Presseau Group
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Overview
The Psychology and Health Research Group (PaHRG) at The Ottawa Hospital uses theory and methods from psychology and behavioural medicine to understand and promote behaviour change in health and health care.
Based in Ottawa (Canada), our vibrant research group emphasizes rigorous development and application of theory and methods that underpin three core pillars of research activity focused on evidence synthesis of health behaviour research, multi-method approaches to identifying factors associated with health-related behaviours, to inform the development and evaluation of health-related behaviour change interventions. Our research is rooted in behaviour and behaviour change theory, applying contemporary approaches while pushing the boundaries of current theories to contribute to a cumulative and generalizable understanding of behaviour change in health. Such approaches are underpinned by a commitment to rigorous application of methods from health psychology and behavioural medicine.
PaHRG emphasizes education and training, providing pathways to research and employment for applied psychologists and health researchers through supervision and support at the Bachelor, Masters, Doctorate, and Post-Doctoral levels, supported through our faculty appointments in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health and School of Psychology.
PaHRG is based at The Ottawa Hospital’s Centre for Practice-Changing Research and the University of Ottawa. We work closely with members of The Ottawa Hospital’s Methods Centre, Centre for Implementation Research and Clinical Epidemiology Program, Our research involves local, national, and international collaborations including the Carleton Health Psychology Lab, the Montreal Behavioural Medicine Centre, the NUIG Health Behaviour Change Research Group, and the UCL Centre for Behaviour Change, and links to disciplinary organizations including the Canadian Psychological Association, the International Behavioural Trials Network, and the European Health Psychology Society.
We are a research group and do not provide clinical psychological services to patients. If you require clinical advice, please contact your health care provider.
Research
Pillar 1: Evidence synthesis of health-related behaviour research
We conduct scoping and systematic reviews of literatures that focus on behaviour or behaviour change. These include reviews of behaviour change interventions, investigations of intervention characteristics and ‘active ingredients’ (e.g. behaviour change techniques, mechanisms of action, mode of delivery) as well as reviews of applications of specific theories/models/frameworks.
Pillar 2: Determinants of health-related behaviour
We conduct qualitative and quantitative research to identify theory-based factors linked with behaviour. Findings provide an empirical basis for behaviour change intervention development, including selecting techniques to target modifiable factors linked to behaviour. Using primary multi-method research to identify theory-based modifiable factors linked to behaviour that can form the basis for designing behaviour change interventions to support behaviour change in patients and the public, as well as healthcare professionals.
Quantitative studies
Pillar 3: Health-related behaviour change intervention evaluation
We rigorously evaluate theory-based behaviour change interventions, emphasizing randomized and cluster-randomized designs, and conduct theory-based process evaluations embedded alongside trials to assess fidelity and mechanisms of change.
Foundation: Health-related behaviour change theory and methods
All research activities within PaHRG apply state-of-the-science theory and methods to ensure continuity and the development of a cumulative evidence base. In addition to being embedded in the research across our three research pillars, we continue to contribute to the wider scientific discussion on use of theory and develop methods for selecting theory and assessing theoretical constructs.
- On the development, evaluation and evolution of health behaviour theory
- Time to retire the theory of planned behaviour
- 15 recommendations for designing audit and feedback
- Habitual use of the self-report habit index
- Discriminant content validation of theoretical domains framework (TDF) questionnaire
- Methodological considerations in conducting theory-based mechanistic process evaluations alongside trials of health-care professional behaviour change interventions
- Using the BCT taxonomy to identify active ingredients in healthcare professional behaviour change interventions
- Criteria for selecting implementation science theories
- Using Personal Projects Analysis for multiple behaviour research
- T-CaST: a Theory Comparison and Selection Tool
Funding
We gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders. Below is a list of currently funded research led by PaHRG members.