Reinforce chapter themes with free access to two journal articles for each chapter and further online readings. Select chapters will also include suggested weblinks.

Journal Article 12.1: O’Brien, K. M. (2012) ‘Healthy, wealthy, wise? Psychosocial factors influencing the socioeconomic status-health gradint’, Journal of Health Psychology 17(8): 1142–51.

Description: The present research investigated psychosocial factors: control beliefs; social relations moderating the SES–health gradient. Participants included 3775 respondents from a national probability sample, Midlife in United States (t1: age, M = 46.40, SD = 13.00, t2: age, M = 55.47, SD = 12.43), who provided reports on control beliefs, social relations, and health at two assessment occasions (1994/1995 and 2002/2003). Hierarchical regression demonstrated that control beliefs, social support, and strain uniquely moderated relationships between SES and longitudinal health. The present study highlights the importance of psychosocial factors as protective mechanisms of socioeconomic disadvantages and associated long-term deleterious health outcomes.

Journal Article 12.2: Wong, W. P., Yeung, M., Loh, S. et al. (2012) ‘Stroke-related knowledge, lifestyle behaviours and health beliefs in Singaporean Chinese: Implications for health education’, Health Education Journal 72(4) 386–97.

Description: The objective of the present study was to describe stroke-related knowledge (risk factors, warning signs and emergency response), lifestyle behaviours and health beliefs among Singaporean Chinese, and to identify any factors associated with such knowledge, behaviours and beliefs. This was a cross-sectional study design employing a non-probability sampling method. Participants were recruited from the community.  Singaporean Chinese aged 40–74 years completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire seeking demographic information, knowledge of stroke risk factors, warning signs and emergency response, lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity participation and dietary habits, and health beliefs.  A total of 411 questionnaires (42% men, average age 52.4 years ± 7.3) were analyzed. Most respondents were able to identify at least one correct risk factor and warning sign (88% and 78% respectively). But only 38% stated the correct emergency response. Mass media was the main source of their knowledge. Most respondents reported healthy lifestyle and have positive health beliefs, many of which were associated with age, gender, education, income, religion and whether having relatives suffering from a chronic illness. In conclusion, this survey identified areas for health education programmes to improve stroke-related knowledge and lifestyle behaviour change in different target groups.