A cross-sectional survey of use, experiences, and expectations of complementary health approaches: associations with subconscious connectedness

Thesis

Background: This project examines the association between subconscious connectedness (SC) and engagement with psychological or combined psychological/physical complementary health approaches (PC-CHA) among U.S. adults. SC represents the strength of communication between subconscious and conscious thoughts as measured by the Thought Impact Scale (TIS). PC-CHA comprises a set of non-traditional health practices that employ primarily psychological or blended psychological–physical approaches such as meditation, hypnosis, tai chi, and yoga.

Aims: The primary aims of this study are to assess whether higher TIS scores are associated with increased utilisation of PC-CHA, positive experiences with PC-CHA, and higher expectations of PC-CHA benefits.

Methods: Logistic and linear regression models examined participants’ TIS score quartiles as a predictor of three outcome variables measuring engagement with PC-CHA while controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, psychological, and health-related covariates. The outcome variables included the prevalence of PC-CHA usage, ratings of previous experiences with PC- CHA, and reports of the expected benefit of PC-CHA, Results: Higher TIS scores were positively associated with greater odds of using PC-CHA and higher expectations of benefit from PC-CHA but are not associated with a more favourable rating of experience with PC-CHA.

Conclusions: SC affects healthcare decisions and interactions. Awareness of this effect could enable healthcare providers to deliver more patient-centred care. It could also lead to further investigations on improving clinical interactions, patient counselling, care coordination, cost, safety, efficacy, and health policy.

Authors: Motyka, T

• Alternative title: How is subconscious connectedness associated with the use, positive experience, and expectation of benefit from psychological and combined psychological/physical complementary and integrative health approaches?
• DOI: 10.5287/ora-xmjmppdoj
• Type of award: MSc by Research
• Level of award: Masters
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: psychological traits; subconscious connectedness; complementary health approaches; patient-centred care; thought impact scale; health behaviour
• Subjects: Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Public health; Patient-Centred Care; Clinical health psychology; Behavioural Medicine; Health Services Research