STORRE Collection: Electronic theses of Psychology students.Electronic theses of Psychology students.http://hdl.handle.net/1893/312024-03-28T17:46:43Z2024-03-28T17:46:43ZThe co-development of a behaviour change intervention to improve preconception healthWelshman, Hannahhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/357762024-02-27T12:17:26Z2023-02-20T00:00:00ZTitle: The co-development of a behaviour change intervention to improve preconception health
Author(s): Welshman, Hannah
Abstract: Background: The intrauterine environment can influence the future health of the child and their likelihood of developing obesity. Behaviour change interventions conducted during pregnancy have limited effectiveness to improve health outcomes during and after pregnancy. The aim of this thesis was to co-develop a behaviour change intervention to improve health behaviours before conception.
Methods: Four studies were conducted. Study one reviewed preconception health behaviour recommendations, examining consistency across Scotland, the UK, Europe and western international countries. Study two was a secondary analysis of survey data examining engagement in multiple health behaviours among preconception women in Scotland. The third study was a qualitative systematic review exploring preconception knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among people of reproductive age. Findings from these studies, alongside input from Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), informed the development of a theory-based intervention. The intervention, based on the information-motivation-behavioural skills model, was piloted in study four.
Findings and conclusions: Preconception guidelines within Scotland were similar to comparable countries, with key behaviours such as folic acid, weight management, alcohol and smoking cessation addressed in all. In Scotland, there was a lack of engagement in health promoting behaviours, particularly among those not planning a pregnancy and those living in areas of socio-economic disadvantage. Findings from the systematic review indicated a lack of understanding of preconception health across the preconception population. These findings led to the prioritisation of raising awareness as the first step to behaviour change and, with PPI input, a theory-based awareness raising intervention video was developed. The pilot study evidenced the video’s acceptability and effectiveness at increasing knowledge. Future research could further develop the video by considering feasibility and implementation in primary care settings such as community pharmacy.2023-02-20T00:00:00ZEvaluating accounts of human contour integration using psychophysical and computational methodsLovell, Paul Georgehttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/356962024-02-20T09:11:14Z2002-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Evaluating accounts of human contour integration using psychophysical and computational methods
Author(s): Lovell, Paul George
Abstract: Field, Hayes and Hess (1993) offered path-paradigm (PP) stimuli that enabled the investigation of the Gestalt processes of proximity and good continuation without the potential confounds present in earlier studies. They proposed that only an association field, a mechanism able to integrate dynamically the outputs of filters with different orientation preferences, could detect their stimuli. This thesis describes simulations which examined whether the PP task could be solved without recourse to an association field. A simple-filter model (SFM) was tested, were each response image was the result of the convolution of the stimulus image with an oriented filter. The lengths of zero-bounded regions (ZBRs) within each image were calculated (Watt, 1991). In a simulated 2AFC trial the status of target was assigned to the image containing the longest ZBR. Results confirmed the Hess and Dakin (1997) finding that Field et al’s PP stimuli could be successfully detected by the SFM. Further simulations conflicted with Hess and Dakin; the SFM was also able to detect stimuli containing phase-alternated contours. Thus, it is not necessary to invoke an association field mechanism to explain contour integration, even for phase-alternated stimuli.
Psychophysical experiments indicated that the closure effect reported by Kovaks and Julesz
(1993) may actually be caused by contour smoothness, rather than closure per se. Where local properties are held constant, manipulations of contour closure are inevitably confounded by smoothness. Further modelling experiments revealed that, for the SFM, detection rates were inversely correlated with global smoothness, a reversal of the pattern found for human observers. This phenomenon provides a useful means of investigating the PP task in the
peripheral field. Hess and Dakin (1997) have argued that the SFM is sufficient to account for
contour integration processes in the periphery. Thus, for the periphery there should be an
inverse relationship between smoothness and detectability. Experimental results revealed that this is not the case, smooth contours were detected more frequently than jagged contours.
It is concluded that the Field et al. (1993) conception of the association field was largely correct, despite the fact that their stimuli were potentially flawed. However, the association
field model may need modification in order to account to the effect of contour smoothness. It is suggested that the association field model should be considered a component in Roelfsema,
Lamme and Spekreijse’s (2000) model of curve-tracing. Within this framework the process of ‘chunking’ (Mahoney and Ullman, 1988) might explain the improved detection of frequently experienced contour shapes, i.e. straight lines and smooth arcs. Furthermore, it is suggested that this mechanism may be acquired through visual experience and that it could underlie PP performance in the whole visual field.2002-01-01T00:00:00ZElephants in a landscape of risk: spatial, temporal, and behavioural responses to anthropogenic risk in African savannah elephantsSmit, Josephinehttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/355172023-11-03T11:11:51Z2023-08-31T00:00:00ZTitle: Elephants in a landscape of risk: spatial, temporal, and behavioural responses to anthropogenic risk in African savannah elephants
Author(s): Smit, Josephine
Abstract: African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) populations have declined due to poaching for the ivory trade. Elephants and humans also increasingly share ranges and resources. This thesis investigates whether and how human-mediated risk influences elephant space use, activity patterns, resource use, grouping patterns, and sex differences in responses to risk, in the Ruaha-Rungwa ecosystem, Tanzania. This area experienced multiple poaching surges and has increasing levels of human activity.
I applied occupancy models to elephant occurrence data to investigate space use in relation to risk and environmental factors. Elephant occurrence was negatively associated with human population densities and conversion to agriculture, as well as elephant carcass occurrence (a proxy for poaching risk) and illegal human use.
Using camera trap data I compared active periods, grouping patterns, and use of roads and water sources at one low-risk site and three high-risk sites. Male and female elephants were more nocturnal in high-risk versus low-risk sites, including use of water sources; this was more pronounced for cow-calf groups than for lone males. In the high-risk versus low-risk sites, elephants were active for less time overall, avoided movement on roads, and male elephants associated more with males and cow-calf groups.
I assessed how risk influences elephant use of water sources using camera trap data. Elephant use of a high-risk resource was driven by seasonal variation in water availability, and use of high-risk water sources was more nocturnal than use of low-risk water sources. Males, but not females, adjusted group size in relation to risk.
I discuss costs associated with risk-induced behavioural shifts, including a reduction in total active time and effects on body condition, and show that the consequences of elephant poaching in Ruaha-Rungwa extend beyond effects on population size and structure. I suggest that risk-avoidance behaviour may enable elephants to persist in increasingly human-dominated landscapes.2023-08-31T00:00:00ZUnderstanding inequalities in cancer screening in the learning disability and autism populations of the Northern IslesJamieson, Astryd Ehttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/355142024-02-20T12:00:33Z2023-08-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Understanding inequalities in cancer screening in the learning disability and autism populations of the Northern Isles
Author(s): Jamieson, Astryd E
Abstract: Background: Cancer screening programmes reduce the incidence of, and mortality from,
cancer through early detection and intervention at a population level. People with learning
disabilities and/or autism throughout the UK face considerable inequalities in cancer screening,
and the Scottish Government have pledged to improve access to screening services for these
populations. Research naturally focuses on the more urban populations which does not
necessarily apply or translate to Scotland’s vast remote and rural geography. The Northern Isles
of Orkney and Shetland are on the periphery and provide unique challenges to population based interventions and healthcare research. This thesis aims to better understand inequalities
of access to cancer screening programmes for the learning disabled and autistic populations in
Orkney and Shetland.
Methods: A clinical audit was conducted on available GP Practice data for cancer screening
and HPV immunisation in the learning disability and autism populations of Orkney and Shetland.
This was followed by a qualitative exploration of stakeholders’ views on and experiences of
cancer screening for people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Interviews and focus groups
were analysed to develop themes using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.
Results: Rates of screening uptake are comparable to available data on the learning disabilities
populations elsewhere in Scotland but serve to highlight a greater disparity in Orkney and
Shetland, given the relatively high uptake of screening in their respective general populations.
Participants described high-level structural barriers to screening, including screening systems
and processes, uncertainty around responsibilities and decision-making, and how cancer and
cancer screening is viewed in the community. Small communities were seen as a unique
strength but were also felt to be a factor in perpetuating unhelpful myths and stereotypes.
Conclusion: Targeted efforts are essential to redress these inequities, for which we now have
evidence-based recommendations and a co-production plan.2023-08-01T00:00:00Z