REASON4HEALTH: Methodology

Abstract

The main project methodology is planned in five stages that inform one another and cross-validate data from multiple methods. These include: (1) A study documenting online media coverage of TM/CAM practices in Serbia. This study will use a qualitative methodology, and conduct a content analysis of news stories from the five most popular news websites in Serbia, focusing on identifying the types of reported practices and content of the advice (e.g., whether risks are addressed) (2) Development of instruments for assessing familiarity and frequency of two types of health behaviors: engagement with different TM/CAM practices, as well as the frequency of NAR. Instrument development will be based on the results of the qualitative study, literature review, input from medical and CAM practitioners. The instrument will be piloted on a convenience sample (3) A study tracking the prevalence and the pattern of TM/CAM usage and NAR during 3 weeks on a community sample. This study will consist of a development of a mobile app and battery for experience sampling of TM/CAM and NAR behaviors over 21 days and their relations with personality and cognitive styles in a community sample (4) Examining the relations between these two types of health behaviors on a general population. This study will explore the relations between TM/CAM, NAR, personality, and cognitive styles on a representative sample in Serbia. (5) Developing interventions aimed at reducing TM/CAM use and NAR through changing the irrational mindset. This study will be experimental and will examine how inducing or reducing irrational beliefs affects health behaviors, and if certain personality traits and/or thinking styles moderate the outcome of these interventions.