Introdução: Estima-se que os comportamentos de risco no trânsito, como erros e violações, sejam responsáveis por aproximadamente 90% dos acidentes automobilísticos. Dentre as principais variáveis preditoras de comportamento de risco no trânsito estão os traços de personalidade do condutor. A associação positiva entre impulsividade, busca de sensações e comportamentos de risco no trânsito já é bem documentada na literatura. No entanto, estudos que explorem essas associações entre condutores infratores versus não infratores são escassos, principalmente no Brasil. Objetivo: Explorar as associações entre impulsividade, busca de sensações e comportamentos de risco no trânsito em uma amostra de condutores infratores versus não infratores da cidade de Porto Alegre. Método: A amostra foi composta por 158 condutores infratores que tiveram o direito de dirigir suspenso nos últimos 12 meses por acúmulo de pontos (68,4%) ou tipo de infração específica (31,6%), selecionados no Departamento Estadual de Trânsito do Rio Grande do Sul (79,7% homens) e 181 não infratores (76,2% homens) captados em três Centros de Formação de Condutores e em dois parques públicos locais. As medidas utilizadas foram: a Escala de Impulsividade de Barrat (BIS-11), o Inventário de Busca de Sensações de Arnett (AISS) e um questionário padronizado para coleta de informações demográficas e de comportamentos de risco no trânsito. As variáveis foram analisadas através de regressão logística de acordo com um modelo hierarquizado. O nível de significância adotado foi 5%. Resultados: Maior impulsividade (OR = 4,8, IC 95%: 2,68-8,6), anos de estudo (OR=0,91, IC 95%: 0,85-0,97); dirigir com maior frequência (OR = 4,01, IC 95%: 2,05-7,83), assumir infrações de outro condutor (OR = 2,91, IC 95%: 1,63-5,19), solicitar que outro condutor assumisse suas infrações (OR = 6,74, IC 95%: 2,39-19,25), envolvimento em acidentes de trânsito com vítima (OR = 2,73, IC 95%: 1,24-6,01) e consumir bebida alcoólica nos últimos 12 meses (beber não binge = OR 0,77, IC 95%: 0,38-1,55; binge drinking = OR 1,97, IC 95%: 0,87-4,47) foram significativa e independentemente associados à suspensão do direito de dirigir. Não foi constatada associação entre busca de sensações e ter o direito de dirigir suspenso. Conclusão: Os achados sugerem que a impulsividade, alguns comportamentos associados a risco – tais como envolvimento em acidentes graves, beber bebida alcoólica nos últimos 12 meses, assumir infrações de outro condutor, solicitar que outro condutor assumisse suas infrações - e a frequência com que o condutor dirige foram preditores para o cometimento de mais infrações; também se evidenciou que possuir mais anos de estudo representou um fator de proteção à direção segura. Nesse sentido, nossos resultados demonstram a natureza complexa e multideterminada do fenômeno. Espera-se que este trabalho, pioneiro no Brasil, contribua para a identificação de potenciais fatores de risco e associados ao cometimento de infrações, bem como contribua na discussão de medidas de avaliação, reabilitação e fiscalização para o trânsito. / Introduction: It is estimated that risk behaviors in traffic, such as errors and violations, are responsible for approximately 90% of all automobile accidents. Among the leading predictors of risk behavior in traffic are driver personality traits. The positive association between impulsivity, sensation seeking and risk behaviors in traffic is already well documented in literature. However, studies that explore these associations among offender drivers and non-offender drivers are scarce, especially in Brazil. Objective: To explore the association between impulsivity, sensation seeking and risk behavior in traffic in a sample of offender drivers versus non-offender drivers in the city of Porto Alegre. Method: The sample comprised 158 offender drivers whose right to drive had been suspended over the past 12 months due to an accumulation of points (68.4%) or a specific violation (31.6%), selected at the Rio Grande do Sul State Traffic Department (79.7% men) and 181 non-offender drivers (76.2% men) from three Driving Schools and in two local parks. Measures used were: the Barrat Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (AISS) and a standardized questionnaire for the collection of information of demographics and risk behavior in traffic. The variables were analyzed through logistic regression according to a hierarchical model. The adopted level of significance was 5%. Results: More impulsiveness (OR = 4.8, IC 95%: 2.68-8.6), years in school (OR=0.91, IC 95%: 0.85-0.97); frequent driving (OR = 4.01, IC 95%: 2.05-7.83), take on other driver’s violations (OR = 2.91, IC 95%: 1.63-5.19), request that other driver’s take on one’s violations (OR = 6.74, IC 95%: 2.39-19.25), involvement in traffic accidents with a victim (OR = 2.73, IC 95%: 1.24-6.01) and drinking alcoholic beverages during the last 12 months (non-binge drinking = OR 0.77, IC 95%: 0.38-1.55; binge drinking = OR 1.97, IC 95%: 0.87-4.47) were significantly and independently associated with the suspension of driving privileges. We verified no association between sensation seeking and the suspension of driving privileges. Conclusion: The findings suggest that impulsivity and behaviors associated with risk – such as involvement in serious accidents, drinking alcoholic beverages within the last 12 months, taking on violations of other drivers, requesting that other drivers take on his/her violations - and the frequency of driving were indicative of committing additional violations; it was also shown that more years of study represented a factor favoring safe driving. In this sense, our results show the complex and multidetermined nature of the phenomenon. It is hoped that this pioneering study in Brazil contributes to the identification of potential risk factors and those associated with committing violations, as well as contributing to the discussion of measures for evaluation, rehabilitation and monitoring of traffic.

Les vidéos sont de plus en plus utilisées dans un contexte pédagogique, mais les formats de présentation sur les plateformes spécialisées (e.g., MOOC) sont variés et peu analysés. Il paraît cependant nécessaire de s’intéresser aux processus à l’oeuvre lors des tâches d’apprentissage et de recherche d’information (RI) pour adapter au mieux les environnements vidéo aux besoins et ressources cognitifs des individus. Au cours de ces deux tâches (RI et apprentissage), la littérature scientifique fait apparaître l’importance de la qualité du modèle mental de l’individu. Pour favoriser la construction d’un modèle mental pertinent par l’individu, deux types d’étayage sont envisagés au cours de cette thèse : la segmentation de la barre de navigation et la structuration du contenu de la vidéo par une table des matières. Les trois premières études ont permis de montrer que la présence conjointe des deux niveaux d’étayage a favorisé la performance en RI (étude 1), mais qu’elle n’a pas permis la construction d’un modèle mental efficace du contenu de la vidéo (étude 2). Au cours de l’étude 3, différents formats de présentation ont été comparés : le format pop-up a permis de diminuer la difficulté perçue de la tâche de RI. Les deux dernières études se sont centrées sur les effets de l’étayage lors d’une tâche d’apprentissage. La présence d’étayage n’a pas amélioré la qualité de l’apprentissage (étude 4). Néanmoins, lorsque l’apprenant est rendu actif, grâce à une tâche de RI par exemple, la mémorisation du contenu de la vidéo a été améliorée (étude 5). Les résultats sont discutés en termes de rôle organisateur de l’étayage permettant une récupération efficace de l’information. L’étayage organiserait l’information entrante dans l’environnement vidéo ou la mémoire de l’individu selon la tâche. / Videos are more and more used in pedagogical contexts, but presentation formats on specific platforms (e.g., MOOC) are varied and not so much analyzed. However, it seems necessary to focus on processes involved during learning and information seeking (IS) tasks to adapt video-based environments to individuals’ needs and cognitive resources. During learning and IS, scientific literature highlights the importance of individuals’ mental models. To encourage the construction of a relevant mental model, two types of scaffolding are considered in this thesis: the segmentation of the timeline and the structuration of the video content using a table of contents. The first three studies showed that the conjoint use of the two levels of scaffolding enhanced IS performance (study 1), but it did not promote the construction of a relevant mental model of the video content (study 2). During study 3, several presentation format were compared: the pop-up format reduced perceived difficulty of the IS task. The last two studies focused on the effects of scaffolding during a learning task. The presence of scaffolding did not enhanced learning performance (study 4). Nevertheless, when the learner was made active, thanks to an IS task for example, memorization of the video content was improved (study 5). Results are discussed in terms of organizing role of scaffolding enabling effective recovery of information. Scaffolding is here thought to organize incoming information in the video-based environment or in individual’s memory according to the task.

An increasing proportion of people in the United Kingdom are living longer with long-term conditions. The National Health Service is facing the challenge of increased pressure on its service provision. A number of key health policy initiatives encourage individuals to make informed choices and purport to give them rights and control over their own health and healthcare. Within this context, people are actively encouraged to self-care, manage diseases, and make decisions and choices about healthcare in an informed way. To facilitate this, it is important to gain an understanding of the health information seeking behaviours of older people. Health information is available from various sources but little is known about the health information seeking behaviours of older people and what affects this. By exploring this, it helps to reveal how health information is sought regarding on-going health conditions and provides greater depth in understanding the health information seeking process. The study explores older people's experiences and views on their health information seeking behaviours and endeavours to gain a better understanding of these experiences and views. The study draws on constructivist grounded theory with two phases to data collection: Nine participants completed un-structured diaries over two months with follow up semi-structured interviews, a further twenty participants participated in semi-structured interviews. Major categories were inductively drawn from participant's responses. Strategies of health information seeking behaviours are not necessarily fixed, but subject to change over time. The analysis suggested three main categories that explained the health information seeking behaviours of older people. Three interrelated conceptual categories were identified: (1) Regulating self (2) Self managing and (3) Self-mobilisation. These categories formed the basis of the emergent substantive theory called 'navigating later life'. There were different patterns of behaviours between participants which captured variations in information seeking; these informed the development of a typology of health information seekers. Ageing in the 21st century is a complex process; with older people inhabiting a world of more choice, multiple sources of knowledge, changed healthcare roles and increased self-care undertaken within the home. The study provides important insights for healthcare professionals and raises implications for strategies aimed at improving older people's access to appropriate health information. The navigation model provides a potentially valuable tool for policy makers when considering the support older people require to self-care.

The research presented in this thesis develops an improved design methodology for designing complex systems. While traditional methods have been able to create complex systems, their success is usually overshadowed by long delays and expensive overruns. The method developed within this research is known as Value Seeking System Design (VSSD) and builds upon the foundations of the System Engineering (SE) and Value Driven Design (VDD) approaches. Creation and implementation of the new design environment is provided, including a method on how to create the value model for any complex system. Key conclusions from this work include a need to redefine the process in which stakeholder needs are currently defined and captured as well as a need to create an improved value model. Defining all stakeholders’ needs as requirements constrains the designer to a rigid solution space, which may not include the “best” solution for the stakeholder. Similarly not including the social aspects within a value model causes the designer to make poor value trades. To overcome these problems the VSSD technique incorporates desirements and their associated design desirability functions within the design process to create a non-rigid solution space while the value model has been redeveloped to easily incorporate the performance, economic and social aspects of a design, to allow a more accurate and balanced value trade off analysis to occur. Benchmarking the VSSD approach against the current state of the art methods (SE and VDD) highlighted the advantages of adapting a value approach to complex system design compared to traditional requirement based techniques. Additionally while all three approaches were capable of designing complex systems the VSSD approach was demonstrated to be an improved design methodology as it possessed the benefits inherent within both the SE and VDD approaches without suffering from their limitations.

abstract: Many medical students are reluctant to seek help during the course of their four years of medical school. When they do finally ask for help, some are already burned out or in a crisis. One of the main reasons students are apprehensive about seeking help is stigma. This mixed methods action research study was conducted to explore whether a help-seeking, anti-stigma campaign improved help-seeking behaviors. The innovation was an anti-stigma campaign consisting of three components: (a) video vignettes of upper class students normalizing help-seeking, (b) a Friends and Family of Medical Students session to educate those closest to the student about medical school, and (c) an anonymous, online mental health screening tool. Data from the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire, individual interviews, and institutional data from the medical school provided information about the effects of the campaign and determined factors influencing help-seeking. Using these strategies, I hoped to normalize help-seeking and break down the barriers of stigma. Major findings included: Students were more likely to seek help from personal resources (close family and friends); Students may be more proactive with personal resources, but need prompting for college or formal resources; Students’ beliefs and attitudes were influenced by those closest to them and; First year students were more likely to seek help than their second year classmates. In addition, data inspired future research ideas and programming regarding the topic of help-seeking in medical school. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Leadership and Innovation 2016

abstract: Adolescent substance use carries a considerable public health burden, and early initiation into use is especially problematic. Research has shown that sensation seeking traits increase risk for substance use experimentation, but less is known about individual and contextual factors that can potentially protect against this risk. This study utilized a longitudinal sub sample of youth (N=567) from a larger study of familial alcoholism to examine sensation seeking in early adolescence (ages 10-15) and its relations to later substance use experimentation. Hypotheses tested whether individual executive control, parenting consistency, neighborhood disadvantage, and neighborhood ethnic concentration moderated sensation seeking’s effects on substance use experimentation using multilevel zero-inflated Poisson modeling. Across models, higher levels of sensation seeking were predictive of a higher likelihood of having initiated substance use, but sensation seeking was not significantly related to the number of different substance use classes tried. Only neighborhood disadvantage emerged as a significant moderator of the path from sensation seeking to substance use initiation. The strength of sensation seeking effects on substance use initiation increased as neighborhood disadvantage decreased below average levels, with the most advantaged neighborhoods exhibiting the strongest link between sensation seeking and substance use. There was also a trend towards the most disadvantaged neighborhoods exhibiting increased sensation seeking effects on substance use initiation. These results highlight the importance of focusing on relatively more advantaged areas as potentially risky environments for the externalizing pathway to substance use. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Psychology 2016

abstract: Online social media is popular due to its real-time nature, extensive connectivity and a large user base. This motivates users to employ social media for seeking information by reaching out to their large number of social connections. Information seeking can manifest in the form of requests for personal and time-critical information or gathering perspectives on important issues. Social media platforms are not designed for resource seeking and experience large volumes of messages, leading to requests not being fulfilled satisfactorily. Designing frameworks to facilitate efficient information seeking in social media will help users to obtain appropriate assistance for their needs and help platforms to increase user satisfaction. Several challenges exist in the way of facilitating information seeking in social media. First, the characteristics affecting the user’s response time for a question are not known, making it hard to identify prompt responders. Second, the social context in which the user has asked the question has to be determined to find personalized responders. Third, users employ rhetorical requests, which are statements having the syntax of questions, and systems assisting information seeking might be hindered from focusing on genuine questions. Fouth, social media advocates of political campaigns employ nuanced strategies to prevent users from obtaining balanced perspectives on issues of public importance. Sociological and linguistic studies on user behavior while making or responding to information seeking requests provides concepts drawing from which we can address these challenges. We propose methods to estimate the response time of the user for a given question to identify prompt responders. We compute the question specific social context an asker shares with his social connections to identify personalized responders. We draw from theories of political mobilization to model the behaviors arising from the strategies of people trying to skew perspectives. We identify rhetorical questions by modeling user motivations to post them. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2017

abstract: Using an adapted Straussian Grounded Theory approach, and as a participant observer, data from members of a Facebook group made up of parents and caretakers of infants or children with Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) were collected and analyzed. During the first exploratory phase, 31 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 theoretically sampled members of the group. During the second phase, 604 postings (original and comments) created by members of the online social media group, for one week, were analyzed. The study explored various dimensions of informal learning in this space. These included what learning strategies members used, what types of knowledge were encouraged and shared, how community within the group was characterized and its role in the learning space, what factors led members to join and share knowledge, and what patterns of participation existed in the group. The findings revealed a core concept of a disconnect between group members and their medical community that drove participation in the online health-related social media group, as well as a substantive theory of learning to survive. A new framework for understanding online informal learning spaces in social media was developed and proposed. It was adapted from Wenger’s Community of Practice and Gee’s Affinity Spaces. Its key components include a disconnect; inherent learning processes; community and space characteristics; and types of knowledge that are encouraged and available. Findings also contributed to a better understanding of online information-seeking behaviors by introducing a new model of information-seeking within online social media groups. This model includes the stages of initiating, lurking, and browsing; requesting information; being guided by a highly knowledgeable member; reconciling; applying; and appraising. The model is a continuous cycle with entry and exit permitted at each stage based on the learner’s needs. In addition, this study’s findings demonstrate that social media spaces are a viable avenue for the transferring of experience-based knowledge. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Technology 2018

abstract: Factors of gender, marital status, and psychological distress are known to be related to help-seeking attitudes. This study sought to explore and understand the relations between gender, marital status, religiosity, psychological distress, and help-seeking attitudes among members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). The moderating effect of religious commitment on psychological distress and attitudes towards seeking professional help was explored through an online survey of 1,201 Latter-day Saint individuals. It was predicted that gender and marital status would predict distress and helping seeking attitudes and that religiosity would moderate the relation between distress and help-seeking attitudes among religious individuals, with individuals who experience high distress and low religiosity being more likely to seek help than individuals with high distress and high religiosity. Participants completed the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10), Religious Commitment Inventory-10, and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help-Short Form online. Multiple hierarchical regressions were used to test the study hypotheses. Although the accounted for variances were small, gender was the most significant variable associated with both distress and help seeking. Females reported higher distress and being more willing to seek psychological help than did males. Religiosity did not moderate the relation between distress and help-seeking attitudes. These findings are discussed in light of previous research and gender role schemas as relevant to Mormon culture. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Counseling 2018

Introdução: Estima-se que os comportamentos de risco no trânsito, como erros e violações, sejam responsáveis por aproximadamente 90% dos acidentes automobilísticos. Dentre as principais variáveis preditoras de comportamento de risco no trânsito estão os traços de personalidade do condutor. A associação positiva entre impulsividade, busca de sensações e comportamentos de risco no trânsito já é bem documentada na literatura. No entanto, estudos que explorem essas associações entre condutores infratores versus não infratores são escassos, principalmente no Brasil. Objetivo: Explorar as associações entre impulsividade, busca de sensações e comportamentos de risco no trânsito em uma amostra de condutores infratores versus não infratores da cidade de Porto Alegre. Método: A amostra foi composta por 158 condutores infratores que tiveram o direito de dirigir suspenso nos últimos 12 meses por acúmulo de pontos (68,4%) ou tipo de infração específica (31,6%), selecionados no Departamento Estadual de Trânsito do Rio Grande do Sul (79,7% homens) e 181 não infratores (76,2% homens) captados em três Centros de Formação de Condutores e em dois parques públicos locais. As medidas utilizadas foram: a Escala de Impulsividade de Barrat (BIS-11), o Inventário de Busca de Sensações de Arnett (AISS) e um questionário padronizado para coleta de informações demográficas e de comportamentos de risco no trânsito. As variáveis foram analisadas através de regressão logística de acordo com um modelo hierarquizado. O nível de significância adotado foi 5%. Resultados: Maior impulsividade (OR = 4,8, IC 95%: 2,68-8,6), anos de estudo (OR=0,91, IC 95%: 0,85-0,97); dirigir com maior frequência (OR = 4,01, IC 95%: 2,05-7,83), assumir infrações de outro condutor (OR = 2,91, IC 95%: 1,63-5,19), solicitar que outro condutor assumisse suas infrações (OR = 6,74, IC 95%: 2,39-19,25), envolvimento em acidentes de trânsito com vítima (OR = 2,73, IC 95%: 1,24-6,01) e consumir bebida alcoólica nos últimos 12 meses (beber não binge = OR 0,77, IC 95%: 0,38-1,55; binge drinking = OR 1,97, IC 95%: 0,87-4,47) foram significativa e independentemente associados à suspensão do direito de dirigir. Não foi constatada associação entre busca de sensações e ter o direito de dirigir suspenso. Conclusão: Os achados sugerem que a impulsividade, alguns comportamentos associados a risco – tais como envolvimento em acidentes graves, beber bebida alcoólica nos últimos 12 meses, assumir infrações de outro condutor, solicitar que outro condutor assumisse suas infrações - e a frequência com que o condutor dirige foram preditores para o cometimento de mais infrações; também se evidenciou que possuir mais anos de estudo representou um fator de proteção à direção segura. Nesse sentido, nossos resultados demonstram a natureza complexa e multideterminada do fenômeno. Espera-se que este trabalho, pioneiro no Brasil, contribua para a identificação de potenciais fatores de risco e associados ao cometimento de infrações, bem como contribua na discussão de medidas de avaliação, reabilitação e fiscalização para o trânsito. / Introduction: It is estimated that risk behaviors in traffic, such as errors and violations, are responsible for approximately 90% of all automobile accidents. Among the leading predictors of risk behavior in traffic are driver personality traits. The positive association between impulsivity, sensation seeking and risk behaviors in traffic is already well documented in literature. However, studies that explore these associations among offender drivers and non-offender drivers are scarce, especially in Brazil. Objective: To explore the association between impulsivity, sensation seeking and risk behavior in traffic in a sample of offender drivers versus non-offender drivers in the city of Porto Alegre. Method: The sample comprised 158 offender drivers whose right to drive had been suspended over the past 12 months due to an accumulation of points (68.4%) or a specific violation (31.6%), selected at the Rio Grande do Sul State Traffic Department (79.7% men) and 181 non-offender drivers (76.2% men) from three Driving Schools and in two local parks. Measures used were: the Barrat Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking (AISS) and a standardized questionnaire for the collection of information of demographics and risk behavior in traffic. The variables were analyzed through logistic regression according to a hierarchical model. The adopted level of significance was 5%. Results: More impulsiveness (OR = 4.8, IC 95%: 2.68-8.6), years in school (OR=0.91, IC 95%: 0.85-0.97); frequent driving (OR = 4.01, IC 95%: 2.05-7.83), take on other driver’s violations (OR = 2.91, IC 95%: 1.63-5.19), request that other driver’s take on one’s violations (OR = 6.74, IC 95%: 2.39-19.25), involvement in traffic accidents with a victim (OR = 2.73, IC 95%: 1.24-6.01) and drinking alcoholic beverages during the last 12 months (non-binge drinking = OR 0.77, IC 95%: 0.38-1.55; binge drinking = OR 1.97, IC 95%: 0.87-4.47) were significantly and independently associated with the suspension of driving privileges. We verified no association between sensation seeking and the suspension of driving privileges. Conclusion: The findings suggest that impulsivity and behaviors associated with risk – such as involvement in serious accidents, drinking alcoholic beverages within the last 12 months, taking on violations of other drivers, requesting that other drivers take on his/her violations - and the frequency of driving were indicative of committing additional violations; it was also shown that more years of study represented a factor favoring safe driving. In this sense, our results show the complex and multidetermined nature of the phenomenon. It is hoped that this pioneering study in Brazil contributes to the identification of potential risk factors and those associated with committing violations, as well as contributing to the discussion of measures for evaluation, rehabilitation and monitoring of traffic.