To understand how to better stimulate adult sport engagement, this study investigated effects of gain-framed messages (GFM; Rothman & Updegraff, 2010) on psychological/behavioural outcomes, with or without efficacy-enhancing messages (Latimer et al., 2010). Eligible adults (30-69 years-old) were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions (‘GFM alone’ or ‘GFM plus efficacy-enhancing messages’), or a control condition. Participants (N = 232; 62.5% female) completed baseline/screening measures, watched their messaging intervention and reported outcomes one-week later (Time 2), and responded one-month later (Time 3). Comparing the experimental conditions showed non-significant differences for all outcomes, indicating no added benefit of efficacy-enhancing messages. Collapsing the experimental groups and comparing against the control showed significant group-by-time interactions for three ‘outcome expectancies’ (travel, social affiliation, stress relief), with reports higher among experimental participants. Results also indicated that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity significantly decreased at Time 3 within the control, but remained constant among experimental participants.

This diploma thesis represents a sum of theoretical findings about correlates and antecedents of boredom and an empirical investigation of opened questions about boredom, according to the literature. This was done through a laboratory experiment in which the author of the thesis, in order to investigate the research questions, induced boredom in the research participants. The research aim of this thesis involves three topics. The primary purpose of the experiment is to assess the experimental manipulation effects of causal attribution of attentional failure on the intensity of boredom. In order to investigate the main research questions, the author of this thesis created a specific experimental design. This includes a fictive subliminal distracting element representing an alternative cause explaining attentional failure during a task reliably eliciting boredom. Experimental design was also developed to fulfil a secondary aim of this thesis, to explore some of the correlates of boredom with emphasis on the question of relation between activation and boredom. The third aim is to investigate hypothesis about the type of activities preferred after the boredom induction by giving a choice to participants between interesting and an enjoyable videoclip. The results of the experiment do not support the main...

BACKGROUND: In March of 2020, the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic required healthcare systems to be rapidly responsive to adapt hospital guidelines for the most up-to-date care and safety protocols as knowledge of the disease rapidly evolved. Rates of COVID-19 infections continue to fluctuate, and non-COVID-19 patients have now returned to the emergency department for care. This increase in patient volume leads to new challenges and threats to patient and clinician safety as suspected COVID-19 patients need to be quickly detected and isolated amongst other patients with non-COVID-19 related illnesses. In addition, emergency physicians face continued personal safety concerns and increased work burden on the front lines, heightening stress and anxiety. Burnout is a serious concern for emergency physicians due to the cumulative pressures of their daily practice, even under non-pandemic circumstances. Given the prolonged course of the pandemic, burnout may likely present as a longer-term outcome of these acute stressors. METHODS: A rapidly adaptive simulation-based approach was implemented to understand and improve physician preparedness while decreasing physician stress and anxiety. A randomized control trial was conducted to test the effectiveness of a simulation preparedness intervention on physician physiologic stress as measured by decreased heart rate variability on shift and anxiety as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. OUTCOMES: Front-line EM physicians participated in a simulation-based educational intervention aimed to facilitate the adoption of protocols and treatment algorithms. Four virtual simulation scenarios highlighted the care pathways a practitioner might implement when managing a COVID-19 positive patient. A debriefing session followed each scenario to interactively analyze the learners' management decisions. The discussion focused on the most current hospital protocols so that any gaps in knowledge could be successfully addressed. The scenarios were iteratively updated, and the debriefing emphasis changed to deliver the newest clinical guidance and operational procedures as they evolved while continuing to highlight the aspects of care that remained challenging. Ongoing analysis of the physiological data is still being conducted. NEXT-STEPS: Mixed model analysis of physiologic and self-report measures of stress and anxiety will be used to determine if this virtual simulation intervention improves adherence to guidelines and protocols in the clinical setting and its impact on physicians while on shift. The next steps include further dissemination and objective feedback from institutions that may adopt this learning intervention.

Adoption of new agricultural technologies by farmers in developing countries is sometimes limited, despite the associated benefits. Potato farmers in Carchi, Ecuador rely heavily on pesticides to limit pest and disease damage, rather than adopting a more sustainable and economically viable alternative: Integrated Pest Management (IPM). One reason IPM adoption is limited is that farmers are uncertain about the benefits of the complex technology. Information provision builds knowledge that reduces that uncertainty and leads to adoption. Another reason for limited adoption is that other farming activities compete for time, and farmers may forget or delay IPM adoption. One way to transfer information and remind farmers to adopt IPM practices is through text messages. To evaluate the impact of text messages on IPM adoption, we conducted a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) among potato farmers in Carchi, Ecuador. The RCT allowed us to identify the causal impact of text messages by comparing adoption rates and knowledge scores between farmers who received text messages (treatment), and farmers who did not (control). After attending a one-day training, the treatment received tailored IPM messages for approximately five and a half months. At the conclusion of the trial period, treatment and control farmers reported their adoption of individual IPM practices, and were tested on their IPM knowledge. Treatment farmers adopted both simple and complex practices at higher rates than the control. Farmers who received text messages also possess more knowledge about IPM techniques than non-recipients, which is evidence of the knowledge-building effect of text messages. Furthermore, text messages were shown to be effective in encouraging the adoption of practices for which no separate inputs were required, and ineffective in encouraging practices where a separate input was required. Text messages are an positive supplement to an in-person training program because they build knowledge and remind farmers, both of which encourage the adoption of IPM, which benefits the farmer, his community, and the environment. / Master of Science

INTRODUÇÃO: O transtorno de escoriação (TE) é caracterizado pela escoriação recorrente da pele, ocasionando lesões, apesar de repetidas tentativas de cessar o comportamento. Dentre os tratamentos disponíveis, a psicoterapia vem demonstrando ser a alternativa mais eficaz, mas faltam evidências para se estabelecer um método definitivo de tratamento. Os indivíduos com TE têm dificuldade em identificar e manejar suas emoções, e a escoriação pode ser uma tentativa malsucedida de regulá-las. O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a eficácia da psicoterapia psicodramática em grupo para melhora da regulação emocional e redução de sintomas dos portadores de TE. MÉTODO: estudo randomizado e controlado, com grupo experimental submetido à psicoterapia psicodramática em grupo (PPG) e grupo controle, à psicoterapia de apoio em grupo (PAG). Cinquenta e três pacientes foram selecionados, 26 tratados com PPG e 27 com PAG. Duas escalas foram traduzidas, adaptadas, validadas para o português brasileiro e utilizadas para avaliação do desfecho - a skin picking scale revised e a skin picking impact scale short version. Além destas, foram utilizadas a escala de dificuldade de regulação emocional, escala de impressão clínica global, escala de depressão de Beck, escala de ansiedade de Beck e escala de adequação social. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças relevantes dos perfis sociodemográficos e clínicos entre os grupos experimental e controle. A maioria da amostra constituiu-se de mulheres caucasianas com formação cristã e diploma universitário, com alto índice de comorbidades, sendo depressão e ansiedade as mais recorrentes. Quando a analisada em conjunto, a amostra total apresentou redução significativa da escoriação ao longo do tempo (p= < 0,001), mas não houve diferença significativa na comparação entre os grupos (p=0,410). Também houve melhora para a amostra total no impacto da escoriação (p=0,001), dificuldade de regulação emocional (p=0,023), ansiedade (p=0,001) e impressão clínica global (p= < 0,001), porém na comparação entre grupos não houve diferença significativa nestes aspectos (respectivamente p=0,336; p=0,255; p=0,524; p=0,601). Sintomas depressivos e adequação social apresentaram melhora ao longo do tratamento, com tendência a significância (p=0,081 e p=0,066, respectivamente). DISCUSSÃO: O presente estudo apresenta um perfil de paciente em tratamento por TE compatível com o relatado em estudos anteriores no que diz respeito aos aspectos sociodemográfico e clínico, além de uma boa resposta clínica ao tratamento com psicoterapia de grupo, independentemente do método utilizado (PPG ou PAG). CONCLUSÃO: A PPG não foi superior ao PAG. O tratamento em grupo pode ser uma opção para indivíduos com TE, com benefícios que extrapolam a melhora do comportamento de escoriação da pele, como por exemplo a superação do isolamento social e a melhora da regulação emocional / INTRODUCTION: Excoriation disorder (ED) is characterized by recurring skin picking, resulting in lesions, despite frequent attempts to cease such behavior. Amongst available treatments, psychotherapy has shown to be the most efficacious alternative, but there is lack of evidence in order to establish a definitive treatment method. Individuals with ED have difficulty in identifying and dealing with their emotions and excoriation may be an unsuccessful attempt at trying to regulate them. The goal of this study was to investigate the efficacy of group psychodrama psychotherapy to improve emotional regulation and reduce the symptoms of individuals with ED. METHOD: the study design was a randomized controlled trial, with the experimental group submitted to psychodrama group psychotherapy (PGP) and the control group to support group psychotherapy (SGP). Fifty-three patients were selected, 26 treated with PGP and 27 with SGP. Two scales were translated, adapted and validated to Brazilian Portuguese and utilized for outcome evaluation - the skin picking scale revised and the skin picking impact scale short version. In addition, it was used the difficulties in emotional regulation scale, the clinical global impression scale, the Beck depression inventory, the Beck anxiety inventory and the social adjustment scale. RESULTS: No relevant differences were found in the sociodemographic and clinical profiles amongst the experimental and control groups. The majority of the sample was Caucasian, female with a Christian background and university degree, with high rate of co-morbidities, the most recurrent being depression and anxiety. Both PGP and SGP were efficacious in terms of reduction of excoriation at the within subjects\' comparison (p= < 0,001), but there was no significant difference in the comparison between the groups (p=0,410). Improvement also was found for the whole sample for excoriation impact (p=0,001), difficulties in emotional regulation (p=0,023), anxiety (p=0,001) and clinical global impression (p= < 0,001), but not between the groups (respectively p=0,336; p=0,255; p=0,524; p=0,601). Depressive symptoms and social adequacy presented an improvement throughout the treatment, with a tendency towards statistical significance (p=0,081 and p=0,066, respectively). DISCUSSION: This study presents a profile of the treatment-seeking ED patient that is compatible with reports from previous studies in regards to socio-demographic and clinical features, besides a good clinical response to group intervention was observed, regardless of the method utilized. CONCLUSION: PGP was not superior to SGP. Group treatment may be an option for ED individuals, with benefits that extrapolate the improvement of skin excoriation behavior, as for example overcoming social isolation and improvement in emotional control

Purpose: Transitioning into retirement may be a suitable period to help adults establish an active lifestyle. One innovative approach to promote PA may be through multimedia-based programs. This experiment aimed to explore the feasibility DVD and videogame-based exercise programs in promoting physical activity (PA) in adults transitioning into retirement. Underlying motivations, functional fitness, quality of life, and elicited beliefs from participating in the exercise programs were also explored. Methods: Twenty-seven adults were randomized into either a nine-week exercise DVD (n = 9), exergame (n = 9), or waitlisted control group (n = 9). Main outcomes include adherence was based on attendance during the in-lab component and participant logs during the in-home component. PA levels were measured through accelerometery and assessed at baseline, four-, nine- and 12-weeks. Secondary outcomes related to motivation were assessed at baseline, three- and nine-weeks. Tertiary outcomes such as physiological/functional fitness and quality of life outcomes were assessed at pre- and post-intervention. Results: During the in-lab portion, t-tests showed that adherence was slightly higher in the exergame group than the DVD group (t16 = -0.06, p = .96; d = .31). Repeated measures of analysis showed that the group x time interaction for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (F2,24 = 0.87, p = .52; η2 = .05), while overall PA saw negligible changes (F2,24 = 0.16, p = .85; η2 = .01). At the end of the intervention, overall adherence was similar between both exercise groups (t16 = -0.06, p = .96; d = .03). The group by time interaction effect yielded a moderate effect size for MVPA (F2,24 = 1.07, p = .36; η2 = .08) and overall PA (F2,24 = 1.11, p = .35; η2 = .08). Overall PA only increased in the exergame group (d = .74). The exergame group saw major decreases in instrumental attitude (d = .64), injunctive norm (d = .79), perceived behavioural control (d = .40) and intention (d = .90). Both exercise groups enhanced strength, mobility, and aerobic endurance outcomes (d = .33-.98), as well as several quality of life domains (d = .32-.89). At the post-intervention follow-up, both exercise groups were more active than the control group (d = .49-1.03). Two-thirds of the DVD group adopted DVD-based exercise, while a third of exergame group adopted videogame-based exercise. Conclusions: With a high adoption rate, DVD-based exercise programs may be a feasible and acceptable approach to promote PA levels. Participants in both groups were generally satisfied, indicating that the exercise program was enjoyable, comprehensive, and a simple and convenient way to exercise at home. Improvements to important functional and quality of life domains were also identified. Further research will be required to fully test the effectiveness of exercise DVDs and exergames on adherence and PA behaviour in adults transitioning into retirement. / Graduate / 0384 / christopher.yao7@gmail.com

<p>  To improve cardiometabolic health, omnivores are often recommended to simultaneously adopt a healthy dietary pattern with an emphasis on increasing intakes of plant-based proteins and decreasing intakes of red and processed meats. However, the totality of observational and experimental results inconsistently supports relations between red meat intake and risks of cardiometabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Red meat is often not clearly or consistently defined within nutrition and health research and is consumed within healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns. These issues contribute to the conflicting findings. Observational data, which assess red meat (both unprocessed and processed) within an unrestricted Western-style dietary pattern, typically support positive associations with cardiometabolic disease incidence and mortality outcomes. Whereas experimental randomized controlled trial data consistently show that consuming healthy dietary patterns with or without the inclusion of lean unprocessed red meat, improve cardiometabolic disease risk factors. These discordant findings have left laymen, researchers,and policymakers alike to question whether a high intake of red meat is causally related to cardiometabolic disease outcomes. The results of the single blinded crossover randomized controlled feeding trial (Study 1, Chapter 3) support that consuming a U.S.-style healthy dietary pattern that included two 3oz servings/day of lean unprocessed beef did not adversely affect cardiometabolic disease risk factors. Based on observational and experimental research, the umbrella systematic review described in Chapter4, led to the inference that red and processed meats are not causally related with cardiovascular disease. However, relations between processed meat and mixed unprocessed and processed meat and type 2 diabetes were inferred to be potentially causal. Overall, the results described in this dissertation support that lean and unprocessed red meats consumed within healthy dietary patterns do not adversely affect cardiometabolic health</p>