Exploring the development of an asset-based intervention to promote the maintenance of positive health behaviours during times of stress and challenge using the behaviour change wheel

ABSTRACT Political interest in asset-based health interventions has increased in the wake of the Christie Report (2011) on the future delivery of public services. The development of these type of interventions, however, has been slow and there has been little evaluation of those developed against health outcomes. This thesis set out to redress that balance by choosing to explore the development of an asset-based intervention focussing on positive health behaviours. It used a systematised behaviour change intervention development tool (the Behaviour Change Wheel) to develop an intervention to help maintain breastfeeding despite difficulties. Three studies were carried out for this thesis: Study 1- A longitudinal study of over 200 people, found resilience to be predictive of the maintenance of a desired health behaviour. Study 2 - A qualitative synthesis of 11 papers identified assets that conferred resilience in breastfeeding. Study 3 – An in-depth focus group study of 47 women was used to test acceptability of the intervention. This study pointed to the use of targeted recruitment to ensure the intervention was going to be effective at narrowing health inequalities rather than widening them. The thesis showed that the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) was an easy to use comprehensive intervention development tool. Assets were able to be mapped onto the COM-B framework. The overarching behaviour system (COM-B) at the centre of the wheel ensures behaviour is the focus of the intervention. Having health behaviour central to an asset intervention ensures a health outcome evaluation can be adopted easily. For the current intervention further testing is needed to determine effectiveness. Using a health behaviour to develop assets for maintenance is likely to also develop resilience for other future adversities

Cosmic rays and random magnetic traps

The spatial distribution of cosmic ray (CR) particles in the interstellar medium (ISM) is of major importance in radio astronomy, where its knowledge is essential for the interpretation of observations, and in theoretical astrophysics, where CR contribute to the structure and dynamics of the ISM. Local inhomogeneities in interstellar magnetic field strength and structure can affect the local diffusivity and ensemble dynamics of the cosmic ray particles. Magnetic traps (regions between magnetic mirrors located on the same magnetic line) can lead to especially strong and persistent features in the CR spatial distribution. Using test particle simulations, we study the spatial distribution of an ensemble of CR particles (both protons and electrons) in various magnetic field configurations, from an idealized axisymmetric trap to those that emerge in intermittent (dynamo-generated) random magnetic fields. We demonstrate that both the inhomogeneity in the CR sources and the energy losses by the CR particles can lead to persistent local inhomogeneities in the CR distribution and that the protons and electrons have different spatial distributions. Our results can have profound implications for the interpretation of the synchrotron emission from astronomical objects, and in particular its random fluctuations.Comment: 19 pages, 18 figure

Understanding the impact of changes in the energy policy landscape: a summary

The Scottish Energy Strategy aims to strengthen the development of local energy, protect and empower consumers, and support Scotland’s climate change ambitions while tackling poor energy provision. One of the priorities of the Strategy is to promote consumer engagement and protect consumers from excessive or avoidable costs. It also aims to promote the benefits of smarter domestic energy applications and systems for all consumers. This summary reports captures the main findings of several linked research projects on promoting consumer engagement and protecting consumers as part of Scotland’s low carbon transition