nicola payne | Middlesex University (original) (raw)

Papers by nicola payne

Research paper thumbnail of PUBLIC SECTOR AUSTERITY CUTS IN THE UK AND THE CHANGING DISCOURSE OF WORK–LIFE BALANCE

The relative importance of economic and other motives for employers to provide support for work-l... more The relative importance of economic and other motives for employers to provide support for work-life balance (WLB) is debated within different literatures. However, discourses of WLB can be sensitive to changing economic contexts. This article draws on in-depth interviews with senior HR professionals in British public sector organisations to examine shifting discourses of WLB in an austerity context. Three main discourses were identified: WLB practices as organisationally embedded amid financial pressures, WLB practices as a strategy for managing financial pressures and WLB as a personal responsibility. Despite a discourse of mutual benefits to employee and employer underpinning all three discourses, there is a distinct shift towards greater emphasis on economic rather than institutional interests of employers during austerity, accompanied by discursive processes of fixing, stretching, shrinking and bending understandings of WLB. The reconstructed meaning of WLB raises concerns about its continued relevance to its original espoused purpose.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women who are on a low income

Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 2014

ABSTRACT AimsGiven the lack of research evaluating long-term counselling, coupled with the lack o... more ABSTRACT AimsGiven the lack of research evaluating long-term counselling, coupled with the lack of women-only counselling services, the present study evaluated the long-term counselling service offered by a women-only community health centre.Method The research ascertained: (1) the characteristics of 155 service users pre-counselling, (2) the views and experiences of 75 service users post-counselling, and (3) pre–post-counselling clinical change in 98 service users via the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – Outcome Measure (CORE-OM).ResultsUnemployment, low income and reports of abuse were related to poorer mental health as measured by the CORE-OM. Content analysis of open-ended questions revealed that women felt supported, comfortable and gained insight through the counselling relationship. They also reported positive changes in their lives, relationships, health behaviours, and psychological wellbeing. Post-counselling improvements were found in CORE-OM scores.Conclusions Long-term counselling in a women-only environment for socially disempowered women may be beneficial. A research-informed approach to counselling and therapy evaluation, which acknowledges the social context of psychological distress, should be taken across institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of The role of perceived need within the theory of planned behaviour: A comparison of exercise and healthy eating

British Journal of Health Psychology, 2004

This study examined the effect of perceived need on exercise and healthy eating using the theory ... more This study examined the effect of perceived need on exercise and healthy eating using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). In addition, it investigated the determinants of perceived need. Participants completed a questionnaire measuring components of TPB and perceived need. A follow-up questionnaire 1 week later measured behaviour. The questionnaires were completed by e-mail. The initial questionnaire was completed by 331 adults, and 286 follow-up questionnaires were returned. Perceived behavioural control was the main predictor of exercise intention and affective attitude was the main predictor of healthy eating intention. Perceived need significantly contributed to the prediction of healthy eating intention but not to exercise intention. Intention and perceived behavioural control predicted actual behaviour but perceived need did not. Reasons reported for the perception of needing to engage in both behaviours mainly focused on physical health and weight control. Reasons reported for low perceived need suggest that the concept of perceived need may be rather ambiguous, particularly in the case of exercise. Therefore, further research is needed to elucidate the role of perceived need in relation to a variety of health behaviours.

Research paper thumbnail of A daily diary investigation of the impact of work stress on exercise intention realisation: Can planning overcome the disruptive influence of work?

Psychology & Health, 2010

Using the theoretical context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study examined whether wor... more Using the theoretical context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study examined whether work has a disruptive influence on people's ability to carry out their daily intentions to exercise, and whether daily planning helps overcome this. A daily questionnaire was completed by 42 employees for 14 days.

Research paper thumbnail of Healthy eating beliefs and intentions of mothers and their adult children: an intergenerational transmission perspective

Journal of Health Psychology, 2015

This study examined possible intergenerational transmission of eating beliefs and intentions betw... more This study examined possible intergenerational transmission of eating beliefs and intentions between 60 mothers and their adult children. Maternal restrictive feeding practices were correlated with mothers' own healthy eating attitudes and subjective norms and with their adult children's subjective norms. Mothers’ beliefs and intentions were correlated with their adult children’s. Adult children's intentions to eat healthily were predicted by their attitudes and PBC, and also by their mothers' intentions and PBC. Mothers’ own beliefs and intentions may be involved in shaping their children’s beliefs and intentions into adulthood but their child feeding practices may have less of an influence.

Research paper thumbnail of Assessing the Quality of Life of Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia using Self-, Parent-proxy and Healthcare Professional-proxy Reports

British Journal of Health Psychology, 2015

Objectives. The Quality of Life (QoL) of children with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in the UK has no... more Objectives. The Quality of Life (QoL) of children with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in the UK has not been examined, and a discrepancy measure based on Gap theory has rarely been used. This study investigated whether 1) child self-reports of QoL using a discrepancy measure (the Generic Children’s QoL Measure; GCQ) are lower than those from healthy children, 2) proxy reports from parents and healthcare professionals are lower than child self-reports, and 3) demographic and disease severity indicators are related to QoL.
Design and Methods. An inter-dependent groups cross-sectional design was implemented. Seventy-four children with SCA, their parent and members of their healthcare team completed the GCQ. Demographic and disease severity indicators were recorded. GCQ data from healthy children were obtained from the UK Data Archive.
Results. Contrary to past research, when examining generic discrepancy QoL, children with SCA did not report lower QoL than healthy children, and parent- and healthcare professional proxy reports were not lower than child self-reports. Few of the demographic and disease severity indicators were related to QoL.
Conclusions. Proxy reports may be used to gain a more complete picture of QoL but should not be a substitute for self-reports. The explanation for the relatively high levels of QoL reported is not clear, but children with SCA may have realistic expectations about their ideal self, place greater emphasis on aspects other than health in shaping their QoL, and define achievements within the limits of their illness. Future research should focus on psychological factors in explaining QoL.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women on a low-income.

Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 2014

Aims. Given the lack of research evaluating long-term counselling, coupled with the lack of women... more Aims. Given the lack of research evaluating long-term counselling, coupled with the lack of women-only counselling services, the present study evaluated the long-term counselling service offered by a women-only community health centre. Method. The research ascertained: 1) the characteristics of 155 service users pre-counselling, 2) the views and experiences of 75 service users post-counselling and 3) pre-post-counselling clinical change in 98 service users via the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (CORE-OM). Results. Unemployment, low income and reports of abuse were related to poorer mental health as measured by the CORE-OM. Content analysis of open-ended questions revealed that women felt supported, comfortable and gained insight through the counselling relationship. They also reported positive changes in their lives, relationships, health behaviours, and psychological wellbeing. Post-counselling improvements were found in CORE-OM scores. Conclusions. Long-term counselling in a women-only environment for socially disempowered women may be beneficial. A research-informed approach to counselling and therapy evaluation, which acknowledges the social context of psychological distress, should be taken across institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of Employees’ perceptions of the impact of work on health behaviours.

Journal of Health Psychology, 2013

Research examining the impact of work on health behaviours has rarely provided a complete picture... more Research examining the impact of work on health behaviours has rarely provided a complete picture of the impact across health behaviours. Twenty-four employees were interviewed about their smoking, drinking, exercise and eating. Themes included the impact of the work environment, including policy, convenience and workplace cultural norms; business events effecting one’s routine and again convenience and workplace
cultural norms; being busy at work effecting time and health behaviours being used as coping responses on health behaviours and is primarily detrimental.

Research paper thumbnail of Family Based Behavioural Management of childhood obesity: Service evaluation of a group programme run in a community setting in the UK

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2011

A service evaluation of a pilot of a family based behavioural management group programme for chil... more A service evaluation of a pilot of a family based behavioural management group programme for childhood obesity was conducted in a community setting in the UK. A total of 17 families with children aged 7.5–14 years completed the programme, which was delivered in 15 sessions over 6 months. Behavioural and psychological measures and age- and sex-adjusted z-body mass index (BMI) were assessed before and after programme. z-BMI was maintained. There was a significant increase in the amount of high-fibre foods and a decrease in the amount of low-fibre foods consumed and in sedentary behaviours. There were significant decreases in depression, abnormal dieting behaviour and bulimia and food preoccupation, and an increase in self-worth related to physical appearance. These positive behavioural and psychological changes suggest that this is a promising programme.

Research paper thumbnail of A daily diary investigation of the effects of work stress on exercise intention realisation: Can planning overcome the disruptive influence of work?

Psychology and Health, 2010

Using the theoretical context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study examined whether wor... more Using the theoretical context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study examined whether work has a disruptive influence on people’s ability to carry out their daily intentions to exercise, and whether daily planning helps overcome this. A daily questionnaire was completed by 42 employees for 14 days. A brief daily planning intervention was administered to half of the employees. Multilevel modelling was used to analyse the data. The moderating effects of daily perceived behavioural control (PBC), job demands and work-related anxiety and depression on the relationship between intention to exercise and subsequent behaviour were investigated, as well as the impact of the intervention. Intention and PBC predicted exercise. Job demands appeared to disrupt people’s ability to carry out their daily exercise intentions. Contrary to expectation, people in the no intervention group were more likely to exercise. Furthermore, on low-demand days they were most successful in realising their exercise intentions (when they intended to exercise for longer), whereas people in the intervention group, on high-demand days were least successful in realising their exercise intentions. The intervention may have operated contrary to expectation by drawing attention to potential failure.

Research paper thumbnail of Work stress and health behaviour: Daily diary methodology and multilevel modelling.

Health Psychology Update, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of The role of perceived need within the theory of planned behaviour: a comparison of intentions to exercise and intentions to eat healthily

British Journal of Health Psychology, 2004

Objectives. This study examined the effect of perceived need on exercise and healthy eating using... more Objectives. This study examined the effect of perceived need on exercise and healthy eating using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). In addition, it investigated the determinants of perceived need.
Method. Participants completed a questionnaire measuring components of TPB and perceived need. A follow-up questionnaire 1 week later measured behaviour. The questionnaires were completed by e-mail. The initial questionnaire was completed by 331 adults, and 286 follow-up questionnaires were returned.
Results. Perceived behavioural control was the main predictor of exercise intention and affective attitude was the main predictor of healthy eating intention. Perceived need significantly contributed to the prediction of healthy eating intention but not to exercise intention. Intention and perceived behavioural control predicted actual behaviour but perceived need did not. Reasons reported for the perception of needing to engage in both behaviours mainly focused on physical health and weight control.
Conclusions. Reasons reported for low perceived need suggest that the concept of perceived need may be rather ambiguous, particularly in the case of exercise. Therefore, further research is needed to elucidate the role of perceived need in relation to a variety of health behaviours.

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of job strain on the predictive validity of the theory of planned behaviour: An investigation of exercise and healthy eating

British Journal of Health Psychology, 2005

Objectives. This study examined the impact of the job strain model on exercise and healthy eating... more Objectives. This study examined the impact of the job strain model on exercise and healthy eating within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour.
Design. Participants completed a questionnaire measuring the components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the job strain model. A follow-up questionnaire a week later measured behaviour.
Method. The questionnaires were completed by e-mail. The initial questionnaire was completed by 331 employees, and 286 follow-up questionnaires were returned.
Results. Job demands affected exercise indirectly by lowering perceptions of behavioural control over exercise. However, variables from the job strain model were not related to exercise intentions or behaviour. In contrast, employees in passive jobs intended to eat more sweets and snack foods and employees in low strain jobs were more likely to realize their intentions to eat more sweets and snack foods. However, variables from the job strain model did not influence consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Conclusions. While people may consider the impact of job strain on exercise whilst making decisions about whether or not to exercise, job strain has a more direct impact on healthy eating. However, job strain may only affect consumption of so-called ‘high density’ foods, rather than foods such as fruit and vegetables.

Research paper thumbnail of Occupational stressors and coping as determinants of burnout in female hospice nurses

Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2001

Aims. Stressors, coping and demographic variables were examined as predictors of burnout in a sam... more Aims. Stressors, coping and demographic variables were examined as predictors of burnout in a sample of hospice nurses. The study aimed to investigate the level of burnout among hospice nurses; to ascertain which aspects of nursing work were positively or negatively related to burnout; to examine the relative contributions made by these different variables and to suggest individual and organizational interventions to reduce levels of burnout.
Methods. Eighty-nine female nurses from nine hospices completed a battery of questionnaires comprising the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Nursing Stress Scale, Ways of Coping Scale and a demographic information form.
Results. In general, the level of burnout (characterized by high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization of patients and low personal accomplishment) was found to be low. In multiple regression analyses, `death and dying', conflict with staff', `accepting responsibility' and higher nursing grade contributed to emotional exhaustion. `Conflict with staff', `inadequate preparation', `escape' and reduced `planful problem-solving' contributed to depersonalization. `Inadequate preparation', `escape', reduced `positive reappraisal' and fewer professional qualifications contributed to lower levels of personal accomplishment. Overall, stressors made the greatest contribution to burnout and demographic factors contributed the least.
Conclusions. The importance of not labelling individuals as good and bad `copers' was discussed, as the effectiveness of a strategy may depend on the situation. It was concluded that the investigation of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping in relation to burnout, was oversimplifying the coping-burnout relationship. Suggestions for stress management included staff training in counselling skills, monitoring staff conflict, implementing stress inoculation training to teach appropriate use of coping skills and finally, monitoring particularly vulnerable groups of hospice staff such as unqualified nursing assistants and qualified nurses in management positions. It was concluded that despite the difficult nature of hospice work, the hospice is a positive environment in which to work.

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of working life on health behavior: The effect of job strain on the cognitive predictors of exercise.

Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2002

The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and R. A. Karasek's (1979) job strain model were used to inv... more The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and R. A. Karasek's (1979) job strain model were used to investigate the predictors of exercise in a group of employees. A total of 241 employees completed an initial questionnaire; 1 week later 213 employees responded to a questionnaire measuring behavior. Employees in high-strain jobs did significantly less exercise than those in low-strain jobs, although they did not intend to do less, suggesting that work may impede the intention implementation. Intenders who failed to exercise had significantly higher work demands and lower exercise self-efficacy than intenders who succeeded in exercising. Work also affected exercise indirectly through self-efficacy. Thus, work may be a target for behavior change intervention because of its impact at 2 stages of the TPB.

Research paper thumbnail of PUBLIC SECTOR AUSTERITY CUTS IN THE UK AND THE CHANGING DISCOURSE OF WORK–LIFE BALANCE

The relative importance of economic and other motives for employers to provide support for work-l... more The relative importance of economic and other motives for employers to provide support for work-life balance (WLB) is debated within different literatures. However, discourses of WLB can be sensitive to changing economic contexts. This article draws on in-depth interviews with senior HR professionals in British public sector organisations to examine shifting discourses of WLB in an austerity context. Three main discourses were identified: WLB practices as organisationally embedded amid financial pressures, WLB practices as a strategy for managing financial pressures and WLB as a personal responsibility. Despite a discourse of mutual benefits to employee and employer underpinning all three discourses, there is a distinct shift towards greater emphasis on economic rather than institutional interests of employers during austerity, accompanied by discursive processes of fixing, stretching, shrinking and bending understandings of WLB. The reconstructed meaning of WLB raises concerns about its continued relevance to its original espoused purpose.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women who are on a low income

Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 2014

ABSTRACT AimsGiven the lack of research evaluating long-term counselling, coupled with the lack o... more ABSTRACT AimsGiven the lack of research evaluating long-term counselling, coupled with the lack of women-only counselling services, the present study evaluated the long-term counselling service offered by a women-only community health centre.Method The research ascertained: (1) the characteristics of 155 service users pre-counselling, (2) the views and experiences of 75 service users post-counselling, and (3) pre–post-counselling clinical change in 98 service users via the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – Outcome Measure (CORE-OM).ResultsUnemployment, low income and reports of abuse were related to poorer mental health as measured by the CORE-OM. Content analysis of open-ended questions revealed that women felt supported, comfortable and gained insight through the counselling relationship. They also reported positive changes in their lives, relationships, health behaviours, and psychological wellbeing. Post-counselling improvements were found in CORE-OM scores.Conclusions Long-term counselling in a women-only environment for socially disempowered women may be beneficial. A research-informed approach to counselling and therapy evaluation, which acknowledges the social context of psychological distress, should be taken across institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of The role of perceived need within the theory of planned behaviour: A comparison of exercise and healthy eating

British Journal of Health Psychology, 2004

This study examined the effect of perceived need on exercise and healthy eating using the theory ... more This study examined the effect of perceived need on exercise and healthy eating using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). In addition, it investigated the determinants of perceived need. Participants completed a questionnaire measuring components of TPB and perceived need. A follow-up questionnaire 1 week later measured behaviour. The questionnaires were completed by e-mail. The initial questionnaire was completed by 331 adults, and 286 follow-up questionnaires were returned. Perceived behavioural control was the main predictor of exercise intention and affective attitude was the main predictor of healthy eating intention. Perceived need significantly contributed to the prediction of healthy eating intention but not to exercise intention. Intention and perceived behavioural control predicted actual behaviour but perceived need did not. Reasons reported for the perception of needing to engage in both behaviours mainly focused on physical health and weight control. Reasons reported for low perceived need suggest that the concept of perceived need may be rather ambiguous, particularly in the case of exercise. Therefore, further research is needed to elucidate the role of perceived need in relation to a variety of health behaviours.

Research paper thumbnail of A daily diary investigation of the impact of work stress on exercise intention realisation: Can planning overcome the disruptive influence of work?

Psychology & Health, 2010

Using the theoretical context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study examined whether wor... more Using the theoretical context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study examined whether work has a disruptive influence on people's ability to carry out their daily intentions to exercise, and whether daily planning helps overcome this. A daily questionnaire was completed by 42 employees for 14 days.

Research paper thumbnail of Healthy eating beliefs and intentions of mothers and their adult children: an intergenerational transmission perspective

Journal of Health Psychology, 2015

This study examined possible intergenerational transmission of eating beliefs and intentions betw... more This study examined possible intergenerational transmission of eating beliefs and intentions between 60 mothers and their adult children. Maternal restrictive feeding practices were correlated with mothers' own healthy eating attitudes and subjective norms and with their adult children's subjective norms. Mothers’ beliefs and intentions were correlated with their adult children’s. Adult children's intentions to eat healthily were predicted by their attitudes and PBC, and also by their mothers' intentions and PBC. Mothers’ own beliefs and intentions may be involved in shaping their children’s beliefs and intentions into adulthood but their child feeding practices may have less of an influence.

Research paper thumbnail of Assessing the Quality of Life of Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia using Self-, Parent-proxy and Healthcare Professional-proxy Reports

British Journal of Health Psychology, 2015

Objectives. The Quality of Life (QoL) of children with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in the UK has no... more Objectives. The Quality of Life (QoL) of children with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in the UK has not been examined, and a discrepancy measure based on Gap theory has rarely been used. This study investigated whether 1) child self-reports of QoL using a discrepancy measure (the Generic Children’s QoL Measure; GCQ) are lower than those from healthy children, 2) proxy reports from parents and healthcare professionals are lower than child self-reports, and 3) demographic and disease severity indicators are related to QoL.
Design and Methods. An inter-dependent groups cross-sectional design was implemented. Seventy-four children with SCA, their parent and members of their healthcare team completed the GCQ. Demographic and disease severity indicators were recorded. GCQ data from healthy children were obtained from the UK Data Archive.
Results. Contrary to past research, when examining generic discrepancy QoL, children with SCA did not report lower QoL than healthy children, and parent- and healthcare professional proxy reports were not lower than child self-reports. Few of the demographic and disease severity indicators were related to QoL.
Conclusions. Proxy reports may be used to gain a more complete picture of QoL but should not be a substitute for self-reports. The explanation for the relatively high levels of QoL reported is not clear, but children with SCA may have realistic expectations about their ideal self, place greater emphasis on aspects other than health in shaping their QoL, and define achievements within the limits of their illness. Future research should focus on psychological factors in explaining QoL.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women on a low-income.

Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 2014

Aims. Given the lack of research evaluating long-term counselling, coupled with the lack of women... more Aims. Given the lack of research evaluating long-term counselling, coupled with the lack of women-only counselling services, the present study evaluated the long-term counselling service offered by a women-only community health centre. Method. The research ascertained: 1) the characteristics of 155 service users pre-counselling, 2) the views and experiences of 75 service users post-counselling and 3) pre-post-counselling clinical change in 98 service users via the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure (CORE-OM). Results. Unemployment, low income and reports of abuse were related to poorer mental health as measured by the CORE-OM. Content analysis of open-ended questions revealed that women felt supported, comfortable and gained insight through the counselling relationship. They also reported positive changes in their lives, relationships, health behaviours, and psychological wellbeing. Post-counselling improvements were found in CORE-OM scores. Conclusions. Long-term counselling in a women-only environment for socially disempowered women may be beneficial. A research-informed approach to counselling and therapy evaluation, which acknowledges the social context of psychological distress, should be taken across institutions.

Research paper thumbnail of Employees’ perceptions of the impact of work on health behaviours.

Journal of Health Psychology, 2013

Research examining the impact of work on health behaviours has rarely provided a complete picture... more Research examining the impact of work on health behaviours has rarely provided a complete picture of the impact across health behaviours. Twenty-four employees were interviewed about their smoking, drinking, exercise and eating. Themes included the impact of the work environment, including policy, convenience and workplace cultural norms; business events effecting one’s routine and again convenience and workplace
cultural norms; being busy at work effecting time and health behaviours being used as coping responses on health behaviours and is primarily detrimental.

Research paper thumbnail of Family Based Behavioural Management of childhood obesity: Service evaluation of a group programme run in a community setting in the UK

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2011

A service evaluation of a pilot of a family based behavioural management group programme for chil... more A service evaluation of a pilot of a family based behavioural management group programme for childhood obesity was conducted in a community setting in the UK. A total of 17 families with children aged 7.5–14 years completed the programme, which was delivered in 15 sessions over 6 months. Behavioural and psychological measures and age- and sex-adjusted z-body mass index (BMI) were assessed before and after programme. z-BMI was maintained. There was a significant increase in the amount of high-fibre foods and a decrease in the amount of low-fibre foods consumed and in sedentary behaviours. There were significant decreases in depression, abnormal dieting behaviour and bulimia and food preoccupation, and an increase in self-worth related to physical appearance. These positive behavioural and psychological changes suggest that this is a promising programme.

Research paper thumbnail of A daily diary investigation of the effects of work stress on exercise intention realisation: Can planning overcome the disruptive influence of work?

Psychology and Health, 2010

Using the theoretical context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study examined whether wor... more Using the theoretical context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study examined whether work has a disruptive influence on people’s ability to carry out their daily intentions to exercise, and whether daily planning helps overcome this. A daily questionnaire was completed by 42 employees for 14 days. A brief daily planning intervention was administered to half of the employees. Multilevel modelling was used to analyse the data. The moderating effects of daily perceived behavioural control (PBC), job demands and work-related anxiety and depression on the relationship between intention to exercise and subsequent behaviour were investigated, as well as the impact of the intervention. Intention and PBC predicted exercise. Job demands appeared to disrupt people’s ability to carry out their daily exercise intentions. Contrary to expectation, people in the no intervention group were more likely to exercise. Furthermore, on low-demand days they were most successful in realising their exercise intentions (when they intended to exercise for longer), whereas people in the intervention group, on high-demand days were least successful in realising their exercise intentions. The intervention may have operated contrary to expectation by drawing attention to potential failure.

Research paper thumbnail of Work stress and health behaviour: Daily diary methodology and multilevel modelling.

Health Psychology Update, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of The role of perceived need within the theory of planned behaviour: a comparison of intentions to exercise and intentions to eat healthily

British Journal of Health Psychology, 2004

Objectives. This study examined the effect of perceived need on exercise and healthy eating using... more Objectives. This study examined the effect of perceived need on exercise and healthy eating using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). In addition, it investigated the determinants of perceived need.
Method. Participants completed a questionnaire measuring components of TPB and perceived need. A follow-up questionnaire 1 week later measured behaviour. The questionnaires were completed by e-mail. The initial questionnaire was completed by 331 adults, and 286 follow-up questionnaires were returned.
Results. Perceived behavioural control was the main predictor of exercise intention and affective attitude was the main predictor of healthy eating intention. Perceived need significantly contributed to the prediction of healthy eating intention but not to exercise intention. Intention and perceived behavioural control predicted actual behaviour but perceived need did not. Reasons reported for the perception of needing to engage in both behaviours mainly focused on physical health and weight control.
Conclusions. Reasons reported for low perceived need suggest that the concept of perceived need may be rather ambiguous, particularly in the case of exercise. Therefore, further research is needed to elucidate the role of perceived need in relation to a variety of health behaviours.

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of job strain on the predictive validity of the theory of planned behaviour: An investigation of exercise and healthy eating

British Journal of Health Psychology, 2005

Objectives. This study examined the impact of the job strain model on exercise and healthy eating... more Objectives. This study examined the impact of the job strain model on exercise and healthy eating within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour.
Design. Participants completed a questionnaire measuring the components of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the job strain model. A follow-up questionnaire a week later measured behaviour.
Method. The questionnaires were completed by e-mail. The initial questionnaire was completed by 331 employees, and 286 follow-up questionnaires were returned.
Results. Job demands affected exercise indirectly by lowering perceptions of behavioural control over exercise. However, variables from the job strain model were not related to exercise intentions or behaviour. In contrast, employees in passive jobs intended to eat more sweets and snack foods and employees in low strain jobs were more likely to realize their intentions to eat more sweets and snack foods. However, variables from the job strain model did not influence consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Conclusions. While people may consider the impact of job strain on exercise whilst making decisions about whether or not to exercise, job strain has a more direct impact on healthy eating. However, job strain may only affect consumption of so-called ‘high density’ foods, rather than foods such as fruit and vegetables.

Research paper thumbnail of Occupational stressors and coping as determinants of burnout in female hospice nurses

Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2001

Aims. Stressors, coping and demographic variables were examined as predictors of burnout in a sam... more Aims. Stressors, coping and demographic variables were examined as predictors of burnout in a sample of hospice nurses. The study aimed to investigate the level of burnout among hospice nurses; to ascertain which aspects of nursing work were positively or negatively related to burnout; to examine the relative contributions made by these different variables and to suggest individual and organizational interventions to reduce levels of burnout.
Methods. Eighty-nine female nurses from nine hospices completed a battery of questionnaires comprising the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Nursing Stress Scale, Ways of Coping Scale and a demographic information form.
Results. In general, the level of burnout (characterized by high emotional exhaustion, high depersonalization of patients and low personal accomplishment) was found to be low. In multiple regression analyses, `death and dying', conflict with staff', `accepting responsibility' and higher nursing grade contributed to emotional exhaustion. `Conflict with staff', `inadequate preparation', `escape' and reduced `planful problem-solving' contributed to depersonalization. `Inadequate preparation', `escape', reduced `positive reappraisal' and fewer professional qualifications contributed to lower levels of personal accomplishment. Overall, stressors made the greatest contribution to burnout and demographic factors contributed the least.
Conclusions. The importance of not labelling individuals as good and bad `copers' was discussed, as the effectiveness of a strategy may depend on the situation. It was concluded that the investigation of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping in relation to burnout, was oversimplifying the coping-burnout relationship. Suggestions for stress management included staff training in counselling skills, monitoring staff conflict, implementing stress inoculation training to teach appropriate use of coping skills and finally, monitoring particularly vulnerable groups of hospice staff such as unqualified nursing assistants and qualified nurses in management positions. It was concluded that despite the difficult nature of hospice work, the hospice is a positive environment in which to work.

Research paper thumbnail of The impact of working life on health behavior: The effect of job strain on the cognitive predictors of exercise.

Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2002

The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and R. A. Karasek's (1979) job strain model were used to inv... more The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and R. A. Karasek's (1979) job strain model were used to investigate the predictors of exercise in a group of employees. A total of 241 employees completed an initial questionnaire; 1 week later 213 employees responded to a questionnaire measuring behavior. Employees in high-strain jobs did significantly less exercise than those in low-strain jobs, although they did not intend to do less, suggesting that work may impede the intention implementation. Intenders who failed to exercise had significantly higher work demands and lower exercise self-efficacy than intenders who succeeded in exercising. Work also affected exercise indirectly through self-efficacy. Thus, work may be a target for behavior change intervention because of its impact at 2 stages of the TPB.