Dr Stephan Dombrowski

Honorary Senior Research Fellow

Psychology University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Dr Stephan Dombrowski

Contact details

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http://www.stir.ac.uk/people/sudombrowski

About me

I am a Health Psychologist. My research programme is concerned with the development and application of psychological theory and methods to the development of behaviour change interventions for health. I joined the Division of Psychology at Stirling in 2013 as a Lecturer in Health Psychology. Follow @sdombrowski //

Award

Herman Schaalma PhD award for the best PhD thesis of 2010
European Health Psychology Society (EHPS)

Education

2001-2004 - BA (Hons) Psychology
University of Essex

2004-2005 - MSc Health Psychology
University of Sussex

2005-2006 - Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods
University of Aberdeen

2005-2009 - PhD in Health Psychology
University of Aberdeen

2008-2012 - Stage 2 qualification in Health Psychology
NHS Grampian

Research (2)

I am interested in the development, testing and application of behaviour change theory and interventions for health. I am particularly interested in aspects concerning maintenance in health behaviour change interventions, and the use of evidence based behaviour change techniques to facilitate sustainable long-term change. My research to date covers a range of health behaviours (e.g. diet and physical activity, health service utilisation, or health care provision) and populations (e.g. members of the public, individuals with risk factors for health, or health care professionals). In my empirical work I use qualitative, quantitative as well as mixed methodologies.

Projects

Outputs (92)

Outputs

Article

Text message conversations between peer supporters and women to deliver infant feeding support using behaviour change techniques: A qualitative analysis

Knox O, Parker D, Johnson D, Dombrowski SU, Thomson G, Clarke J, Hoddinott P, Jolly K & Ingram J (2023) Text message conversations between peer supporters and women to deliver infant feeding support using behaviour change techniques: A qualitative analysis. Midwifery, 127, Art. No.: 103838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103838

Article

Exploring the views and experiences of people recovering from stroke about a new text message intervention to promote physical activity after rehabilitation – Keeping Active with Texting After Stroke: a qualitative study

Farre A, Morris JH, Irvine L, Dombrowski SU, Breckenridge JP, Ozakinci G, Lebedis T & Jones C (2023) Exploring the views and experiences of people recovering from stroke about a new text message intervention to promote physical activity after rehabilitation – Keeping Active with Texting After Stroke: a qualitative study. Health Expectations. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13809

Article

Keeping Active with Texting after Stroke (KATS): development of a text message intervention to promote physical activity and exercise after stroke

Irvine L, Morris JH, Dombrowski SU, Breckenridge JP, Farre A, Ozakinci G, Lebedis T & Jones C (2023) Keeping Active with Texting after Stroke (KATS): development of a text message intervention to promote physical activity and exercise after stroke. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 9, Art. No.: 105. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-023-01326-x

Article

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of text messages with or without endowment incentives for weight management in men with obesity (Game of Stones): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Macaulay L, O’Dolan C, Avenell A, Carroll P, Cotton S, Dombrowski S, Elders A, Goulao B, Gray C, Harris FM, Hunt K, Skinner R, Torrens C, van der Pol M & Hoddinott P (2022) Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of text messages with or without endowment incentives for weight management in men with obesity (Game of Stones): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 23 (1), Art. No.: 582. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06504-5

Article

Reducing patient delay in acute coronary syndrome: Randomized controlled trial testing effect of behaviour change intervention on intentions to seek help

Farquharson B, Johnston M, Williams B, Smith K, Dombrowski S, Jones C, Treweek S, Dougall N, Grindle M, Savinc J & Abyhankar P (2022) Reducing patient delay in acute coronary syndrome: Randomized controlled trial testing effect of behaviour change intervention on intentions to seek help. British Journal of Health Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12619

Article

Recruiting men from across the socioeconomic spectrum via GP registers and community outreach to a weight management feasibility randomised controlled trial

McDonald MD, Dombrowski SU, Skinner R, Calveley E, Carroll P, Elders A, Gray CM, Grindle M, Harris FM, Jones C & Hoddinott P (2020) Recruiting men from across the socioeconomic spectrum via GP registers and community outreach to a weight management feasibility randomised controlled trial. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 20, Art. No.: 249. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-020-01136-2

Article

Women's and peer supporters' experiences of an assets-based peer support intervention for increasing breastfeeding initiation and continuation: a qualitative study

Ingram J, Thomson G, Johnson D, Clarke J, Trickey H, Hoddinott P, Dombrowski SU & Jolly K (2020) Women's and peer supporters' experiences of an assets-based peer support intervention for increasing breastfeeding initiation and continuation: a qualitative study. Health Expectations, 23 (3), pp. 622-631. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13042

Article

An assets-based intervention before and after birth to improve breastfeeding initiation and continuation: the ABA feasibility RCT

Clarke JL, Ingram J, Johnson D, Thomson G, Trickey H, Dombrowski SU, Sitch A, Dykes F, Feltham MG, MacArthur C, Roberts T, Hoddinott P & Jolly K (2020) An assets-based intervention before and after birth to improve breastfeeding initiation and continuation: the ABA feasibility RCT. Public Health Research, 8 (7), pp. 1-156. https://doi.org/10.3310/phr08070

Article

Text messaging to help women with overweight or obesity lose weight after childbirth: the intervention adaptation and SMS feasibility RCT

McGirr C, Rooney C, Gallagher D, Dombrowski SU, Anderson AS, Cardwell CR, Free C, Hoddinott P, Holmes VA, McIntosh E, Somers C, Woodside JV, Young IS, Kee F & McKinley MC (2020) Text messaging to help women with overweight or obesity lose weight after childbirth: the intervention adaptation and SMS feasibility RCT. Public Health Research, 8 (4), pp. 1-152. https://doi.org/10.3310/phr08040

Article

The Recognition-Response Gap in Acute Stroke: Examining the Relationship between Stroke Recognition and Response in a General Population Survey

Wilhelm LO, Gellert P, White M, Araujo-Soares V, Ford GA, Mackintosh JE, Rodgers H, Sniehotta FF, Thomson RG & Dombrowski SU (2020) The Recognition-Response Gap in Acute Stroke: Examining the Relationship between Stroke Recognition and Response in a General Population Survey. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 29 (2), Art. No.: 104499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2019.104499

Conference Abstract

The Assets-based infant feeding help Before and After birth (ABA) intervention for improving breastfeeding initiation and continuation: feasibility study results

Clarke J, Ingram J, Johnson D, Thomson G, Trickey H, Dombrowski S, MacArthur C, Dykes F, Sitch A, Roberts T, Feltham M, Hoddinott P & Jolly K (2020) The Assets-based infant feeding help Before and After birth (ABA) intervention for improving breastfeeding initiation and continuation: feasibility study results. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 16 (S1). https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12933

Article

Game of Stones: Feasibility randomised controlled trial of how to engage men with obesity in text message and incentive interventions for weight loss

Dombrowksi SU, McDonald M, Van Der Pol M, Grindle M, Avenell A, Carroll P, Calveley E, Elders A, Gray C, Harris FM, Glennie N, Hapca A, Jones C, Kee F, Mckinley M, Skinner R, Tod M & Hoddinott P (2020) Game of Stones: Feasibility randomised controlled trial of how to engage men with obesity in text message and incentive interventions for weight loss. BMJ Open, 10 (2), Art. No.: e032653. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032653

Article

Investigating midwives' barriers and facilitators to multiple health promotion practice behaviours: a qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework

McLellan JM, O’Carroll RE, Cheyne H & Dombrowski SU (2019) Investigating midwives' barriers and facilitators to multiple health promotion practice behaviours: a qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework. Implementation Science, 14 (1), Art. No.: 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-019-0913-3

Article

Assets-based infant feeding help Before and After birth: a randomised controlled feasibility trial for improving breastfeeding initiation and continuation

Clarke JL, Ingram J, Johnson D, Thomson G, Trickey H, Dombrowski SU, Sitch A, Dykes F, Feltham M, MacArthur C, Roberts T, Hoddinott P & Jolly K (2019) Assets-based infant feeding help Before and After birth: a randomised controlled feasibility trial for improving breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Public Health Research.

Article

Which primary care practitioners have poor human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge? A step towards informing the development of professional education initiatives

McSherry LA, O'Leary E, Dombrowski S, Francis J, Martin C, O'Leary J & Sharp L (2018) Which primary care practitioners have poor human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge? A step towards informing the development of professional education initiatives. PLoS One, 13 (12), Art. No.: e0208482. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208482

Article

Interventions to Promote Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Smoking in Low-Income Groups: a Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Behavior Change Techniques and Delivery/Context

Bull ER, McCleary N, Li X, Dombrowski SU, Dusseldorp E & Johnston M (2018) Interventions to Promote Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Smoking in Low-Income Groups: a Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Behavior Change Techniques and Delivery/Context. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 25 (6), pp. 605-616. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-018-9734-z

Article

Promoting sunscreen use and skin self-examination to improve early detection and prevent skin cancer: quasi-experimental trial of an adolescent psycho-educational intervention

Hubbard G, Kyle RG, Neal RD, Marmara V, Wang Z & Dombrowski SU (2018) Promoting sunscreen use and skin self-examination to improve early detection and prevent skin cancer: quasi-experimental trial of an adolescent psycho-educational intervention. BMC Public Health, 18 (1), Art. No.: 666. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5570-y

Article

Protocol for a feasibility trial for improving breast feeding initiation and continuation: Assets-based infant feeding help Before and After birth (ABA)

Jolly K, Ingram J, Clarke J, Johnson D, Trickey H, Thomson G, Dombrowski SU, Stitch A, Dykes F, Feltham MG, Darwent K, MacArthur C, Roberts T & Hoddinott P (2018) Protocol for a feasibility trial for improving breast feeding initiation and continuation: Assets-based infant feeding help Before and After birth (ABA). BMJ Open, 8 (1), Art. No.: e019142. http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e019142.info; https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019142

Article

Supporting the transition from weight loss to maintenance: development and optimisation of a face-to-face behavioural intervention component

Sainsbury K, Cleland CL, Evans EH, Adamson A, Batterham A, Dombrowski SU, Gellert P, Hill M, Kwasnicka D, Scott D, Sniehotta FF, White M & Araujo-Soares V (2017) Supporting the transition from weight loss to maintenance: development and optimisation of a face-to-face behavioural intervention component. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 5 (1), pp. 66-84. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2016.1269233

Article

Is being resolute better than being pragmatic when it comes to breastfeeding? Longitudinal qualitative study investigating experiences of women intending to breastfeed using the Theoretical Domains Framework

Jardine EE, McLellan J & Dombrowski SU (2017) Is being resolute better than being pragmatic when it comes to breastfeeding? Longitudinal qualitative study investigating experiences of women intending to breastfeed using the Theoretical Domains Framework. Journal of Public Health, 39 (3), pp. e88-e94. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdw073

Article

Reducing patient delay in Acute Coronary Syndrome (RAPiD): Research protocol for a web-based Randomised Controlled Trial examining the effect of a behaviour change intervention

Farquharson B, Johnston M, Smith K, Williams B, Treweek S, Dombrowski SU, Dougall N, Abhyankar P & Grindle M (2017) Reducing patient delay in Acute Coronary Syndrome (RAPiD): Research protocol for a web-based Randomised Controlled Trial examining the effect of a behaviour change intervention. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 73 (5), pp. 1220-1234. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13191

Conference Abstract

Opportunities and pitfalls encountered when using the template for intervention description and replication (TIDIER) to develop a complex intervention to reduce obesity in men

Hoddinott P, Dombrowski SU, van der Pol M, Kee F, Grindle M, Gray C & Avenell A (2017) Opportunities and pitfalls encountered when using the template for intervention description and replication (TIDIER) to develop a complex intervention to reduce obesity in men. 4th International Clinical Trials Methodology Conference (ICTMC) and the 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for Clinical Trials, Liverpool, 07/05/2017 - 10/05/2017. Trials, 18 (Supplement 1), p. P249. https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-017-1902-y; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-1902-y

Article

Implementation intention and planning interventions in Health Psychology: Recommendations from the Synergy Expert Group for research and practice

Hagger MS, Luszczynska A, de Wit J, Benyamini Y, Burkert S, Chamberland P, Chater A, Dombrowski SU, van Dongen A, French DP, Gauchet A, Hankonen N, Karekla M, Kinney AY & Kwasnicka D (2016) Implementation intention and planning interventions in Health Psychology: Recommendations from the Synergy Expert Group for research and practice. Psychology and Health, 31 (7), pp. 814-839. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2016.1146719

Article

Do more specific plans help you lose weight? Examining the relationship between plan specificity, weight loss goals, and plan content in the context of a weight management programme

Dombrowski SU, Endevelt R, Steinberg DM & Benyamini Y (2016) Do more specific plans help you lose weight? Examining the relationship between plan specificity, weight loss goals, and plan content in the context of a weight management programme. British Journal of Health Psychology, 21 (4), pp. 989-1005. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12212

Article

Identifying the determinants of adjuvant hormonal therapy medication taking behaviour in women with stages I-III breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cahir C, Guinan E, Dombrowski SU, Sharp L & Bennett K (2015) Identifying the determinants of adjuvant hormonal therapy medication taking behaviour in women with stages I-III breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Patient Education and Counseling, 98 (12), pp. 1524-1539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2015.05.013

Conference Abstract

A ladder logic model to inform the design of incentive interventions for breastfeeding

Hoddinott P, Morgan H, Thomson G, Crossland N & Dombrowski SU (2015) A ladder logic model to inform the design of incentive interventions for breastfeeding. Nutrition and Nurture in Infancy and Childhood Conference, Grange-over-Sands, 10/06/2015 - 12/06/2015. Maternal and Child Nutrition, 11 (Supplement S2), pp. 63-64. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mcn.12238/epdf

Article

Benefits of incentives for breastfeeding and smoking cessation in pregnancy (BIBS): A mixed-methods study to inform trial design

Morgan H, Hoddinott P, Thomson G, Crossland N, Farrar S, Yi D, Hislop J, Moran VH, MacLennan G, Dombrowski SU, Rothnie K, Stewart F, Bauld L, Ludbrook A, Dykes F, Sniehotta FF, Tappin D & Campbell MK (2015) Benefits of incentives for breastfeeding and smoking cessation in pregnancy (BIBS): A mixed-methods study to inform trial design. Health Technology Assessment, 19 (30), pp. 1-516. https://doi.org/10.3310/hta19300

Commentary

Corrigendum to 'Incentives for breastfeeding and for smoking cessation in pregnancy: An exploration of types and meanings' [Soc. Sci. Med. 128 (2015) 10-17]

Crossland N, Thomson G, Morgan H, Dombrowski SU & Hoddinott P (2015) Corrigendum to 'Incentives for breastfeeding and for smoking cessation in pregnancy: An exploration of types and meanings' [Soc. Sci. Med. 128 (2015) 10-17]. Commentary on: Nicola Crossland, Gill Thomson, Heather Morgan, Stephan U. Dombrowski, Pat Hoddinott, ‘BIBS’ study team, Incentives for breastfeeding and for smoking cessation in pregnancy: An exploration of types and meanings, Social Science & Medicine, Volume 128, March 2015, Pages 10-17. Social Science and Medicine, 128, p. 272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.01.035

Conference Abstract

A ladder logic model to inform the design of incentive trials for women around childbirth

Hoddinott P, Morgan H, Thomson G, Crossland N & Dombrowski SU (2014) A ladder logic model to inform the design of incentive trials for women around childbirth. ICBM 2014: 13th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, Groningen, Germany, 20/08/2014 - 23/08/2014. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 21 (Supplement 1), p. S139. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12529-014-9418-2; https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-014-9418-2

Article

Reducing patient delay with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome: a research protocol for a systematic review of previous interventions to investigate which behaviour change techniques are associated with effective interventions

Farquharson B, Dombrowski SU, Pollock A, Johnston M, Treweek S, Williams B, Smith K, Dougall N, Jones C & Pringle S (2014) Reducing patient delay with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome: a research protocol for a systematic review of previous interventions to investigate which behaviour change techniques are associated with effective interventions. Open Heart, 1 (1). https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2014-000079

Article

The Effectiveness of Gain- Versus Loss-Framed Health Messages in Improving Oral Health in Iranian Secondary Schools: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Pakpour AH, Yekaninejad MS, Sniehotta FF, Updegraff JA & Dombrowski SU (2014) The Effectiveness of Gain- Versus Loss-Framed Health Messages in Improving Oral Health in Iranian Secondary Schools: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 47 (3), pp. 376-387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9543-1

Article

Selective decontamination of the digestive tract in critically ill patients treated in intensive care units: a mixed-methods feasibility study (the SuDDICU study)

Francis JJ, Duncan EM, Prior ME, MacLennan G, Dombrowski SU, Bellingan G, Campbell MK, Eccles MP, Rose L, Rowan KM, Shulman R, Wilson APR & Cuthbertson BH (2014) Selective decontamination of the digestive tract in critically ill patients treated in intensive care units: a mixed-methods feasibility study (the SuDDICU study). Health Technology Assessment, 18 (25). https://doi.org/10.3310/hta18250

Article

Clinical components and associated behavioural aspects of a complex healthcare intervention: Multi-methods study of selective decontamination of the digestive tract in critical care

Dombrowski SU, Prior ME, Duncan EM, Cuthbertson BH, Bellingan G, Campbell MK, Rose L, Binning AR, Gordon AC, Wilson P, Shulman R & Francis JJ (2013) Clinical components and associated behavioural aspects of a complex healthcare intervention: Multi-methods study of selective decontamination of the digestive tract in critical care. Australian Critical Care, 26 (4), pp. 173-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2013.04.002

Article

The impact of the UK 'Act FAST' stroke awareness campaign: Content analysis of patients, witness and primary care clinicians' perceptions

Dombrowski SU, Mackintosh JE, Sniehotta FF, Araujo-Soares V, Rodgers H, Thomson RG, Murtagh MJ, Ford GA, Eccles MP & White M (2013) The impact of the UK 'Act FAST' stroke awareness campaign: Content analysis of patients, witness and primary care clinicians' perceptions. BMC Public Health, 13 (1), Art. No.: 915. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-915

Article

Participants' perspectives on making and maintaining behavioural changes in a lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes prevention: A qualitative study using the theory domain framework

Penn L, Dombrowski SU, Sniehotta FF & White M (2013) Participants' perspectives on making and maintaining behavioural changes in a lifestyle intervention for type 2 diabetes prevention: A qualitative study using the theory domain framework. BMJ Open, 3 (6), Art. No.: e002949. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002949

Article

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

Dombrowski SU, Sniehotta FF, Johnston M, Broom I, Kulkarni U, Brown J, Murray L & Araujo-Soares V (2012) 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, 87 (1), pp. 108-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2011.08.003

Article

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

Dombrowski SU, Sniehotta FF, Avenell A, Johnston M, MacLennan G & Araujo-Soares V (2012) 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, 6 (1), pp. 7-32. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2010.513298

Article

Randomised controlled feasibility trial of an evidence-informed behavioural intervention for obese adults with additional risk factors

Sniehotta FF, Dombrowski SU, Avenell A, Johnston M, McDonald S, Murchie P, Ramsay CR, Robertson K & Araujo-Soares V (2011) Randomised controlled feasibility trial of an evidence-informed behavioural intervention for obese adults with additional risk factors. PLoS ONE, 6 (8), Art. No.: e23040. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0023040

Book Chapter

The psychobiology of obesity: behavioral and psychophysiological mechanisms

Hamer M, Molloy G & Dombrowski SU (2008) The psychobiology of obesity: behavioral and psychophysiological mechanisms. In: Piccard L (ed.) Biological Psychology: New Research. New York: Nova Science Publishers, pp. 213-231. https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=8447

Book Chapter

Volitionale Verhaltenskontrolle

Sniehotta FF, Winter J, Dombrowski SU & Johnston M (2007) Volitionale Verhaltenskontrolle [Volitional Behavioural Control]. In: Fuchs R, Gohner W & Seelig H (eds.) Aufbau eines körperlich-aktiven Lebensstils: Theorie, Empirie und Praxis/ Building a physically active lifestyle: theory, evidence and practice. Sportpsychologie, 4. Goettingen: Hogrefe, pp. 150-169. http://www.hogrefe.de/programm/aufbau-eines-korperlich-aktiven-lebensstils.html

Article

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?

Dombrowski SU, Sniehotta FF, Avenell A & Coyne J (2007) 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 and Health, 22 (8), pp. 869-874. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440701520973