The relationship between executive control, conscientiousness and health behaviour

Health is important, but the health of the nation is failing, with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes on the rise. Most of which are related to the performance of negative health behaviours. As a result, improving the health of the population through the promotion of positive health behaviours is a key aim of health professionals and Government. However, to promote positive health behaviours, first, what variables predict health behaviour must be identified. Two prominent variables of interest are cognition and personality. Recently, attention has focussed on executive control (EC) and conscientiousness as predictors of health behaviour. As such, a number of questions have emerged. Firstly, due to the conceptual overlap of these variables, are they related constructs? Secondly, do they have a direct impact on health behaviour? Finally, are they moderating variables, and do they moderate the intention-behaviour relationship? The aim of this PhD was to explore the relations between EC, conscientiousness and multiple health behaviours in healthy samples. Over four studies, participants completed an array of computer, and paper and pencil-based tasks and computer-administered questionnaires. In addition, behavioural intentions and health behaviour performance was measured over a period of 7-14 days using online daily diaries. Using multilevel modelling analysis, three main findings emerged. First, the relationship between EC and conscientiousness is dependent on the measures used. Second, some EC and conscientiousness measures have direct effects on health behaviour; and third, some EC and conscientiousness measures have indirect effects on health behaviour via moderation of the intention-behaviour relationship. The findings highlight EC and conscientiousness are significantly related to health behaviour performance, though the relationships are more complex than shown by previous research. As such, the current findings serve to highlight issues of construct complexity, ecological validity, sample diversity and measurement

An exploration of the use of photobiomodulation for management of oral mucositis in children and young people undergoing cancer treatment in the UK

PURPOSE: Oral mucositis affects up to 80% of children and young people (CYP) receiving chemotherapy. This can result in pain, reduced oral intake and, in severe cases, hospitalisation for parental nutrition and pain relief. Photobiomodulation is recommended by multiple bodies for mucositis management for those undergoing cancer treatments. The current use of photobiomodulation within the UK, and the barriers and facilitators to implementation is unknown. METHOD: An online mixed-methods survey was administered to representatives from the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) between October 2021 and March 2022. This explored: use of photobiomodulation, planned future use, barriers and facilitators to implementation and dental assessment. Quantitative data underwent descriptive statistics. Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of photobiomodulation were analysed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). RESULTS: All UK CCLG centres responded (n = 20, a response rate of 100%). Two units in Scotland were delivering photobiomodulation. A further four units were planning to implement a service. Most units, 65% (n = 13) utilised specialist Paediatric Dentistry services for dental assessment. In the TDF analysis, five domains were most frequently populated: knowledge, skills, environmental context and resources, social influences, and social/professional role and identity. CONCLUSION: Photobiomodulation was only available in Scotland in two children's cancer units. Lack of knowledge and skills, and insufficient environmental resources were identified as barriers. Collaboration with paediatric dental services was identified as a facilitator. The establishment of a national network of Paediatric Dentists and Oncologists would promote collaboration to standardise protocols and to address the identified barriers to wider implementation of photobiomodulation

To what extent can behaviour change techniques be identified within an adaptable implementation package for primary care? A prospective directed content analysis

Interpreting evaluations of complex interventions can be difficult without sufficient description of key intervention content. We aimed to develop an implementation package for primary care which could be delivered using typically available resources and could be adapted to target determinants of behaviour for each of four quality indicators: diabetes control, blood pressure control, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation and risky prescribing. We describe the development and prospective verification of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) embedded within the adaptable implementation packages

Experiences of newly qualified dentists in delivering oral health advice to parents/caregivers of young children—challenges and solutions

IntroductionA key skill for dental professionals to master is their ability to have effective preventive oral health conversations. On qualifying, UK dentists undertake a one-year foundation training programme in general practice. This study explored with Foundation Dentists, the barriers and facilitators to undertaking oral health conversations with parents/caregivers and their children, aged 0–11 years old.Materials and methodsApproximately 100 Foundation Dentists from the Yorkshire and Humber region attended a series of focus groups. They discussed how they and their wider dental team undertake oral health conversations with parents/caregivers of young children, aged 0–11 years old. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsFive themes were identified as barriers and facilitators to providing oral health advice: (1) Lack of knowledge around parenting skills and child development; (2) Parental receptivity; (3) Motivation for changing behaviours; (4) Information content and inconsistency; and (5) Current National Health Service (NHS) structures of general dental practice.DiscussionA multi-faceted approach is needed to develop the training of Foundation Dentists to undertake preventive oral health conversations with parents/caregivers and children. Such an approach has the potential to improve the patient-practitioner relationship and increase effective behaviour change conversations taking place in general dental care, thus improving children's oral health