There is a growing body of literature about public participation in health-system priority setting in different contexts and levels of governance, however, explicit focus on vulnerable populations’ participation is lacking. This dissertation incorporated a mix of methodological approaches to address this gap. First, a scoping review was used to synthesize the literature on priority-setting frameworks to understand whether and how applications of the frameworks involve the public and vulnerable populations in different contexts. Second, an interpretive description study was used to examine stakeholder participation at the district level in a low-income country, Uganda. Third, a qualitative description study design was used to qualitatively assess vulnerable women’s participation in health-system priority setting within a district in Uganda, from the perspectives of both vulnerable women and decision-makers. The research chapters complement and build on one another to make substantive, methodological, and theoretical contributions. Specifically, insights gained from the scoping review demonstrate that while priority-setting frameworks may require participation of all stakeholders, in practice certain stakeholder groups, namely the public and especially vulnerable populations, are not consistently integrated into priority-setting processes. The empirical research provides a rich understanding of the roles of different stakeholders in the priority-setting process and provides explanations about why vulnerable women, as a subset of the public, are not participating. This adds to the evidence base that policy-makers can access to guide future attempts to engage publics in health-system priority setting. These studies collectively contribute to a wider understanding of public’s and vulnerable populations’ participation in health-system priority setting in low-income contexts where health disparities are pronounced, and health resources are especially scarce. Policy-makers should aim to support vulnerable populations’ participation in health-system priority setting. Clear articulation of which vulnerable populations should participate and how they should participate can facilitate priority-setting processes. Co-developing participatory methods, frameworks, and guides with vulnerable populations can reinforce their participation and lead to mechanisms of participation that are more responsive to their needs. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Public participation is often considered a cornerstone of fair and legitimate priority setting. Yet, little is known about whether and how the participation of vulnerable populations is operationalized in the field of health-system priority setting. An in-depth understanding of who participates and who does not, and how participation is enabled and/or hindered is essential to ensure that policy-makers can support participation. This dissertation addresses gaps in knowledge through: 1) a literature synthesis examining the operationalization of stakeholder participation within priority-setting frameworks, with specific attention to the publics’ and vulnerable populations’ participation, in cases where the frameworks have been applied to health-system priority setting; 2) supportive qualitative evidence on the roles, leverages, and challenges of different stakeholders’ participation in district-level health-system priority setting in Uganda; and 3) examining vulnerable women’s participation within one Ugandan district, specifically outlining barriers to their participation, and solutions to address these barriers and support vulnerable women’s participation in health-system priority setting. Collectively these studies can inform policy-making and development of public participation strategies that specifically target vulnerable populations for participation in health-system priority setting.

Altering driver's goals and motives for at-risk driving is likely to reduce the frequency of at-risk driving behaviors and their associated crashes and injuries. However, most driving occurs when people are alone with little supervisions or accountability. Thus, a self-management for safety (SMS) intervention may be the most appropriate technique to decrease at-risk driving behaviors. The current research evaluated an SMS process with college students on a simulated driving task. Participants included 93 university students (41 males, 52 females) randomly assigned to one of three groups (31 participants per group). Participants in the Control group did not receive any of the intervention materials; they were instructed to drive as they normally drive on each trial. Participants in the Self-Monitoring + Objective Feedback group received objective feedback from the experimenter about their actual performance on the target driving behavior as well as personal feedback from their self-monitoring forms. These participants recorded their individual improvement goals on the targeted driving behavior. Participants in the Self-Monitoring group recorded their individual improvement goals on the targeted driving behavior, but received only personal feedback from their self-monitoring forms. Similar to past self-management interventions directed at increasing safety-related driving behavior (Hickman & Geller, in press; Krause, 1997; Olson & Austin, 2001), SMS led to clear improvement in subsequent safety performance. Based on the recorded driving behaviors of 93 participants, SMS was effective in increasing the mean percentage of total driving time traveling below the posted speed limit compared to a Control group that did not receive any of the SMS components. Across the four trials, participants in the SM and SM + OFB group significantly increased the percentage of total driving time traveling below the posted speed limit by 13.4 (18.3%) and 14.5 (19.8%) percentage points, respectively, compared to participants in the Control group. / Ph. D.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relative effectiveness of two different ways of operationalizing a mastery experience in an e-mail based fitness walking program. Mastery experiences are considered the best way to increase exercise self-efficacy (Bandura, 1997), which is strongly associated with regular physical activity, but little research has systematically explored how effective mastery experiences can be developed. Fifty-nine sedentary adult women were randomly assigned to a mastery experience group (n=29) that operationalized mastery experiences in a manner consistent with Bandura's social cognitive theory, or to a standard care group (n=30) that operationalized mastery experiences in a manner consistent with standard care. Both intervention conditions received the same physical activity prescription and were designed to promote equivalent levels of contact with the experimenter over the 12-week program. The effects of the program were examined on overall adherence to the program, one-mile walk test times, estimated VO2max, social cognitive outcomes, and program evaluation ratings. Both the mastery experience group and the standard care group had similar levels of adherence to the program. The mastery experience group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in one-mile walk test time than the standard care group. Although the mastery experience group also showed a larger increase in estimated VO2max than the standard care group, this difference did not reach significance. The mastery experience group had significantly greater increases in goal-setting relative to the standard care group, but the intervention did not show any differences between the two groups on three measures of self-efficacy. In program evaluation ratings, the mastery experience group demonstrated greater satisfaction with the program than the standard care group. / Ph. D.

The effects of setting goals on goal commitment and goal achievement in the context of an alcohol use intervention were examined using an experimental design in which participants were randomly assigned to participatively-set goals, assigned goals, and no goal conditions. The current study provides information regarding the links between degree of participation in goal setting, goal commitment, self-efficacy for one's goal, subsequent alcohol use, and goal achievement. It was hypothesized that: 1) Goal setting and participation in goal setting would significantly predict alcohol use outcomes: a) having a goal for alcohol consumption would cause lower quantity and frequency of alcohol use relative to not having a goal; b) participation in goal setting, rather than being assigned a goal, would influence goal achievement such that participation in goal setting would cause greater success in achieving one's goal. 2) Participation in goal setting would influence goal commitment such that participation in goal setting would cause greater goal commitment. 3) Goal commitment would influence goal achievement such that greater goal commitment would be predictive of greater success in achieving one's goal. 4) The facilitative effect of participation in goal setting on subsequent goal achievement would be mediated by goal commitment. 5) Self-efficacy for one's goal would influence goal achievement such that greater self-efficacy for one's goal would be predictive of greater success in achieving one's goal. One hundred and twenty-six binge-drinking college students received a single cognitive-behavioral assessment/intervention session and completed measures of goal commitment, self-efficacy for goal achievement, and alcohol use. Results were consistent with, and expanded upon, previous research by demonstrating that having a goal for alcohol consumption was predictive of lower quantity and frequency of alcohol use relative to not having a goal; however, participation in goal setting did not result in significantly better alcohol use outcomes or greater goal achievement relative to when goals were assigned. Participation in goal setting yielded greater goal commitment and self-efficacy for goal achievement than assigned goals. Lastly, goal commitment and self-efficacy contributed unique variance to the prediction of goal achievement across follow-up as well as changes in quantity and frequency of alcohol use at follow-up after controlling for baseline use. / Ph. D.

How might computer scientists work with communities in facilitating meaningful social change? In this project, we make a case for an approach that builds upon what the individuals and community already have---their assets---rather than emphasizing "user's needs" as typically postulated by human-centered design. We present details of our four-year-long assets-based engagement with an anti-trafficking organization in Nepal and the sex trafficking survivors supported by the organization. We explored the potential role that socio-technical systems and technology designers can play in assisting the survivors to build on their existing assets towards their vision of "dignified reintegration". The research involves three fieldwork and a remote study, each one leveraging carefully tailored socio-technical systems to investigate a design proposition. We present an operationalizable definition of assets and a framework of action to leverage assets in realizing change at an individual and institutional level. We describe the conditions that influenced the possibilities for our interventions and the factors that guided the design of the socio-technical systems. We further highlight how we adapted our methods to the local resources and practices in order to foster a space that promoted comfort and control to the study participants. The detailed account of our approach aims to provide a justification for undertaking slow, incremental steps with the community. / Doctor of Philosophy / Human trafficking survivors face a myriad of challenges in their reintegration journey. Working with an anti-trafficking organization in Nepal, I explored the potential role that technology and technology designers can play in assisting the survivors in their reintegration journey. The research involved three forays into fieldwork and a remote study, each one leveraging carefully tailored activities to investigate the possibilities for the survivors to be in a position of power once they leave the shelter home. The activities included technology such as a specifically tailored web application contextualized around the survivors' existing strengths but also involved non-digital components such as collectively envisioning broader possibilities and alternative futures and discussing ways in which the survivors could engage with local actors to mitigate societal problems they had seen near their homes. In all these activities, I adapted local practices and materials to promote a safe space for the survivors to participate from within their realm of comfort. This dissertation illuminates a potential pathway to engage in long-term community-based research with vulnerable populations. In particular, it makes a case for an approach that builds upon what the individuals and community already have, that is, their assets. The work illuminates ways to identify and build upon assets to support the survivors. Using the work, we make a case for undertaking slow, incremental steps as part of assets-based engagement with communities. The work emphasizes the need for technology developers to understand their responsibilities and carefully contemplate what elements of a situation or design allow ethical intervention. Finally, the work emphasizes the need for developers to be cognizant of how design of technology is tied up with the larger, multi-level system in which technology use is embedded.

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to determine the extent to which boaters and riverfront landowners on the Great Egg Harbor River are similar or different in perceptions of environmental and social conditions and preferences for management; and (2) to explore factors that contribute to riverfront landowners' and visitors' opinions about possible management decisions for the river. The Great Egg Harbor River represents a complex challenge, with designation as a unit of the Wild and Scenic River system, overseen by the National Park Service, but ownership by twelve municipalities and hundreds of private landowners. Understanding similarities and differences between stakeholders is especially important in such a setting. Data were collected by on-site contact forms for boaters and a 12-page mailback questionnaire for both boaters and riverfront landowners. The final sample size for the mail survey was 428, representing an overall response rate of 44%. Boaters and landowners reported similar evaluations of general crowding and conflict, but landowners were significantly more sensitive to conflicts between boaters and landowners than were boaters. In terms of environmental issues, boaters were significantly more disposed to pro-environmental attitudes than were landowners. Landowners evaluated recreational developments more negatively than did boaters. With respect to management preferences, boaters and landowners did not significantly differ in their evaluation of increased law enforcement and actions that would restrict development and recreational use. On average, both groups supported these types of management actions. However, boaters and landowners significantly differed in their evaluation of management actions that provide additional river access. Although both groups generally opposed additional access, landowners were more opposed to these actions than were boaters. In addition, boaters were more supportive of visitor services than were landowners. Although classification as boater or landowner contributed to preferences for some management actions (increased law enforcement and additional river access), other variables were better predictors of these preferences. Pro-environmental attitudes contributed to preferences for increased law enforcement, restrictions on development and recreational use, and visitor services. Attitudes about development also influenced preferences for increased law enforcement and restrictions, but contributed to preferences for additional river access as well. Other explanatory variables included perceptions of general conflict and activity preference (motorized or non-motorized). These variables contributed to preferences for increased law enforcement and restrictions on development and recreational use. Results from this study indicate that managers need to better understand the correlates of management support in order to meet a more diverse set of visitor needs. Understanding the contribution of a variety of variables in management preferences will likely help resource managers better understand stakeholder groups and how they will respond to proposed management actions. Managers can use such information to better communicate river management goals, thus fostering more widespread constituency support for proposed actions. / Master of Science

The present four field studies explored the effectiveness of multiple prevention techniques designed to increase the frequency of cashiers' identification (ID)-checking behaviors from a customer-focused and cashier-focused approach. Studies 1 and 2 examined customer-focused approaches, whereas Study 3 examined a cashier-focused approach. Study 4 examined a combination of the cashier-focused and customer-focused approaches. From a customer approach, Study 1 investigated the use of four prompts (a no-prompt control, an antecedent only, an antecedent with a positive consequence, and an antecedent with a negative consequence) at encouraging cashiers to ask customers for their ID during a credit purchase. Research assistants (RAs) visited various stores and made credit purchases, while displaying one of the four prompts covering their card's signature line to the cashier during check-out. The results showed RAs were checked for ID the most when using the prompts containing the antecedent and consequence, which was checked for ID significantly more than the no-prompt control. Study 2 (also a customer approach) attempted to replicate Study 1 in a non-college community. Using a similar methodology as Study 1, the results showed RAs were checked for ID the most when using the prompt with the antecedent and positive consequence, which was checked for ID significantly more than the no-prompt control. From a cashier approach, Study 3 investigated the use of a goal-setting and prompt intervention led by the restaurant manager to increase the frequency of cashiers' ID-checking behavior. Using an A-B-A (Baseline-Intervention-Withdrawal) reversal design at one of two restaurants, the results showed the intervention restaurant's percentage of ID-checked purchases increased from Baseline to the Intervention phase. But, it decreased slightly during the Withdrawal phase, showing functional control but also some maintenance over the target behavior. The percentage of ID-checked purchases at the control restaurant was almost nonexistent throughout the study. Study 4 investigated the impact of using two intervention approaches (i.e., the customer and cashier approach) as opposed to one (i.e., the customer approach) to increase the frequency of cashiers' ID-checking behavior. While the A-B-A phases were occurring in the restaurants used in Study 3, RAs entered the restaurants and displayed an antecedent and positive consequence prompt to the cashiers during a credit purchase. The results of Study 4 partially supported the hypothesis. The cashiers in the intervention restaurant significantly checked more RAs for ID when two intervention approaches were combined than when only one intervention approach was used during Baseline, but not during the Withdrawal phase. / Ph. D.

Despite widespread efforts to reduce inequities in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) job market, huge disparities remain for both African Americans and women in those sectors of employment. Extant literature affirms that Black women encounter various challenges when pursuing STEM careers. More specifically, the research on Black women in engineering focuses primarily on their experiences in academia and does not include their experiences as undergraduates transitioning into the industry workforce. To address these gaps in the literature, this study explored the career goal-setting (CGS) processes of Black woman engineering majors (BWEMs) through qualitative inquiry. Using a phenomenological approach, the researcher implemented a two-interview sequence with five Black/African American women enrolled in their final year of a baccalaureate engineering program at a predominantly White institution (PWI) in the southeast. Possible selves theory (Lee and Oyserman, 2009; Strauss, Griffin, and Parker, 2012) served as the framework for the guiding research questions and interview protocol, which were designed to capture the essence of the participants' experiences as they respectively engaged in setting career goals. The findings revealed that the participants' CGS processes encompassed a series of cognitive steps, which included their thoughts about goal-setting in general, exploring engineering careers, making adjustments academically, finding an area of career specialization, and dealing with anxiety related to the challenges they encountered as engineering majors. In addition, possible selves theory was used to explain how the participants' understanding of their experiences in current contexts influenced who they wanted to become in future work conditions. / Doctor of Philosophy / This qualitative study explored the career goal-setting (CGS) processes of Black woman engineering majors (BWEMs). The researcher used phenomenological methods to specifically describe the participants' experiences as they took part in CGS. Five participants were included in the study who all identified as Black/African American women enrolled in their final year of an undergraduate engineering program at a predominantly White institution (PWI) in the southeast. Possible selves theory (Markus and Nurius, 1986; Strauss, Griffin, and Parker, 2012) helped to guide the main research question and the research sub-questions, which were based on Lee and Oyserman's (2009) three individual and contextual factors of past experiences, developmental contexts, and social contexts. The researcher conducted two interviews with each of the five participants. The findings revealed that the participants' CGS processes consisted of several mental steps, which included their thoughts about goal-setting in general, exploring engineering careers, making adjustments academically, finding an area of career specialization, and dealing with anxiety related to the challenges they encountered as engineering majors. In addition, possible selves theory was used to explain how the participants' understanding of their experiences in current contexts influenced who they wanted to become in future work conditions.

As the topic for my master's thesis, I wanted to challenge myself with a project to which I have a personal connection and use my experience for designing. At 13 years old, I went ot a competitive sport boarding school for 5 years. This time left me with a very distinctive and also some negative impressions. The complex was made out of a couple, by a narrow hallway connected, buildings. On one hand a very practical concept, that shortend commuting intensively around the complex, but on the other hand the surrounding fabric had no influence and connection to it and the complex could be placed anywhere. That is why I would like to take a closer look at what this building can actually be and stand for while, being a place for education and also use it's design and intentions for part of the education. Thesis Questions: What is the place of education? How can the importance of the school be translated into architecture? What can stuidents learn from the building itself? How is the relationship between the school and the community defined? / Master of Architecture

Very little empirical evidence exists linking the motivational traits portion of the motivational traits and skills framework to goal setting processes. The present study explored relationships between motivational traits, task-specific self-efficacy and self-set goal level during a computer-based task. Along with direct assessment of these relationships, we assessed whether task-specific self-efficacy mediates relationships between motivational traits and self-set goal level. In the current study, we also examined the ability of motivational traits to provide an increment in the prediction of motivational outcomes over currently accepted goal orientation constructs. Analyses suggest that the motivational traits personal mastery and motivation related to anxiety are consistent predictors of task-specific self-efficacy but inconsistent predictors of self-set goal level while competitive excellence entirely unrelated to motivational outcomes. Motivational traits failed to provide any significant increment in the prediction of task-specific self-efficacy over respective goal orientation constructs. Implications and future directions are discussed. / Master of Science