This study investigated the success and failure beliefs, instructional practices, and personal learning preferences of outdoor adventure education (OAE) instructors, and explored factors that influenced these beliefs, practices, and preferences. While statistical analysis did not show significant differences among the various demographic categories on success beliefs, instructional practices, or personal learning preferences, there were significant differences in the magnitude of reported failure beliefs. Results from this study showed that OAE instructors' age, their professional experience, their employer, and the activities they teach affect their failure beliefs. Furthermore, OAE instructors indicated that success instructional techniques, like implementing scaffolding, should be used at the onset of a course or when a new skill is being introduced, while failure techniques should be employed as students gain experience or as a perception check to assess competence. The implications of these findings for OAE instructors is discussed.

Objectives: This thesis aims to explore evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). Design: The systematic review aimed to evaluate evidence for CBT as an effective intervention for anxiety in the NCCP population. Study one describes the chest pain characteristics, illness beliefs and prevalence of anxiety in a NCCP sample in a cross-sectional design. Study two explores the acceptability and clinical effectiveness of a CBT-based self-help intervention for NCCP patients, using a between subjects, repeated measures design. Methods: A systematic review was completed via a comprehensive literature search for comparative studies examining CBT-based interventions for NCCP including a measure of anxiety. In the empirical study, participants completed measures of anxiety, illness beliefs and indices of chest pain (self-reported frequency, severity and impact on activities) at baseline. Comparisons between illness beliefs and anxiety were undertaken using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations. Participants were randomised to receive a CBT-based self-help intervention booklet or treatment as usual, with questionnaires re-administered at three-month follow-up. ANOVAs were used to evaluate whether the intervention led to improvements in anxiety levels, or increased belief in participants’ personal control of symptoms. Results: Ten studies met inclusion criteria for the systematic review, with four studies showing evidence regarding the effectiveness of CBT for anxiety. Approximately two thirds of the thesis research sample reported on-going pain following clinic attendance, for the majority this was ‘very mild’ or ‘mild’ pain. Almost half (47%) reported experiencing clinically significant anxiety. Stress was the most common causal attribution advocated by the sample to explain their chest pain. Anxiety scores were significantly associated with psychological attribution scores, but not with personal control or illness coherence beliefs. In study two, 87 participants completed the study and ITT analyses were completed on 119. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of reduced anxiety or self-reported belief in personal control of symptoms. The intervention booklet was evaluated largely positively by those who reported reading it. Conclusions: CBT-based self-help appears an acceptable intervention for those diagnosed with NCCP. Further research is needed to identify those who are most likely to benefit from such self-help intervention.

In Lycia, Xanthos and its main sanctuary, the Letoon, have throughout centuries kept some very particular features which have survived intense cultural upheavals and influences both Persian and Greeks. The infrastructures and shape of the Letoon indicates that there is more to the sanctuary’s rituals and architecture than normalised Greek divinities and temples. Lycia, following the Persian invasion in the 540s, remained a remote region of the empire and benefited from an autonomous status. Nevertheless the outside contacts and cultural exchanges multiplied and intensified, especially with the Persian ruling class, but also with the Greeks who took an increasing part into the trade and artistic influence of Lycia. The most important city of the region, Xanthos was the focus of the Persian presence in Lycia but also at the spearhead of Hellenic influence in western Lycia. This underlying Greek presence became ever more pregnant under the rule of the last dynasts of Xanthos at the turn of the fourth century and under the rule of the Carian satraps under the power of whom Lycia was put in the 360s. The Hellenistic period only confirm the prior trend. To begin with, we are trying to define how the Persians had an impact on the Lycian culture and conclude that it was a great influential force but stayed somewhat limited to the higher classes of the Xanthian society. The parallel with the Greek influence is contrasting. The arrival of Greek trends was more insidious but also more widespread to the lower classes of society and lasted longer. We will conclude that none of those influences were imposed but rather chosen by the Xanthian society. We will continue by trying to understand how those cultural manifestations affected local religious beliefs. By exposing the successive evolutions of the Letoon and of the divinities residing here, we will see that the syncretic divinities of the Letoon kept a lot of their ancestral attributes and places of worship are keeping track with their sacred past. In this process we are trying to show that religion holds a peculiar place in a nation or a city’s culture. In this attempt we are concluding that religion is the most stable aspect of a local culture and is the recipient for the safeguard of a nation’s identity.

Since the 1990s the use of the Internet and electronic commerce (e-commerce) has exploded, yet few SMEs seem to benefit from its potential. The lack of personal involvement and low level of use are an indication that managers still have not committed themselves to e-commerce. Consequently they are not reaping the full benefits first hand. The objectives of the study are to identify key factors and relationships likely to influence e-commerce use by SME managers in the Netherlands and to investigate whether relevant and significant factors can be combined in a new model to predict how SME managers will use new technology. To achieve these objectives, a well-established model of IT usage behaviour, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), was used. Building upon TAM, a theoretical research model was developed to investigate a large number of external variables that are possible antecedents of managerial beliefs, attitudes, and the use of IT. E-commerce systems were chosen as the IT tool under review. A cross-sectional field survey was conducted to investigate the theoretical research model. The results are based on the analysis of questionnaire data from 114 managers from Dutch SMEs. Using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) the results show significant support for external variables, mostly of an individual nature, in the categories of demographics, managerial and IT knowledge, individual characteristics, and company characteristics. Contrary to expectations, two categories - social factors and environmental characteristics - had few or no variables with a significant relationship. This study further presents empirical evidence to suggest a limited number of antecedents under managerial control influencing beliefs, attitudes, and use. A better understanding of the various factors that may impede or increase effective utilization of IT can facilitate the design of organizational or managerial interventions that address these issues. Building on the core TAM model a new model, the e-Tam Model, has been developed based on the results of the theoretical research model. In this model, it is hypothesized that IT usage is directly and indirectly influenced by seven external variables divided into three categories: demographics, personality, and company characteristics. Using the e-Tam Model, effective and increased use of managerial IT tools can be promoted. This will enable managers to have a better use of e-commerce systems leading in turn to better margins and opportunities.

ABSTRACT Background: Electronic cigarettes are used to deliver nicotine to consumers. E-cigarettes are claimed to be an alternative method for smoking cessation. The use of electronic cigarettes is increasing among young people, especially current and former smokers. It is unknown what the harm or benefit that result from e-cigarettes’ use of the individuals on the well-being. Purpose: This study was conducted to explore the prevalence of e-cigarettes use and exposure among college-based health care students. Also to assess the awareness level and beliefs in regard to electronic cigarettes use among the college-based health care students. Methods: 217 college-based health care undergraduate students from nursing, nutrition and respiratory therapy programs were surveyed in this study. The survey was composed of 17 questions in regards to the awareness, prevalence of e-cigarettes use and beliefs about e-cigarettes use. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA. A significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The response rate was 98.1%, 87% of the respondents were female and 70% were between the ages of 19-25 years. Most of the respondents were nursing students (47.5%); followed by nutrition students (29.5%); and respiratory therapy students (23%). Most of the respondents were non-smokers (83.4%); former smokers were 13.8%; and smokers were 2.8%. Almost all the respondents had heard of e-cigarettes (99.5%), and 21.2% had tried e-cigarettes at least once in their lifetime. The mean awareness score was 5.1 (SD 0.11); smokers showed the highest mean awareness score of 6.0±2.28. The majority of the participants disagreed that e-cigarettes are less dangerous than traditional cigarettes or can help smokers to quit; and more than half of the participants disagreed that e-cigarettes are used only by smokers. There was a significant difference among male (5.71±1.51) and female (5.03±1.71) in regards to the e-cigarettes awareness level (p=0.047). The awareness level was significantly different among respondents who had previously used e-cigarettes (5.63±1.49) than participants who have not tried e-cigarettes at least once during their lifetime (4.98±1.72) (p=0.021) Conclusion: This study found that most of the students in the college of nursing and health professions were not e-cigarettes’ users. People who have tried e-cigarettes, have friends who have tried e-cigarettes as well. Furthermore, curiosity is the major reason that led them to try e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes’ awareness is high among smokers and e-cigarettes’ users; older students seem to have higher awareness than younger students. There were general disagreements on the use of e-cigarettes as a less dangerous alternative to tobacco cigarettes to help smokers to quit. Finally, male and female participants showed significant differences in their awareness of e-cigarettes.

Background: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the recognized main reason for developing cervical cancer. HPV vaccine given to females is the most effective prevention. Purpose: To investigate knowledge and beliefs about HPV, cervical cancer and HPV vaccine among young Thai females in north-eastern part of Thailand. Further, to discover potential differences between those stating having knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer (group SHK), and those stating not having knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer (group SNHK). Method: A cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire about knowledge and beliefs of HPV where 221 young Thai females, aged 18-21, participated. Orem’s self-care theory was used as theoretical framework. Result: Less than 50 % of the participants knew about visible signs and symptoms of HPV infection. However, over 70 % had knowledge regarding HPV´s relation to sexual activity. Internet was the greatest source of information about HPV. Participants had positive belief towards the vaccine and more than 95% wished to get vaccinated. Group SHK had more knowledge then group SNHK with significant difference in seven out of fourteen knowledge items, and showed more positive beliefs with significant difference in six out of sixteen belief statements. Conclusion: The overall level of knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer was insufficient. However, this did not affect the participant’s beliefs in the subject negatively. Health care should provide viable internet sites with information about HPV to ensure that young Thai females get requisites, enabling self-care on preventing HPV infections by vaccination. / Bakgrund: Humant Papillom Virus (HPV) är den erkänt främsta orsaken till livmoderhalscancer. Vaccinering av unga kvinnor är den erkänt mest effektiva preventionen. Syfte: Att undersöka kunskap och åsikter om HPV, livmoderhalscancer och HPV vaccin bland unga thailändska kvinnor i nordöstra Thailand. Vidare, att undersöka om det fanns några skillnader mellan dem som säger sig ha kunskap om HPV och livmoderhalscancer (grupp SHK) och de som säger sig inte ha någon kunskap om HPV och livmoderhalscancer (grupp SNHK). Metod: En tvärsnittsstudie med ett frågeformulär om kunskap och åsikter om HPV som 221 unga thailändska kvinnor, i åldern 18-21, besvarade. Dorotea Orems omvårdnadsteori användes som teoretisk ram. Resultat: Mindre än 50 % av deltagarna hade kunskap om symtom av en HPV infektion. Över 70 % hade kunskap om HPV och dess relation till sexuell aktivitet. Största källan för information om HPV var internet. Deltagarna hade positiva åsikter inför vaccinet, mer än 95 % skulle vilja vaccinera sig. Grupp SHK hade mer kunskap än grupp SNHK med signifikant skillnad i sju av fjorton kunskapsämnen, och visade mer positiva åsikter med signifikant skillnad i sex av sexton påståenden rörande åsikter. Slutsats: Nivån av kunskap rörande HPV och livmoderhalscancer är otillräcklig, men det påverkar inte unga thailändska kvinnors åsikter om HPV vaccin i negativ riktning. Hälso- och sjukvården bör erbjuda korrekta och trovärdiga websidor med information om HPV för att ge unga thailändska kvinnor de förutsättningar som krävs för egenvård i prevention av HPV infektion genom vaccinering.

The acquisition of emergent literacy skills has become a prominent focus of early childhood education programs in recent years as research has demonstrated the significance of emergent literacy ability in the process of learning to read. The effectiveness of use of varied instructional techniques targeting the emergent literacy domains of phonological awareness, written language awareness, emergent writing, and oral language is well described in the literature. Consequently, educational service providers like speech-language pathologists are being called upon to assume roles in emergent literacy service provision. However, research has not fully explored the perceptions and knowledge speech-language pathologists possess of emergent literacy instructional practices. This concurrent triangulation mixed methods study examined speech-language pathologists’ perceptions and knowledge of emergent literacy instructional practices. Three quantitative and two qualitative forms of data were collected and analyzed from a criterion and purposive sample of five educational speech-language pathologists. Findings revealed speech-language pathologists possessed positive perceptions of emergent literacy instruction and endorsed use of numerous instructional techniques and intervention formats to target multiple emergent literacy skills. Results also indicated the presence of a narrow view of emergent literacy instruction as participants maintained a primary focus on oral language and phonological awareness in intervention sessions. Additionally, varied perspectives of speech-language pathologists’ role in emergent literacy instruction and numerous constraints to implementation of best practice in emergent literacy were identified. Findings demonstrated strength in participants’ pedagogical knowledge of emergent literacy instructional techniques in oral language and phonological awareness and strength in content knowledge of phonological awareness. However, findings also revealed limitations in understanding as speech-language pathologists’ did not demonstrate thorough knowledge of instructional practices across all domains of emergent literacy. Additionally, varying degrees of emergent literacy knowledge among speech-language pathologists were noted. Finally, comparison of quantitative and qualitative results of speech-language pathologists’ emergent literacy perceptions and knowledge revealed convergence of numerous findings.

本研究旨在探討多元化評量在國中英語科實施之情況。教育部於民國93年所提出之「國民小學及國民中學學生成績評量準則」提及，學生的成績評量可參酌建議之十二項評量評定之。本研究藉由問卷設計及訪談的方式進行，旨在了解目前國中英語科老師對多元評量功能的信念，常使用之評量方式，以及評量最常遭遇之困難。其中問卷調查是匯集143位台北市公立國中英語科教師之意見，以統計軟體SPSS 10.0進行敘述性統計、獨立樣本t考驗、單因子變異數分析與薛費法事後分析，並訪談其中5位自願受訪的老師，以質性資料補充說明，獲得結果簡述如下： 1. 國中英語科老師對多元評量功能上的信念，抱持正面的看法； 2. 國中英語課堂上最常採用的三種評量方式依序為：紙筆測驗、作業、口試；教學年資不同的老師，對測驗的選擇有顯著性的差異； 3. 國中英語科老師在實施多元評量時，最常遭遇的困難依序為：學生程度差異大、班級人數多、施測費時；性別、教學年資、以及是否參加過與多元入學相關的研習，對於實施多元評量時的困難，造成顯著性的不同差異。 最後依據所得的結論，對教育相關單位提出具體建議，希望能做為未來落實多元評量的參考。 / The study aims to investigate the implementation of multiple assessments (MA) in the English classes in junior high schools. The MOE proposed the Guidelines of Assessments for Elementary and Junior High School Students in 2004, suggesting 12 modes to evaluate students’ performances. The researcher endeavored to find out junior high school English teachers’ beliefs in MA, the assessments practiced most often in class, and the difficulties hindering teachers in employment. Both questionnaire and interview were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from 143 English teachers in public junior high schools in Taipei City. Statistic computerization, including descriptive statistics, the independent sample t-test, and ANOVA with Scheffe as the post hoc test if needed, were analyzed, and the findings were presented briefly as follows: 1. In general, junior high school English teachers hold a positive attitude toward the functions of MA; 2. The most common used assessments, in order, are: paper-and-pencil tests, homework, and oral tests; teachers with different seniority reflect significantly different choices of MA in use; 3. In applying MA in class, junior high school English teachers are most hampered by the divergent levels of students in the same class, the large class sizes, and a time consuming; the variables, such as gender, seniority, and workshop-attendance, make significant difference when teachers are encountered with different difficulties in applying MA in class. Finally, based on the findings in this study, some suggestions were made for educational authorities concerned to develop a more mature environment for practicing MA in the future.

Coyne’s (1976) interpersonal theory of depression proposes that individuals suffering from depressive symptoms tend to engage in excessive reassurance-seeking (ERS), defined as repetitively asking for assurances from close others about one’s lovability and worth. Research has shown that ERS is associated with negative evaluations from close others and lower partner-reported romantic relationship satisfaction, specifically (Starr & Davila, 2008). In a recent elaboration of Coyne’s theory, Evraire and Dozois (2011) proposed that ERS might only lead to rejection among individuals who possess core beliefs about the instability and unpredictability of relationships. The primary goal of the current study was to provide the first empirical test of this revised model. Furthermore, I sought to extend previous research in 2 important ways by: 1) employing both self-reported and behaviorally-assessed measures of ERS and 2) defining rejection in objective, behavioral terms. I recruited a sample of 118 women who attended an initial laboratory session with their male dating partners. The couple completed measures of ERS, depressive symptoms, anxious attachment (AA), rejection sensitivity (RS), and relationship satisfaction, and engaged in a laboratory task that was later coded for incidences of female ERS. AA and RS were combined to index core beliefs reflecting insecurity in relationships (i.e., “negative relationship cognitions”; NRC). Women completed a contextual interview to retrospectively assess historical romantic relationship rejection events. The women were re-contacted four months later to determine their relationship status. Consistent with hypotheses, behavioral ERS was significantly associated with concurrent male relationship dissatisfaction, but only among dysphoric women with high NRC. Surprisingly, ERS was only significantly associated with historical rejection in non-dysphoric women with low levels of NRC. In the prospective models, I found a main effect of self-reported ERS on partner-initiated rejection, but behavioral ERS was only associated with rejection among non-dysphoric women. My results were inconsistent with theory and previous research in models defining rejection behaviorally. Thus, I proposed revisions to existing interpersonal models to better capture the relationship between ERS and “real-world” rejection. My results underscore the importance of evaluating ERS in a particular relationship when predicting rejection outcomes in that specific relationship. / Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-06-13 13:39:01.64

Motivational changes due to individual differences and situational variations in ingroup identification can influence accessibility of memories of ingroup violence, victimization and glories. In Study 1, high identifiers recalled fewer incidents of ingroup violence and hatred than of ingroup suffering. As well, they recalled fewer incidents of ingroup violence and hatred than did low identifiers. In Study 2, a manipulation of ingroup identity produced shifts in memory. Relative to those in the low identity condition, participants in the high identity condition recalled fewer incidents of violence and hatred and more good deeds by members of their group. Participants in a control condition recalled more positive than negative group actions; this bias was exaggerated in the high identity condition and eliminated in the low identity condition. With respect to memories of ingroup tragedies, Studies 3 and 4 demonstrated that experimental reminders of ingroup suffering enhanced participants' sense of connectedness to the ingroup. The findings suggest that memories of ingroup aggressions threaten ingroup identity whereas memories of ingroup suffering enhance ingroup identity. Societal implications of the findings are discussed. The present research informs the literature on reconstructive memory by extending previous findings on the flexibility of personal memories to historical memory.