This research explores the relationship between the cognitive variables perceived risks, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived hazard experience with farmer support for adaptation and the agreement between farmer perceptions with observed climate conditions of drought and excess precipitation. Climate conditions were evaluated using monthly Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) values from 1950 to 2014. The remaining variables were measured using a closed ended survey of corn and soybean farmers (N =276) in the Iowa-Cedar Watershed. The relationships were evaluated using Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation (), frequency distributions, and probability analysis. Perceived barriers were found to be a significant predictor of support for adaptation. Transformational adaptations were less supported by farmers than incremental adaptations. Farmers expressed more concern for finances than any other risks or barrier. The majority of farmers reported low to moderate risks to drought and precipitation with high efficacy to cope to future impacts. Lastly, climate conditions indicate that there were more frequent and extreme precipitation events than drought events and that farmer perceptions of climate are consistent with observed climate conditions. However, while climate change projections indicate increased weather extremes in the future, farmers perceive no change in risks. It is unclear whether or not farmers are actually equipped to handle future threats to their crops. Future research should address this problem by conducting a longitudinal study to observe farmers’ perception prior to and after experiencing extreme events.

Previous organizational research has shown that people who perceived discrimination can bounce back from their negative experiences by constructing underdog stories: narratives in which others do not believe an individual could succeed, but in the end, the person succeeds. However, this concept has not been tested in the educational setting. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if constructing underdog stories can influence how college students perceive potential barriers in education. Participants were randomly assigned conditions: Underdog and control (neutral stories) condition. We hypothesized that creating underdog stories would reduce perceived barriers in college. We further hypothesized that creating "neutral" control stories, narratives where people do not have to overcome any challenges, will not affect perceived barriers in college. These hypotheses were tested by comparing participants' underdog story reflections and the control group's story reflections. McWhirter's Perceived Barriers Scale (1992), a commonly instrument used in perceived college barriers and education studies, was used to establish and analyze participants' perceived barriers in education.

Breast cancer is a widespread public health issue in the United States which affects all women. Although mammography is a proven screening tool, screening rates vary widely. Self-reported health status may play a role in how women perceive their risks for developing breast cancer, which may affect mammography use. The purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to assess the association between self-reported health status and perceived risk for developing breast cancer, as well as perceived barriers towards mammography screening and use. Social action theory, which holds that social and the psychological factors influence health behaviors, served as the theoretical foundation of the study. A convenience sample of 309 African American, non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic women, aged 30+, was recruited to participate in the study. Linear and logistic regression analyses revealed the model including all variables were significance between self-reported health status, demographic characteristics, and the dependent variables perceived risk of breast cancer, receipt of a mammogram in the last 2 years, and barriers (personal, economic, and health). However, self-reported health status was not a significant individual predictor in any of the analyses, and the null hypotheses for the research questions were not rejected. This study may promote positive social change by providing information on the necessity of interdisciplinary and interrelated educational and intervention approaches to address the challenges of women from diverse populations receiving regular mammograms.

Background: As the number of older adults in Thailand continues to increase, along with increased incidence of surgical intervention that causes pain, the quality of pain care in older adults is needed. Nurses are primarily responsible for assessing and managing pain in older adults (Jose Closs, 2008; Prowse, 2007). The use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) improves quality of care and saves healthcare cost. However, in Thailand where empirical study of using EBP related to pain in older adults is limited, research to understand how Thai nurses use EBP acute pain in older adults is needed.Purpose:The purpose of this study is to describe current practices, perceived barriers and perceived facilitators of Thai nurses on using EBP for assessing and managing acute pain in postoperative older adults.Method:A descriptive exploratory survey was conducted in 8 mid and large-size hospitals in Thailand. The Acute Pain EBP Questionnaire (APEBPQ) (Suwanraj, 2009) was distributed to 240 Thai nurses. 236 questionnaires were returned with the response rate of 98.3 percent. Open-ended questions related to barriers and facilitators of using EBPs were coded to identify major themes. MANOVA was performed to explore the differences between years of nursing experience on perceived barriers and facilitatorsResultsThe majority of participants are female (96.8%) with mean age 35.5 years (range=23-54). Thai nurses reported using 51/53 recommendations from EBPG Acute Pain most of the time/always (95%). Using an equianalgesic table (1.80±1.16) and assessing MMSE in older adults with postoperative pain (1.74±1.15) were occasionally used. Research reports published in English was the greatest barriers. Nurses perceived greatest support from a Head ward than other colleagues. Nurses with 11-20 years of nursing experience had higher reported barriers than those with 1-10 years of nursing experience.Practice Implications: This study will provide important information on barriers and facilitators of using EBPs related to pain assessment and pain management in Thailand. The results of the study will be used to develop strategies to promote the use of EBPs acute pain among Thai nurses who provide nursing care for postoperative older adults.

Mean daily vegetable consumption is below the recommended 7-10 servings in the diet of adult Canadians. This thesis aimed to investigate the moderating role of perceived barriers on the relationship between motivation and (greater) vegetable consumption. 606 people from the Ontario Food panel participated in the online study. The results identified a positive moderating effect of perceived barriers on the relationship between autonomous motivation and vegetable consumption (p < .05) and negative approaching significance moderating effect of perceived barriers on controlled motivation and vegetable intake (p = 0.056). Also four motivational profiles of consumers were identified and described in terms of vegetable consumption, food related behaviors, stages of change and socio-demographic characteristics. These results extend the Self-Determination Theory with perceived barriers component and can inform intervention program development for social marketers and policy makers.

strong>Objectives: Women with substance use disorders experience unique challenges to contraceptive obtainment and user-dependent method adherence, contributing to higher than average rates of unintended pregnancy. This study estimated the prevalence of barriers to contraception and their associations with contraceptive use and unwanted pregnancies among women receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in northeast Tennessee. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was piloted among female patients aged 18 to 55 years from 2 OAT clinics. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between contraceptive barriers and current contraceptive use and previous unwanted pregnancies among women receiving OAT. Results: Of 91 participants, most experienced previous pregnancies (97.8%), with more than half reporting unwanted pregnancies (52.8%). Although 60% expressed a strong desire to avoid pregnancy, ambivalence toward becoming pregnant was common (30.0%). Most experienced ≥1 barriers to contraceptive use or obtainment (75.8%), the most prevalent being aversion to adverse effects (53.8%), healthcare provider stigmatization (30.7%), scheduled appointment compliance (30.3%), and prohibitive cost (25.0%). Experience of any contraceptive barrier (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 8.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03–36.79) and access to a contraceptive provider (AOR 5.01, 95% CI 1.34–18.77) were positively associated with current use of prescribed contraceptives, whereas prohibitive cost was negatively associated (AOR 0.28, 95% CI 0.08–0.94). Conclusions: Although most participants desired to avoid pregnancy, ambivalence or uncertainty of pregnancy intention was common. Most experienced barriers to contraception, which were more strongly associated with previous unwanted pregnancy than current contraceptive use. The provision of long-acting reversible contraceptives and contraceptive education at OAT clinics represents an opportunity to reduce the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Evidence-based practices in the field of special education within the United States has been well defined in the literature yet challenges persist with the widespread implementation of these practices within school settings. There are many factors that can negatively influence the portability of these practices in classroom settings that remain unaddressed in the literature. The results of a qualitative evaluation aimed at determining teacher’s perspectives on barriers to implementing evidence-based procedures in the area of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) are described. Data analysis revealed several highly pertinent barriers that teachers face in their attempts to implement evidence-based practices in the classroom. Recommendations for minimizing these implementation barriers are discussed.

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Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is a prominent risk factor for subsequent stroke, and its associated morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Studies have demonstrated up to 80% reductions in subsequent stroke rate with prompt, optimized protocols for rapid TIA evaluation and treatment. National Stroke Association (NSA) and American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines have recommended institution of protocols assuring timely completion of the recommended testing, and evaluation by a stroke expert within 48 hours. However, limited literature exists on the implementation of guideline-based care in rural regions, and the few studies related to TIA suggest that barriers including difficulty accessing services and poorly updated TIA knowledge amongst rural, non-neurologist providers exist despite national guidelines. Behavior change theories have suggested that evaluating factors hindering or motivating behavior change may aid in tailoring implementation of guideline-based practices. This descriptive study sought to understand ED health care providers' perceived barriers to implementation of NSA/AHA TIA guidelines in a rural state. All healthcare providers in each of the state's emergency departments were invited by email to complete an online anonymous survey assessing knowledge of present TIA guidelines and perceived barriers to implementation of these guidelines in their practice setting using a modified Barriers and Facilitators Assessment Instrument (BFAI). After completing the knowledge based questions, respondents were presented a brief educational overview of the guidelines to ensure adequate familiarity with the TIA guidelines to complete the BFAI. Thirty-nine respondents completed the survey. Twenty-seven worked at regional or academic medical centers, and 12 worked at critical access hospitals representing the more rural regions of the state. Consistent with prior work, the most notable finding of this study was a low awareness of the present TIA guidelines amongst ED providers, with none of the survey respondents correctly identifying all items consistent with the evaluation guidelines for TIA. In addition to a low awareness of the guidelines, a number of perceived barriers to implementation were identified, which may inform efforts at implementation, and/or offer a model for similar barrier assessment elsewhere.