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This study used a correlational and cross-sectional research design to identify factors influencing the nutritional status of a sample of elderly Taiwanese. Guiding the study was a conceptual framework that integrated self-efficacy theory and health locus of control theory. Bivariate correlations among the study variables were examined, and hierarchical multiple regression tests were performed to determine whether and to what degree background characteristics, nutrition self-efficacy, and health locus of control predicted nutritional status. Furthermore, the study analyzed and categorized topics identified in the participants' verbal explanations of their eating patterns. Of the 156 Taiwanese elderly who completed the survey, the majority were healthy males (60.9%) with a mean age of 72.29 years. Relationships among the variables indicated that older people had lower nutrition self-efficacy and nutritional status. Females tended to have higher chance health locus of control. Higher educational levels were related to better nutrition self-efficacy and Mini-Nutritional Assessment scores. Moreover, elderly persons who reported greater health problems and medications had lower Mini-Nutritional Assessment scores, but had higher albumin levels. The results also showed that, among the elderly, nutrition self-efficacy, internal and chance health locus of control, and nutritional status were interrelated, whereas the powerful-others orientation was not correlated with other variables. Nutritional status, age, educational level, health problems and medications, and chance health locus of control all had effects on the Mini-Nutritional Assessment scores, and only health problems and medications explained significant variances in albumin levels. In the qualitative portion, a subsample of 58 participants (37.18%) answered an open-ended question about their eating patterns. The analysis of their responses revealed three categories of eating patterns: eating and old age, eating and faith, and eating and family harmony, with each encompassing a number of subcategories. Generally, the study confirmed the relationships proposed in the research model; however, the overall amount of predicted variance accounted for by the predictors was small, which indicated that unmeasured factors might account for most of the variance in nutritional status. Further research is therefore necessary to gain a deeper understanding of nutritional status and its factors among the Taiwanese elderly.

Decline of memory is often a complaint registered by members of an older adult population. There has been a limited amount of previous research evaluating subjective and objective memory in elderly Asian cultures. The purpose of this study was to explore factors related to memory function among Taiwanese older adults which included the following: the individual’s characteristics, perception of metamemory, degree of memory self-efficacy, and level of memory performance. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study. A proposed conceptual framework, based on the previous literature, was developed as the guideline for the study. Well established instruments were employed in measuring participants’ memory knowledge and attitudes, namely metamemory, (Metamemory in Adulthood), memory self-efficacy (Memory Efficacy), and memory performance (Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test). A non-probability sample of 130 Taiwanese older adults completed the interview. The research findings indicated that the participants reported above average knowledge of memory processes, achievement motivation regarding memory, a good memory capacity, personal control over their memory, and an ability to use memory strategies. In contrast, they perceived their memory as declining over time and were slightly anxious when considering memory tasks. In addition, they displayed a moderate level of confidence about their own memory, with elderly males expressing more confidence than females about their memory abilities. The memory performance of older Taiwanese adults was in the range of poor memory on the Rivermead. Factors contributing to memory function were correlated with each other. As stated above, these were individual characteristics, metamemory and memory self-efficacy. Significant predictors for memory performance were age, education, health status and memory selfefficacy. The results of this study suggested that culture-specific factors regarding memory are vital for older Taiwanese adults to evaluate their own memory. Potential topics for future research include: exploring the meaning of memory with an in-depth interview to distinguish memory self-efficacy from positive adaptation to memory deficit; understanding how memory operates while participants work in pairs rather than individually; and implementing an interventional program for health and cognitive promotion. / text

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Photocopy of typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1979. / Bibliography: leaves 132-140. / Microfiche. / xi, 140 leaves ill. 28 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-163). / Microfiche. / xviii, 163 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 282-299). / Microfiche. / xiii, 299 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

The research question of this thesis is ???what is the relationship between evaluation procedures and organisational learning in an academic library???? The study investigates the nature of organisational learning within Taiwanese institute of technology academic libraries, and in particular the nature of the relationship between the formal institutional evaluation (IE) of those libraries by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the organisational responses of the libraries. A ???process, phase of organisational learning (PPOL)??? model guided the delineation of research variables and the collection and analysis of data. The subjects of the research were 67 academic libraries and their staff. Phase I of the study consisted pf a questionnaire survey of 312 staff. The results of the survey formed the basis of Phase II of the study, the semi-structured interviews with 24 library personnel, together with an examination of relevant documents of the particular libraries involved. The refinement of the PPOL model is an indication that generally the direction and the use of IE, while recognised by management and employees, do not in most cases translate into higher levels of organisational learning and change. The findings of this thesis apply to the particular types of libraries studied, and to the concept of evaluation and organisational learning. Libraries are automatically to some extent involved in self-evaluation because they must prepare for IE, with some assistance from their institution. However, this does not imply that if various changes occur in the libraries there must be a strong correlation with the existence of high organisational learning. The external nature of the evaluation and the lengthy time periods between evaluations are two factors which make the learning response of libraries more difficult to determine. Ideally, an IE will assist the library on a path of continuous organisational adaptation, which involves structural, communication and climate changes. These changes reflect the ongoing organisational learning activities.