Assessing the Effectiveness of a Knowledge-Based Intervention to Tackle Barriers to Cervical Screening: A Pilot Study

Key Points • Knowledge and fear may act as barriers to cervical screening • Women (N = 402) received no information about screening, statistical information or barrier-tackling information • Statistical and barrier-tackling information improved knowledge of how frequently women should be screened • Barrier-tackling information reduced the false belief that screening tests for cancer • Screening intention did not vary between the condition

The incremental role of trait emotional intelligence on perceived cervical screening barriers

Researchers have become increasingly interested in investigating the role of the psychological aspects related to the perception of cervical screening barriers. This study investigates the influence of trait EI on perceived cervical screening barriers. Furthermore, this study investigates the incremental validity of trait EI beyond the Big Five, as well as emotion regulation in the perceived barrier towards the Pap test as revealed in a sample of 206 Italian women that were undergoing cervical screening. Results have shown that trait EI is negatively related to cervical screening barriers. Furthermore, trait EI can be considered as a strong incremental predictor of a woman's perception of screening over and above the Big Five, emotion regulation, age, sexual intercourse experience and past Pap test. Detailed information on the study findings and future research directions are discussed

Plans Not Needed if You Have High and Stable Self-Efficacy: Planning Intervention and Snack Intake in the Context of Self-Efficacy Trajectories

Forming action plans is expected to move people from intention to action. We hypothesized that the effects of planning interventions may depend on changes in self-efficacy beliefs. Participants (182 nurses and midwifes, 89% women, aged 19-50) were assigned to the control or the planning intervention (three planning sessions) groups and reported their self-efficacy, sweet and salty snack intake at the baseline and four months later. The results suggest that an increase of efficacy beliefs over time augmented the effects of the planning intervention and resulted in the lowest snack intake (the enhancing effect of self-efficacy). Planning intervention also prompted lower unhealthy snacking if efficacy beliefs were decreasing (the protective effect of planning). Those who have stable-high self-efficacy were able to achieve low snack intake regardless of the group assignment (the buffering effect of self-efficacy)

Plans Not Needed if You Have High and Stable Self-Efficacy: Planning Intervention and Snack Intake in the Context of Self-Efficacy Trajectories

Forming action plans is expected to move people from intention to action. We hypothesized that the effects of planning interventions may depend on changes in self-efficacy beliefs. Participants (182 nurses and midwifes, 89% women, aged 19-50) were assigned to the control or the planning intervention (three planning sessions) groups and reported their self-efficacy, sweet and salty snack intake at the baseline and four months later. The results suggest that an increase of efficacy beliefs over time augmented the effects of the planning intervention and resulted in the lowest snack intake (the enhancing effect of self-efficacy). Planning intervention also prompted lower unhealthy snacking if efficacy beliefs were decreasing (the protective effect of planning). Those who have stable-high self-efficacy were able to achieve low snack intake regardless of the group assignment (the buffering effect of self-efficacy)