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Despite the widely documented physical, psychological, and social benefits of participation in physical activity (Sallis, Prochaska, & Taylor, 2000; U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 2000), less than half of young Saudi adolescents are involved in non-school organised sport (General Presidency for Youth Welfare, 2007; Al-Hazzaa, 2004). Thus, examination of social and psychological determinants of participation in leisure time physical activity is important. This PhD examined these determinants within Saudi adolescents. A mixed methods approach was adopted to identify and test the important social and psychological determinants of participation in leisure-time physical activity. Phase one of the research was qualitative in nature. The purpose of this phase was to illustrate how an elicitation method can be used to identify salient behavioural (termed consequences), normative (termed referents), and control (termed circumstances) beliefs about physical activity as perceived by adolescents. These findings, along with theoretical propositions and evidence from previous studies, contributed to the development of a model of the social and psychological determinants of participation in leisure-time physical activity. They also contributed to the development of ways to measure important concepts in the model. Phase two was quantitative in nature and used multiple regression analysis to test the relationships among the key variables of interest. In part one of this phase, self-report questionnaires measured the respondents’ intention to participate in leisure time physical activity (dependent variable); it also measured their attitude toward physical activity behaviour, as well as subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, descriptive norms, self-efficacy, self-identity, and past behaviour (independent variables). The results revealed that attitudes, subjective norms, perceptions of behavioural control predicted physical activity intentions in a Saudi Arabian context. Moreover, descriptive norms, self-efficacy, and past behaviour contributed to the prediction of intentions, while self-identity did not. The results also pointed to some gender differences: while Saudi females considered attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and self-efficacy during intention formation, Saudi males considered attitude, subjective norms, perceived behaviour control, self-efficacy, and past behaviour only during intention formation. In terms of the salient beliefs, being active, maintaining fitness and controlling weight predicted attitudes; friends, mother, and brother predicted subjective norms; and availability of place, availability of time, and bad weather predicted perceived behavioural control. The results also pointed to some gender differences. While Saudi females considered being active, maintaining fitness, controlling weight, friends, family, father, mother, and brother, availability of place, availability of time, and bad weather, Saudi males considered being active, friends, family, father, brother, availability of place, availability of time and bad weather. In part two of this phase, five weeks after completing the main questionnaire, participants completed a follow-up questionnaire that assessed self-reported physical activity during the previous five weeks. Results revealed that intention, perceived behavioural control, subjective norms, self-efficacy, and past behaviour, but not attitude, descriptive norms, or self-identity predicted physical activity. Results also pointed out important gender differences. That is, while Saudi males appeared to consider intention, perceived behavioural control, and past behaviour when predicting exercising behaviour, this was not the case for Saudi females who considered intention, subjective norms, self-efficacy, and past behaviour only. Overall, the findings of this thesis offer partial support for the capacity of the theory of planned behaviour to predict participants’ physical activity intention and behaviour. The standard TPB variables, self-efficacy and past behaviour predicted intention, while, subjective norms, self-efficacy and past behaviour predicted behaviour. In general, findings also point out important gender differences. That is, while Saudi males appear to consider the standard TPB variables, self-efficacy, and past behaviour when predicting intention, and perceived behavioural control and past behaviour when predicting physical activity behaviour, this is not the case for Saudi females. In contrast, Saudi females consider attitude, subjective norms, and self-efficacy when predicting intention, and self-efficacy and past behaviour when predicting physical activity behaviour. Implications of these findings are that in order to alter physical activity patterns, factors influencing adolescents’ intention and behaviour to participate in physical activity must be addressed. Specially, effective interventions should target cognitive, social, environmental and psychological factors aimed at promoting physical activity among adolescents.

<p>Vårdrelaterade infektioner är en av de vanligaste förekommande komplikationerna inom svensk sjukvård. Den drastiska ökningen av multiresistenta bakterier ökar sannolikheten för att insjukna i en multiresistent vårdrelaterad infektion och aktualiserar därmed problemet med den bristande följsamheten till handhygien. För att lyckas med att minska vårdrelaterade infektioner krävs en optimal följsamhet till handhygien, då handhygien anses vara det i särklass effektivaste sättet att förhindra smittspridning. Forskning pekar dock i motsatt riktning och visar en genomsnittlig följsamhet på 40 procent. En litteraturstudie utfördes med syfte att utifrån the Theory of Planned Behaviour belysa de faktorer som påverkar vårdpersonalens följsamhet till handhygien. Resultatet visar att kunskap påverkar vårdpersonalens föreställningar om, och ökar de positiva attityderna till handhygien. Vårdkulturen påverkar vårdpersonalens subjektiva normer vilket har både positiv och negativ inverkan på följsamheten. Tid och fysiska omgivningsfaktorer är betydelsefulla för personalens uppfattning om sin egen förmåga att utföra handhygien. Ingen av dessa påverkansfaktorer kan dock ensam stå som en förklaring till det handhygieniska beteendet eller ensam utgöra en åtgärd för att optimera följsamheten. Mer kvalitativ forskning är önskvärd inom området för att identifiera nya faktorer som påverkar följsamheten och ökar förståelsen för vårdpersonalens handhygieniska beteende.</p>

Vårdrelaterade infektioner är en av de vanligaste förekommande komplikationerna inom svensk sjukvård. Den drastiska ökningen av multiresistenta bakterier ökar sannolikheten för att insjukna i en multiresistent vårdrelaterad infektion och aktualiserar därmed problemet med den bristande följsamheten till handhygien. För att lyckas med att minska vårdrelaterade infektioner krävs en optimal följsamhet till handhygien, då handhygien anses vara det i särklass effektivaste sättet att förhindra smittspridning. Forskning pekar dock i motsatt riktning och visar en genomsnittlig följsamhet på 40 procent. En litteraturstudie utfördes med syfte att utifrån the Theory of Planned Behaviour belysa de faktorer som påverkar vårdpersonalens följsamhet till handhygien. Resultatet visar att kunskap påverkar vårdpersonalens föreställningar om, och ökar de positiva attityderna till handhygien. Vårdkulturen påverkar vårdpersonalens subjektiva normer vilket har både positiv och negativ inverkan på följsamheten. Tid och fysiska omgivningsfaktorer är betydelsefulla för personalens uppfattning om sin egen förmåga att utföra handhygien. Ingen av dessa påverkansfaktorer kan dock ensam stå som en förklaring till det handhygieniska beteendet eller ensam utgöra en åtgärd för att optimera följsamheten. Mer kvalitativ forskning är önskvärd inom området för att identifiera nya faktorer som påverkar följsamheten och ökar förståelsen för vårdpersonalens handhygieniska beteende.

Adolescents intentions to behave in both reactive and instrumental aggression were assessed using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB; I. Ajzen, 1985). Along with examining the TPB, perceptions of self-efficacy (A. Bandura, 1982) towards both types of aggression were also assessed. Self-report questionnaires were administered to 162 grade 10 to 12 students in two independent school districts. Using Path Analysis, the TPB was shown to significantly explain both instrumental and reactive aggression. In the context of reactive aggression, attitudes were found to have the greatest influence on intentions to behave aggressively. As for instrumental aggression, self-efficacy was found to have the greatest influence on intentions. Overall, the results of this study provide support for using the TPB to explain adolescent aggression. In addition, this study further demonstrates the value of distinguishing between reactive and instrumental functions of aggression.

Adolescents intentions to behave in both reactive and instrumental aggression were assessed using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB; I. Ajzen, 1985). Along with examining the TPB, perceptions of self-efficacy (A. Bandura, 1982) towards both types of aggression were also assessed. Self-report questionnaires were administered to 162 grade 10 to 12 students in two independent school districts. Using Path Analysis, the TPB was shown to significantly explain both instrumental and reactive aggression. In the context of reactive aggression, attitudes were found to have the greatest influence on intentions to behave aggressively. As for instrumental aggression, self-efficacy was found to have the greatest influence on intentions. Overall, the results of this study provide support for using the TPB to explain adolescent aggression. In addition, this study further demonstrates the value of distinguishing between reactive and instrumental functions of aggression.

Humans, through their actions, are both the victims and the cause of many environmental problems. The importance of attaining a sustainable future through behavioural rather than technical solutions to the environment crises is widely recognised. The aim of this study was to test multi-attribute models in the context of recycling behaviour. The Cotswold District Council facilitated this by providing the opportunity to monitor recycling behaviour, objectively and unobtrusively, without signaling in any way a connection to the prior intention measurement phase. The research process was multifaceted utilising both qualitative and quantitative research. The qualitative study consisted of interviews which clarified how and why individuals recycle. The empirical research tested the models using appropriate multivariate statistics. The findings show that a serious limitation of the models tested is that they concentrate on the alleged mental antecedents of behaviour rather than on the behaviour itself. The predictive value of research that utilises these models as their theoretical foundation is limited by the serious omission of behavioural choice. This thesis contributes to the enhancement of knowledge of the multi-attribute models tested. It develops a new model of attitudes and behaviour choice that forms the basis of a predictive model of recycling behaviour. It concludes by contributing significantly to the development of strategic programmes aimed at maximising sustainable recycling behaviour, through public participation and individual responsibility.

The underutilization of mental health services among the Chinese Canadian population is a perpetual problem. The present study examined the help-seeking process among second generation Chinese Canadians using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The utility of the TPB was tested using both direct and indirect measures and path analyses were used. The influence of additional variables, including self-stigma, anticipated benefits and risks, and cultural variables such as Asian values, European American values, Chinese identity, Canadian identity, family connectedness and self-concealment were investigated. Two hundred and twelve second generation Chinese Canadians participated in the study. Participants had the option to complete the study questionnaire online or in paper format. Results supported the utilization and application of the TPB in understanding help-seeking intentions and highlighted the differential contribution of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. The study also supported the notion that perceived behavioural control consists of two inter-related but distinct components: self-efficacy and controllability. Results highlight the importance of self-efficacy in predicting help-seeking intentions among second generation Chinese Canadians. Findings also showed that Asian values, Canadian identity, anticipated benefits and risks, self-concealment, and self-stigma play different roles in predicting attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control in the help-seeking process. In sum, results of the present study served as an important step in further understanding the help-seeking process among second generation Chinese Canadians. Implications for research, clinical practice, and future directions are discussed.

Knowledge levels of issues related to fertility, reproduction, and assisted reproductive technology (ART) are low among the general population. There have also been increasing trends for women to delay childbearing and for many individuals to turn to various forms of ART to aid reproduction. Many commentators assume the provision of information targeting fertility related issues and ART will be influential in altering women’s intentions related to delay childbearing, but there is a lack of both empirical and theoretical evidence to support this assumption. Further, suggestions for how to provide education related to fertility and ART have not yet been examined. The present study examined the applicability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) for predicting women’s intentions to delay childbearing and whether the provision of detailed, accurate, and accessible information regarding reproduction, factors influencing fertility, and the limitations of fertility treatments would alter individual attitudes and levels of perceived control surrounding delayed childbearing. Participants received one of two informational interventions (i.e., fertility-related or alcohol-related information) then completed a questionnaire measuring the constructs of the theory of planned behavior. It was predicted that the theory of planned behavior would provide an adequate framework for examining women’s intentions to delay childbearing in that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control would all emerge as significant predictors of these intentions (hypothesis 1). It was also predicted that the provision of detailed, accurate and accessible information regarding reproduction, factors influencing fertility, and the limitations of fertility treatment would alter young women’s intentions to delay childbearing (hypothesis 2). Multiple regression analyses provided support for Hypothesis 1 and substantiated that TPB provides an adequate framework for examining women’s intentions to delay childbearing. Hypothesis 2 was partially supported such that the intervention groups significantly differed with respect to their delayed childbearing intentions. However, most of the women in this sample did not evidence intentions to delay childbearing into critical fertile periods. Future research is warranted to examine the theory of planned behavior’s ability to predict delayed childbearing over time, across cohorts, and amongst men, as well as the impact of improved reproductive technologies and media reports of fertility on intentions to delay childbearing.