Health Psychology Review

@healthpsychrev.bsky.social

Official journal of the European Health Psychology Society. Editors-in-Chief: Geert Crombez and Falko Sniehotta.

🧠⚖️ What if stress isn’t about behaviour at all? A new paper argues stress comes from mismatches between what we perceive and what we want. ⚡ Goal conflict = major source of chronic stress 🔁 Reorganising helps resolve these conflicts 🎯 Points toward truly personalised stress regulation 🔎 doi.org/qs7b

Title: Toward an integrative perspective of personalised stress regulation: insights from perceptual control theory

Abstract: Stress regulation is commonly conceptualised as behavioural responses to external stressors, often overlooking the perceptual processes shaping individual experience. This framing obscures the dynamic, hierarchical, and personally meaningful nature of regulation. In this paper, we introduce a unifying framework grounded in Perceptual Control Theory, proposing that the psychophysiology of stress is best understood as the control of perception rather than behaviour. Stress arises from a mismatch between current perceptions and internally held reference values – the desired states individuals strive to maintain. Within a hierarchical control system, these values are dynamically modified through experience. We argue that goal conflict – where simultaneous reference values cannot be satisfied, leading to persistent error – is the primary source of acute and chronic stress. Reorganisation, an adaptive
process of structural change within the hierarchy, serves as the mechanism for resolving such conflict by revising reference values or creating new control systems. This perspective explains individual differences by focusing on controlled perceptions rather than
standardised coping strategies. By formalising stress regulation as
perceptual control, this approach bridges biological, psychological, and social dimensions. It offers a foundation for personalised interventions that target what individuals value most, rather than prescribing onesize-fits-all solutions.

📱 Can text messages help improve diabetes management? A meta-analysis (37 RCTs; 8,971 participants) finds: 📉 SMS interventions significantly reduce HbA1c ⚡ Bigger effects in ≤6‑month programs 🔧 Strongest results when using key BCTs: habit formation, credible source & self‑monitoring 🔎 doi.org/qs69

Title: Effectiveness of text message-delivered health behaviour intervention on HbA1c change in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of text message-delivered
health behaviours intervention on HbA1c change among adults with
T2DM, and to identify key moderators including intervention features,
message characteristics, target behaviours, and the usage of behaviour
change techniques (BCTs). We systematically reviewed 37 randomised
controlled trials published between 2016 and 2025, involving 8,971
participants. Changes in HbA1c and health behaviours were analysed
using the standardised mean difference. The meta-analysis revealed a
significant reduction in HbA1c (g = −0.32, 95% CI = −0.46 to – 0.18).
Meta-regression also found that the intervention significantly improved
health behaviours, which in turn predicted a significant reduction in
HbA1c levels. Subsequent subgroup analyses revealed that studies with
a shorter duration (≤6 months) demonstrated a larger effect size in
reducing HbA1c. Notably, interventions employing specific BCTs
including ‘body changes’ (g = −0.643), ‘habit formation’ (g = −0.624),
‘credible source’ (g = −0.513), ‘self-monitoring of outcomes of
behaviours’ (g = −0.377), and "instruction on how to perform the
behaviour’ (g = −0.354) were significantly associated with greater HbA1c
reductions. These effects were particularly pronounced in trials focused
on physical activity, healthy eating, and medication adherence.
Conclusions suggest that text message-delivered health behavior
interventions should be tailored to specific target behavior and
incorporate these high-impact BCTs to comprehensively improve
diabetes management.

🧠💛 How did parents of children with chronic conditions cope during COVID‑19? A meta-analysis (79 studies) finds: 📊 High rates of anxiety (31%), depression (27%) & stress ⚠️ Parents of children with CCs show higher anxiety/depression 🌍 Some effects vary by region & child age 🔎 doi.org/qs68

First page of article.

Title: Psychological adjustment in parents of children and adolescentswith chronic health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic – ameta-analysis

Abstract: Caring for a child with a chronic health condition (CC) involves numerouschallenges, which may have multiplied during the COVID-19 pandemic.Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed (1) to quantify the prevalence ofclinically elevated anxiety, depression, general stress, and parentingstress symptoms in afflicted parents, (2) to examine potential moderatorvariables, and (3) to compare the outcomes between parents ofchildren with and without CCs. A systematic literature search wasconducted across four databases (PsycInfo, PubMed, CENTRAL,PSYNdex). A total of 79 studies were included. The pooled prevalenceestimates of clinically elevated anxiety, depression, general andparenting stress symptoms were 31.04%, 27.37%, 64.27%, and 26.70%,respectively. Significant moderators were identified only for anxietysymptoms, namely geopolitical region, child CC, and child age. Anxietyand depression, but not general and parenting stress, were significantlyhigher in parents of children with than without CCs. Compared topublished data from before the pandemic, prevalence rates of clinicallyelevated anxiety and depression symptoms decreased, while stresslevels no longer differed between parents of children with and withoutCCs. We hypothesise that parents of children with CCs experiencedsome beneficial effects during the COVID-19 pandemic and had alreadyacquired resilience to buffer its psychosocial impact.

‼️ New meta-analysis published: Psychosocial interventions (e.g., CBT, psychoeducation) reduce distress & improve wellbeing + quality of life in women with gynaecological cancers. Time to move towards holistic approaches, including physical, social, psychological and sexual health care!

Screenshot of the first page of the article, including title, authors, affiliations and abstract. The title is: The impact of psychosocial interventions on women with gynaecological cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

📢 New systematic review 📢 How do hemodialysis patients manage their symptoms? This systematic review integrated findings from 30 qualitative studies in one framework, highlighting complex experiences of patients in managing their symptoms. 🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

The effectiveness of behavioral modification interventions for managing weight gain in pregnant women with overweight or obesity: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

First page of the article Title: Insights into the complexities of symptom management for hemodialysis patients: a systematic review of qualitative studies Abstract: Patients undergoing hemodialysis experience a broad spectrum of symptoms that impact their physical, psychological, and social well-being. Traditional qualitative studies often focus on isolated aspects of patient experiences and offer limited insights into the interconnected nature of symptom management. This systematic review and meta-ethnography aims to synthesise qualitative studies and develop a comprehensive model that elucidates interrelations between patient experiences and symptom management practices in hemodialysis. Our analysis integrated findings from 30 qualitative studies using a meta-ethnographic approach. The results revealed critical psychological and social dynamics influencing symptom management. The model highlights how supportive factors, such as family involvement and effective healthcare interactions, enhance coping mechanisms, improving emotional resilience and treatment adherence. Conversely, it identifies significant barriers, including chronic self-regulatory burnout and systemic inefficiencies, that hinder symptom management and exacerbate psychological distress. By integrating diverse qualitative findings, this study proposes a shift towards patient-centred, culturally sensitive care strategies that prioritise psychological support. This shift aims to transform hemodialysis care by addressing the complex interplay of medical, psychological, and social factors. The developed framework not only facilitates deeper understanding of the psychological impacts of symptom management and offers a structured approach for future research and interventions in this domain[Q1].

buff.ly

📢 New multilevel meta-analysis 📢 How can we support people to be active after retirement? This meta-analysis looked at psychological components in 67 studies, and found small but significant effects. Some strategies were associated with better effectiveness. 🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

First page of the article. Title: Promoting physical activity during retirement age with psychological components: multilevel meta-analysis Abstract: Background: Physical activity is essential in preventing and treating age-related chronic diseases and mortality. Retirement is a key period to promote health behaviours, as individuals restructure their routines. Thus, we aimed to identify effective components and behaviour change techniques (BCTs) in interventions promoting physical activity in retirement-age individuals. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis. Included studies were randomised controlled trials that (p)targeted retirement-age adults (50–70 years), (i)applied BCTs, (c)had any comparator, and (o)promoted physical activity. Screening, full-text review, and data extraction were conducted independently by at least two reviewers. A multilevel random effects model with three effect sizes was fitted, and meta-regressions tested several moderators. Results: 67 studies (N = 12,147) were included. High risk of bias related to larger effects, so these studies were excluded from the main analyses. While individual effects were often non-significant, the overall pooled effect was small but statistically significant. Predictors varied across effect sizes and included action planning, motivational interviewing, and prompts/cues. Email and website delivery were associated with smaller effect sizes. Conclusions: The effectiveness of lifestyle interventions is heterogeneous and presented small effects; implementing action planning, motivational interviewing, and prompts could improve the effectiveness. However, many BCTs that are not frequently used remain unexplored.

buff.ly

📢 New meta-analysis 📢 How can we best support people struggling with anxiety, depression and stress during the pandemic? This review and meta-analysis looked at digital interventions, and compared results of 20 available studies. 🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

Screenshot of the first page of the article. Title: Digital Psychological Interventions for Adults in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Abstract: This study evaluates the effect of digital psychological interventions on anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms in adults affected by the pandemic. A systematic search across five digital databases, from 1 January 2020 to 6 March 2024, identified 36 studies encompassing 8,662 participants. Compared with all control conditions, random-effects meta-analyses indicated that digital psychological interventions significantly reduced anxiety (g = −0.374; 95% CI, −0.529 to −0.218), depression (g = −0.568; 95% CI, −0.776 to −0.360), and stress (g = −0.452; 95% CI, −0.608 to −0.295). Smaller effect sizes were observed when compared with active controls than with inactive controls. Notable heterogeneity across three outcomes was observed. Publication bias was noted in depression symptoms. Several moderators were identified compared with inactive controls, including participant type for anxiety (psubgroup = 0.005), and region for depression symptoms (psubgroup = 0.000). Larger sample sizes (b = 0.0004; p = 0.028) related to stronger effects on depression symptoms. Publication year positively correlated with effects on stress (b = 0.1573; p = 0.032). This study supports the efficacy of digital psychological interventions in alleviating anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms for adults during the pandemic, offering insights for developing targeted mental health strategies in future public health crises.

buff.ly

Interested in behaviour change frameworks? This review and theoretical synthesis looked at barriers and enablers to having blood pressure checked, identifying knowledge, identity, emotions, social contacts and environemntal factors as key influences. 🔗 Read more: doi.org/10.1080/1743...

Screenshot of first page of the article. Title: Theoretical mapping of the barriers and enablers to having bloodpressure checked among adults without a hypertensiondiagnosis: a systematic review and theoretical synthesis usingbehaviour change frameworks Abstract: Identifying influences on engagement with blood pressure (BP) checkscan assist with intervention design for hypertension detection. Thissystematic review searched four databases (Embase, Emcare, MEDLINEand Web of Science) for papers published from 2015 to 2023(PROSPERO ID: CRD42023398002). Eligible studies reported influenceson BP checks in community or primary care settings. Data were codedand mapped using the Action, Actor, Context, Target, Time frameworkand Behaviour Change Wheel. Analysis of 18 studies generated eightthemes: (1) ‘Difficult-to-use devices with no accessible information onhow to use them’ (2) ‘Lack of awareness about hypertension and BPchecks’, (3) ‘Stigma and disconnect with identity’ (4) ‘Beliefs about thevalue of BP checks’, (5) ‘Fear and uncertainty’, (6) ‘Lack of appropriateand comfortable local services’ (7) ‘Financial cost of engaging with BPcheck services’ and (8) ‘Social contacts or health professionalrecommended a check’. Knowledge, identity, emotions, social contactsand environmental factors are key behavioural influences on adults’engagement with BP checks. Potential intervention strategies includeeducation on hypertension, addressing misconceptions about BPchecks, increasing access to BP check services and harnessing theinfluence of social norms, social connections and trusted sources toimprove engagement

buff.ly

📢 New systematic review and meta-analysis 📢 Which psychological, social and behavioural factors are associated with disease activity and adjustment to Lupus? 🔗 Read more:

Screenshot of the article

A screenshot of the title of the article:Psychological, social and behavioural factors associated with disease/illness activity and adjustment to Lupus: a systematic review and meta-analysis And the abstract: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) bears a heavy toll on individuals’ psychological wellbeing and quality of life. Despite vital to the development of effective interventions, systematic and quantifiable knowledge on modifiable factors associated with adult SLE adjustment and disease/illness activity is currently lacking. This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to bridge this gap, by examining the effects of modifiable psychological, social, and behavioural factors associated with SLE adjustment and disease/illness activity. Eight databases were searched for quantitative studies, using Boolean combinations of keywords on SLE adjustment, disease/illness activity and psychological, social, or behavioural correlates/predictors. Ninety studies were included in the narrative review, and fifty-four in the meta-analysis. The psychological factors more strongly associated with SLE adjustment and disease/illness activity were illness– and treatment-related illness- and treatment-related beliefs, self-perceptions, resilience-related factors, and perceived stress. Avoiding sedentary behaviour showed a consistent, albeit small association with better outcomes. Social factors were largely under investigated, but better perceived social support showed moderate associations with better outcomes. The meta-analysis f indings, which should be considered with caution due to high risk of bias, uncovered several potentially fruitful avenues for future research and highlight potentially relevant targets for psychosocial and behavioural interventions to improve quality of life of individuals with SLE.

doi.org