🌟 We’re thrilled to welcome Dr @zofiaszczuka.bsky.social to the EHPS Synergy Board 🌟
Zofia will take on the role of Liaision Officer, supporting the annual Synergy Expert Meeting at the @ehps.bsky.social (EHPS) conference
💡 Did you know that you can receive up to €1300 towards attending the European Health Psychology Society @ehps.bsky.social conference?
👇 Apply for the EHPS Synergy grant to attend the conference and the Expert Meeting on "Implementing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion"
lnkd.in/dqdqh4Bn
⏰ 29.05.26
Join us in Pafos, Cyprus for the #EHPS2026 Synergy Expert Meeting 2026: "Implementing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Health Psychology Research" 🧠🤝
📅 30-31 Aug 2025 💶 €300
🔗Apply by 14 June: forms.gle/4LzVUHD2eFSV...
🔗 Grants (🚨 close 29 May!): ehps.net/synergy-gran...
@ehps.bsky.social
🌟 We are excited to welcome Dr @sarahdenford.bsky.social d.bsky.social to the EHPS Synergy Board 🌟
Sarah will take on the role of Committee Coordinator and Grants Master, supporting EHPS members to attend the @ehps.bsky.social conference & also keeping the Synergy Board in check!
👋 Sending greetings from the CREATE Committee! 👋
We met again yesterday to continue working on our formats and offerings. ⚙️ Right now, we’re working through the details of our pre-conference workshop at EHPS 2026, while also developing further offerings.
More coming very soon! 🙌✨
What are the most pressing challenges in health psychology today—and how do we turn research into real-world impact? 🎥
Prof. Jane Walsh shares her insights in this engaging keynote interview with Dr. Dr Laura Panagi.
🎥 youtu.be/6wH9-AzxfCU
Join us at EHPS 2026 to continue the conversation.
🚨 Applications open April 1 – CREATE Pre-Conference Workshop at EHPS 2026!
This year, we’re diving into a timely topic: using AI in research. It’s also a great opportunity to connect with other early-career researchers! 🤝
➡️ More information here: 2026.ehps.net/create-inter...
📣Join the EHPS #Mentoring Standing Committee! The Committee is seeking a Secretary/Treasurer to help with administrative tasks, coordinate meetings, support the Chair, and manage finances.
👉 Interested? Send a short statement (max 2 paragraphs) + CV to mentoring@ehps.net by 30 April 2026
Title: Effectiveness of text message-delivered health behaviour intervention on HbA1c change in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials Abstract: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of text message-delivered health behaviours intervention on HbA1c change among adults with T2DM, and to identify key moderators including intervention features, message characteristics, target behaviours, and the usage of behaviour change techniques (BCTs). We systematically reviewed 37 randomised controlled trials published between 2016 and 2025, involving 8,971 participants. Changes in HbA1c and health behaviours were analysed using the standardised mean difference. The meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction in HbA1c (g = −0.32, 95% CI = −0.46 to – 0.18). Meta-regression also found that the intervention significantly improved health behaviours, which in turn predicted a significant reduction in HbA1c levels. Subsequent subgroup analyses revealed that studies with a shorter duration (≤6 months) demonstrated a larger effect size in reducing HbA1c. Notably, interventions employing specific BCTs including ‘body changes’ (g = −0.643), ‘habit formation’ (g = −0.624), ‘credible source’ (g = −0.513), ‘self-monitoring of outcomes of behaviours’ (g = −0.377), and "instruction on how to perform the behaviour’ (g = −0.354) were significantly associated with greater HbA1c reductions. These effects were particularly pronounced in trials focused on physical activity, healthy eating, and medication adherence. Conclusions suggest that text message-delivered health behavior interventions should be tailored to specific target behavior and incorporate these high-impact BCTs to comprehensively improve diabetes management.
📱 Can text messages help improve diabetes management?
A meta-analysis (37 RCTs; 8,971 participants) finds:
📉 SMS interventions significantly reduce HbA1c
⚡ Bigger effects in ≤6‑month programs
🔧 Strongest results when using key BCTs: habit formation, credible source & self‑monitoring
🔎 doi.org/qs69
🚀 The EHPS Synergy Board had our annual Winter Meeting, Berlin.
✨ We strategised on how best to support @ehps.bsky.social members to connect with each other on theoretical, methodological approaches & practical applications for topics within the realms of #HealthPsychology and #BehaviouralScience
📌New article!
Lisa Harms, Tugce Varol, and Gido Metz highlight the importance of Intervention Mapping Step 6: Evaluation. They argue that real-world settings require flexible evaluation approaches, especially when interventions must adapt during implementation.
▶️https://doi.org/10.62696/avt3nm66
🔔New article!
Sarah Stutterheim shares mistakes and lessons from designing and evaluating an HIV stigma intervention. The paper walks through all six Intervention Mapping steps, explaining what went wrong and key insights for real-world application.
▶️https://doi.org/10.62696/87jab644
📢 Sign up for our first webinar!
On the 30th of April at 3pm CET, Annick De Paepe and Maya Braun will present:
“Making Constructs Count: A Practical Guide to Conceptual Clarity.”
International Women’s Day 2026 🩷💜
Today we celebrate women advancing research, policy, and practice for a more equitable and sustainable world.
We call for equal opportunities, fair pay, better working conditions, and recognition of care work to advance gender equity and global health.
#IWD2026
Screenshot of first page of the article. Title: Partners’ influences on women’s experiences of living with and managing gestational diabetes mellitus: a qualitative evidence synthesis Abstract: Living with and managing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) can be a significant burden for women. Previous research suggests that family support, particularly from partners, can substantially influence women’s experiences of GDM. This review synthesised qualitative research examining the influence of partner support on women’s experiences ofliving with and managing GDM. A systematic search was conducted across MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane, and ProQuest.Sixty-two articles were included, and themes were developed using Thomas and Harden’s (2008) thematic synthesis approach. Confidence in the findings was assessed using the GRADE-CERQual approach. Three key themes were generated: (1) the spectrum of dyadic experiences in GDM, highlighting varying forms of partner support, including practical,emotional, and indirect support; (2) aligning partner support with women’s needs, emphasising the importance of matching support with individual preferences; and (3) partner support is experienced within dyads, families, and cultural contexts, demonstrating how cultural norms shape partner involvement. Supportive partners positively influenced coping and management, while overbearing or inadequate support increased burden. Cultural expectations around support affected how support was perceived and provided. Most findings were rated as moderate confidence. Healthcare strategies could focus on education, open communication, and culturally tailored support to optimise partner involvement.
🤰💛 How do partners shape women’s experiences with gestational diabetes?
A qualitative synthesis (62 studies) finds:
🤝 Partner support ranges from practical to emotional
✨ Support that matches women’s needs eases GDM burden
🌍 Cultural norms shape how support is given & felt
🔎 doi.org/10.1080/1743...
The Local Organising Committee of the EHPS 2026 Conference in Cyprus is aware that recent developments and ongoing conflict in the Middle East may raise questions or concerns for some colleagues planning to attend the conference.
See below...
🚀 We hosted our annual Winter School focused on Formalizing Psychological Theories, with many thanks to our brilliant facilitators Nele Freyer and Daniel Leising!
🙏 Thanks to Lisa Warner for hosting at #MSB Medical School Berlin!
@ehps.bsky.social #HealthPsychology
🚀 EHPS Open Science Student Award 🚀
Applications Open! Are you a student or recent graduate passionate about #openscience in #healthpsychology? EHPS OS SIG is awarding a €500 to recognize and support OS practices!
Deadline: 17/04/2026
🔗 Apply now: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
📌New article!
In our special issue on intervention mapping, Idah Mokhele introduces Step 4 of the Intervention Mapping protocol: Program Production, emphasizing the translation of a carefully planned program into a practical, effective, real-world intervention.
▶️ doi.org/10.62696/xvp...
🤔What does it take to successfully facilitate, monitor, and adapt a real-world health programme?
In our special issue on Intervention Mapping, Kathelijne Bessems and Patricia van Assema share practical lessons from implementing the Dutch Good Affordable Food programme.
▶️ doi.org/10.62696/w3e...
Screenshot of article titled: The effects of graded tasks on physical activity: a systematicreview and meta-analysis Abstract: This review establishes the extent to which the behaviour changetechnique (BCT) Graded Tasks is effective in increasing physical activity.Databases, including PubMed, Cochrane and PsycINFO, were searched(October 2024) for randomised control trials of Graded Tasksinterventions with adult physical activity change as the main outcome.Graded Tasks were always delivered alongside BCTs ‘goal setting(behaviour)’ and ‘action planning’. Of the 53 identified studies (N =10,060), 39 were included in a random effects meta-analysis, indicating asignificant, medium effect of Graded Tasks interventions in increasingphysical activity (N = 4190, g = 0.61, CI 95% 0.42–0.81, p < .001, I2 = 83%).Prevention-based interventions (g = 0.78, CI 95% 0.43–1.12, p < .001, I2 =90%) had larger effects than treatment-based interventions (g = 0.38, CI95% 0.23–0.53, p < .001, I2 = 34). The number of Graded Task incrementsexplained significant variability in physical activity change (R2 = 0.47, β =0.68, p < .001). GRADE certainty of evidence was rated low. Graded Tasks,in conjunction with other BCTs, are effective for increasing physicalactivity, particularly for prevention. The included studies did, however,show high heterogeneity and potential publication bias. PROSPEROregistration: CRD42022347300
🏋️♀️📊 Do step‑by‑step goals boost activity?
A new open access meta-analysis (53 studies) finds:
✅ Graded Tasks significantly increase physical activity
🚀 Bigger effects in prevention than treatment
🔎 Read more: doi.org/qs67
First page of article. Title: Psychological adjustment in parents of children and adolescentswith chronic health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic – ameta-analysis Abstract: Caring for a child with a chronic health condition (CC) involves numerouschallenges, which may have multiplied during the COVID-19 pandemic.Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed (1) to quantify the prevalence ofclinically elevated anxiety, depression, general stress, and parentingstress symptoms in afflicted parents, (2) to examine potential moderatorvariables, and (3) to compare the outcomes between parents ofchildren with and without CCs. A systematic literature search wasconducted across four databases (PsycInfo, PubMed, CENTRAL,PSYNdex). A total of 79 studies were included. The pooled prevalenceestimates of clinically elevated anxiety, depression, general andparenting stress symptoms were 31.04%, 27.37%, 64.27%, and 26.70%,respectively. Significant moderators were identified only for anxietysymptoms, namely geopolitical region, child CC, and child age. Anxietyand depression, but not general and parenting stress, were significantlyhigher in parents of children with than without CCs. Compared topublished data from before the pandemic, prevalence rates of clinicallyelevated anxiety and depression symptoms decreased, while stresslevels no longer differed between parents of children with and withoutCCs. We hypothesise that parents of children with CCs experiencedsome beneficial effects during the COVID-19 pandemic and had alreadyacquired resilience to buffer its psychosocial impact.
🧠💛 How did parents of children with chronic conditions cope during COVID‑19?
A meta-analysis (79 studies) finds:
📊 High rates of anxiety (31%), depression (27%) & stress
⚠️ Parents of children with CCs show higher anxiety/depression
🌍 Some effects vary by region & child age
🔎 doi.org/qs68
In conversation with Mrs. Sotia Nestoros, Prof. Gertraud (Turu) Stadler reflects on current developments in Health Psychology and how these ideas will shape her keynote at the 40th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society in Paphos.
🔗https://youtu.be/A0ZNuhJXm6U
#EHPS
Happy to announce our first EMPOWER webinar for 2026!
We will be welcoming Olga Perski and Marta Moreira Marques to talk about personal fellowship applications!
Register here: bit.ly/empowerWS26
🔔New article!
Gido Metz, Jeroen Bruinsma, and Tugce Varol outline Step 3 of Intervention Mapping: Program Design, showing how to generate program ideas, select evidence-based behavior change methods, and translate them into practical, effective applications.
Read more: doi.org/10.62696/was...
This is a friendly reminder to our members to vote on proposed changes to the EC and our annual conferences. A reminder with the link has just been sent. Please check your spam folders and let us know if you did not receive the email.
📌New article!
A practical step-by-step guide to Step 2 of Intervention Mapping by Liliane Said and Gjalt-Jorn Peters shows how to translate needs assessment findings into specific objectives aimed at changing health behaviours and environmental conditions.
▶️https://doi.org/10.62696/yatcxb39
🔎 Behind the Scenes: Moving Things Forward 🚀
Yesterday, we came together again to continue working on our projects. We’re currently preparing our pre-conference workshop #EHPS2026 and developing new formats and topics for upcoming webinars. ✨
Lots in the making – more information coming soon! 😊🙌