| Summary: | Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and illicit drug use are prevalent within the Cystic Fibrosis population, with these behaviours having adverse health effects upon patients regardless of their treatment adherence. Previous quantitative research highlighting the incidence, prevalence and effects of these behaviours within the Cystic Fibrosis population demonstrates the need for more effective health promotion measures to be integrated into Cystic Fibrosis care. Therefore, attempting to reduce occurring risky health behaviours specifically within the Cystic Fibrosis population, this doctoral research aimed to identify influential factors associated with these behaviours. This research utilised qualitative methods to explore beliefs associated with risky health behaviours within the adult Cystic Fibrosis population. This first phase of data collection was followed by another qualitative study exploring Cystic Fibrosis adolescents' understanding of, and beliefs about risky health behaviours. Both phases of data collection highlight that a desire to be normal, acceptance of Cystic Fibrosis and awareness of risks are influential in initiation and engagement of risky health behaviours. Both adult and paediatric participants reported a lack of awareness regarding adverse health effects of risky behaviours, demonstrating the need for more effective health promotion and encouragement of healthier lifestyles. Accordingly, to create a corresponding intervention, the researcher has listened to how Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Nurses perceive the issue of risky health behaviours within the population, along with gaining Cystic Fibrosis health care professionals' views on what interventions are needed to reduce the occurrence of such behaviours. The researcher presently plans to collaborate with health care professionals to design an intervention, which would consist of continuous professional development for health care professionals to improve awareness on risky health behaviours within the Cystic Fibrosis population, and would inform patients regarding the Cystic Fibrosis-specific adverse effects of risky health behaviours via interdisciplinary collaboration and scholarship between psychology and technology. Overall this research has provided practical insight into policy change for the prevention and reduction of risky health behaviours within the Cystic Fibrosis population nationally and internationally by informing current advice and practice.
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