Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Maes

Publications and source records attributed to S Maes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Condom use self-efficacy: effect on intended and actual condom use in adolescents.

PURPOSE: To investigate aspects of adolescents' condom use self-efficacy that affect their intended and actual condom use. METHODS: Four hundred twenty-four male and female sexually experienced and inexperienced adolescents with a mean age of 17.0 years filled out a questionnaire concerning condom use self-efficacy and intended and actual condom use. Specific condom use self-efficacy scales were constructed from 37 items on the basis of a principal component analysis. The effect of self-efficacy, both as a global measure and in terms of specific scales, on condom use intention and consistency was assessed using multiple hierarchic regression analyses. RESULTS: Six specific self-efficacy scales were constructed: Technical Skills, Image Confidence, Emotion Control, Purchase, Assertiveness, and Sexual Control. In sexually inexperienced adolescents, global self-efficacy explained 48%, the six self-efficacy scales 30%, and both together 51% of the variance in intention, after statistical control for gender, age, and education level. In the sexually experienced sample, this was 40%, 50%, and 57% for intention, and 23%, 29%, and 33% for consistency of condom use. Significant predictors of intention in the final model were gender, age, global self-efficacy and purchasing skills in the inexperienced sample, and global self-efficacy, emotion control, assertiveness, image confidence, and sexual control in the experienced sample, whereas gender, age, global self-efficacy, emotion control, assertiveness, and purchase predicted consistency of condom use in the experienced sample. CONCLUSIONS: Condom use self-efficacy is a multidimensional construct. Intended and actual condom use in adolescents are best predicted by self-efficacy measures that include both global and relevant specific aspects of condom use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Functional analysis of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors of Arabidopsis.

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, such as the mammalian p27(Kip1) protein, regulate correct cell cycle progression and the integration of developmental signals with the core cell cycle machinery. These inhibitors have been described in plants, but their function remains unresolved. We have isolated seven genes from Arabidopsis that encode proteins with distant sequence homology with p27(Kip1), designated Kip-related proteins (KRPs). The KRPs were characterized by their domain organization and transcript profiles. With the exception of KRP5, all presented the same cyclin-dependent kinase binding specificity. When overproduced, KRP2 dramatically inhibited cell cycle progression in leaf primordia cells without affecting the temporal pattern of cell division and differentiation. Mature transgenic leaves were serrated and consisted of enlarged cells. Although the ploidy levels in young leaves were unaffected, endoreduplication was suppressed in older leaves. We conclude that KRP2 exerts a plant growth inhibitory activity by reducing cell proliferation in leaves, but, in contrast to its mammalian counterparts, it may not control the timing of cell cycle exit and differentiation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

Psychological functioning of recently bereaved, middle-aged women: the first 13 months.

This study examined the natural course of psychological functioning in recently bereaved middle-aged women. 69 widows were assessed four times (T1-T4) between the period of 4 to 13 mo. after the loss and were compared to a matched nonwidowed group of 57. Of the SCL-90 feelings of depression, agoraphobic behavior, anxiety, hostility, somatization, feelings of insufficiency, and sleep disorders were heightened at 4 mo. after bereavement compared to the norm group. Significantly higher psychological dysfunctioning was found on all SCL-90 subscales than for non-widows. Over time, a decrease in psychological dysfunction was found for most widows; however, not every widow appeared to recover psychologically, and 17% of the widows showed severe psychological dysfunctioning at 13 mo. postbereavement (T4). With respect to the predictive value of the Total score on the SCL-90, at 13 mo., 27% of these widows had scores indicating severe psychological dysfunctioning; these were comparable to their scores at 4 mo. postbereavement.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Coping with coronary heart disease: a longitudinal study.

This longitudinal study evaluated the effects of two types of coping strategies, approach and avoidance, on anxiety, depression, and well-being in patients with coronary heart disease. Measurements were made at three timepoints: 1 month, 3 months, and 12 months after the cardiac event. Both cross-sectional and longitudinal relations were explored. At all three measurement points significant negative cross-sectional relations were found between approach and well-being, and significant positive cross-sectional relations were found between approach, on the one hand, and anxiety and depression, on the other. At the first measurement point, avoidance showed a positive association with well-being, and a negative association with anxiety. Longitudinal analyses, however, revealed a negative relationship between approach at the first measurement points and anxiety and depression at later measurement points. Likewise, there was a positive association between approach at the first two measurement points and well-being at later measurement points. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of facing and working through the trauma of the coronary event. Although unfavorable in the short term, working through the trauma can attenuate long-term emotional distress. These results suggest that assessment of the psychological consequences of coronary heart disease and development of interventions should not be based only on cross-sectional data, but should take into account longitudinal relations between coping and psychosocial outcome measures.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

A meta-analysis of psychoeduational programs for coronary heart disease patients.

In a meta-analysis of 37 studies, the effects of psychoeducational (health education and stress management) programs for coronary heart disease patients were examined. The results suggest that these programs yielded a 34% reduction in cardiac mortality; a 29% reduction in recurrence of myocardial infarction (MI); and significant (p < .025) positive effects on blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight, smoking behavior, physical exercise, and eating habits. No effects of psychoeducational programs were found in regard to coronary bypass surgery, anxiety, or depression. The results also suggest that cardiac rehabilitation programs that were successful on proximal targets (systolic blood pressure, smoking behavior, physical exercise, emotional distress) were more effective on distal targets (cardiac mortality and MI recurrences) than programs without success on proximal targets.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1999

Measuring transitions through stages of exercise: application of latent transition analysis.

In this longitudinal study of 504 nursing staff members from seven Dutch nursing homes, which transitions in exercise behaviour had occurred over a 12-mo. period were investigated. For this purpose, latent transition analyses were employed. Latent transition analysis is an extension of Markov chain modelling and of Latent class analysis and has been especially developed to study dynamic latent variables. The data supported the notion that natural change in exercise occurs through various stages and that these are sequential in nature. Latent transition analysis was an effective method for the comparison of various models describing possible transitions over time and for estimation of the likelihood of the occurrence of such transitions.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Conflicting activities for exercise.

190 nonexercisers foresaw regular exercise (> or = 3 times a week) as interfering with day-to-day activities. Most frequently mentioned were various social activities, doing household chores, and watching TV. The impediment of all activities, except watching TV, was expected to be at least rather bothersome. Interventions should focus on these particular barriers to action.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The Leiden Quality of Work Questionnaire: its construction, factor structure, and psychometric qualities.

Based on two leading models in occupational stress research, the Job Demand-Control-Support model and the Michigan model, a comprehensive quality of work questionnaire, was constructed--the Leiden Quality of Work Questionnaire. The factor structure of this questionnaire was assessed and cross-validated in two sub-samples of 2,000 men and women from a large sample of the Dutch working population. Analysis indicated that the questionnaire measures 11 work characteristics of Skill Discretion, Decision Authority, Task Control, Work and Time Pressure, Role Ambiguity, Physical Exertion, Hazardous Exposure, Job Insecurity, Lack of Meaningfulness, Social Support from Supervisor and Social Support from Coworkers, and the outcome variable of Job Satisfaction in a reliable way.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Perceived gender differences in physician consulting behaviour during internal examination.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate gender-related differences in consulting behaviour among family doctors in Belgium. METHODS: The study was conducted among 32 family physicians and 303 patients. The family physician consulting behaviour was studied during consultations which included either an anal or a vaginal examination on three dimensions: a cure dimension, a care dimension and a dimension of consulting behaviour specific for consultations which included an internal examination. RESULTS: It was found that female family physicians were perceived by both male and female patients as showing more cure behaviour during consultations which included an anal examination. Female family doctors were also perceived as showing significantly more cure behaviour, more care behaviour and more consulting behaviour specific for an internal examination during consultations which included a vaginal examination. Furthermore, it was found that less-well-educated patients perceived more care behaviour during consultations which included an anal examination than did better-educated patients. Finally, less-well-educated patients perceived more cure behaviour and more behaviour specific for an internal examination in their doctor's consulting behaviour during consultations which included a vaginal examination.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed1998

Effects of a Dutch work-site wellness-health program: the Brabantia Project.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined a project designed to improve the health and wellness of employees of Brabantia, a Dutch manufacturer of household goods, by means of lifestyle changes and changes in working conditions. METHODS: The workers at one Brabantia site constituted the experimental group, and the workers from two other sites formed the control group. Biomedical variables, lifestyles, general stress reactions, and quality of work were measured identically in both groups at baseline and 1, 2, and 3 years later. During this period, there was continuous registration of absenteeism. RESULTS: The interventions brought about favorable short-term changes in terms of health risks, and there were stable effects on working conditions (especially decision latitude) and absenteeism. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of interventions directed at both lifestyles and the work environment can produce extensive and stable effects on health-related variables, wellness, and absenteeism.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1998

Competing personal goals and exercise behaviour.

Research on the determinants of exercise behaviour has not assessed the role of personal goals which may be in conflict with exercising. A cross-sectional study showed that 312 nonexercisers, 466 people who exercised once or twice a week, and 202 people who exercised at the norm of at least three times a week differed significantly with respect to the number of important personal goals expected to be hampered by exercising at the norm. To be specific, the number of competing activities in the home was higher for the sedentary group than for those who exercised. Further, those who exercised at the norm reported fewer competing social activities than all other subjects and fewer competing self-developmental activities than the non-exercisers. Scores on the scale for activities outside the home did not differ significantly among the three groups. It is argued that any theoretical model of exercise behaviour should take into account the influence of competing personal goals on the initiation and continuation of exercise during leisure time.

Exercise↗
PubMed1994

Effects of a health education programme with telephone follow-up during cardiac rehabilitation.

A health education and counselling programme was offered to myocardial infarction patients during and after hospitalization. A randomized pre-test-post-test control group design was used to evaluate the effects of the experimental intervention. During hospitalization the intervention consisted of two individual counselling sessions and two group health education sessions focusing on medication, healthy habits, anxiety and depression. On completion of these sessions, weekly telephone calls were made to patients for a period of six weeks after discharge from hospital. The intervention was offered to 30 myocardial infarction patients and their partners (the experimental group) in addition to standard medical care. Thirty control patients received standard medical care only. Two months after myocardial infarction, patients in the experimental condition reported a significantly greater increase in physical activity, and a significantly greater decrease in unhealthy eating habits. No effects were found regarding smoking cessation, anxiety and depression. Twelve months after discharge from hospital patients in the experimental condition reported a significantly greater decrease in unhealthy eating habits. No effects were found regarding smoking cessation, physical activity, anxiety and depression. In addition, two months after myocardial infarction, it was found that patients whose partners participated in the health education sessions showed a significantly greater decrease in smoking and unhealthy eating habits and a significantly greater increase in physical activity than patients with no partner participating. Twelve months after discharge the only significant result favouring the patients whose partner participated in the health education sessions concerned smoking cessation.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Psychosocial aspects of cardiac rehabilitation in Europe.

While the present objectives of cardiac rehabilitation include recovery or restoration of everyday behaviour and secondary prevention, the effects of the traditional exercise-based, cardiac rehabilitation programmes are quite modest. It is argued that psychological interventions may affect these targets more easily, since there is evidence from controlled studies that psychological interventions may have beneficial effects on psychosocial recovery, compliance with medical advice and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. As a consequence one may expect that psychologists would be at least part-time members of most cardiac rehabilitation teams in European countries. In order to get an impression of the position of psychologists and the share of psychosocial care in cardiac rehabilitation in Europe, a questionnaire was sent out to two or three individuals in each European country. Health care professionals from 16 European countries returned their completed questionnaires on time. Among other things, the results show that in general social workers and psychologists, who may be considered the main potential agents for psychosocial care, are largely underrepresented in cardiac rehabilitation teams. As far as psychologists are concerned, the number involved in cardiac rehabilitation varies significantly from country to country. Three groups of countries could be distinguished: a group consisting of The Netherlands, Austria, and Italy, where psychologists are fairly well represented; a second one consisting of Norway, Finland and Belgium, where small numbers of psychologists are involved in cardiac rehabilitation; and a third group (the largest) consisting of Switzerland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, the UK, Greece, Portugal and Turkey, where the number of psychologists is negligible.

Cardiac Care Facilities↗