The present studies attempted to clarify the constructs of self-efficacy and outcome expectancies in relation to college student drinking. In study 1, heavy-drinking college students were asked for efficacy judgments for limiting their heavy-drinking for increasing periods of time (e.g. 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, etc.). Students were also asked for efficacy judgments for throwing a basketball into a hoop from increasing distances (e.g. 5 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet). Hypothetical incentives were offered to change efficacy ratings for the first tasks on each hierarchy (limiting drinking and basketball) to which the participant had responded with a negative efficacy judgments. Hypothetical incentives were also offered for the most difficult task on each hierarchy. As predicted, students changed efficacy ratings for limiting drinking much more frequently. Additionally, heavy-drinking college students indicated that money persuaded them to alter their efficacy judgments for limiting drinking, but lack of ability predominated as the reason for not altering basketball task efficacy. In study 2, the relationship between ability judgments, willingness, and outcome expectancies was explored by manipulating the wording of questionnaires presented to heavy-drinking college students. Results indicated that ability judgments were higher than willingness judgments for limiting drinking. Willingness appeared to be related to expected positive and negative effects of consuming alcohol. Principle components analysis indicated that ability and willingness were distinct constructs. Results of both studies are discussed in terms of the ongoing debate between Albert Bandura and Irving Kirsch and the need for a more clarity regarding efficacy and its measurement. / Master of Science

Self-efficacy for avoiding alcohol use predicts alcohol use after treatment. However, self-efficacy predicts outcome differentially depending on whether ratings are made before or after treatment. In order to increase the predictive validity of self-efficacy judgments, the hypothesized sources of self-efficacy were examined in the current study utilizing a college student population. Self-efficacy ratings for avoiding heavy drinking before and after self-monitoring of drinking behavior were examined in order to understand whether careful examination of current behavior would result in more informed self-efficacy judgments. Participants (N = 135) completed questionnaires that assessed self-efficacy, drinking behaviors, alcohol expectancies, and perceived normative alcohol use. Participants were assigned to either the control or self-monitoring condition. Self-monitors recorded drinking behaviors during the four weeks after the baseline assessment. All participants returned for a follow-up assessment four weeks later. Consistent with predictions based on social cognitive theory, heavy drinking, positive alcohol expectancies, and perceived norms of use were inversely related to self-efficacy. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that self-monitoring did not lead to stronger relationships between source variables and self-efficacy. Individuals who appeared to be overconfident in their self-efficacy judgments at baseline did not make more accurate ratings as a result of self-monitoring. Results from this study highlight potential sources of information individuals use in making self-efficacy judgments. / Master of Science

In this study, 236 heavy-drinking college students completed measures of self-efficacy for limiting drinking, specific coping skills for limiting drinking, outcome expectancies associated both with expected effects of drinking and expected effects of limiting drinking, and retrospective drinking behavior. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine reliability and validity, as well as serving as a pre-requisite for structural equation modeling (SEM). Results were generally consistent with predictions and supported the distinction between self-efficacy and outcome expectancies. One notable exception was that positive expectancies for limiting drinking did not load heavily on the predicted expectancy construct. Three models predicting drinking were compared utilizing SEM. The first was a model in which all constructs predicted drinking with no indirect effects. The second was based upon the ideas of Kirsch (1995) and predicted that outcome expectancies influence self-efficacy judgments. The third was based upon Bandura's (1986) theory and predicted that self-efficacy judgments would instead influence outcome expectancies. Both the models based on Kirsch and Bandura appeared to better fit the data than the model with no indirect effects. Differences in model-fit between models based on Kirsch and Bandura were not large, but slightly supported the Kirsch model. Additional analyses also supported the importance of outcome expectancies in predicting drinking behavior. Implications for theory and future directions for research are discussed. / Ph. D.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been the third leading cause of death in Puerto Rico (PR) since 1989. According to the PR Diabetes Center for Data Management, the prevalence of complications associated with diabetes in PR include: ischemic heart disease, renal failure and cerebro-vascular events, among others. Although physical activity has been identified as an integral part of preventing diabetes disease and complications in people already diagnosed, only 32.6% of the population engages in 30 minutes of moderate physical activity daily.The purpose of this descriptive-correlational study was to explore physical activity self-efficacy beliefs and outcome expectancies (perceived physical activity benefits and barriers) as possible factors that affect physical activity level in Puerto Rican adults diagnosed with type 2 DM. The guiding theoretical foundation was Self-efficacy-Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). An exploratory data analysis was conducted to determine the effects of socio-demographic variables on the principal variables. The contribution of socio-demographic factors, body mass index and the medical diagnosis to the prediction of principal variables were also explored.A sample of 110 Puerto Rican men and women between 40-60 years of age, with a mean of 52.2 years were recruited from four settings. Data was collected through a Demographic Data Questionnaire, Exercise Self-efficacy Scale, Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Qualitative data were gathered to identify additional benefits and barriers that were not included in the questionnaire.The median for the moderate to vigorous physical activity reported by the sample was 82.5 minutes per week. The relationship between self-efficacy beliefs and physical activity was significant but moderate (rs=.32, p = .001). No significant association was observed between perceived benefits and physical activity (rs =.09, p = .38). Also, no significant association was observed between perceived barriers and physical activity level (rs = -.17, p = .07). The correlation between self-efficacy beliefs and perceived benefits was significant and moderate (rs = .46, p < .001). The correlation between self-efficacy beliefs and perceived barriers was significant, moderate and negative (r= -.40, p <.001). Self-efficacy was the only significant predictor of physical activity.The low physical activity and the high rate of overweight and obesity are significant risk factors for the development of chronic complications and low quality of life that threaten Puerto Rican adults with type 2 DM. Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy life-style and important to achieve a better self-management of diabetes disease. Self-efficacy had relevance to the enhancement of physical activity in this population. The research findings support the importance of SCT in both nursing research and practice. SCT is important in future research because, as exemplified in this study, it provides an approach to explain physical activity behavior. SCT is important for practice; because addressing principal variables of the theory can promote the development of innovative interventional programs for Puerto Rican adults with type 2 DM.

The primary focus of this thesis was to examine the relationship of reward sensitivity and outcome expectancies, variables traditionally associated with alcohol use, to cannabis use behaviour and to explore the relationship of affect and locus of control to alcohol and cannabis use. It was hypothesised that hazardous alcohol and cannabis use would be related to higher levels of reward sensitivity and to the endorsement of more positive outcome expectancies. It was also hypothesised that positive outcome expectancies would mediate the relationship between reward sensitivity and cannabis use, and that the relationship between reward sensitivity and both alcohol and cannabis use would be moderated by punishment sensitivity. No specific hypotheses were formulated for the relationship of negative outcome expectancies, affect and locus of control of reinforcement to substance use. A total of 465 young adults aged between 18 and 35 years completed a questionnaire which assessed substance use patterns, reward and punishment sensitivity, outcome expectancies, locus of control, and affect. Results indicated that higher levels of reward sensitivity reliably distinguished hazardous from non-hazardous alcohol and cannabis users as well as cannabis users from cannabis non-users. The relationship between reward sensitivity and substance use was partially mediated by outcome expectancies, but not moderated by punishment sensitivity. An exploratory factor analysis demonstrated a high rate of concordance between alcohol and cannabis outcome expectancies. Locus of control of reinforcement was found to be unrelated to alcohol and cannabis use behaviour. There was little commonality in the relationship of sensitivity to punishment, negative outcome expectancies, and affect to alcohol and cannabis use. The second focus of this thesis was to pilot an intervention aimed at reducing alcohol use via the challenging of expectations regarding the rewarding outcomes associated with alcohol use in a group of young adult Australian males. A three session intervention was completed by three males aged between 19 and 31 years. The results demonstrated no reduction in hazardous alcohol use or global positive alcohol outcome expectancies at the completion of the intervention program or at a 3-month follow-up. Furthermore, there was no reduction in expectancies of increased sexual interest for any of the participants at the 3-month follow-up compared to baseline, despite a reduction in these expectancies for one of the three participants at the completion of the intervention. A reduction in monthly drinking levels and in expectancies of increased confidence compared to baseline was noted for two of the three participants at the 3-month follow-up. It was concluded overall that there is consistency between the relationships of reward sensitivity and positive outcome expectancies to alcohol and cannabis use and that outcome expectancies may be a proximal mechanism through which reward sensitivity influences alcohol and cannabis use. It was further concluded that whilst causal inferences regarding the effectiveness of the intervention could not be made, the results provide some evidence for the usefulness of this treatment in changing a proportion of the studied outcomes. This potentially provides an incentive for future controlled design research in larger samples and with alternate substances.

Purpose: The objective was to study how sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA)change during a 6-months multimodal lifestyle intervention including a Multimodal Lifestyle Intervention, a Multimodal Lifestyle and Medical food intervention and a control subgroup, for people with prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD). Further, the aim was to explore the predictive value of outcome expectancies and self-efficacy beliefs on level of PA in the two intervention subgroups.  Methods: A secondary analysis of existing data (n=66) from MIND-AD trial with a descriptive evaluation design was conducted. Descriptive and non-parametric statistical analysis were used for between- and within groups analysis. To explore the predictive value of a model with self-efficacy and outcome expectancies at baseline on PA at 6 months, regression analysis was conducted. Effect size was calculated for between-group and withingroup differences. Results: Objectively measured PA increased in the Multimodal Intervention subgroup. SB did not change during the intervention. Outcome expectancies for that impact of exercise is beneficial for health in the long run increased during the intervention. Participants higherinitial outcome expectancies for the impact of exercise would lead to less AD-related difficulties predicted higher PA level at 6 months. Self-efficacy for exercise or outcome expectancies for the impact of exercise on AD-related difficulties did not change during the intervention. Conclusions: PA increased in the Multimodal Intervention subgroup. This difference could not be shown with PA measured by questionnaire which indicates that objective measurements are better suited to measuring PA in people with prodromal AD than subjective measurements. Increased outcome expectancies for that impact of exercise arebeneficial for health in the long run demonstrate the participants strengthened intentions to improve their long-term health. Increasing outcome expectancies to manage AD-related difficulties can be an important part of interventions targeting PA in people with prodromal AD.

Based on previous research findings, which have found significant relationships between the hypothesized components of self-efficacy judgments for avoiding heavy drinking and actual levels of alcohol consumption in college students, the present study examined the role of anxious affect on self-efficacy for avoiding heavy drinking in college students. Specifically, it was hypothesized that heavy drinking subjects who were either high or low on dispositional social anxiety would report lower levels of self-efficacy for avoiding heavy drinking in response to feelings of social anxiety induced via anticipation of a self-disclosing heterosocial interaction. In addition, it was hypothesized that subjects who were high in dispositional social anxiety would report greater alcohol expectancies of social facilitation and tension reduction than subjects who were low in dispositional social anxiety. Subjects ill = 440) completed measures of alcohol expectancies, social anxiety, and quantity/frequency of alcohol use to identify heavy drinkers who were also either high or low in dispositional social anxiety. Identified subjects (n = 73) were then assigned to either an anxiety inducing or non-anxiety inducing condition and asked to complete measures of state anxiety and self-efficacy for avoiding heavy drinking in positive, negative, and socially anxious situations. Results failed to find a significant main effect for anxiety manipulation on self-efficacy for avoiding heavy drinking, but a main effect of ii dispositional social anxiousness was found on subjects' self-efficacy for avoiding heavy drinking in negative and socially anxious situations. The results of the study also failed to find significant relationships between alcohol expectancies of tension reduction and dispositional social anxiousness, but did find a significant positive relationship between social anxiety and alcohol expectancies of social facilitation. Lastly, exploratory analyses found significant relationships between positive and negative alcohol expectancies and self-efficacy for avoiding heavy drinking in socially anxious situations. Moreover, significant relationships were also found between alcohol expectancies and the frequency of drinking episodes and actual quantity consumed. Results are discussed in terms of the relationship between affect, self-efficacy, and outcome expectancies and implications for alcohol intervention programs with college students. / Master of Science

Background:Non-medical use of prescription opioids (NMUPO) has become a clear threat to public health. Young adults (aged 18 to 25) have a high risk of NMUPO. My prior work on Chinese undergraduates indicates a high prevalence of lifetime NMUPO (49.2%). Health behavior theories propose that outcome expectancies are robust psychosocial determinants of substance use. Literature has identified the influence of outcome expectancies on alcohol and drug use. However, the role of outcome expectancies in NMUPO in China is unknown, and a scarcity of a valid measures for NMUPO outcome expectancies may be a barrier. Our previous research also found an association of cultural orientation with NMUPD in Chinese college students, implying that cultural orientation may affect NMUPD-related perceptions, such as outcome expectancies. The purposes of this study were to (1) conduct initial work to develop and validate an NMUPO outcome expectancies scale (NMUPOES) for Chinese college students; (2) examine the association of cultural orientation with factors identified in NMUPOES. Method: Partial data (n = 202) derived from a bigger online dataset collected from 849 undergraduates (average age = 19.65) at two universities in Beijing and Macau in Jan-April 2017 was used in this study. Participants completed the NMUPOES and reported their past-3-month NMUPO and cultural orientation. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling were employed to test the study hypotheses. Results: Findings suggested four subscales in the 50-item NMUPOES (i.e., social enhancement and tension reduction, academic enhancement, physiological discomfort, and guilt and dependence) and two higher-order factors (i.e., positive expectancies and negative expectancies). All subscales were positively correlated and had good internal consistency. The negative expectancies scale was negatively associated with past-3-month NMUPO. No significant association was found between cultural orientation and the two expectancy factors. Conclusion:NMUPOES is a psychometrically appropriate measure of NMUPO expectancies for Chinese college students. Future research may validate the NMUPOES using a large sample size in both clinical and non-clinical populations in China. An intervention program tailored to outcome expectancies may be beneficial to reduce the risk of NMUPO in Chinese college students.

Perceived self-efficacy has been shown to be an accurate predictor of one's performance capabilities (Zimmerman, 2000). Low levels of perceived self-efficacy have been found to correlate with negative performance outcomes; while high levels of perceived self-efficacy correlate with positive performance outcomes. This construct has also been found to influence an individual's motivation level, goal setting ability, and risk for depression (Resnick, 2002; Phillips & Gully, 1997; Blazer, 2002). Therefore, perceived levels of self-efficacy may predict and influence performance of individuals with aphasia during a treatment program. However, the influence of self-efficacy on treatment for aphasia has not been sufficiently studied. The present study examined the differences between Response Elaboration Training (Kearns, 1985) and a modified version of Response Elaboration Training, incorporating the four sources of self-efficacy. First, it was hypothesized that the individual's level of perceived self-efficacy would predict performance during treatment. Also, it was hypothesized that a treatment incorporating self-efficacy would result in increased levels of self-efficacy, thereby promoting more positive therapeutic outcomes. A single-subject, cross-over design was employed; two individuals with Broca type aphasia received both types of treatment at alternating intervals. A relationship between perceived self-efficacy levels and performance outcomes was suggested. Participant one, with a high level of perceived self-efficacy for communicative tasks, experienced a general trend of improvement for effective communication. Participant two's use of effective communication revealed minimal change throughout the study; he also reported low to moderate levels of perceived self-efficacy in all modalities of communication throughout the study. Participant two's performance revealed slight improvements in self-efficacy, however, as well as improvements on a standardized aphasia assessment; this finding may suggest a relationship between increased self-efficacy and increased performance on the assessment. Results suggest that a treatment incorporating the four sources of self-efficacy may promote more positive treatment outcomes for individuals with aphasia.

Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti paauglių bendravimo įgūdžių, lūkesčių apie alkoholio vartojimo pasekmes ir alkoholio vartojimo sąsajas. Tyrime dalyvavo 248 (11- 12 klasių) mokiniai. Iš jų 110 vaikinų ir 138 merginos. 134 tyrime dalyvavusių paauglių (iš jų 39 vaikinai ir 75 merginos) alkoholio vartojimas įvardijamas kaip rizikingas ir 114 (iš jų 71 vaikinas ir 63 merginos) paauglių kaip nerizikingas. Paauglių bendravimo įgūdžiai vertinami Tromso socialinio intelekto skale (TSIS) (angl. Tromso Social Intelligence Scale), kurią parengė Silvera, Martinussen, Dahl, 2001. Lūkesčiai apie alkoholio vartojimo pasekmes vertinami S. C. Martino ir kt. (2006) sudaryta alkoholio lūkesčių skale (angl. Alcohol Outcome Expectancies Scale). Rizikingam alkoholio vartojimui įvertinti naudojama Crafft skalė (Knight ir kt., 2002). Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad vaikinų, kurie alkoholį vartoja rizikingai, teigiami lūkesčiai apie alkoholio vartojimo pasekmes ir merginų, kurios alkoholį vartoja rizikingai, teigiami ir neigiami lūkesčiai apie alkoholio vartojimo pasekmes labiau išreikšti, nei nerizikingai alkoholį vartojančių paauglių. Rizikingai alkoholį vartojantys vaikinai turi geresnius bendravimo įgūdžius, nei nerizikingai vartojantys vaikinai. Nerizikingai ir rizikingai alkoholį vartojančių merginų bendravimo įgūdžiuose skirtumų nenustatyta. Taipogi nustatyta vaikinų ir merginų grupėse teigiamas ryšys tarp teigiamų lūkesčių apie alkoholio vartojimo pasekmes ir socialinės informacijos apdorojimo, bei... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study was to define the relationships between social skills, alcohol outcome expectancies and alcohol use among adolescents. The participants of this study were 248 (110 boys and 138 girls) high school students. 134 participants (39 boys and 75 girls of them) were in a risk of alcohol use and 114 participants (71 boys and 63 girls of them) weren’t in a risk of alcohol use. The social skills of adolescents were examinated by Tromso Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS) (made by Silvera, Martinussen, Dahl, 2001). Alcohol outcome expectancies were examinated by Alcohol Outcome Expectancies Scale (made by S. C. Martino et al., 2006). The risk of the alcohol use were examinated by CRAFFT scale (made by Knight et al., 2002). The rezults of the study showed that positive alcohol outcome expectancies of boys, who were in a risk of alcohol use, and positive and negative alcohol outcome expectancies of girls, who were in a risk of alcohol use, were more significant in such alcohol use group of weren‘t risk. The boys who are in a risk of alcohol use have better social skills, than the boys who aren‘t in a risk of alcohol. Differences between the girls who are or not in a risk of alcohol use don‘t exist. The study also showed that positive relation exist between positive alcohol outcome expectancies and social information processing and between negative alcohol outcome expectancies and social awareness.