Newcastle University

Introduction

I am a behavioural scientist. My research programme aims at developing and testing a) theory of behaviour change and b) interventions to change behaviours relevant to health and health care. This research is conducted with my colleages in the IHS, the Newcastle Health Psychology Group and colleages nationally and internationally.

I am president elect of the European Health Psychology Society, Associate Editor of Health Psychology Review, and member of the editorial boards of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Psychology & Health and the British Journal of Health Psychology. My post is currently funded by Fuse, the UK CRC Centre for Tranlsational Research in Public Health and our research is funded by the Medical Research Council, the National Institute of Health Research and other funders.  

Qualifications

F EHPS (2011)
PhD (2004 Berlin)
Dipl-Psych (2000 Berlin; 5 year undergraduate psychology degree)

Previous Positions

Lecturer in Psychology Aberdeen (2004-2008)
Senior Lecturer in Psychology (2008-2010)

Memberships

European Health Psychology Society
UK Society of Behavioural Medicine 

Research Interests

Behaviour and behaviour change in primary, secondary tertiary prevention and behaviour change amongst professionals.

Postgraduate Supervision

PhD students

Angela Rodrigues (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology)
Dominika Kwasnicka (ESRC)
Suzanne McDonald (MRC)
Masoumeh Namadian
Sandra Machado (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology)
Lucia Rehackova (IHS)

Recent alumni

Dr Stephan Dombrowski (University of Aberdeen)
Dr Jeanette Jackson (University of Aberdeen)
Silje Skar (6th Century Studentship)
Justin Presseau (Aberdeen Development Trust / ICEBeRG)

Projects

• Development and Assessment of Services for Hyper-acute Stroke (DASH): Objective 1
  Project Leader(s): Prof Gary Ford, Prof Helen Rodgers, Prof Richard Thomson, Prof Martin White, Prof Martin Eccles, Dr Madeleine Murtagh
  To determine the effectiveness of a multi faceted community programme to increase awareness of and response to symptoms of stroke by the public, patients and health service staff

• McMurdo MET, Argo I, Crombie IK, Feng Z, Sniehotta FF, Vadiveloo T, Witham MD, Donnan PT. Social, environmental and psychological factors associated with objective physical activity levels in the over 65s. PLoS One 2012. In Press.
• Pakpour AM, Sniehotta FF. Perceived behaviour control and coping planning predict dental brushing behaviour among Iranian adolescents. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2012, 39(2), 132-137.
• Avery L, Flynn D, van Wersch A, Trenell MI, Sniehotta FF. Systematic Review to identify active ingredients in behaviour change interventions targeting physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes. In: Psychology & Health: 25th European Health Psychology Conference. 2011, Crete, Greece: Routledge.
• Hobbs N, Sniehotta FF. Two-year findings of an implementation intention intervention for teenage women show reduced consultations for emergency contraception or pregnancy testing and a trend towards reduced pregnancy rates. Evidence-Based Nursing 2012, 15(2), 44-45.
• Skår S, Sniehotta FF, Molloy GJ, Prestwich A, Araújo-Soares V. Do brief online planning interventions increase physical activity amongst university students? A randomised controlled trial. Psychology & Health 2011, 26(4), 399-417.
• Presseau J, Francis JJ, Campbell NC, Sniehotta FF. Goal conflict, goal facilitation and health professionals' provision of physical activity advice in primary care: An exploratory prospective study. Implementation Science 2011, 6, 73.
• Dombrowski SU, Sniehotta FF, Avenell A, Johnston M, MacLennan G, Araujo-Soares V. Identifying active ingredients in complex behavioural interventions for obese adults with obesity-related co-morbidities or additional risk factors for co-morbidities: a systematic review. Health Psychology Review 2012, 6(1), 7-32.
• Sniehotta FF, Dombrowski SU, Avenell A, Johnston M, McDonald S, Murchie P, Ramsay CR, Robertson K, Araujo-Soares V. Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial of an Evidence-Informed Behavioural Intervention for Obese Adults with Additional Risk Factors. PLoS One 2011, 6(8), e23040.
• Michie S, Ashford S, Sniehotta FF, Dombrowski SU, Bishop A, French DP. Specifying interventions to change physical activity and healthy eating: Development of a revised 40-item taxonomy of behaviour change techniques. Psychology & Health 2011, 26(11), 1479-1498.
• Sniehotta FF, Gorski C, Araujo-Soares V. Adoption of community-based cardiac rehabilitation programs and physical activity following phase III cardiac rehabilitation in Scotland: A prospective and predictive study. Psychology & Health 2010, 25(7), 839-854.
• Dombrowski SU, Avenell A, Sniehotta FF. Behavioural Interventions for Obese Adults with Additional Risk Factors for Morbidity: Systematic Review of Effects on Behaviour, Weight and Disease Risk Factors. Obesity Facts 2010, 3(6), 377-396.
• Presseau J, Sniehotta FF, Francis JJ, Gebhardt WA. With a little help from my goals: Integrating intergoal facilitation with the theory of planned behaviour to predict physical activity. British Journal of Health Psychology 2010,15 4 905-919.
• McMurdo ME, Sugden J, Argo I, Boyle P, Johnston DW, Sniehotta FF, Donnan PT. Do pedometers increase physical activity in sedentary older women? A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2010, 58(11), 2099-2106.
• Darker CD, French DP, Eves FF, Sniehotta FF. An intervention to promote walking amongst the general population based on an 'extended' theory of planned behaviour: A waiting list randomised controlled trial. Psychology & Health 2010, 25(1), 71-88.
• Sniehotta FF. Towards a theory of intentional behaviour change: Plans, planning, and self-regulation. British Journal of Health Psychology 2009, 14(2), 261-273.
• Sniehotta FF, Schwarzer R, Scholz U, Schuz B. Action planning and coping planning for long-term lifestyle change: Theory and assessment. European Journal of Social Psychology 2005, 35(4), 565-576.
• Sniehotta FF, Scholz U, Schwarzer R. Bridging the intention-behaviour gap: Planning, self-efficacy, and action control in the adoption and maintenance of physical exercise. Psychology & Health 2005, 20(2), 143-160.
• Sniehotta FF, Scholz U, Schwarzer R. Action plans and coping plans for physical exercise: A longitudinal intervention study in cardiac rehabilitation. British Journal of Health Psychology 2006, 11(1), 23-37.
• Araujo-Soares V, McIntyre T, MacLennan G, Sniehotta FF. Development and exploratory cluster-randomised opportunistic trial of a theory-based intervention to enhance physical activity among adolescents. Psychology & Health 2009, 24(7), 805-822.
• Michie S, Webb TL, Sniehotta FF. The importance of making explicit links between the theoretical constructs and behaviour change techniques. Addiction 2010. Oxford, UK:Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.,105 11 1897-1898.
• Vogt F, Ashworth M, Hall S, Sniehotta FF, Marteau TM. What underlies the perception that a medical intervention is effective? An exploratory study among smokers. Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2010, 12(5), 508-515.
• Sniehotta FF. An experimental test of the theory of planned behaviour. Applied Psychology: Health and Wellbeing 2009, 1(2), 257-270.
• Wiedemann AU, Schuz B, Sniehotta F, Scholz U, Schwarzer R. Disentangling the relation between intentions, planning, and behaviour: A moderated mediation analysis. Psychology & Health 2009, 24(1), 67-79.
• Presseau J, Sniehotta FF, Francis JJ, Campbell NC. Multiple goals and time constraints: perceived impact on physicians' performance of evidence-based behaviours. Implementation Science 2009, 4, 77.
• Araujo-Soares V, McIntyre T, Sniehotta FF. Predicting changes in physical activity among adolescents: the role of self-efficacy, intention, action planning and coping planning. Health Education Research 2009, 24(1), 128-139.
• Schuz B, Sniehotta FF, Mallach N, Wiedemann AU, Schwarzer R. Predicting transitions from preintentional, intentional and actional stages of change. Health Education Research 2009, 24(1), 64-75.
• Molloy GJ, Sniehotta F, Johnston M. Two alternative models of health behaviour and recovery from activity limitations due to acute injury: A prospective study. Psychology & Health 2009, 24(3), 271-285.
• Presseau J, Sniehotta FF, Francis JJ, Little BR. Personal projects analysis: Opportunities and implications for multiple goal assessment, theoretical integration, and behaviour change. The European Health Psychologist 2008, 10(2), 32-36.
• Skar S, Sniehotta FF, Araujo-Soares V, Molloy GJ. Prediction of behaviour vs. prediction of behaviour change: The role of motivational moderators in the theory of planned behaviour. Applied Psychology 2008, 57(4), 609-627.
• Renner B, Schuez B, Sniehotta FF. Preventive health behavior and adaptive accuracy of risk perceptions. Risk Analysis 2008, 28(3), 741-748.
• Sugden JA, Sniehotta FF, Donnan PT, Boyle P, Johnston DW, McMurdo MET. The feasibility of using pedometers and brief advice to increase activity in sedentary older women - a pilot study. BMC Health Services Research 2008, 8, 169.
• Dombrowski SU, Sniehotta FF, Avenell A, Coyne JC. Current issues and future directions in Psychology and Health: Towards a cumulative science of behaviour change: Do current conduct and reporting of behavioural interventions fall short of best practice?. Psychology & Health 2007, 22(8), 869-874.
• Scholz U, Sniehotta FF, Schuz B, Oeberst A. Dynamics in self-regulation: Plan execution self-efficacy and mastery of action plans. Journal of Applied Social Psychology 2007, 37(11), 2706-2725.
• Scholz U, Sniehotta FF, Burkert S, Schwarzer R. Increasing physical exercise levels - Age-specific benefits of planning. Journal of Aging and Health 2007, 19(5), 851-866.
• Cooke R, Sniehotta F, Schuz B. Predicting binge-drinking behaviouir using an extended TPB: Examining the impact of anticipated regret and descriptive norms. Alcohol and Alcoholism 2007, 42(2), 84-91.
• Sniehotta FF, Soares VA, Dombrowski SU. Randomized controlled trial of a one-minute intervention changing oral self-care behavior. Journal of Dental Research 2007, 86(7), 641-645.
• Schuz B, Sniehotta FF, Schwarzer R. Stage-specific effects of an action control intervention on dental flossing. Health Education Research 2007, 22(3), 332-341.
• Schuz B, Sniehotta FF, Wiedemann A, Seemann R. Adherence to a daily flossing regimen in university students: effects of planning when, where, how and what to do in the face of barriers. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2006, 33(9), 612-619.
• Scholz U, Knoll N, Sniehotta FF, Schwarzer R. Physical activity and depressive symptoms in cardiac rehabilitation: Long-term effects of a self-management intervention. Social Science & Medicine 2006, 62(12), 3109-3120.
• Sniehotta FF, Nagy G, Scholz U, Schwarzer R. The role of action control in implementing intentions during the first weeks of behaviour change. British Journal of Social Psychology 2006, 45(1), 87-106.
• Sniehotta FF, Luszczynska A, Scholz U, Lippike S. Discontinuity patterns in stages of the precaution adoption process model: Meat consumption during a livestock epidemic. British Journal of Health Psychology 2005, 10(2), 221-235.
• Sniehotta FF, Scholz U, Schwarzer R, Fuhrmann B, Kiwus U, Voller H. Long-term effects of two psychological interventions on physical exercise and self-regulation following coronary rehabilitation. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 2005, 12(4), 244-255.
• Scholz U, Sniehotta FF, Schwarzer R. Predicting physical exercise in cardiac rehabilitation: The role of phase-specific self-efficacy beliefs. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 2005, 27(2), 135-151.
• Sniehotta FF, Presseau J, Hobbs N, Araújo-Soares V. Brief Report: Testing Self-Regulation Interventions to Increase Walking using Factorial Randomized N-of-1 Trials. Health Psychology 2012. In Press.
• Avery L, Taylor L, Lievesley M, Mosely K, Speight J, Sniehotta FF, Trenell MI. Development of a behavioural intervention targeting free-living physical activity in adults with type 2 diabetes in primary care: Movement as Medicine. In: Diabetic Medicine: DUK Annual Professional Conference. 2012, Glasgow, UK: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• Presseau J, Tait RI, Johnston DW, Francis JJ, Sniehotta FF. Goal conflict and goal facilitation as predictors of daily accelerometer-assessed physical activity. Health Psychology 2012. In Press.
• McMurdo MET, Argo I, Crombie IK, Feng ZQ, Sniehotta FF, Vadiveloo T, Witham MD, Donnan PT. Social, Environmental and Psychological Factors Associated with Objective Physical Activity Levels in the Over 65s. PLOS ONE 2012, 7(2), -.
• Sniehotta FF, Presseau J. The habitual use of the Self-Report Habit Index. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2012, 43(1), 139-140.
• Carroll SL, Greig CA, Lewis SJ, McMurdo ME, Sniehotta FF, Johnston M, Johnston DW, Scopes J, Mead GE. The Use of Pedometers in Stroke Survivors: Are They Feasible and How Well Do They Defect Steps?. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2012, 93(3), 466-470.
• Beenstock J, Sniehotta FF, White M, Bell R, Milne E, Araujo-Soares V. What helps and hinders midwives in engaging with pregnant women about stopping smoking? A cross-sectional survey of perceived implementation difficulties among midwives in the North East of England. Implementation Science 2012. In Press.
• Michie S, Ashford S, Sniehotta FF, Dombrowski SU, Bishop A, French DP. A refined taxonomy of behaviour change techniques to help people change their physical activity and healthy eating behaviours: The CALO-RE taxonomy. Psychology & Health 2011, 26(11), 1479-1498.
• Dombrowski SU, Sniehotta FF, Johnston M, Broom I, Kulkarni U, Brown J, Murray L, Araujo-Soares V. Optimizing acceptability and feasibility of an evidence-based behavioral intervention for obese adults with obesity-related co-morbidities or additional risk factors for co-morbidities: An open-pilot intervention study in secondary care. Patient Education and Counseling 2011, (epub ahead of print).
• Wilkinson DL, Sniehotta FF, Michie S. Targeting those in need: Baseline data from the first English National Health Service (NHS) Health Trainer Service. Psychology, Health & Medicine 2011, 16(6), 736-748.