Structured physical activity (SPA) is one type of physical activity in which preschool aged children participate (e.g., soccer programs). Given that SPA often occurs at community-based locations, such as at a field or hockey rink, primary caregivers, who are often times mothers, must transport their preschool aged children to the scheduled SPA. Although studies have examined social cognitions important to individuals participation in their own scheduled physical activity, no study to date has focused on the social cognitions of mothers that may be related to the transportation of their preschool aged children to SPA. The purpose of this two-study dissertation was to use self-efficacy theory to develop and examine the reliability and validity evidence of measures to assess mothers social cognitions (i.e., self-regulatory efficacy to overcome barriers and to schedule/plan; outcome expectations including likelihood and value) that may be related to transporting their children to SPA. A literature review, focus group elicitation with nine participants (Mean age = 35.25 years; SD = 3.57), and feedback from three expert judges and 10 participants were used to develop items for each of the measures in Study 1. The reliability of the measures was then investigated in Study 1 using data from 31 participants (Mean age= 33.50 years; SD = 5.79) to examine initial internal consistency and then 64 participants (Mean age= 32.87 years; SD = 4.48) to further examine internal consistency and temporal stability. Findings revealed some evidence for the content and construct validity, internal consistency, and temporal stability of the measures. To continue the construct validation of the measures, it was important to continue to examine the reliability evidence of the measures and other aspects of validity, including concurrent and predictive validity. In Study 2, data from 93 participants (Mean age= 34.88 years; SD = 5.04) were used to examine evidence of the criterion-related validity (i.e., concurrent and predictive) of the developed measures. Results revealed convergence of the measures that assessed similar constructs (i.e., self-regulatory efficacy to schedule/plan and to overcome barriers; outcome expectations: likelihood and value). However, evidence of the divergence of the self-regulatory efficacy measures from the outcome expectation measures was less consistent. Results also revealed that the self-regulatory efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations measures were not significant, independent predictors of transportation to SPA. These predictive validity findings as well as the divergence findings may have been due to the type of mothers who participated in the study (i.e., highly experienced in transporting children to SPA). Findings from the present series of studies suggest a need for continued exploration of the measures, including research with a more diverse sample. Collecting further reliability and validity evidence of these measures to compare it with the evidence from the present studies would contribute to the ongoing construct validation of these measures.

Bakgrund: Kreativa aktiviteter har funnits inom arbetsterapin genom yrkets hela historia. Att vara aktiv är ett grundläggande behov hos människan. Aktivitet används både som mål och medel inom arbetsterapi för att främja personers hälsa och välbefinnande. Syfte: Att beskriva betydelsen av deltagande i kreativa aktiviteter, inom arbetsterapi eller på egen hand, för äldre personers hälsa och välbefinnande. Metod: Uppsatsen är genomförd som en systematisk litteraturstudie. Forskningsartiklar har sökts i databaserna Amed, Cinahl, PubMed och PsycInfo. Totalt nio artiklar uppfyllde uppsatta urvalskriterier. Samtliga artiklars kvalitet har bedömts med hjälp av kvalitetsgranskningsmallar. Artiklarna har granskats utifrån åtta analysfrågor, vilka relaterades till syftet. Beskrivningar av deltagarnas upplevelser markerades. Dessa markeringar analyserades, tolkades och delades in i olika teman som kopplades till hälsa och välbefinnande. Resultat: Kreativa aktiviteter som utgår från eget val uppges bidra till ökat välbefinnande, minskad smärtupplevelse, minskad oro och en känsla av flow. Resultatet visar även att kreativa aktiviteter i ett socialt sammanhang är betydelsefullt för hälsa och välbefinnande. Slutsats: Genom positiva känslor påverkas den psykiska och fysiska hälsoupplevelsen i rätt riktning. Människor måste ges möjlighet att utföra självvalda meningsfulla aktiviteter utifrån sin egen kapacitet för att kunna nå känslor av flow och glädje. Resultatsammanställningen av uppsatsens forskningsartiklar tyder på att kreativa aktiviteter har en positiv inverkan på de äldres hälsa och välbefinnande, tydligast uttrycktes detta i gruppaktiviteter.

The purpose of this study was to compare the muscular strength and endurance of thirty-two men 51 to 79 years of age who engage in weight training (WT), aerobic training (AT), cross training (CT), or no training (S). The design employed in the study was a 2x2 between subjects factorial design with weight training and aerobic training as the two factors. A KIN/COM isokinetic dynomometer was used to test muscular strength and endurance of the dominant leg extensors and chest/shoulder complex. Strength of the leg extensors and chest/shoulder complex were measured as peak torque and peak force, respectively, at a velocity of 60 degrees/second. Endurance of the same muscle groups was measured as the percent decline over 50 continuous maximal contractions at a velocity of 180 degrees/second. A two-way between subjects ANOVA and independent t-tests were used to analyze the difference between mean muscular strength and mean muscular endurance for each group. A significant weight training effect was found for leg strength, with the WT and CT groups (Weight Trained groups) exhibiting a greater peak torque than the AT and S groups (Non-Weight Trained groups). Participating in one of three training programs was found to have a significant effect for chest and shoulder strength, with the WT, CT, and AT groups exhibiting a greater peak force than the S group. However, no significant difference was found between the WT, CT, and AT groups for chest/shoulder strength. The WT group was found to have significantly greater muscular endurance of the leg compared to the S group. No other training effects were observed between any of the groups for either muscular endurance test. / Graduation date: 1992

No description available.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of environmental density on the behavior (Disruptive and Nondisruptive) of elderly residents with dementia living on a special care unit. A building project that led to relocation of residents from high density units to units that varied in density (low vs. high) provided a natural context for this study. Disruptive and Nondisruptive behavior are composite variables that together include the full range of behavioral responses. Both are composed of several subvariables. Data were collected using direct behavioral observation using the Environment-Behavior Interaction Code (Stewart & Hiscock, 1992b) and a hand-held computer. The first objective of the study was to examine behavior patterns in relation to density and privacy. This objective was addressed with a quasi-experimental design (Study 1), in which three hypotheses were tested. It was predicted that residents who moved from a high density unit to a low density unit would exhibit a greater reduction in rate of Disruptive behavior (Hypothesis 1) and a greater increase in rate of Nondisruptive behavior (Hypothesis 2), compared to residents in a constant high density condition. It was also predicted that use of Private Time (time spent alone in one's bedroom) would be greater on the low density unit, where residents had private rooms (Hypothesis 3). Results of Study 1 provided support for Hypotheses 1 and 2, in relation to comparisons with the External Comparison Group only. Within subjects analyses provided additional support for Hypothesis 1 (Disruptive behavior). Hypothesis 3 (Private Time) was also supported. The second objective of the study was to explore the perceptions of family and staff caregivers with regard to the effect of the environment on resident behavior. This study was addressed with a qualitative design (Study 2) using the grounded theory method. Participants in Study 2 described the needs of residents with dementia in relation to the physical and social environment, and the outcomes that occurred when these needs were met or not met. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Structured physical activity (SPA) is one type of physical activity in which preschool aged children participate (e.g., soccer programs). Given that SPA often occurs at community-based locations, such as at a field or hockey rink, primary caregivers, who are often times mothers, must transport their preschool aged children to the scheduled SPA. Although studies have examined social cognitions important to individuals participation in their own scheduled physical activity, no study to date has focused on the social cognitions of mothers that may be related to the transportation of their preschool aged children to SPA. The purpose of this two-study dissertation was to use self-efficacy theory to develop and examine the reliability and validity evidence of measures to assess mothers social cognitions (i.e., self-regulatory efficacy to overcome barriers and to schedule/plan; outcome expectations including likelihood and value) that may be related to transporting their children to SPA. A literature review, focus group elicitation with nine participants (Mean age = 35.25 years; SD = 3.57), and feedback from three expert judges and 10 participants were used to develop items for each of the measures in Study 1. The reliability of the measures was then investigated in Study 1 using data from 31 participants (Mean age= 33.50 years; SD = 5.79) to examine initial internal consistency and then 64 participants (Mean age= 32.87 years; SD = 4.48) to further examine internal consistency and temporal stability. Findings revealed some evidence for the content and construct validity, internal consistency, and temporal stability of the measures. To continue the construct validation of the measures, it was important to continue to examine the reliability evidence of the measures and other aspects of validity, including concurrent and predictive validity. In Study 2, data from 93 participants (Mean age= 34.88 years; SD = 5.04) were used to examine evidence of the criterion-related validity (i.e., concurrent and predictive) of the developed measures. Results revealed convergence of the measures that assessed similar constructs (i.e., self-regulatory efficacy to schedule/plan and to overcome barriers; outcome expectations: likelihood and value). However, evidence of the divergence of the self-regulatory efficacy measures from the outcome expectation measures was less consistent. Results also revealed that the self-regulatory efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations measures were not significant, independent predictors of transportation to SPA. These predictive validity findings as well as the divergence findings may have been due to the type of mothers who participated in the study (i.e., highly experienced in transporting children to SPA). Findings from the present series of studies suggest a need for continued exploration of the measures, including research with a more diverse sample. Collecting further reliability and validity evidence of these measures to compare it with the evidence from the present studies would contribute to the ongoing construct validation of these measures.

Manger usually thinks about the cost saving of manpower during the organizational reengineering and downsizing. The first step of the downsizing is to encourage the older employee joining the early retirement program. From the prospect of those employees, they usually think about their own benefit and eager to guarantee themselves. Early retirement program seems to be the bridge to connect with both sides. Manager with the economical concern, the reaction and organizational behavior of continued work is more important to affect the performance of organization. The research is focus on the early retirement of Chungwa Telecom Co., Ltd. And discuss about how the program affect the organizational behavior of continued worker. We try to provide a reference resource to the company especially when they are during organization reengineering. This research was using questionnaire and quantities method to do it. The main found: 1. Because they are public servant, date shows that intension to quit of the employees is quite low. In 43-54 year-old employees the longer tenure employees have higher intension to quit than shorter tenure employees. 2. In the continued worker, female¡¦s Job satisfaction and work pressure are higher then male. 3. When we discuss about intension to quit, the effect of organizational commitment is more important then job satisfaction.

THESIS ABSTRACT For the past few years, the development of social welfare has a tendency of leading the managing concept of business administration, which emphasizes the connection between service and cost, and the requirement of efficiency. However, in spite of the increasing demand of long-term care, the nursing system has come across many difficulties. The competition from the related occupations, the increasing pressure, and the higher demand of nursing quality have seriously affected the maintenance of nursing organization, which also have obliged the manager of nursing organization to consider the possibility of cooperation of the same line. The intention of Strategic Alliance between the aged long-term care organization and some medical organizations has been promoted. In the near future, the manager of medical and long-term care enterprises will be up against the challenges and competitions from these organizations. And they are forced to unite and share their resources by Strategic Alliance. The manager must realize the changes inside and outside of their organizations. And it is the most important to adopt the prompt policy, management and control of their resources. Through this research, I hope there will be better understanding for the main managers on their long-term care services and evaluation of satisfaction. Also, I wish to study the elements that influence the quality of service. Therefore, the resources of long-term care might be efficiently used, and the quality will be improved as well. In experimental research, I make use of contrast of Strategic Alliance which influences the quality of service by analysis of 84 questionnaires investigation reports from Won-An and Won-Tai Nursing Centers. The experiments are independent and circuitous. . The result of this study indicates that Strategic-Alliance makes influence on either service quality or customers¡¦ satisfaction. Customers gave Won-An Nursing Center a higher appreciation because which practice Strategic-Alliance. At the end, this study offers concrete suggestions for management. Hopefully this will provide the government authorities a consultation of policy as well as a new direction of the long-term care organizations.

Taiwan's population aging rapidly, making many current long-term care institutions, in their business model is extremely different from the past .The purpose of this study is to investigate the market supply and demand for long-term care institutions and the current operating status of the long-term care institutions in Kaohsiung area, thereby identifying the key successful factor of the institutions operating surface. This study adopts case study research of descriptive studies, by the way of in-depth interview to collect information on cases, and adopts Prof. Cher-Min Fong¡¦s ¡]National Sun Yat-sen University¡^the seven dimensions of the business model used, to analysis the competitive advantage of enterprises, as the main analytical tools, including the "product line strategy," "work processes strategy," and " Channel strategy " and "market segmentation strategy," " Services strategy," "strategy focused on the value of activities" and "Technology Strategy"; In addition to Michael Porter¡¦s "five forces anaysis model" and the external environmental factors as a supplementary analysis tools. Through six cases of the in-depth interview, this thesis research found that: The current domestic long-term care market, supply far exceeds the actual demand of about twice.The operating of long-term care institutions of conservation type, failed to actively cooperate with the government planning of aging in place, community service goals, adjusted operating strategies, result in more limited operation. In addition to five forces analysis found that the current operating environment of the existing institutions is adverse, and inter-industry bargain with serious competition, lower quality of care even more serious situation, but also the moral crisis will inevitably trigger controversy. Institutional trading competition, the lack of mutual contacts and exchanges, and their competitiveness also depends on whether the operator has the determination to develop long-term investment. The interview results, the next most important business strategy followed by "expansion of target markets and positioning," "increase services, outreach services," and "innovative services, commodities" and "improving the organizational structure and management system." The future as more competitors access will be serious competition and in the circumstances of difficult to reduce costs, strengthening marketing capabilities, to pursue the differences and decentralization strategy for the industry.

Older patients suffer from a greater number of medical morbidities, consume a greater number of prescribed medications, and report lower levels of quality of life than their younger counterparts. The objectives of this study were to determine whether there is 1) an association between medical morbidity and symptom burden or 2) an association between medication use and symptom burden. This was a cross-sectional study of the symptoms, medical morbidities, and medications reported by 159 community-dwelling male patients 65 years of age or older. Correlations were drawn using linear regression analysis. On average, the participants in this study suffered from 2.56 +/- 1.36 medical morbidities, were prescribed 7.91+/- 2.83 medications, and reported 3.17 symptoms at any severity. The results of this study demonstrated a direct correlation between number of medical morbidities and symptom burden (R2 = 0.94). Our study did not find a significant correlation between medication use and symptom burden (R2 = 0.20). The findings of this study suggest that the number of medical morbidities has a stronger negative impact on symptom burden than the number of medications used. Thus, when attempting to improve quality of life for older patients, physicians should focus on the treatment and alleviations of symptoms associated with medical morbidity.