Thursday 23 July 09:50 - 11:20

Hall: 05 - Ottagonale

Chair and Presenter: Griva Konstadina

Division: Division 8: Health Psychology

Behavioral insights are essential in disease prevention and health promotion. The dynamic process of adapting to and managing chronic diseases or health risks is influenced by illness characteristics, life stages, and social relationships. This symposium highlights innovative research on adaptation to chronic conditions and health risks, showcasing diverse methodologies, from observational studies of dyads to experimental and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of various interventions (digital, blended, group) across populations. The first presentation employs advanced network analysis to examine dynamic relationships between outcomes in cardiovascular patients and their spouses. Using data from two prospective dyadic studies, it identifies key intervention targets, such as control perceptions, by mapping outcome clusters and network parameters. The second presentation evaluates the GET intervention, an RCT for young males with cancer. Rooted in self-regulation theory, the study shows benefits for clinical and emotional adjustment outcomes, combining patient-reported data with clinical biomarkers. The third presentation discusses a blended mHealth intervention to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in at-risk young adults. This Sequential, Multiple Assignment, Randomized Controlled Trial (SMART) uses step-up care and re-randomization for non-responders, focusing on mental health, diet, physical activity, and sleep among 650 participants. Another presentation explores the role of mindfulness in preventive health behaviors, highlighting experimental evidence on its effectiveness for sleep health and health screening acceptance, an innovative yet underused public health approach. Finally, the last presentation evaluates an RCT pairing functional electrical stimulation (FES) with behavioral strategies for stroke rehabilitation. It emphasizes how behavioral techniques can enhance the acceptability and use of rehabilitative devices, facilitating home-based recovery and bridging the gap between intervention and routine care. This symposium offers a comprehensive exploration of behavioral health research, featuring novel methods and practical applications across diverse populations and conditions.