Thesis (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. E. Newton Jackson Jr., Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Sport Management, Recreation Management, and Physical Education. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Sept. 24, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 179-188). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 179-188). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2006. / Advisor: Jay Baker, Florida State University, College of Social Sciences, Dept. of Geography. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed June 7, 2006). Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 184 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 2009.

Micro blogging sites such as Twitter have fundamentally changed the way that individuals communicate and spread information, with greater speed and greater representation of how affected individuals feel about given situations. By seeking information that is available on Twitter, individuals are constructing their opinions based on a large source of data from their peers. Laypeople are now influential amplification agents during unfolding crises. Factors that amplify or attenuate perceptions of risk may have far-reaching implications for risk communication research within emerging new social media contexts. In order to explore these factors, we experimentally manipulated content about risk information, specific emotion, and emotional imagery via hypothetical Twitter community event pages and measured risk perceptions, behavioral intentions, and subjective emotions that may accompany the amplification or attenuation of risk through social media. Across three experimental studies, emotion increased the seeking and sharing of information and behavior associated with risk prevention and regulation during crisis communication via experimental Twitter feeds. Gender was a substantial factor that impacted subjective emotion, risk, and behavior. Females demonstrated higher scores than males on the majority of these dependent measures when anger and sadness were induced (Studies 1 and 2) and when only anger was manipulated (Study 3). This attests to the significant impact that gender has for processing emotion in crisis communication. Emotion and risk influenced each other recursively for information seeking and sharing behavior, and emotion content increased subjective emotion compared to information content. Spokesperson strategies effectively reduced negative emotion, information seeking and sharing, information generation, and regulatory action related to the risk event. The present research suggests that evidence-based strategies may be applicable in the domain of social media crisis management. It is imperative that we further investigate the interplay of emotion and information as underlying mechanisms in relation to how information diffusion operates in new social media, as we do not know how perceptions of risk may be generated or altered in this relatively unexplored domain. / 10000-01-01

This thesis presents a participatory systems design framework for the design of a nuclear power plant. The work begins with a review of the so-called ‘nuclear renaissance’, the risks posed by nuclear power as calculated by experts, how the lay-person perceives such risks and how participatory approaches have been used to reduce opposition to new developments in other industries. The review identifies two key questions; firstly, can the public be engaged on the topic of aspects of nuclear plant design and provide meaningful responses? Secondly, can these responses be integrated into the design process of a nuclear power plant in a meaningful and practicable way? A representative sample of UK citizens (n=1304) were asked 10 questions on their underlying view of nuclear power and then 12 questions covering different aspects of nuclear design in a questionnaire. This data provides a first understanding of what the UK public might desire from the design of a nuclear power plant. Statistical analysis using asymmetric Somer’s D suggests that whilst design preferences relating to nuclear fuel and waste are driven to some extent by underlying views, design preferences relating to reactor design are not. Further research is required to explore and validate this finding. A new framework for the design of a nuclear plant is documented. A modified Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method is used to combine sets of requirements from different stakeholders and produce a system level specification of a nuclear power plant. The modified method allows requirements from different stakeholders to be individually weighted, resulting in a graphical output showing how different stakeholders have influenced the design specifications. An example set of stakeholders requirements, including those gathered from the UK public as described above, are developed in a case study that demonstrates how the framework can be used to develop plant designs. An analysis of how this work might impact both Rolls-Royce and the broader nuclear industry is presented and themes relating to lean manufacturing and the combination of standardised modules into customised systems (Standardised Customisation) is proposed. Finally, an overview of opportunities for future research is presented.

The overarching objective of this thesis was to investigate the phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy in Canada and examine relationships among vaccine beliefs, socio-demographic characteristics, and seasonal influenza immunization. Quantitative findings were derived from a national health risk perception survey administered to adults across Canada (N = 1,125). Respondents were asked to provide their level of agreement (1 = do not agree at all to 5 = agree completely) with 2 vaccine-related behaviour statements and 21 vaccine-related beliefs statements. A principal components analysis was performed to reduce the number of belief statements into meaningful components. Two components were retained and reflected negative beliefs about ‘vaccine safety’ and positive beliefs about ‘vaccine regulation and benefits’. Descriptive results presented in the first study indicated a heightened uncertainty about the long-term side effects of vaccination, particularly with respect to the purported link between the Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine and the development of autism, among survey respondents. Multivariate analyses identified differences in the endorsement of numerous vaccine beliefs according to age and educational attainment. Findings revealed that older respondents and respondents without a university education demonstrated more negative attitudes towards vaccination, whereas younger respondents and respondents with a university education demonstrated more positive vaccine attitudes, respectively. Finally, both components of vaccine beliefs were significant predictors of vaccine-related behaviours, including discussing information about vaccines with others and reported receipt of the seasonal influenza vaccine. The second study investigated interrelationships among components of vaccine beliefs, socio-demographic characteristics, and reported receipt of the seasonal influenza vaccine. A mediation analysis revealed that higher levels of agreement with the statement ‘I usually get the seasonal flu vaccine’ among older adults was associated with lower levels of agreement with negative beliefs about vaccine safety in conjunction with higher levels of agreement with positive beliefs about the regulation and benefits of vaccines, whereas the opposite was true for younger adults. Also, a significant moderation analysis revealed that among respondents with greater concern about vaccine safety, those with higher educational attainment reported lower levels of agreement with the statement ‘I usually get the seasonal flu vaccine’ compared to those with lower educational attainment. Recognizing the limitations of quantitative findings, a qualitative investigation was undertaken to provide more in-depth insight on the factors driving influenza immunization among healthy adults. A thematic analysis was performed on transcripts from 6 semi-structured focus group discussions with a total of 18 participants residing in Ottawa, Ontario. Findings identified 7 themes and 8 sub-themes related to contextual, vaccine specific, and individual determinants of vaccine hesitancy. Participants predominantly discussed themes related to individual determinants of vaccine hesitancy (perceived severity, susceptibility, and likelihood of contracting the influenza virus; personal interests; interactions with healthcare professionals). The perceived novelty, severity and effectiveness of the influenza vaccine, as well as a lack of information and discontent with communication by government health authorities and the media were also discussed. Overall, findings identified salient themes informing vaccine decision-making and behaviours among a sample of educated adults, which can inform subsequent studies investigating influenza immunization in a more representative sample of Canadian adults.

This qualitative study was designed to explore the experience of risk factor modification from the perspective of patients who had sustained an acute myocardial infarction. Research has shown that modification of coronary risk factors including stopping smoking, reducing hypercholesterolemia and obesity, reducing hypertension, developing a habit of regular exercise, and developing methods to modify the coronary-prone behavior pattern reduces morbidity and mortality due to coronary heart disease. The literature reviewed indicated that cardiac rehabilitation programs are generally structured to provide the patient with information on coronary artery disease. However, it has been shown that information alone may not be enough to ensure that changes in behavior occur. Since there was a scarcity of information on measures to assist patients to modify their coronary risk factors, and as the literature indicated that the experience of risk factor modification had not been explored from patients' perspectives, a phenomenological design was therefore selected as the methodology for this study. Data were collected through twelve in-depth interviews with six participants. A guide of semi-structured questions was used for the initial interview and additional questions were generated from the data themselves. The constant comparative method of data analysis enabled the researcher to construct an analytic framework which represented patients' perceptions of their experiences in risk factor modification. In this framework, the central theme of patients' experiences was gaining mastery over their risk behavior(s). Gaining mastery occurred in three phases: searching for attribution, acknowledging risk, and attaining control. In attaining control, various cognitive and behavioral strategies were identified which led to a delineation of measures that could be provided to assist other patients in modifying their coronary risk factors. The findings demonstrated that a unique perspective of risk factor modification has been provided by patients based on their own experiences. It was also shown that intervention, consisting of teaching, counseling, and support, is essential to each phase of this process. The implications of this study focus on the importance of intervention in both in-hospital and out-patient cardiac rehabilitation programs. Intervention to assist patients to develop and use those skills that will enable them to gain a sense of mastery over their risk behaviors is essential if an initial or recurrent myocardial infarction is to be prevented. Implications for nursing practice, education, and research are outlined in light of the research findings. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Nursing, School of / Graduate