Creative development in students is an important aim for the art educator. The visual arts class can be a realm for exploring and nurturing creativity in students. While all students may not grow up to produce works of art outside the classroom, visual arts education can impact a student’s understanding of their own creativity. This paper explores the creativity beliefs of elementary students. The research seeks to understand the implicit theories or beliefs of creativity that shape creative self-efficacy and what factors may influence these beliefs in students.

Racial equality in the United States educational system has long been and continues to be a source of debate. Specifically, the disparities between whites and other minority groups have been increasingly more critical. Blacks and Latinos consistently score lower than whites on standardized tests and academic course work. There have been several explanations given for poorer school performance by certain minority groups than whites. In this dissertation, I explore the black white achievement gap through the examination of one widely known explanation, oppositional culture theory. This research investigates the major tenets of oppositional culture theory and the contemporary multicultural navigator concept. Using a grounded theory method of analysis, I examine the connections between suppositions of the theory and black students in the Upward Bound academic achievement program.

The objectives of this study were to examine: (1) the effects of instructional and motivational self-talk verbalized overtly or covertly on self-efficacy and performance in elite golf players; and (2) the preference of motivational and instructional self-talk and how this relates to performance in elite golf players. Participants were 30 elite golf-players, with a mean age of 17.38 (± 0.94) years. A mixed model repeated measures design was implemented. The self-talk overtness manipulation failed in the overt self-talk group, and baseline differences between the groups were detected. Consequently, the original design could not be implemented. With regards to performance, preference, and self-efficacy in the covert self-talk group no significant results were revealed, although there were potentially interesting patterns within the data. Content analysis of after performance debriefing interviews provided insights into participants‟ self-talk use and experimental experiences. The results are discussed in relation to theory, previous research, and methodological issues. Future research and applications are suggested. / Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka: (1) effekterna av instruerande och motiverande self-talk yttrat overt eller kovert på self-efficacy och prestation hos elit golfspelare; samt (2) preferensen av motiverande eller instruerande self-talk och hur detta är relaterat till prestationen hos elit golfspelare. Deltog gjorde 30 elit golfspelare med en medelålder på 17.38 (± 0.94) år. En mixad design med upprepade mätningar implementerades. Manipuleringen av self-talk overtness i den overta self-talk gruppen misslyckades och skillnader mellan grupperna fanns i baslinjemätningen. Därav kunde inte den ursprungliga designen besvaras. Vad gäller prestation, preferens, och self-efficacy i den koverta self-talk gruppen fanns inga signifikanta resultat, men potentiellt intressanta trender fanns i datan. Kvalitativ innehållsanalys av prestations debriefings intervjuerna gav inblick i deltagarnas self-talk användning och upplevelser av experimentet. Resultaten diskuteras i relation till teoretiska ramverk, tidigare forskning, och metodiken i studien. Förslag på framtida forskning och praktiska implikationer ges.

Forskning har visat att vår primära tolkning samt graden av self-efficacy påverkar hur vi hanterar nya situationer och relaterar även till vårt psykiska välmående. Genom vår primära tolkning utvärderar vi en ny situation som hotfull, utmanade eller som en förlust.  I föreliggande studie var syftet att undersöka hur studenter från det beteendevetenskapliga programmet samt socionomprogrammet ser på sina möjligheter att få arbete efter avslutade studier kopplat till self-efficacy och deras primära tolkning av situationen som framtida arbetssökande. En enkätstudie genomfördes och det var 122 deltagare varav 57 socionomer. Resultatet visade att det inte fanns någon skillnad mellan programmen i den primära tolkningen som var relaterat till studenternas grad av self-efficacy. Däremot fanns signifikanta huvudskillnader mellan de två programmen i den primära tolkningen, beteendevetarna kände sig mer hotade inför sin situation som framtida arbetssökande. Slutsatsen blev att inga större skillnader visades mellan programmen i den primära tolkningen och graden av self-efficacy.

Syftet var att beskriva en grupp värmländska ungdomars tobaks- och munhälsovanor samt undersöka möjliga associationer av dessa till ett tobakspreventivt program i skolan och tilltro till egen förmåga (self-efficacy). Urvalet var elever (15-16 år, n=631) som genomgått ett tobakspreventivt program med information och värderingsövningar i klass 5 och 7. Rökning var vanligare bland flickor än bland pojkar (13% resp 8%), med omvänt förhållande avseende snusning (6% resp 15%). Tandborstning <2 gånger/dag var vanligare bland pojkarna (21%) än bland flickorna (12%). Flickorna hade som grupp lägre self-efficacy. Hög grad av self-efficacy gav signifikant högre sannolikhet att uppleva påverkan av tandvårdens tobakslektioner (p=0.004). I en multivariat modell identifierades tre signifikanta riskfaktorer för att inte uppleva påverkan av tandvårdens tobakslektioner: snusning (OR 2.77; 95% CI 1.42-5.41), låg self-efficacy (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.19-2.42) och boende utan två vuxna (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.17-2.51). Ålder <15 år (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.46-0.93) gav lägre risk för att inte uppleva påverkan. Stratifierat på kön kvarstod statistisk signifikans av samtliga ovanstående variabler för flickor och boende utan två vuxna för pojkar.  Den kunskap som genererats i studien kan ge underlag för planering av preventions- och promotionsstrategier både i den kliniska verksamheten och vid hälsofrämjande arbete i skolan. / The aim was to examine adolescents in the Swedish county of Värmland, their tobacco and oral health habits, and possible associations of these to a tobacco prevention program and their self-efficacy. The sample were students (15-16 years, n = 631) who had undergone a tobacco prevention program in grade 5 and 7. Smoking was more common among girls than among boys (13% vs. 8%), with inverse relationship for snus use (6% vs. 15%). Toothbrushing <2 times/day were more common among boys (21%) than among girls (12%). The girls had as a group, lower self-efficacy. High degree of self-efficacy entailed a greater probability for self-perceived impact of tobacco lessons (p = 0.004). In a multivariate model three significant risk factors for not experiencing influence from tobacco lessons were identified: snus use (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.42-5.41), low self-efficacy (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.19-2.42) and living without two adults (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.17-2.51). Age <15 years (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46-0.93) yielded a lower risk for not experiencing influence. Stratified on gender statistical significance persisted regarding all above for girls and living without two adults for boys.  The knowledge generated in this study may serve as a base for planning of prevention and promotion strategies in both clinical practice and in schools.

The self has been identified as the ?psychological apparatus that allows individuals to think consciously about themselves? (Leary & Price Tangney, 2003, p. 8). Further, the self has been identified as a worthwhile construct of investigation in relation to health behaviour (Contrada & Ashmore, 1999). Two self-related variables that have been useful in the study of health behaviour are <em>identity</em> (e. g. Anderson, Cychosz, & Franke, 1998; Petosa, Suminski & Hortz, 2003; Storer, Cychosz, & Anderson, 1997) and <em>self-efficacy</em> (Maddux, Brawley & Boykin, 1995). Identity Theory posits that individuals regulate their behaviour in a manner that is consistent with their goal identity (Gecas & Burke, 2003). Social Cognitive Theory provides a means of measuring social cognitions that may be important in behavioural regulation relative to identity. Further, self-efficacy beliefs may influence individuals? persistence at aligning their identity and behaviour. Research to date has investigated the link between identity and exercise (e. g. Anderson, Cychosz & Franke, 1998; Petosa, et al. , 2003). Further, researchers are beginning to investigate the link between identity and other health behaviours (e. g. Armitage & Conner, 1999; Kendzierski and Costello, 2004; Storer, Cychosz, & Andersen, 1997). However, research has not utilized the predictive frameworks offered by Identity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory to investigate the relationships between identity, behaviour and behavioural regulation. <br /><br /> Study One investigated the role of identity and self-efficacy beliefs in the maintenance of vigorous physical activity. Results were consistent with both Identity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory. Individuals who strongly identified with the runner identity expressed stronger task and self-regulatory efficacy beliefs. They also exercised more frequently and for longer durations than did those who only moderately identified with running. <br /><br /> Study Two further explored the relationship between exercise identity, exercise behaviour and the self-regulatory processes involved in behavioural regulation. Identity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory were used as guiding frameworks for this investigation. High and moderate exercise identity groups were compared in term of their affective and cognitive reactions to a hypothetical behavioural challenge to exercise identity. Consistent with Identity Theory, results indicated that participants appeared to be regulating their behaviour in a manner that was consistent with their exercise identity. Specifically, in response to the behavioural challenge to identity, high exercise identity participants, in contrast to their moderate counterparts, showed (a) less positive and (b) greater negative affect about the challenge, (c) higher self-regulatory efficacy for future exercise under the same challenging conditions, (d) stronger intentions for this future exercise, as well as for (e) using self-regulatory strategies to manage the challenging conditions and (f) intending to exercise more frequently under those conditions. <br /><br /> Study Three investigated whether identity with <em>healthy eating</em> could also be useful in understanding behaviour and behavioural regulation. Similar to Study Two, extreme healthy-eater identity groups? reactions to a hypothetical behavioural challenge to identity were compared. Results were similar to Study Two. Participants responded in a manner that suggested that they would regulate their future behaviour relative to their healthy-eater identity. In response to the behavioural challenge to identity, individuals who highly identified as healthy-eaters expressed less (a) positive affect, greater (b) negative affect, (c) self-regulatory efficacy for managing their healthy eating in the future challenging weeks, (d) intentions to eat a healthy diet, (e) generated more self-regulatory strategies and had (f) stronger intentions to use those strategies in future weeks under the same challenging conditions than did individuals who moderately identified themselves as healthy-eaters. Further, prospective relationships between healthy-eater identity and social cognitive variables, and healthy eating outcomes were examined. As was found in Study One in the context of exercise, healthy-eater identity and social cognitions predicted healthy eating outcomes. <br /><br /> Taken together, the three studies suggest that identity may be important in understanding health behaviours and the regulation of these behaviours. Also, the present findings support the compatible use of Identity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory in the investigation of identity and health behaviour.

Although physical activity above a certain threshold has been associated with numerous health benefits (Warburton, Nicol, & Bredin, 2006), most Canadians are not active enough to realize these benefits (Craig, Russell, Cameron, & Bauman, 2004). In order to examine individuals own explanations of their health-related physical activity behaviour in terms of attributions, four studies testing elements of Weiners (1986) attribution theory and Banduras (1997) self-efficacy theory were conducted with a university sample. The results from the first study revealed that perceived outcome differentiated attributional explanations while objective outcome did not. Results also revealed that although predicted relationships concerning attribution-dependent emotions were largely unsupported, emotions were associated with outcomes. Further, results suggested that those making stable attributions reported more certainty of similar future outcomes than those making unstable attributions. Results in the second study suggested that attributional dimensions significantly improved the prediction of self-regulatory efficacy beyond that predicted by past success/failure to be active enough for health benefits alone. Stability appeared to be the most important attributional dimension in predicting self-efficacy. Results in the third study suggested self-regulatory efficacy significantly improved the prediction of future intention beyond that of past success/failure to be active enough for health benefits alone. The results from the fourth study supported the plausibility of self-regulatory efficacy partially mediating the relationship between stability of attributions for typical levels of exercise and intention to maintain those levels during a forthcoming final exam period for both moderate- and mild-intensity exercise. Results are discussed in the contexts of testing attribution theory and self-efficacy theory and improving understandings of physical activity behaviour.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this project was to determine the effect of aquatic exercise and aquatic exercise combined with an education group program on decreasing both psychosocial and physical fall risk factors in community-dwelling older adults with hip osteoarthritis (OA). Secondary purposes were to 1) describe fall risk, history and nature of falls and near-falls in older adults with hip OA, 2) determine the association of the timed up and go test (TUG) to history of falls and near-falls, 4) explore the relationship of both psychosocial and physical factors to history of falls and near-falls, and 5) evaluate the role of falls-efficacy in predicting balance performance. Methods: Participants were recruited from the community and screened for presence of hip osteoarthritis and fall risk. Baseline fall history and a battery of measures for balance, muscle strength, functional ability and falls-efficacy were administered. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of three groups: Aquatic Exercise, Aquatic Exercise and Education or a Control Group. The interventions were twice per week for 11 weeks. Fall risk factors were measured after 11 weeks. Study 1 described history of falls and near-falls and evaluated the association of the TUG screening test with fall and near-fall history. Study 2 summarized the relationships of physical and psychosocial fall risk factors and identified the primary predictors of fall risk, based on associations with fall history. Study 3 evaluated the randomized controlled clinical trial comparing the impact of the interventions (aquatic exercise and education) on fall risk outcomes. Results: Older adults with hip OA reported a high frequency of falls and near-falls. The TUG, using a cut-off score of 10 sec., was associated with frequent near-fall history. There was a strong association of frequent near-falls to history of actual falls, with the association increasing 7-fold if lower falls-efficacy was present. Falls-efficacy was also an independent predictor of balance impairment. Screening for history of near-falls and falls-efficacy may be important in predicting risk of future falls. The combination of Aquatic Exercise and Education improved falls-efficacy and functional mobility compared to Aquatic Exercise only or no intervention. Aquatic Exercise on its own was not effective in decreasing fall risk factors or improving falls-efficacy. Significance of Findings: The accumulation of both physical and psychosocial risk factors in older adults with hip OA increases their vulnerability to falls and injury. Fall prevention programs for this population should be designed to include both exercise and education to address falls-efficacy and physical fall risk factors.

En enkätstudie genomfördes bland arbetslösa i åldern 18-30 år som var inskrivna på kommunala arbetsmarknadsenheter i syfte att undersöka sambandet mellan skolutbildning och arbetslivserfarenhet för söka-jobb self-efficacy. Resultatet visar ett signifikant samband mellan arbetslivserfarenhet för söka-jobb self-efficacy. Resultatet ligger i linje med tidigare forskning och bedöms bero bland annat på den positiva påverkan arbetslivserfarenhet har för en individs kontaktnät på arbetsmarknaden samt kunskaper om regler, attityder och normer Det finns även ett signifikant samband mellan skolutbildning för söka-jobb self-efficacy. Även detta resultat ligger i linje med tidigare forskning. Studien fann ingen interaktion mellan skolutbildning och arbetslivserfarenhet för söka-jobb self-efficacy. Den teoretiska grunden för studien var bland annat Bandura´s (1977) teori om self-efficacy

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to examine if a pre- and post-operative difference could be seen in self-reported pain disability and self-efficacy among patients undergoing surgery as treatment for spinal disc herniation in order to improve process of rehabilitation. Method: A quantitative and descriptive design was used. 10 patients awaiting surgical treatment for spinal disc herniation were included at Akademiska sjukhuset (The Academic Hospital) in Uppsala. Participation was voluntary and the selection was made by convenience. Data was collected using The Pain Disability Index and Self-Efficacy Scale by which the patient would estimate how hindered they felt because of their pain in everyday activities and their self-efficacy to perform everyday activities. This was done the day before surgery and two weeks after surgery. The data was analyzed with Wilcoxon’s signed rank test and statistical significance was set to p&lt;0,05. Results: The majority of patients reported an improvement after herniated disc surgery regarding PDI and self-efficacy. Statistically significant differences were established regarding both PDI (p=0,012) and Self-Efficacy Scale (p=0,009) in patients (n=10) before and after herniated disc-surgery. Conclusion: The study showed that the majority of the patients reported an improvement in both PDI and Self-Efficacy Scale after surgery. However, no conclusion could be made through this study due to the low number of participants (n=10). / Syfte: Syftet med studien var att undersöka om skillnad förelåg i diskbråcksopererade patienters skattning av hindrande smärta i vardagen och self-efficacy pre- och postoperativt för att bidra till en förbättrad rehabiliteringsprocess. Metod: Metoden som användes hade en kvantitativ och deskriptiv design. 10 patienter med planerad diskbråcksoperation inkluderades på Akademiska sjukhuset i Uppsala. Deltagandet var frivilligt och urvalet skedde genom bekvämlighetsurval. Patienterna skattade hur hindrande smärtan var i vardagliga aktiviteter och hur stor tilltron till egen förmåga var genom instrumenten Pain Disability Index (PDI) och Self-Efficacy Scale dagen innan operation och två veckor postoperativt efter diskbråcksoperation. Data analyserades med Wilcoxons teckenrangtest med signifikansnivå satt till p&lt;0,05. Resultat: Studien visade att majoriteten av patienterna upplevde en förbättring avseende PDI och Self-Efficacy efter diskbråcksoperation. Statistiskt signifikant skillnad förelåg gällande pre- och postoperativ skattning av både PDI (p=0,012) och Self-Efficacy Scale (p=0,009) hos patienterna (n=10). Konklusion: Studien visade att majoriteten av patienterna postoperativt skattade en förbättring både med PDI och Self-Efficacy Scale. Resultaten får betraktas som preliminära på grund av det låga deltagarantalet samt att 2 veckor postoperativt är alltför kort tid efter det kirurgiska ingreppet.