title: Psychosocial factors that predict why people use complementary and alternative medicine and continue with its use: a population based study.
abstract: Studies have explored the predictors of CAM use but fewer data explain the psychosocial factors associated with this and why people continue with CAM.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the psychosocial factors that predict CAM use; to explore the predictors of continuing with CAM.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  1256 adults were interviewed as part of 2012 Queensland Social Survey. We included questions about CAM, perceived control, cognitive style, spirituality and openness. Relationships were explored using bivariate and multiple logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  79% of people had used CAM in the last 12 months. Socio-demographics, health behaviours, spirituality, openness and prescribing sources were the strongest predictors of CAM use. General health, chronic illness and prescribing sources predicted continued CAM use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was high CAM use in Queensland, Australia. Personal characteristics and psychosocial factors need to be considered as part of the individual's holistic assessment and on-going care.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, BG Bomont Building, University of Stirling, Stirling Campus, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK. Electronic address: patricia.thomson@stir.ac.uk.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Centre for Health Science, University of Stirling, Highland Campus, Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3JH, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: School of Human, Health and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg Campus, University Drive, Branyan QLD 4670, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Centre for Health Science, University of Stirling, Highland Campus, Old Perth Road, Inverness, IV2 3JH, Scotland, UK; Cardiac Unit, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness IV32 3UJ, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Leslie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D029181:Spirituality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cognitive style; Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM); Openness; Perceived control; Spirituality