Adherence to anti-hypertensive medication: proposing and testing a conceptual model.

Objectives: A conceptual model of the psychological factors underpinning adherence to anti-hypertensive medication is proposed and tested. The model suggests that adherence is influenced by three sets of variables: demography, health status, and perceived effects of medication; cognitions and motivation; and intention to adhere.

Methods And Design: Patients with known hypertension were recruited from three primary care practices in South-East England and were asked to complete a postal questionnaire.

Experience of workplace bullying behaviours in postgraduate hospital dentists: questionnaire survey.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of bullying and experience of bullying behaviours among postgraduate hospital dentists.

Design: Questionnaire survey.

Setting: The study was conducted among a sample of dentally qualified trainees within the UK's Hospital Dental Service.

Living with Ankylosing Spondylitis: the patient's perspective.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a potentially debilitating chronic condition that necessitates a biopsychosocial approach for successful long-term management. However, the psychosocial consequences of AS are not well understood. In this study patients (N = 68) reported impacts of AS across a wide range of life domains; negative impacts included physical effects of AS, changes in mood or personality, effects on social life and relationships with friends and family, low self-esteem, stigma and worry about the future; positive impacts included increased exercise, feelings of achievement and empathy, stronger relationships, slower pace of life and a more positive perspective.

An implementation intentions intervention to increase uptake of mammography.

Background And Purpose: This study tested an implementation intentions intervention to increase uptake in the United Kingdom's National Health Service Breast Screening Programme. The intervention asked women to plan how they would overcome up to 3 previously identified barriers to attending.

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 2,082 participants were allocated to an intervention condition, an assessment-only condition, or a nonassessment control condition.

Encouraging young males to perform testicular self-examination: a simple, but effective, implementation intentions intervention.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a simple psychological intervention known as 'implementation intentions' to promote performance of testicular self-examination (TSE) in a sample of young males.

Method: A prospective, randomized controlled design measured knowledge of testicular cancer, prior experience with TSE and intention to perform TSE within a 3-week period. Participants in the intervention group were instructed to formulate specific plans for when and where they would perform TSE.