidays and 143 (95 % CI 76, 209) more posts/day after holidays as compared to 480 pre-holiday posts/day; 232 (95 % CI 178, 286) more posts/day during the winter versus summer (441 posts/day); there was no difference in posts around New Year’s. Examining social networks for trends in health-related posts may aid in timing interventions when individuals are more likely to be discussing weight loss.


Winter 2015	Return to Outlook main page »
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. Three recently published Annals and TBM online articles are listed below. SBM members who have paid their 2015 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. Go to the Members Only section of the SBM website (https://www.sbm.org/membership/members). Log in with your username and password. Click on the Journals link (listed third in the list of member benefits). Click on the title of the journal which you would like to electronically access. To check if you are a current SBM member, 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 Caregiving Motivation Predicts Long-Term Spirituality and Quality of Life of the Caregivers Authors: Youngmee Kim, PhD, Charles S. Carver, PhD, and Rachel S. Cannady BS Abstract: Studies have shown that caregivers report impaired quality of life (QOL). This study investigated how caregiving motives predict long-term spirituality and QOL among cancer caregivers and the role of gender in these associations. Caregiving motives of family members (n = 369) were measured 2 years after their relative’s cancer diagnosis (T1), and both spirituality and QOL (mental and physical health) were measured at 5 years post-diagnosis (T2). Structural equation modeling was used to test spirituality dimensions as potential mediators of links from caregiving motives to QOL. Among male caregivers, autonomous caregiving motives at T1 related to better mental health at T2, apparently because these motives led caregivers to find greater peace and meaning in life at T2. Findings suggest that caregivers may benefit from interventions that facilitate their ability to be autonomously motivated and find contentment in their caregiving experience, which may improve spiritual adjustment and QOL years later. A Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase HIV Preventive Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills in Ugandan Adolescents Authors: Michele L. Ybarra MPH, PhD, Josephine D. Korchmaros PhD, Tonya L. Prescott, BA, and Ruth Birungi MA Abstract: One in 25 Ugandan adolescents is HIV positive. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of an Internet-based HIV prevention program on Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model-related constructs. Three hundred and sixty-six sexually experienced and inexperienced students 13–18+ years old in Mbarara, Uganda, were randomly assigned to the five-lesson CyberSenga program or the treatment-as-usual control group. Half of the intervention participants were further randomized to a booster session. Assessments were collected at 3 and 6 months post-baseline. Participants’ HIV-related information improved over time at a greater rate for the intervention groups compared to the control group. Motivation for condom use changed to a greater degree over time for the intervention group—especially those in the intervention + booster group—compared to the control group. Behavioral skills for condom use and motivation and behavioral skills for abstinence were statistically similar over time for both groups. CyberSenga improves HIV preventive information and motivation to use condoms. Expectations Are More Predictive of Behavior than Behavioral Intentions: Evidence from Two Prospective Studies Authors: Christopher J. Armitage, PhD, Paul Norman, PhD, Soud Alganem, PhD, and Mark Conner, PhD Abstract: Understanding the gap between people’s behavioral intentions and their subsequent behavior is a key problem for behavioral scientists, but little attention has been paid to how behavioral intentions are operationalized. Two studies were conducted in the domains of alcohol consumption (N = 152) and weight loss (N = 141). Participants completed questionnaires assessing their behavioral intentions, expectations, and self-efficacy at baseline; alcohol consumption/weight were assessed at both baseline and follow-up. In study 1, expectations were more predictive of alcohol consumption than behavioral intentions, controlling for baseline alcohol consumption and self-efficacy. In study 2, changes in expectations were more predictive of weight loss than changes in behavioral intentions, controlling for baseline weight and self-efficacy. The findings support a potentially important distinction between behavioral intentions and expectations. Translational Behavioral Medicine Enabling Lay Providers to Conduct CBT for Older Adults: Key Steps for Expanding Treatment Capacity Authors: Cynthia Kraus-Schuman PhD, Nancy L. Wilson, MSW, Amber B. Amspoker, PhD, Paula D. Wagener, BA, Jessica S. Calleo, PhD, Gretchen Diefenbach, PhD, Derek Hopko, PhD, Jeffrey A. Cully, PhD, Ellen Teng, PhD, Howard M. Rhoades, PhD, Mark E. Kunik, MD, MPH, and Melinda A. Stanley, PhD Abstract: The Institute of Medicine advocates the examination of innovative models of care to expand mental health services available for older adults. This article describes training and supervision procedures in a recent clinical trial of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for older adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) delivered by bachelor-level lay providers (BLPs) and to PhD-level expert providers (PLPs). Supervision and training differences, ratings by treatment integrity raters (TIRs), treatment characteristics, and patient perceptions between BLPs and PLPs are examined. The training and supervision procedures for BLPs led to comparable integrity ratings, patient perceptions, and treatment characteristics compared with PLPs. These results support this training protocol as a model for future implementation and effectiveness trials of CBT for late-life GAD, with treatment delivered by lay providers supervised by a licensed provider in other practice settings. Translating Evidence-Based Interventions from Research to Practice: Challenges and Lessons Learned Authors: M. R. Lopez-Patton, S. M. Weiss, J. N. Tobin, D. L. Jones, M. Diaz-Gloster, and the SMARTEST Women’s Team Abstract: Despite the increasing popularity of translation research, few studies have described the process and challenges involved in implementing a translation study. The main objective was to determine whether a multi-component group behavioral intervention could be successfully translated from an academic setting into the community health system of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in Miami, NY, and NJ. Key challenges and “lessons learned” from the dissemination and implementation process for the SMART/EST (Stress Management and Relaxation Training/Emotional Supportive Therapy) Women’s Project (SWP) III in low-resource primary care settings are described. The Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) model served as the theoretical framework for the translation of the study. This study outlines several essential factors related to Glasgow’s RE-AIM model that need to be considered in order to accomplish successful translation of evidence-based interventions from traditional academia to “real-world” community health center settings. Tweet for health: using an online social network to examine temporal trends in weight loss-related posts Authors: Gabrielle M. Turner-McGrievy, PhD, MS, RD, and Michael W. Beets, MEd, MPH, PhD Abstract: Few studies have used social networking sites to track temporal trends in health-related posts, particularly around weight loss. To examine the temporal relationship of Twitter messages about weight loss over 1 year (2012), temporal trends in #weightloss mentions and #fitness, #diet, and #health tweets which also had the word “weight” in them were examined using three a priori time periods: (1) holidays: pre-winter holidays, holidays, and post-holidays; (2) season: winter and summer; and (3) New Year’s: pre-New Year’s and post-New Year’s. Regarding #weightloss, there were 145 (95 % CI 79, 211) more posts/day during holidays and 143 (95 % CI 76, 209) more posts/day after holidays as compared to 480 pre-holiday posts/day; 232 (95 % CI 178, 286) more posts/day during the winter versus summer (441 posts/day); there was no difference in posts around New Year’s. Examining social networks for trends in health-related posts may aid in timing interventions when individuals are more likely to be discussing weight loss.