Dissertation (MHSc--Health Science) -- AUT University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (79 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.) in North Shore Campus Theses Collection (T 616.716 PAP)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-77).

Thesis (M.A. in communication)--Washington State University. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2005. / Supervisor: Carole K. Holahan. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The two main aims of this thesis were first, to predict health behaviour and, second, to apply and test the existing psychological theories in this field. The health behaviours concerned were the responses to screening for risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Three empirical studies were carried out. The first response to screening is whether one attends or not. Results showed that uptake of screening in worksite settings (N=425) (Chapter 2) could be predicted by the health beliefs derived from social cognition models. Intention to attend was the best predictor of attendance. However, differences in predictive beliefs between worksites suggested communication factors were also an issue. Subsequently, communication factors were investigated in a study of uptake in general practice (N=210) (Chapter 4) finding that the method of offering screening affected uptake significantly. The second response to screening is the impact it has on the screenee. Results found that communication factors had little effect on screening impact in that there was little difference between three methods of offering screening in terms of their subsequent impact on patients' satisfaction, knowledge, intention or behaviour change (Chapter 4). Social cognitions, however, were found to predict impact in terms of behaviour change with a sample of attenders (N=59) at a screening clinic in general practice (Chapter 3). In the latter study, perceived threat was the best predictor of behaviour change. Four social cognition models were compared against each other in the classification of attenders and non-attenders in the Worksite study (Chapter 2). Apart from Social Learning Theory the other models performed adequately, but the Theory of Reasoned Action was the most successful. More recent theories were examined in the prediction of behaviour change following screening (Chapter 3). The data supported the stage model, the Precaution Adoption Process. The internal structure of the Health Action Process Approach was questioned, but the addition of an 'action phase' in tills model showed promise.

A cognitive-behavioural theory (CBT) has been put forth to explain hypochondriasis and less extreme forms of health anxiety (Warwick & Salkovskis, 1990). The extent to which less extreme forms of health anxiety are relevant for understanding illness behaviour remains unclear, however. Further, the independence of health anxiety from a more general construct of negative affectivity, as well as response styles is not known. The CBT of health anxiety predicts that in response to illness information health anxious individuals will show a characteristic cognitive (e.g., attend to and misinterpret information) and behavioural (e.g., avoidance and reassurance seeking) response. Although the predictions are supported by clinical observations, rigorous and systematic contrasts of health anxious and non-health anxious individuals to the same objective health related information have not yet been carried out. Further, there are a number of additional issues that need to be clarified with respect to the theory, including: (a) Are there additional cognitive and behavioural responses involved in health anxiety not predicted by the CBT?; (b) Are health anxious individuals deficient in there use of certain adaptive responses to illness information?; and (c) Are the cognitive and behavioural responses shown by health anxious individuals moderated under certain circumstances? In the present study, students scoring either within normal or nonclinically high ranges on a measure of health anxiety underwent a physiological test ostensibly examining risk for medical complications and were randomly assigned to receive positive, negative, or ambiguous test results. They then underwent a cold pressor task ostensibly to examine physiological activity and were asked questions tapping their responses to the diagnostic information and painful procedure. They were also judged for facial expressiveness. Unmistakable support was found for a dysfunctional cognitive (e.g., negative interpretational focus) and behavioural (e.g., reassurance seeking) response style among health anxious individuals. Little support was found for either cognitive or behavioural avoidance in health anxiety. Not anticipated by the CBT, as time went on health anxious individuals became more expressive of their pain; this may have important implications, since increased expressiveness could result in an increase in the felt emotional experience. Adding to the CBT, evidence was found to suggest that health anxious individuals may have a deficit or be deficient in their use of a positive concrete somatic monitoring strategy. Finally, the results suggested that there are statistically and clinically significant differences among nonclinically health anxious individuals and normals that can not be accounted for by differences in negative affectivity or response styles. / Arts, Faculty of / Psychology, Department of / Graduate

Colleges in the United States today are facing a mental health crisis. Nearly one-third of students are diagnosed with a mental health condition, which is only aggravated by the stress of college environments. The alarming rate of student suicides indicates a need for increased support from institutions. Despite recent efforts across the nation to improve the accessibility and outreach of existing services, on-campus resources cannot sufficiently meet student needs. As a result, the majority of students suffering from mental and emotional distress are not receiving any form of counseling or treatment. Individuals who live with a serious mental illness are at higher risk for chronic medical conditions and typically have a shorter life expectancy, making treatment for these mental disorders essential to their well-being. Architecture offers an opportunity to influence human behavior and cognition by exposing people to different worlds from their own. This thesis investigates the power of manipulating architectural atmospheres in affecting human perception. Experiencing a space is more than the visual perception of aesthetics and form; it involves the sensory experience of the body to evoke an emotional and physical response (Goodwin). Spatial qualities, like materiality, lighting, color, degree of enclosure and proportioning, contribute to the sensory experience of a space, informing how people feel in it. Manipulating these qualities to produce a sequence of spatial experiences, representative of a range of mental states, can help everyday people empathize with those suffering from mental illnesses, while offering an outlet for those with a mental health condition. / 0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, Nepean, 2000. / "A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, within the School of Social, Community and Organisational Studies, University of Western Sydnety, Nepean, March, 2000" Bibliography : p. 309-339.

Thesis (M.S.P.H.)--University of Michigan, 1939.