Tracy Epton
Biographic Data
| ID | 1661363 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Tracy Epton |
| GIVEN NAMES | Tracy |
| FAMILY NAME | Epton |
| SIGNATURE | EPTON T |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Manchester |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-1653-191X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 23 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 31 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 23 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2008 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
The effects of graded tasks on physical activity
How Effective Are Credible Sources in Changing Behavior? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the unique effects of credible sources on performed behavior, rather than behavioral antecedents (i.e., attitudes), and contexts where it is most effective. Six databases were searched to June 2024, yielding 40 effect sizes ( N = 7,995, 58.42% females, mean age of 17.75 years old, with mostly White ethnicity 75.81%) from 34 papers. A random effects model indicated a small positive effect, d = …
Are you safe?”
This study examined how Indian dating app users perceive risks in their online interactions and the strategies they employed to mitigate deception, privacy concerns, and protect their sexual health, framed by Regulatory Focus Theory (RFT) assumptions. Semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews (N = 10) were conducted with heterosexual (n = 4) and queer (n = 6) urban Indian dating app users. Interviews explored participants’ risk-related decision-…
Anti-mattering mediates the relationship between social-responsibility misalignments and mental health problems in young people
There is potential for a positive effect on mental health to be gained if institutions, such as universities, authentically co-develop, instantiate, and evaluate social-responsibility values with stakeholders in ways that genuinely combat invisibility, and instead, reflect that the views and feelings of stakeholders do matter
A theory-based randomised controlled trial to increase delivery of behaviour change interventions by healthcare professionals
BACKGROUND: Public health policies require healthcare professionals to incorporate health behaviour change interventions (HBCIs) into routine consultations. This study tested whether an "if-then" planning intervention could enhance HBCI delivery. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial involving 1008 UK NHS healthcare professionals compared an intervention group, who formed "if-then" plans, with an active control group. Data were collected at one,…
Examining healthcare professional delivery of health behaviour change interventions during a public health emergency
This study aimed to assess the extent to which healthcare professional characteristics and perceptions of major stressors during a public health emergency were associated with delivering health behaviour change interventions. A survey was administered in 2022 to a representative sample of 1008 healthcare professionals working in the UK's National Health Service (NHS). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical linear regress…
Understanding a constellation of eight Covid-19 disease prevention behaviours using the COM-B model and the theoretical domains framework
Background: The use of behavioural science and behaviour change within local authorities and public health has supported healthful change; as evidenced by its importance and contribution to reducing harm during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can provide valuable information to enable the creation of evidence-based intervention strategies, co-created with the people they are aimed at, in an effective and efficient manner. Aim: This study aimed to use t…
Acceptability of reducing sedentariness using a mobile-phone application based on ‘if then’ plans for people with psychosis
OBJECTIVE: To understand the acceptability of (a) reducing sedentary-behaviour in people with psychosis using 'if-then' plans and (b) the proposed app content. DESIGN: Qualitative acceptability study. METHOD: Three structured focus-groups and an interview were conducted with eight participants who had experience of a psychotic episode. They discussed sedentary-behaviour, being more active, critical situations in which they may be tempted to be se…
Are interventions delivered by healthcare professionals effective for weight management? A systematic review of systematic reviews
Objective: There are many systematic reviews of weight management interventions delivered by healthcare professionals (HCP), but it is not clear under what circumstances interventions are effective due to differences in review methodology. This review of systematic reviews synthesises the evidence about: (a) the effectiveness of HCP-delivered weight management interventions and (b) intervention and sample characteristics related to their effectiv…
Interventions to promote physical distancing behaviour during infectious disease pandemics or epidemics
Patients' experiences of behaviour change interventions delivered by general practitioners during routine consultations
BACKGROUND: Consistent with the 'Making Every Contact Count' UK public health policy, general practitioners (GPs) are expected to provide patients with behaviour change interventions opportunistically. However, there is a belief widely held among GPs that patients neither want or need such interventions. We aimed to understand the following: (a) the characteristics of people attending GP appointments, (b) patients' needs for health behaviour chan…
Sunbed Use among 11- to 17-Year-Olds and Estimated Number of Commercial Sunbeds in England with Implications for a ‘Buy-Back’ Scheme
Prior to 2011 legislation prohibiting children from using commercial sunbeds, the prevalence of sunbed use in 15- to 17-year-olds in some areas in England was as high as 50%. Despite significant decreases since 2011, children today still practice indoor tanning. We estimated current sunbed use in 11- to 17-year-olds in England, the number of available commercial sunbed units, and the associated cost of a 'buy-back' scheme to remove commercial sun…
Template for Rapid Iterative Consensus of Experts (TRICE)
TRICE extends existing consensus methodologies and has supported public health collaboration; co-creation of guidance and translation of behavioural science to practice through explicit processes in generating expert advice for public health emergencies
Identifying targets for interventions to support public adherence to government instructions to reduce transmission of Sars-CoV-2
Interventions targeted at people with black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, men and younger people that focus on increasing capabilities, providing greater opportunities and boosting motivations are needed to support continued adherence to government instructions to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Further research is required to track changes in people's capabilities, opportunities, motivations and behaviours in response to the ongoing em…
Reasons for indoor tanning use and the acceptability of alternatives
Interventions to reduce indoor tanning behaviour should increase sources of self-esteem other than appearance, increase media literacy and address defensive responses to information around indoor tanning and alternatives. Further research is needed to develop these interventions and assess their feasibility
Predictors of health behaviours among Indian college students
Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the association between health behaviours of diet, physical activity, smoking cigarettes, alcohol consumption, safe sex and sleep quality with demographic (e.g. age, gender) and psychological (i.e. stress, self-esteem and sense of coherence) factors in Indian residential college students. Design/methodology/approach Students studying for Bachelor of Technology at residential colleges in India wer…
The impact of self-affirmation on health-behavior change
OBJECTIVES: Self-affirmation (induced by reflecting upon important values, attributes, or social relations) appears to reduce defensive resistance to health-risk information and increase subsequent readiness for health behavior change. However, these effects of self-affirmation have yet to be subjected to formal, quantitative integration. Consequently, the current article reports a meta-analysis of the impact of self-affirmation on outcomes at 3 …
Development of theory-based health messages
Online health behaviour interventions have great potential but their effectiveness may be hindered by a lack of formative and theoretical work. This paper describes the process of formative research to develop theoretically and empirically based health messages that are culturally relevant and can be used in an online intervention to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours among new university students. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, a …
A theory-based online health behaviour intervention for new university students (U@Uni)
Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN67684181
The cost-effectiveness of a theory-based online health behaviour intervention for new university students
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN67684181
Does heightening risk appraisals change people's intentions and behavior? A meta-analysis of experimental studies
A theory-based online health behavior intervention for new university students
Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN67684181
Developing and Testing a Self-affirmation Manipulation
We developed a new manipulation of self-affirmation that is simple to use, can be employed when circumstances prevent pre-screening or using essay-based methods, and has a highly equivalent control task. In the process, we addressed theoretical and empirical questions highlighted in a recent review as requiring attention. In comparison to five controls, the manipulation promoted positive changes on measures designed to test whether people are sel…
Developing and Testing a Self-affirmation Manipulation
We developed a new manipulation of self-affirmation that is simple to use, can be employed when circumstances prevent pre-screening or using essay-based methods, and has a highly equivalent control task. In the process, we addressed theoretical and empirical questions highlighted in a recent review as requiring attention. In comparison to five controls, the manipulation promoted positive changes on measures designed to test whether people are sel…
A theory-based online health behavior intervention for new university students
Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN67684181
A theory-based online health behaviour intervention for new university students (U@Uni)
Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN67684181
The cost-effectiveness of a theory-based online health behaviour intervention for new university students
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN67684181
Does heightening risk appraisals change people's intentions and behavior? A meta-analysis of experimental studies
The impact of self-affirmation on health-behavior change
OBJECTIVES: Self-affirmation (induced by reflecting upon important values, attributes, or social relations) appears to reduce defensive resistance to health-risk information and increase subsequent readiness for health behavior change. However, these effects of self-affirmation have yet to be subjected to formal, quantitative integration. Consequently, the current article reports a meta-analysis of the impact of self-affirmation on outcomes at 3 …
Development of theory-based health messages
Online health behaviour interventions have great potential but their effectiveness may be hindered by a lack of formative and theoretical work. This paper describes the process of formative research to develop theoretically and empirically based health messages that are culturally relevant and can be used in an online intervention to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours among new university students. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, a …
Predictors of health behaviours among Indian college students
Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the association between health behaviours of diet, physical activity, smoking cigarettes, alcohol consumption, safe sex and sleep quality with demographic (e.g. age, gender) and psychological (i.e. stress, self-esteem and sense of coherence) factors in Indian residential college students. Design/methodology/approach Students studying for Bachelor of Technology at residential colleges in India wer…
Patients' experiences of behaviour change interventions delivered by general practitioners during routine consultations
BACKGROUND: Consistent with the 'Making Every Contact Count' UK public health policy, general practitioners (GPs) are expected to provide patients with behaviour change interventions opportunistically. However, there is a belief widely held among GPs that patients neither want or need such interventions. We aimed to understand the following: (a) the characteristics of people attending GP appointments, (b) patients' needs for health behaviour chan…
Sunbed Use among 11- to 17-Year-Olds and Estimated Number of Commercial Sunbeds in England with Implications for a ‘Buy-Back’ Scheme
Prior to 2011 legislation prohibiting children from using commercial sunbeds, the prevalence of sunbed use in 15- to 17-year-olds in some areas in England was as high as 50%. Despite significant decreases since 2011, children today still practice indoor tanning. We estimated current sunbed use in 11- to 17-year-olds in England, the number of available commercial sunbed units, and the associated cost of a 'buy-back' scheme to remove commercial sun…
Template for Rapid Iterative Consensus of Experts (TRICE)
TRICE extends existing consensus methodologies and has supported public health collaboration; co-creation of guidance and translation of behavioural science to practice through explicit processes in generating expert advice for public health emergencies
Identifying targets for interventions to support public adherence to government instructions to reduce transmission of Sars-CoV-2
Interventions targeted at people with black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, men and younger people that focus on increasing capabilities, providing greater opportunities and boosting motivations are needed to support continued adherence to government instructions to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Further research is required to track changes in people's capabilities, opportunities, motivations and behaviours in response to the ongoing em…
Reasons for indoor tanning use and the acceptability of alternatives
Interventions to reduce indoor tanning behaviour should increase sources of self-esteem other than appearance, increase media literacy and address defensive responses to information around indoor tanning and alternatives. Further research is needed to develop these interventions and assess their feasibility
Acceptability of reducing sedentariness using a mobile-phone application based on ‘if then’ plans for people with psychosis
OBJECTIVE: To understand the acceptability of (a) reducing sedentary-behaviour in people with psychosis using 'if-then' plans and (b) the proposed app content. DESIGN: Qualitative acceptability study. METHOD: Three structured focus-groups and an interview were conducted with eight participants who had experience of a psychotic episode. They discussed sedentary-behaviour, being more active, critical situations in which they may be tempted to be se…
Are interventions delivered by healthcare professionals effective for weight management? A systematic review of systematic reviews
Objective: There are many systematic reviews of weight management interventions delivered by healthcare professionals (HCP), but it is not clear under what circumstances interventions are effective due to differences in review methodology. This review of systematic reviews synthesises the evidence about: (a) the effectiveness of HCP-delivered weight management interventions and (b) intervention and sample characteristics related to their effectiv…
Interventions to promote physical distancing behaviour during infectious disease pandemics or epidemics
Understanding a constellation of eight Covid-19 disease prevention behaviours using the COM-B model and the theoretical domains framework
Background: The use of behavioural science and behaviour change within local authorities and public health has supported healthful change; as evidenced by its importance and contribution to reducing harm during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can provide valuable information to enable the creation of evidence-based intervention strategies, co-created with the people they are aimed at, in an effective and efficient manner. Aim: This study aimed to use t…
Examining healthcare professional delivery of health behaviour change interventions during a public health emergency
This study aimed to assess the extent to which healthcare professional characteristics and perceptions of major stressors during a public health emergency were associated with delivering health behaviour change interventions. A survey was administered in 2022 to a representative sample of 1008 healthcare professionals working in the UK's National Health Service (NHS). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical linear regress…
Anti-mattering mediates the relationship between social-responsibility misalignments and mental health problems in young people
There is potential for a positive effect on mental health to be gained if institutions, such as universities, authentically co-develop, instantiate, and evaluate social-responsibility values with stakeholders in ways that genuinely combat invisibility, and instead, reflect that the views and feelings of stakeholders do matter
A theory-based randomised controlled trial to increase delivery of behaviour change interventions by healthcare professionals
BACKGROUND: Public health policies require healthcare professionals to incorporate health behaviour change interventions (HBCIs) into routine consultations. This study tested whether an "if-then" planning intervention could enhance HBCI delivery. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial involving 1008 UK NHS healthcare professionals compared an intervention group, who formed "if-then" plans, with an active control group. Data were collected at one,…
The effects of graded tasks on physical activity
How Effective Are Credible Sources in Changing Behavior? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the unique effects of credible sources on performed behavior, rather than behavioral antecedents (i.e., attitudes), and contexts where it is most effective. Six databases were searched to June 2024, yielding 40 effect sizes ( N = 7,995, 58.42% females, mean age of 17.75 years old, with mostly White ethnicity 75.81%) from 34 papers. A random effects model indicated a small positive effect, d = …
Are you safe?”
This study examined how Indian dating app users perceive risks in their online interactions and the strategies they employed to mitigate deception, privacy concerns, and protect their sexual health, framed by Regulatory Focus Theory (RFT) assumptions. Semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews (N = 10) were conducted with heterosexual (n = 4) and queer (n = 6) urban Indian dating app users. Interviews explored participants’ risk-related decision-…
Medicine (14 works) · Behavioral Health and Interventions (12 works) · Psychology (11 works) · Psychological intervention (10 works) · Public health (10 works) · Nursing (8 works) · Environmental health (6 works) · Social Psychology (6 works) · Applied Psychology (4 works) · Behavior change (4 works)