No description available.

Understanding and promoting lifelong learning in employees is important for employees' future marketability (Robinson & Rousseau, 1994) and for creating learning organizations (Senge, 1990). To further this understanding, components of a model of the motivation to engage in continuous employee development (Garofano & Salas, 2005) were tested. New scales were created for work-related implicit theory and outcome expectations and the validity of these scales and these variables in the model were investigated. Alternate models were also contrasted with the Garofano and Salas model (2005). The study used self-report surveys administered to staff and faculty recruited from training classes in higher learning institutions in a three month longitudinal investigation. The results suggest that work-related implicit theory is a valid contributor in this model but that modifications to the model may be beneficial, including a more complex central motivational component. Implications of these results for organizational practice are discussed along with study limitations and future research implications

No description available.

Bakgrund: Fall hos äldre är vanligt förekommande. Regelbunden balansträning krävs för att bibehålla och förbättra balansförmågan. En persons self-efficacy och utfallsförväntningar spelar roll för om träningen blir av eller inte då många äldre inte tränar på grund av att de inte tror sig få ut något av det. Nintendo Wii Fit är ett modernt sätt att träna balansförmågan på. Syfte: Syftet var att undersöka om Nintendo Wii Fit har effekt på balansförmågan, self-efficacy till balansförmågan i hemmet, utfallsförväntningar på balansförmågan av balansträningen samt fallrelaterad self-efficacy hos tre hemmaboende personer över 70 år under och efter tre veckor interventionsperiod. Metod: Experimentell single-case design A-B-A2 användes. Interventionen bestod av balansträning med Nintendo Wii Fit tre gånger i veckan under tre veckor. Kontinuerliga skattningar av personernas self-efficacy till balansförmågan och utfallsförväntningar för balansträning pågick genom A-B-A2. Andra variabler som utvärderades var balansförmåga (Bergs balansskala) och fallrelaterad self-efficacy (FES(S)). Resultat: Resultatet visade tendenser på att balansträning med Nintendo Wii Fit hade en positiv påverkan balansförmågan, fallrelaterad self-efficacy, self-efficacy för balansförmågan i hemmet samt utfallsförväntningar på balansförmågan av balansträningen. Slutsats: Mer forskning inom området behövs innan några säkra slutsatser om effekten på balansförmågan av Nintendo Wii Fit på individnivå kan göras. / Background: Elderly people relatively often fall. Regular balance training is required to maintain and improve balance ability. A person's self-efficacy and outcome expectations may affect whether he or she perform the exercises or not. Many older persons do not exercise because of lack of confidence. Nintendo Wii Fit can be a modern way to increase confidence and balance ability. Objective: The objective was to investigate whether the Nintendo Wii Fit has an effect on the balance ability, the person's self-efficacy in their balance ability in a home environment, a person's outcome expectations of balance ability from balance training with the Nintendo Wii Fit and fall-related self-efficacy of three individuals ages over 70 years at their homes. The study was conducted during and after a three-week long intervention period. Method: An experimental single-case design A-B-A2 was used. The intervention included balance training with Nintendo Wii Fit three times a week over a three-week long period. Continuous monitoring of the participants self-efficacy in balance ability and outcome expectations of the balance training was performed at all phases. Other evaluated variables were balance (Berg balance scale) and fall-related self-efficacy (FES (S)). Results: The results shows tendencies that balance training with Nintendo Wii Fit has a positive effect for the three participants regarding balance ability, fall-related self-efficacy, self-efficacy for balance ability in the home and outcome expectations of balance ability by balance training. Conclusion: More research is needed in this area before any firm conclusions about the effect on individual level regarding balance ability by balance training with the Nintendo Wii Fit can be made.

The aim of the current study is to investigate the some potential factors that contribute to career indecision of university students. In accordance with that, a mediational causal model based on Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) was proposed to test / a) the direct and indirect relationships of locus of control, perceived parental attitudes, career decision-making self-efficacy, and career outcome expectations with career indecision and b) to what extend the combination of these variables explain career indecision. The sample of the study was composed of 723 (338 female, 383 male, 2 unspecified) university students. Demographic Information Form, Career Decision Scale, Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale Short-Form, Career Outcome Expectations Scale, Parental Attitudes Scale, and Rotter

abstract: Purpose: This study explored the potential correlates of exercise self-efficacy among older adults with a self-reported diagnosis of arthritis. Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis and used a cross-sectional design. Data was collected from a convenience sample of Non-Hispanic White and Non-Hispanic Black individuals between 2006-2008 (N=208). Descriptive statistics were run to assess means and frequencies within the sample. Bivariate statistics (Pearson and Spearman correlations, T-tests and one-way analysis of variance) were run to examine relationships between the independent and dependent variables. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine independent predictors of self-efficacy for exercise (SEE) and barriers self-efficacy for exercise (BSE). Results: Participants were predominantly female (85.6%), white (62.9%), retired (58.1%) and had a mean age of 66.6 [10.7] years. For education level, 23.4% reported a Master’s degree or higher and 18.6% reported they had at most a high school degree or GED. Nearly 47% of the sample were classified as obese based on self-reported body mass index (BMI) and 68.3% of the sample were not meeting the American College of Sports Medicine physical activity (PA) recommendations. Participants reported a relatively high BSE (22.6) and an average SEE (22.7). Significant positive associations were seen with outcome expectation for exercise (EOE), social support, and total minutes of PA and negative associations with BMI, physical function, pain, and negative affect with SEE and BSE. Meeting the PA guidelines (t134.5=4.60, 95%CI= 4.7(6.71-2.68), p<0.001) and being white (t164=2.82, 95%CI=2.82(0.57-5.08), p=0.014) were associated with SEE and BSE (t165=3.42, 95%CI= 4.37(6.89-1.85), p=0.001) and (t164=2.34, 95%CI= 2.95(0.46-5.43), p=0.021), respectively. In regression analyses, significant predictors of SEE were education (p=.006), physical function (p=.006) and EOE (p<.001). Significant predictors of BSE were physical function (p=.020), social support (p=.031), EOE (p=<.001), education level (p=.037), and total minutes of PA (p=.022). The variables in the SEE model accounted for 50.5% (R=.737, R2=.505) of the total variance and the variables in BSE model accounted for 41.1% (R=.672, R2=.411) of the total variance of the model. Discussion: EOE appears to be an important predictor of SEE and BSE. Examining the temporal relationship between EOE and SEE is warranted. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Exercise Science 2016

Technology field industry is lacking a presence of women as in most cases, men have the control on the top management positions. The problem is well-known globally. The gender mixed teams tend to perform better as different ways of thinking allow them to make better business decisions. In order to make improvements, it is important to look at convincing ways to attract young students, especially women to the industrial sector.  This study focuses on Social Cognitive Career Theory factors on technology field students in Sweden and a comparison of results between female students and other groups like male students and student of nursing degree. This country is the one on the top level with the highest percentage of graduating engineers who are women. But still, most of the graduating students are men. Understanding which factors influence major decision’s is extremely important to improve the situation.  The research focused on analysis of factors based on Social Cognitive Career Theory developed by Lent. The questionnaire was sent out to Swedish university students who chose to study technical degree or nursing, or teaching.  The statistical analysis partially confirmed SCCT regarding the influence of self-efficacy on interest and outcome expectations. It also confirmed that self-efficacy and interest are much more important for female students comparing to male students. However, the impact of interest and outcome expectations was found more important for men than for women. This study contributes to further discussions regarding not too many differences found between men and women in Sweden.

No description available.

College students engage in poor dietary behaviors which put them at risk of weight gain and subsequent future health problems. This necessitates implementation of nutrition interventions which target dietary behaviors in college students so that healthy dietary patterns can be adopted and maintained through adulthood. Dairy intake is one of the many dietary behaviors which has declined substantially in young adults (18-30 years of age) - a period which includes the college age population. According to 2005 dietary guidelines for Americans three or more than three servings of low-fat/fat-free dairy foods is recommended for young adults, which is associated with overall nutrient quality of the diet and several health benefits. Still dairy consumption in this age group is below two serving per day. As emerging adults, college students may be more receptive to health advice than young adults older than traditional college years whose health habits are more established; nutrition intervention to improve dairy intake may be well received. Psycho-socio variables from Social Cognitive Theory (self regulation, social support, self-efficacy and outcome expectations) have been associated with adoption of healthy eating habits in college students and are associated with dairy consumption in adolescents. A series of studies were conducted to assess and improve dairy intake in college students by changing the mediating psycho social variables from Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) of behavior change including social support, self efficacy, outcome expectations and self regulation. A pilot web based nutrition education intervention was conducted to improve dairy intake in college students using SCT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the intervention on self efficacy, outcome expectations, self regulation, behavior and dairy product intake. Two hundred and ninety four students participated in the study and data on dairy intake and SCT variables were collected using 7 day food records and questionnaires. A 5 week electronic mail intervention was conducted. The intervention improved some social cognitive factors such as self regulation and self efficacy regarding increased dairy intake in college students, though dairy intake did not change. Next, to understand factors associated with dairy intake in college students, qualitative data were collected using focus group discussions (n=3), elicitation interviews (n=13) and online asynchronous discussion forums (n=3) using identical questions. Fifty students participated in the study and the aim was to identify relevant barriers, motivators and facilitators to dairy and low-fat dairy consumption. The results indicated that there was widespread lack of clarity regarding amount of dairy/calcium required and whether students felt they were getting enough. Major barriers to consuming dairy foods included short shelf life, storage issues, taste and accessibility to dairy foods on campus. Major facilitators included constant reminders, knowing immediate benefits, more accessibility and breakfast consumption. The aim of the final study was to improve social support, self efficacy, outcome expectations, self regulation and behavior related to dairy intake in college students using Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). One hundred and ninety one students participated in the study which included 8 week electronic mail intervention. Data collected included 7 day food records and for dairy intake and questionnaires for SCT variables. The intervention resulted in significant improvement in total dairy intake and use of self regulation strategies by college students. Taken together, these results suggest that theory-based nutrition education interventions can improve nutrition behavior in college students, a population prone to poor dietary habits. Developing mastery experiences to improve self efficacy may enhance self regulatory skills like goal setting, planning and monitoring to improve dairy intake in college students. Health care providers should aim at dietary behavior modification via theory based intervention. / Ph. D.

xiii, 94 p. / The purpose of this study was to explore theoretically linked social cognitive factors that may predict career development outcomes for college women with learning disabilities (N = 136). Following Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), I hypothesized that specific person inputs and background and contextual variables would be predictive of career decision self-efficacy and career outcome expectations. The specific model tested was whether the person input of GPA and contextual inputs of parent education level, perceived barriers, and perceived supports predicted career decision self-efficacy and vocational outcome expectations and whether these relationships were mediated by career education and exploration. These relationships represent early-occurring constructs within SCCT. I used Path Analysis to determine whether the experiences of college women with learning disabilities fit these early-occurring constructs within SCCT. Results demonstrated that the early-occurring constructs of the SCCT model did not fit for this population. I conducted revised and exploratory post hoc models to achieve a better fit for the data. In the revised and exploratory models, one potentially important finding was that real world work experiences, such as paid work, volunteer work, and internship experience, may be of particular importance for the formation of career decision self-efficacy and career outcome expectations for college women with learning disabilities. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. / Committee in charge: Dr. Benedict T. McWhirter, Chair; Dr. Ellen H. McWhirter, Member; Dr. Lauren Lindstrom, Member; Dr. Douglas Blandy, Outside Member