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Sedentary behaviour involves low energy activities undertaken whilst sitting or lying down. Engagement in high levels of sedentary behaviour is a risk factor for obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and premature death, and these risks are largely independent of how much a person engages in moderate or vigorous physical activity. Older adults represent the age group in which sedentary behaviour is most common, therefore reducing sedentary behaviour is a particularly promising target for this population. This PhD aimed to investigate the acceptability of reducing sedentary behaviour for older adults, and to use this knowledge to develop an intervention in line with best practice. A further methodological objective involved investigating the how the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) has been used in qualitative research involving patient or public populations. A qualitative interview study (Study 1) was conducted with older adults from diverse socioeconomic areas, using the TDF to inform data collection. This study resulted in two papers, one relating to older adults' construal of sedentary behaviour and one identifying factors associated with older adults' engagement in sedentary behaviours and barriers and facilitators to reducing their sedentary behaviour. We used the TDF in Study 1 as it can facilitate comprehensive theoretical assessment of the determinants of a given behaviour. However, prescriptive use of the TDF may risk qualitative research becoming overly theory-driven, to the detriment of novel inductive insights. We conducted a rapid systematic review investigating specific ways the TDF has been used in data collection and analysis of qualitative studies and the impact of such methods on study findings (Study 2). The findings from Study 1 informed the development of an intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in older adults, nested within a community physical activity programme for older adults in a deprived area of Manchester. A mixed methods evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, and feasibility of intervention methods and evaluation is provided (Study 3). Older adults appear to conflate reducing sedentary behaviour with increasing physical activity, and previous work has found increasing physical activity to be unacceptable to older adults. An intervention described as a sedentary behaviour reduction intervention may therefore be unappealing to many older adults. An education element within interventions may be useful in challenging the notion that reducing sedentary behaviour necessitates increasing moderate-vigorous physical activity. Providing examples of ways in which sedentary behaviour may be reduced, without involving moderate-vigorous physical activity, may also prove effective. Additionally, education could be provided on the independent effects of sedentary behaviour on health. Further, older adults desire social interaction, therefore community interventions should try to reduce sedentary behaviour by offering group-based, social activities, particularly in areas of high deprivation where current provision is limited. The TDF is often applied prescriptively within qualitative research involving behaviour change of patient or public populations. We suggest that qualitative work could use the TDF in conjunction with a less prescriptive and more inductive approach to research to ensure that the context and detail gained from an inductive approach to data collection and analysis is not lost. We have developed a sedentary behaviour change intervention based on information provision delivered within a community group setting, which has shown evidence of feasibility and acceptability to older adults. These studies provide a foundation for a future definitive trial to reduce sedentary behaviour in older adult populations.

Existing research indicates that typically developing children pass through predictable stages of fear development throughout their childhood. Evidence suggests that in general, children with disabilities experience more fears than typically developing children. Children with disabilities share similar stages of fear development compared to typically developing children, but at a delayed rate, with a more protracted course. Children on the autism spectrum experience higher levels of anxiety, compared to other children. Limited fear research in children on the autism spectrum suggests that they exhibit a unique fear profile compared to their peers, however, little is known about why this may be. Chapter 1 reviews published literature on fear development for typically developing children, children with physical and intellectual disabilities, and children on the autism spectrum. Chapter 2 presents an empirical study that investigates the relationship between sensory processing and fear profiles in children on the autism spectrum. The results support the notion that sensory experiences may account for a proportion of the unique fear pattern experienced by children on the autism spectrum. The thesis concludes with a reflective account that reviews the process of conducting internet-mediated research on children on the autism spectrum.

Current levels of obesity have been described as a 'health time bomb', with over half the population in Northern Ireland reported to have a significant weight problem. World'ide levels are also at epidemic proportions, with the World Health Organisation estimating that more than 300 million people are obese worldwidc mainly as a result of behaviour including poor dict. TIIC widcr health risks of obesity are well documented as it is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes, and has been linked to a 9-year reduction in life expectancy. In order to reduce these health risks adult eating behaviour must be modified. Current models used in thc field - predominantly the TIleory of Planned Behaviour - only account for approximately one third of thc variancc in cx-plaining this behaviour, and tllcse figurcs could be improved upon if existing knowledge was integrated in a systematic manner. Stage 1 of this research involved conducting a systematic review to answer tile question: 'What are the cognitive factors influencing adult eating behaviourT TIle review aimed to identifY all available evidence to reach an unbiased conclusion about tile cognitive variables which are important correlates of eating behaviour. At Stage 2 the results from tile review were used to inform a pilot survey examining healthy eating behaviour via a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) along with tile key psychological factors identified. Path analysis resulted in tile development and construction of a new social-eognitive model of adult eating behaviour, and additionally of healthy eating intention. TIle key findings showed that self-cfficacy most strongly predicted healtlly eating behaviour, along with the acceptance of a diet-health relationship, perceived health benefits from a healthy diet and knowledge. Incorporating tllese findings in future tlleoretical intcn'cntions targcting healthy eating ,will consequently lead to an increase in successfully predicting and modifying adult eating behaviour.