Behavioral Research

Table of Contents
1 Description & Theoretical Background
2 Use in Health Behavior Theories
3 Measures and Measurement
4 Similar Constructs
5 References
6

Measures Appendix

7 Published Examples

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Other Constructs
 

Barriers

 

Dispositional Optimism

 

Environments

 

Illness Representations

  Implementation Intentions
  Intention, Expectation, and Willingness
  Normative Beliefs
  Optimistic Bias
  Perceived Benefits
  Perceived Control
  Perceived Severity
  Perceived Vulnerability
  Self-Efficacy
  Self-Reported Behavior
  Social Influence
  Social Support
  Stages
  Worry

Worry
Kevin D. McCaul and Paul W. Goetz

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6

Measures Appendix

The Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)

Below are some statements about worrying. Please circle one number (1-5) next to each statement that describes how typical that statement is for you.
    Not at all typical of me       Very typical of me
1. If I do not have enough time to do something I do not worry about it. 1 2 3 4 5
2. My worries overwhelm me. 1 2 3 4 5
3. I do not tend to worry about things. 1 2 3 4 5
4. Many situations make me worry. 1 2 3 4 5
5. I know I should not worry about things, but I just can't help it. 1 2 3 4 5
6. When I am under pressure I worry a lot. 1 2 3 4 5
7. I am always worrying about something. 1 2 3 4 5
8. I find it easy to diminish worrisome thoughts. 1 2 3 4 5
9. As soon as I finish one task, I start to worry about everything else I have to do. 1 2 3 4 5
10. I never worry about anything. 1 2 3 4 5
11. When there is nothing more I can do about a concern, I do not worry about it any more. 1 2 3 4 5
12. I have been a worrier all my life. 1 2 3 4 5
13. I notice that I have been worrying about things. 1 2 3 4 5
14. Once I start to worry, I cannot stop. 1 2 3 4 5
15. I worry all of the time. 1 2 3 4 5
16. I worry about projects until they are done. 1 2 3 4 5

The Worry Domains Questionnaire

         
I worry... Not at all A little Moderately Quite a bit Extremely
1. that my money will run out 1 2 3 4 5
2. that I cannot be assertive or express my opinions 1 2 3 4 5
3. that my future job prospects are not good 1 2 3 4 5
4. that my family will be angry with me or disapprove of something that I do 1 2 3 4 5
5. that I'll never achieve my ambitions 1 2 3 4 5
6. that I will not keep my workload up to date 1 2 3 4 5
7. that financial problems will restrict holidays and travel 1 2 3 4 5
8. that I have no concentration 1 2 3 4 5
9. that I am not able to afford things 1 2 3 4 5
10. that I feel insecure 1 2 3 4 5
11. that I can't afford to pay bills 1 2 3 4 5
12. that my living conditions are inadequate 1 2 3 4 5
13. that life may have no purpose 1 2 3 4 5
14. that I don't work hard enough 1 2 3 4 5
15. that others will not approve of me 1 2 3 4 5
16. that I find it difficult to maintain a stable relationship 1 2 3 4 5
17. that I leave work unfinished 1 2 3 4 5
18. that I lack confidence 1 2 3 4 5
19. that I am unattractive 1 2 3 4 5
20. that I might make myself look stupid 1 2 3 4 5
21. that I will lose close friends 1 2 3 4 5
22. that I haven't achieved much 1 2 3 4 5
23. that I am not loved 1 2 3 4 5
24. that I will be late for an appointment 1 2 3 4 5
25. that I make mistakes at work 1 2 3 4 5

"Lerman Breast Cancer Worry scale"

Worry Frequency

1. How worried are you about getting breast cancer someday?

1 = not at all; 2 = rarely; 3 = sometimes; 4 = often; 5 = almost all the time

Worry Impact

2. How much does your worry affect your mood?

1 = not at all; 2 = a little; 3 = somewhat; 4 = a lot

3. How much does your worry affect your ability to perform your daily activities?

1 = not at all; 2 = a little; 3 = somewhat; 4 = a lot


Champion et al., "Breast Cancer Fear Scale"

For all items, 1= Strongly disagree; 5 = Strongly agree

1. The thought of breast cancer scares me.
2. When I think about breast cancer, I feel nervous.
3. When I think about breast cancer, I get upset.
4. When I think about breast cancer, I get depressed.
5. When I think about breast cancer, I get jittery.
6. When I think about breast cancer, my heart beats faster.
7. When I think about breast cancer, I feel uneasy.
8. When I think about breast cancer, I feel anxious.


INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS SUBSCALE OF REVISED IMPACT OF EVENTS SCALE

We wish to know how frequently the following thoughts and feelings happened for you DURING THE PAST SEVEN DAYS-in other words, since you began this study. Simply circle one number by each statement.

  NOT AT ALL RARELY SOMETIMES OFTEN
1. I thought about it when I didn't mean to. 0 1 2 3
2. I had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, because of pictures or thoughts about it that came into my mind. 0 1 2 3
3. I had waves of strong feelings about it. 0 1 2 3
4. I had dreams about it. 0 1 2 3
5. Pictures about it popped into my mind. 0 1 2 3
6. Other things kept making me think about it. 0 1 2 3
7. Any reminder brought back feelings about it. 0 1 2 3

BRIEF WORRY SCALE (INTENSITY)

1. How much does thinking about colon cancer worry you? (Draw a line anywhere along the scale)

    |------------------------------------|------------------------------------|

No worry                 Moderate worry                 Extreme worry

2. How bothered are you by thinking about colon cancer?

    |------------------------------------|------------------------------------|

Not at all                    Moderately                       Extremely


Dijkstra and Brosschot (2003) BRIEF WORRY SCALE ABOUT SMOKING

All items scored from 1 (not at all) to 7 (very much)
1. I am afraid of the physical consequences of smoking.
2. I worry about my health because of my smoking.
3. I feel anxiety when I think of the possible consequences of smoking.
4. I brood about the physical consequences of smoking.


BRIEF WORRY SCALE (FREQUENCY & INTENSITY)

Frequency

1. During the past week, how often have you worried about getting prostate cancer sometime in your lifetime?

Never Rarely Sometimes All of the time

Intensity

2. How bothered are you by thinking about getting prostate cancer?

Not at all Somewhat Moderately A Great Deal Extremely

3. How worried are you about getting prostate cancer?

Not at all Somewhat Moderately A Great Deal Extremely
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