Inventory management and pricing decisions based on quantitative models both in industrial practice and academic works often rely on minimizing expected cost or maximizing expected revenues or profits, which refers to the concept of risk-neutrality of the decision maker. Although many useful insights in operational problems can be obtained by such an approach, it is well understood that incorporating attitudes toward risk is an important lever for building new theories in other fields such as economics and finance. The level of risk associated with an investment might be as important as the expected gain from the investment. Hence, it is necessary to find appropriate measures of risk and the appropriate objectives related to or including these risk measures for inventory control & pricing problems. After the axiomatic foundation of coherent risk measures the application of risk measures to inventory models such as Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR) or convex combinations of mean and CVaR became popular. In our work we apply spectral risk measures to the single-period, single-item, linear cost inventory control & pricing problem (also known as newsvendor problem) and derive optimal policies. By doing so, we are able to unify results obtained so far in the literature under the common concept of spectral risk measures for the case of zero and non-zero shortage penalty cost. In particular, we show convexity results and structural properties for the inventory control and, under some assumptions, unimodality results as well as structural properties for the joint inventory & pricing problem. An extensive numerical analysis illustrates the findings. (author's abstract)

Sammanfattning     Författare (Tillnamn, förnamn)                                                                                                                 Årtal                     Unis, Brian                                                                                                       2010              Arbetets titel   Sexuellt riskbeteende och självkänsla hos ungdomar Opublicerad uppsats för magisterexamen.                                                                                                Sidoantal (tot)                 Karlstad: Karlstads universitet. Fakulteten för samhälls- och livsvetenskaper.            Avdelning för samhällsvetenskap Social omsorgsvetenskap                                                                    47                 Examensarbete 15 hp i Magisterprogrammet Hälsofrämjande arbete, folkhälsoarbete och socialt förändringsarbete i lokalsamhället.   Bakgrund: Attityder till sex och sexuellt beteende särskilt hos ungdomar har genomgått stora förändringar de senaste åren med ökning av sexuellt transmitterade infektioner (STI), i synnerhet klamydia i ungdomsgruppen och oönskade graviditeter. Många studier visar att det inte finns något samband, en del studier visar ett svagt samband och några studier visar ett positivt samband mellan självkänsla och sexuellt riskbeteende.   Syftet: Syftet med studien var att beskriva självkänsla och sexuella vanor hos gymnasieungdomar. Ett annat syfte var att undersöka attityder, normer och self-efficacy i relation till ungdomars sexuella beteende.   Metod: Studiens design var en tvärsnittsstudie. Tre mätinstrument har använts för att studera bassjälvkänsla (Basic Self-Esteem Scale, kort version), förtjänad självkänsla (Earning Self-Esteem Scale, kort version) och faktorer som påverkar sexuellt riskbeteenden (Sexual Risk Behaviour Belief and Self-Efficacy scales, SRBBS). Enkäten innehöll även tilläggsfrågor om sexuellt beteende. Ett systematiskt slumpmässigt urval gjordes bland ungdomar mellan 16 och 18 år från två gymnasieskolor i en glesbygds kommun i mellersta Sverige och 139 ungdomar deltog i studien. Enkäterna förmedlades via mentorerna för respektive klass. Svarsfrekvens var 38%.   Resultat: Resultat visar att ungdomarna har en god självkänsla. Killarna har ett signifikant högre värde för bassjälvkänsla medan tjejerna redovisar ett högre signifikant värde för förvärvad självkänsla. Ungdomarna hade en positiv attityd till kondomanvändning men cirka hälften var dåliga i att använda kondom. Attityder till samlag visade på en liberal inställning. En tredjedel av ungdomarna hade inte erfarenhet av samlag. Drygt hälften av dem som hade erfarenhet angav ingen eller en sexpartner de senaste 12 månaderna. Det var ovanligt att ungdomarna använde alkohol i samband med samlag. Det framkom att self-efficacy var god när det gällde att avstå samlag, att kommunicera om kondomanvändning och att köpa och använda kondom. Tjejer hade en signifikant högre self-efficacy i att avstå från samlag än killar.     Nyckelord Självkänsla, sexuellt riskbeteende, adolescens / Abstract     Author (Last name, First name)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Year Unis, Brian                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2010 Title Sexuellt riskbeteende och självkänsla hos ungdomar (Sexual risk behavior and Self-Esteem in late adolescence)   Unpublished thesis for the degree Master of Community Care and Public Health                                   Pages (tot) Karlstad: Karlstad University. Faculty of Social and Life Sciences                                                          47 Department of Social Studies                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Background: Attitudes to sex and sexual behaviour especially among young people have gone through great changes in recent years with a rise in the number of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), especially Chlamydia, in the youth group and unwanted pregnancies. Many studies show a negative correlation, some show a weak correlation and some studies show a positive correlation between self-esteem and sexual risk behaviour.   Aim: The aim of the study was to describe self-esteem and sexual behaviour in high school students. Another aim was to investigate attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy in relation to young peoples’ sexual behaviour.   Method: The study’s design was a cross sectional study. Three instruments were used to study basic self-esteem (Basic Self-Esteem Scale, short form), earned self-esteem (Earning Self-Esteem Scale, short form) and factors which affect sexual risk behavior (Sexual Risk Behavior Belief and Self-Efficacy scales, SRBBS). The survey also contained supplementary questions on sexual behavior. A systematic random sample was made among students between 16 and 18 years old from two high schools in a small town in mid-Sweden and 139 students participated in the study. The survey was distributed to the students by their class mentors. The response rate was 38%.   Results: The results show that young people have good self-esteem. The boys have significantly higher scores for basic self-esteem while the girls’ results show significantly higher scores for earned self-esteem. The students had positive attitudes about condom use but around half of them were poor at using condoms. Attitudes about sexual intercourse showed a liberal view. A third of the students did not have any experience of sexual intercourse. A little more than half of those with experience answered that they had no partner or one partner in the last 12 months. It was uncommon that the students used alcohol in combination with sex. The results showed that self-efficacy was good when it came to refusing sex, in communication about condoms, and buying and using condoms. The girls had a significantly higher score for self-efficacy in refusing sex than the boys.     Key words:  Sexual risk behavior, Self-Esteem, Adolescence

This diploma thesis deals with problematics of children with risk behavior in elementary schools and possible means of prevention. The thesis is divided into two main parts. Theoretical part lists types of risk behavior, their causes and prevention of these problems. It also informs about prevention programs in elementary schools. The practical part then presents the results of hybrid research - questionnaire surveys and interviews. The target of the quantitative survey is to find out what types of risk behavior are most common in elementary schools, what is the techers' point of view at this issue and how they work with such a student. The qualitative research further informs about specific problems of children with risk behavior and offers more detailed results about occurrence of preventive programs in primary schools. The thesis was created as a part of GAJU Project (GAJU 154/2016/S) "Preparedness of students and fresh graduates of PF JU to solve educational problems of pupils."

abstract: The value of safe sex may be discounted based on contextual factors associated with an opportunity for sex. College students (n = 75) in a within-subjects study selected hypothetical sexual partners from a set of pictures and classified them based on attractiveness and estimated chance of having an STI. In the sexual delay discounting (SDD) task, participants rated their likelihood (0 – 100%) of waiting for some period of time (e.g., 3 hours) to have protected sex with their selected partners, when they could have immediate sex without protection. In the sexual probability discounting (SPD) task, participants rated their likelihood of having protected sex if the opportunity was uncertain (e.g., 50%), when they could have unprotected sex for sure (100%). All participants included in the final analyses were aware of and had a positive attitude towards protection against STIs as they indicated preference for immediate (or certain) protected sex. Results show that participants’ willingness to have safe sex systematically decreased as the delay to and odds against having safe sex increased. However, these discounting patterns were observed only in some partner conditions but not others, showing that preference for delayed (or uncertain) safe sex was altered by perceived attractiveness and STI risk of sexual partners. Moreover, the hyperbolic discounting model provided good to acceptable fit to the delay and probability discounting data in most-wanted and least-STI conditions. Gender differences in devaluation of safe sex were also found. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2016

Multi-problem youth undergoing treatment for substance use problems are at high behavioral risk for exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Specific risk factors include childhood adversities such as maltreatment experiences and subsequent forms of psychopathology. The current study used a person-centered analytical approach to examine how childhood maltreatment experiences were related to patterns of psychiatric symptoms and HIV/STI risk behaviors in a sample of adolescents (N = 408) receiving treatment services. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews at two community-based facilities. Descriptive statistics and Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) were used to (a) classify adolescents into groups based on past year psychiatric symptoms, and (b) examine relations between class membership and forms of childhood maltreatment experiences, as well as past year sexual risk behavior (SRB). LPA results indicated significant heterogeneity in psychiatric symptoms among the participants. The three classes generated via the optimal LPA solution included: (a) a low psychiatric symptoms class, (b) a high alcohol symptoms class and (c) a high internalizing symptoms class. Class membership was associated significantly with adolescents’ self-reported scores for childhood sexual abuse and emotional neglect. ANOVAs documented significant differences in mean scores for multiple indices of SRB indices by class membership, demonstrating differential risk for HIV/STI exposure across classes. The two classes characterized by elevated psychiatric symptom profiles and more severe maltreatment histories were at increased behavioral risk for HIV/STI exposure, compared to the low psychiatric symptoms class. The high internalizing symptoms class reported the highest scores for most of the indices of SRB assessed. The heterogeneity of psychiatric symptom patterns documented in the current study has important implications for HIV/STI prevention programs implemented with multi-problem youth. The results highlight complex relations between childhood maltreatment experiences, psychopathology and multiple forms of health risk behavior among adolescents. The results underscore the importance of further integration between substance abuse treatment and HIV/STI risk reduction efforts to improve morbidity and mortality among vulnerable youth.

Treatment studies provide minimal support for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with youth; however, survey studies suggest that adolescents use NRT, and may engage in inappropriate use. The current study sought to examine patterns of NRT use and risk factors for use to further aid smoking cessation efforts including prevention of potential misuse. In-school surveys assessing socio-demographic and behavioral factors associated with NRT use, gum or patch, were completed by 4078, predominantly African American, high school students. Approximately 5% of students reported former or current use of NRT products: 42% gum, 29% patch, and 29% both gum and patch. Among smokers, 5.4% reported use of both NRT gum and patch, with exclusive use of gum twice as likely as exclusive use of the patch. Those with high-risk-taking attitudes were more likely than low-risk takers (3% vs. 1%) to report use of both products, with exclusive gum use more prevalent than patch use. A cumulative logit model revealed males, risk takers, and/or smokers were at greatest odds for NRT use. Among this adolescent sample, NRT gum was used more often than the patch. Adolescent males, risk takers, and/or smokers appear more likely to use NRT (gum and/or patch) compared to their counterparts, despite limited empirical support for effective use of these products as cessation aids among adolescents. Smoking cessation and prevention programs may emphasize appropriate NRT use, specifically within these populations.

Background: HIV/AIDS has been one of the major crises to affect Southern Africa, particularly Botswana where prevalence rates have reached 37.3% of the adult population (2003). Due to the difficult working environment and long periods of separation from their partner, migrant workers have been highly susceptible to HIV infection and one of the main vehicles through which the virus has been transmitted. While much research has been carried out with mine workers, truck drivers, and other migrant groups, few studies have investigated the risk factors of construction workers, which form one of the largest employment groups in Botswana and Southern Africa. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors contributed to construction workers’ engagement in sexual risk behaviours, which have placed them at greater risk of HIV infection. Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study design was used. Structured interviews were carried out with individual migrant workers using a standardised questionnaire. 171 male migrant workers were interviewed, involved in skilled, semi-skilled, and supervisory professions. Interviews took place at three construction sites across Botswana, in the capital city of Gaborone and the rural village of Serowe. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were carried out to determine which contributing factors were significantly associated with respondents’ sexual risk behaviours. Results: Unprotected sex was the most prevalent sexual risk behaviour, practised by 68.1% of construction workers. Significantly more workers engaged in unprotected sex with their long-term partner (70.3%) than with their casual girlfriend (35.1%). The second most common sexual risk behaviour was having multiple sexual partners. 57% of migrant construction workers reported having an extra girlfriend in addition to their long-term partner during the last five years. Transactional sex, involving the exchange of sex and material support, was a key part of most workers’ (76.6%) sexual relations with casual girlfriends. Commercial sex, though, was rarely reported and accounted for only 1.8% of workers. Men having sex with men (MSM) was strongly denied by construction workers, although 9.5% reported its occurrence in the workplace. In the multivariate analysis, migration was one of the most significant factors associated with respondents’ sexual risk behaviours. Compared to those who remained in one location during the last year, workers who migrated between work locations were 3.01 times more likely to have had transactional sex (p=0.013) and 4.42 times more likely to have had an extra girlfriend over the last five years (p=0.005). Workers who were separated from their main partner for a month or more at a time were 3.74 times more likely to have had an extra girlfriend in the last year (p=0.009) and 4.57 times more likely to have had transactional sex in the last five years (p=0.001). Workers who stayed in the construction on-site accommodation when away from home were 3.00 times (p=0.023) more likely to have multiple partners compared to those who stayed in private accommodation, where their partner had more opportunity to visit them. A second major contributing factor was respondents’ gender attitudes, particularly the perception that ‘one woman is not enough to sexually satisfy me as man’. Workers with this attitude were 6.21 times more likely to have currently multiple partners (p<0.001), 9.05 times more likely to have had an extra girlfriend in the last five years (p=0.015), and 3.35 times likely to have had transactional sex (p=0.031). A number of socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with sexual risk behaviours including respondents’ age, number of children, employment position, salary, workplace location, and education level. It is important to note, however, that respondents’ alcohol consumption and level of HIV/AIDS awareness did not significantly influence their sexual risk behaviours. Conclusion: These findings indicate that labour migration plays a central role in determining whether workers engage in sexual risk behaviours. Steps taken by employers to: (i) increase the frequency with which workers can visit their partner, (ii) provide facilities for long-term partners to visit the workplace, and (iii) reduce the frequency with which workers are transferred between sites - could significantly reduce workers’ susceptibility to HIV infection. Alongside migration, though, gender attitudes played a major role, pointing to the need for more education which focuses on gender attitudes and behaviour change rather than solely HIV/AIDS awareness.

This study explores the gender differences in how parents exhibit parenting dimensions (control, monitoring, support and warmth) towards sons and daughters and how those dimensions influence contraceptive use. The data analysis uses the Add Health data and the sample includes 918 adolescents within two-parent homes. This study adds to the existing literature in three ways. First, this study investigates four different parenting dimensions whereas previous research focuses on control and communication. Second, this study looks at how each dimension influences contraceptive use. Third, this study examines how parents exhibit parenting dimensions differently towards sons and daughters and whether each dimension influences contraceptive use differently for sons and daughters. The results reveal three significant findings. First, mothers’ and fathers’ parenting dimensions and the dimensions sons and daughters experience are similar. Second, warmth and support influence contraceptive use among sons and daughters. Third, boys are influenced by parenting dimensions more than girls.

It is well-known that adolescents participate in risky behaviors. College students are no different; in fact they take part in risky behaviors which can include sexual risk-taking. The purpose of this review of literature was to determining the types of risky sexual behavior that college students are engaging in, and how it is affecting their self-esteem. Emphasis was placed on the need for education regarding sexual behavior, effects of alcohol, and self-esteem. This review focused on the different risky behaviors that college students are participating in, including drinking games, drinking themed parties, and types of sexual behavior. Findings of this review determined that low self-esteem can impact an individual's decision to take part in sexual activity and drinking. Additionally, it was identified that there is a need for community-based education which should begin prior to college attendance. Utilizing the findings of this review can help provide the evidence needed to support education on risky college behaviors with a focus on the self-esteem aspect.

Health Risk Behavior (HRB) is defined as behavior that increases the likelihood of adverse outcomes: injury, morbidity, or mortality. University students are particularly susceptible to HRB due to their age, academic pressures, social environment, and newly unsupervised lifestyle. Despite major efforts by university campaigns to make students aware of the potential health risks of HRB, students continue to consistently engage in behavior that risks both their short-term and long-term health. Previous literature indicates the importance of self-esteem in positive decision-making and the inhibiting role of shame in increasing withdrawal and social isolation. Shame and guilt are distinct self-conscious emotions often evoked in similar circumstances: shame often debilitative, and guilt adaptive. This study utilizes a cross-sectional design to examine the associations between HRB and the affective emotions of shame, guilt, and self-esteem to better understand HRB determinants. Data was collected from students using a Qualtrics form containing demographic and HRB questions. The Personal Feelings Questionnaire-2 (PFQ2) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) assessed shame and guilt proneness, and global self-esteem, respectively. Mean data analyses, frequency tests, and one-way ANOVA analyses revealed associations between HRB and the three tested affective emotions. Results of this study indicated HRB is associated with higher negative emotion: higher shame and guilt proneness and lower self-esteem. With further research, this information can guide more effective clinical and educational interventions in reducing HRB and subsequent preventable diseases by targeting emotional risk factors in the university population.