A qualitative interview exploration of experiences and beliefs around risky health behaviours in a paediatric and an adult cystic fibrosis population

Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and illicit drug use are prevalent within the Cystic Fibrosis population, with these behaviours having adverse health effects upon patients regardless of their treatment adherence. Previous quantitative research highlighting the incidence, prevalence and effects of these behaviours within the Cystic Fibrosis population demonstrates the need for more effective health promotion measures to be integrated into Cystic Fibrosis care. Therefore, attempting to reduce occurring risky health behaviours specifically within the Cystic Fibrosis population, this doctoral research aimed to identify influential factors associated with these behaviours. This research utilised qualitative methods to explore beliefs associated with risky health behaviours within the adult Cystic Fibrosis population. This first phase of data collection was followed by another qualitative study exploring Cystic Fibrosis adolescents' understanding of, and beliefs about risky health behaviours. Both phases of data collection highlight that a desire to be normal, acceptance of Cystic Fibrosis and awareness of risks are influential in initiation and engagement of risky health behaviours. Both adult and paediatric participants reported a lack of awareness regarding adverse health effects of risky behaviours, demonstrating the need for more effective health promotion and encouragement of healthier lifestyles. Accordingly, to create a corresponding intervention, the researcher has listened to how Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Nurses perceive the issue of risky health behaviours within the population, along with gaining Cystic Fibrosis health care professionals' views on what interventions are needed to reduce the occurrence of such behaviours. The researcher presently plans to collaborate with health care professionals to design an intervention, which would consist of continuous professional development for health care professionals to improve awareness on risky health behaviours within the Cystic Fibrosis population, and would inform patients regarding the Cystic Fibrosis-specific adverse effects of risky health behaviours via interdisciplinary collaboration and scholarship between psychology and technology. Overall this research has provided practical insight into policy change for the prevention and reduction of risky health behaviours within the Cystic Fibrosis population nationally and internationally by informing current advice and practice

How does mindful eating without non-judgement, mindfulness and self-compassion relate to motivations to eat palatable foods in a student population?

Background: Previous research acknowledges the impact mindfulness, mindful eating and self-compassion has upon weight regulation and motives to eat palatable foods; with mindful eating showing an increased impact of eating behaviours. Some research has identified that present moment awareness should be the primary focus of mindful eating. Aim: This research aimed to explore the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion, and mindful eating with motivations to eat palatable food. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate this relationship amongst university students (n=211), utilizing a newly developed mindful eating scale primarily focusing on present moment awareness. Results: Results indicated significant negative correlations between both self-compassion and mindful eating and motives to eat palatable foods. Mindful eating positively correlated with self-compassion and other mindfulness elements that are suggesting indirect acceptance measurements of the mindful eating scale. Conclusion: Possible explanations and future directions are discussed further with an emphasis on the need for more empirical work. In addition, suggestions are provided regarding the reinterpretation of elements that are investigated and explored in eating literature

An exploration into knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards risky health behaviours in a paediatric Cystic Fibrosis population

Risky behaviours are prevalent within the cystic fibrosis (CF) population; however, there is a lack of research which has investigated risky behaviour engagement among adolescents with CF, with reasons for initiation currently being unknown, as no qualitative studies have been conducted. This research therefore examines knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards risky behaviours at an age commonly associated with initiation. Ten paediatric participants were recruited. Thematic analysis illustrated several psychological factors associated with risky behaviours. A desire for normalcy was evident, with this been associated with a desire to engage in normalised risky behaviours. Evidence of a life-orientated illness perspective was also prevalent, with participants believing that many individuals engage in risky behaviours for fun. Overall, there was a reported lack of knowledge on consequences of risky behaviours, with many participants not being informed of these by health care professionals (HCPs). This research provides insight into an area of CF paediatric care which could be improved on, with the provision of awareness regarding risky behaviours not being embedded within paediatric CF care. Consequently, this research demonstrates the need for interventions to be integrated into paediatric CF care for the prevention and reduction of risky behaviours

The Challenges of Eating Well for People Living with Cystic Fibrosis: an Interview Study Exploring the Use of Mindful Eating Approaches and Behaviours to Support Optimal Nutritional Status

Background Nutritional status and weight are closely linked to lung function and health status in cystic fibrosis (CF). The investigation of eating behaviours has shown mindfulness practices to be useful in modifying eating behaviours, particularly with obesity; to date, no research specifically explores how these concepts may be utilised within a CF population who face specific challenges in eating behaviours. Method Adult patients (n = 20, M = 8, age range 21–62 years) were recruited from a UK CF regional centre to take part in qualitative semi-structured interviews. Experiences of eating behaviours focusing on the use of mindful (or mindless) eating as barriers and enablers to achieving and maintaining optimal nutritional status were explored. Data were analysed using thematic analysis with a contextualist approach to understand how participants experienced eating behaviours within the context of health and weight status. Results Participants engaged readily in discussions of eating behaviour describing active self-regulation of food eaten and calorie intake. Participants who struggled to maintain weight employed strategies to increase calorie intake such as distraction and multitasking while eating. Most participants reported no pleasure in food, describing eating as another treatment to endure. Confusion existed around how to eat healthily for CF alongside co-morbid health conditions including diabetes, cholesterol and heart disease. Conclusion Participants were highly aware of their eating behaviours, engaging in intentional and deliberate preparations, which could be described as mindful, for making eating a more automatic or mindless activity. Modifications to usual mindful eating interventions are needed to support people with CF

The importance of body acceptance in exploring the relationships of mindfulness-based constructs to eating behaviours among gay and bisexual men

Introduction: Mindfulness and mindfulness-based constructs (e.g., self-compassion and mindful eating), have been negatively associated with problematic eating and body related issues in general and other specific populations. Exploration of mindfulness-based concepts in relation to problematic eating would provide novel insight into the relationships of these elements among gay and bisexual men. Aim: The present research aimed to identify the role of body acceptance in exploring previous relationships between mindfulness-based constructs and eating behaviours. Method: Participants completed an online questionnaire, comprising of measures assessing mindfulness, self-compassion, mindful eating, body acceptance, grazing, emotional eating, restrained eating and external eating (data collection occurred in 2022). Correlation and further mediation analysis was employed to assess the relationships of these constructs within the present sample (n = 164). Results: Positive associations between body acceptance and mindfulness-based concepts, and negative associations to problematic eating (grazing; emotional, restrained, and external eating) were found within a sample of self-identified gay and bisexual men. Mediation analysis showed the importance of body acceptance in exploring relationships between mindfulness, self-compassion, and mindful eating to grazing, emotional, restrained and external eating. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of body acceptance when considering the development of mindfulness and/or compassion-based interventions to attenuate problematic eating among gay and bisexual men. Policy Implications: This research consolidates the importance of mindfulness and related constructs when considering problematic eating, which should be reflected in policy aiming to attenuate unhealthy eating in specific populations

The psychological implications and health risks of cystic fibrosis pre- and post- CFTR modulator therapy

Objectives Cystic Fibrosis (CF) care is entering a period of personalised medicine with the emergence of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies. Anecdotally individuals are reporting life-changing effects of modulator therapies, proposing an important area of study. Methods Twenty adult participants (males: 8, age range: 22–51 years, average FEV1: 53.45%) were recruited via social media to participate in a semi-structured interview; 17 participants were currently taking Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (Kaftrio). Results An appreciation of a “normal life” post-modulator therapy is paramount, with improvements in symptoms and quality-of-life bringing a more urgent imperative for the provision of effective support to encourage positive health and lifestyle choices. Discussion In this new era of CF care, there remains many challenges present for the CF community, with participants suggesting that proactive psychological support is required along with proactive awareness regarding health risk behaviours for the current and future CF generations

A Qualitative Exploration into Experiences and Attitudes Regarding Psychosocial Challenges, Self-compassion, and Mindfulness in a Population of Adults with Cystic Fibrosis

To investigate the current psychosocial challenges faced by adults with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), while exploring attitudes and experiences of mindfulness and self-compassion. Mindfulness and self-compassion are important resources for supporting psychological and physical well-being, yet there is limited research exploring these positive psychology concepts in CF literature. Twenty UK domiciled adults with a diagnosis of CF, took part in a semi-structured interview. Using a thematic analysis approach, four themes were developed: (a) “I didn’t expect to be here”: Surpassing the CF life expectancy, (b) “Am I psychologically bringing this upon myself?”: Psychological complexities of CF, (c) “I’ve had to really learn to be kind to myself”: The importance of compassion and being self-compassionate, (d) “I think it’s a great tool”: The benefits of practising mindfulness. This research demonstrates a robust need for increased integration of accessible psychological practices into routine CF-care and self-care for adults with CF. Particularly, practises and interventions that draw on the concepts of mindfulness and self-compassion, which may benefit patient’s health and wellbeing profoundly

Exploring the Role of Self-Kindness in Making Healthier Eating Choices: A Preliminary Study

Background: Food selection is an important factor in the prevalence of obesity, and regularly choosing nutrient-poor high energy foods can have negative health consequences. The present study tested whether the use of Mindful Construal Diaries (MCD) combined with self-kindness could promote healthier eating choices. Methods: Ninety participants were randomly assigned to either a self-kindness to the mind condition or self-kindness to the mind and body condition, and were served M&Ms and grapes as an unhealthy and healthy option, respectively. Results: The results suggested that a difference in consumption was found between the two conditions, with participants in the self-kindness to the mind condition consuming significantly more grapes than those in the self-kindness to the mind and body condition. However, this difference was restricted to those who are usually low consumers of fruit and vegetable. Conclusions: The effect of self-kindness towards promoting heathier eating whilst considering the body thus appears to require further investigation. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed

Exploring the Environmental Manifestation of Types of Music on Reinforcing Mindfulness and Concurrent Calorie Intake

Background The role of music on energy intake is conflicting, and recent research has suggested a positive association between classical music listening and mindfulness. Objective The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of music, specifically classical music on state mindfulness and calorie intake of energy-dense foods. Method One hundred participants were randomly assigned to either a classical, popular or no music condition, and were served a variety of sweet (i.e., chocolate and cookies) and savoury (i.e., crisps) energy-dense foods. Results: The results found no significant differences in state mindfulness, overall calorie intake, or intake of sweet foods across the three conditions. However, participants in the classical music condition did consume significantly less savoury food than those in the no music condition. Conclusion Playing classical music may be beneficial in reducing intake of savoury foods, but not through the association to changes in state mindfulness. Future research should explore extended sessions of music listening on state mindfulness and other experiential evaluations of mindfulness to conclude on the direct and indirect effects of music on sweet and savoury foods