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Through the lens of behavioral models such as the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Health Belief Model, the present study (1) investigated U.S. university students' willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and (2) examined predictors (e.g. demographics, past vaccine experience, TPB constructs) of vaccine willingness. University students (n = 170) completed a survey assessing demographics, health behaviors, attitudes, perceived severity/susceptibility, norms, and vaccine intentions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from April 2020 through July 2020. Overall, 56.5% of participants indicated that they would be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine once it is available, 39.4% were unsure of whether they would receive the vaccine, and 4.1% indicated they would not receive the vaccine. Multinomial logistic regression indicated that greater adherence to CDC guidelines (p = .030) and greater perceived pro-vaccine norms (p < .001) predicted greater vaccine willingness. Results from this study are consistent with previous literature on vaccine hesitancy, whereby normative beliefs and adherence to CDC guidelines were found to be determinants of vaccine willingness. To reduce transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic, interventions aimed at promoting positive attitudes towards vaccination should aim to incorporate these observed determinants.

Purpose: This article is the first in a two-part series on the application of the Transtheoretical Model to stuttering management among adolescents. In this article, we describe the process of developing measures to assess stage of change (SOC) by defining behaviors of stuttering management, as well as the two primary cognitive constructs that underlie one's readiness to make behavioral change: decisional balance (DB) and situational self-efficacy (SSE). This work hinges on the ability to develop an operational definition of what it means to successfully manage or do something positive about one's stuttering. Method: We used an iterative process to develop the three scales. Through qualitative analysis of key informant interview and focus group transcripts with 24 adolescents who stutter and 26 clinicians specializing in stuttering, we developed stuttering-specific SOC, DB, and SSE scales. The drafted scales were cognitively tested with nine adolescents who stutter. Results: Thematic analysis yielded a three-part definition of successful stuttering management that formed the basis for the SOC scale: (a) learning and using strategies to modify speech or stuttering, (b) changing negative thoughts and attitudes regarding stuttering, and (c) talking without avoiding sounds, words, or situations. Results from this analysis support a broader view of successful stuttering management; that is, it is likely that doing so requires more than just behavior change, which has long been considered the main objective of stuttering treatment. Additional analyses yielded pros and cons of managing stuttering (62 items for the DB scale) and situations in which it is difficult to manage stuttering (39 items for the SSE scale). Conclusions: Qualitative analyses provided a three-part definition of \"stuttering management\" and a comprehensive pool of items that would allow measurement of DB and SSE that underlie readiness to manage stuttering among adolescents. In the companion article in this two-part series, we describe the next step in scale development: exploratory scale validation of the drafted SOC, DB, and SSE scales.

Purpose: This article is the second in a two-part series on the application of the Transtheoretical Model to stuttering management among adolescents. The purpose of this article was to apply and explore the validity of newly developed Transtheoretical measures for adolescents who stutter. Method: The online survey was completed by a national sample of 173 adolescents who stutter between the ages of 13 and 21 years. The multipart survey included a Stage of Change scale, Decisional Balance scale, and Situational Self-Efficacy scale. Participants also completed the Overall Assessment of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering (OASES), either the teenage or adult version depending on the participant's age, so preliminary construct validity of the new scales could be examined. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted to determine model fit and reduce the scales to the most meaningful items. External validity of the threepart survey was examined by comparing OASES scores across stage of change as well as evaluating the functional relations between the three scales. Results: Adolescents' readiness to manage stuttering could be clearly described with five discrete stages, although most of the respondents reported being in the Maintenance stage. The pros of managing stuttering reliably predicted stage placement. Internal consistency of the scales ranged from good to excellent. OASES scores differed across stages of readiness in complex but predictable ways. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the Transtheoretical Model fits the target behaviors involved stuttering management among adolescents. Further examination of the application of the model to validate a stage-based framework for change among individuals who stutter is warranted.

Fertility issues have been found to be an important topic for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. Medical technology has made fertility preservation (FP) increasingly effective for postpubertal patients whose treatment course may inhibit their future ability to achieve biologic parenthood. Oncology providers' recommendations have been shown to vary, potentially affecting patients' decision-making processes regarding FP. This study was designed to assess oncology nurses' recommendations for patients to consider FP options and to explore what patient-related factors may influence discussion of FP with AYAs with cancer. 116 oncology nurses participated in this study and were randomized to read one of four vignettes about a patient whose proposed treatment course could affect his or her fertility. Participants' recommendations to partake in FP were analyzed to test for differences by patient age and gender. Open-ended responses to questions about their experiences as oncology nurses were analyzed descriptively. Nurses strongly recommended that all patients explore FP options before the start of treatment. Oncology nurses endorsed stronger opinions that young adult female patients should be given independent decision-making power to delay treatment for FP, compared to male and female adolescent patients and young adult male patients. Participants mentioned barriers to discussions that included concerns about exacerbating negative emotions and the decision-making capacity of young patients.

Despite a specific need for transfused blood among African Americans due to higher rates of sickle cell disease, African Americans donate blood significantly less frequently than their White counterparts. This study describes the development and validation of culturally adapted measures of the transtheoretical model (TTM) constructs of Stage of Change, Decisional Balance, and Self-efficacy applied to blood donation in an African American sample. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses produced one pros and two cons scales for the Decisional Balance Inventory, and one scale for the Situational Self-efficacy Measure. Expected patterns for the Decisional Balance and Self-efficacy Scales by Stage of Change were found, but only the pros and one cons scale varied significantly. Results provide support for use of the TTM applied to blood donation and have important implications for development of effective assessment and intervention tools to increase blood donation among the African American population.

Background Because of the deceased donor organ shortage, more kidney patients are considering whether to receive kidneys from family and friends, a process called living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT). Although Blacks and Hispanics are 3.4 and 1.5 times more likely, respectively, to develop end stage renal disease (ESRD) than Whites, they are less likely to receive LDKTs. To address this disparity, a new randomized controlled trial (RCT) will assess whether Black, Hispanic, and White transplant patients’ knowledge, readiness to pursue LDKT, and receipt of LDKTs can be increased when they participate in the Your Path to Transplant (YPT) computer-tailored intervention. Methods/Design Nine hundred Black, Hispanic, and White ESRD patients presenting for transplant evaluation at University of California, Los Angeles Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program (UCLA-KPTP) will be randomly assigned to one of two education conditions, YPT or Usual Care Control Education (UC). As they undergo transplant evaluation, patients in the YPT condition will receive individually-tailored telephonic coaching sessions, feedback reports, video and print transplant education resources, and assistance with reducing any known socioeconomic barriers to LDKT. Patients receiving UC will only receive transplant education provided by UCLA-KPTP. Changes in transplant knowledge, readiness, pros and cons, and self-efficacy to pursue LDKT will be assessed prior to presenting at the transplant center (baseline), during transplant evaluation, and 4- and 8-months post-baseline, while completion of transplant evaluation and receipt of LDKTs will be assessed at 18-months post-baseline. The RCT will determine, compared to UC, whether Black, Hispanic, and White patients receiving YPT increase in their readiness to pursue LDKT and transplant knowledge, and become more likely to complete transplant medical evaluation and pursue LDKT. It will also examine how known patient, family, and healthcare system barriers to LDKT act alone and in combination with YPT to affect patients’ transplant decision-making and behavior. Statistical analyses will be performed under an intent-to-treat approach. Discussion At the conclusion of the study, we will have assessed the effectiveness of an innovative and cost-effective YPT intervention that could be utilized to tailor LDKT discussion and education based on the needs of individual patients of different races in many healthcare settings. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02181114 .

Introduction. A pilot test of a computer-tailored intervention designed to promote blood donation among Blacks was conducted. Method. Intervention content, based on the transtheoretical model, offered participants individually and culturally tailored information on blood donation with emphasis on need specific to race (e.g., sickle-cell disease). Black adults (N = 150) with a diversity of blood donation experience were recruited from a blood center and a survey recruitment website. Posttest assessment included a 14-item evaluation and transtheoretical model questions. Results. Participants rated the program positively (81.3% to 98.7% of participants agreeing or strongly agreeing with evaluation items). For example, 98.7% of respondents reported that the program gave sound advice and that personal feedback was easily understood, and 87.3% felt the program was designed for people like themselves. Ninety-five percent of participants reported that they would recommend the program to others. There were no significant differences in ratings based on demographics. Qualitative responses support program acceptability. Furthermore, pre- and postprogram assessments indicated an increase in intention to donate, t(149) = 3.56, p = .001, d = .29. Discussion. With acceptability and feasibility confirmed, the next steps are to test efficacy and cost-effectiveness for use to increase blood donation, particularly in priority populations.

Purpose This research examined dynamic transtheoretical model (TTM) constructs for adopting sun protection practices. This secondary data analysis pooled four large population-based TTM-tailored intervention studies and examined use of constructs across three groups, organized by longitudinal progress: maintainers, relapsers, and stable non-changers. Methods A total of 3463 adults, in the USA, who met criteria for unsafe sun exposure at baseline received a TTM-tailored computerized intervention at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. The final analytic sample consisted of 1894 participants; the majority were female, White, married, and middle-aged. The three groups were assessed with reliable and valid scales assessing use of TTM constructs at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. Analyses included a MANOVA followed by a series of ANOVAs, with Tukey follow-up tests assessing differences in use of TTM constructs across the three groups at each timepoint. Results Findings demonstrated that relapsers and maintainers were similar in their use of most TTM processes of change at baseline, with the exception of Consciousness Raising, Stimulus Control, Reinforcement Management, and Self-Liberation. Conclusions These findings suggest that although relapsers reverted to unsafe sun practices, their overall greater use of processes of change indicates that their change efforts remain better than that of stable non-changers.

The present study demonstrates that potent mental stress, such as that produced in response to the simulated public speaking task, results in an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, and vasoconstriction of normal coronary artery segments in patients with and without angiographically demonstrable coronary artery disease.

Although the need for transplantation among African Americans is high, their donation rates are disproportionately low. This study describes the development and validation of culturally adapted psychosocial measures, including Transtheoretical Model constructs, Stages of Change, Decisional Balance, and Self-efficacy, related to deceased organ and tissue donation for an African American college population. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses for Decisional Balance and Self-efficacy measures demonstrated factor structures similar to previous studies of other behavioral applications, indicated excellent model fit and showed good internal and external validity. This study developed brief measures with good psychometric properties for an emerging behavior change domain in a new population.