Denna studie undersöker kunders deltagande i cirkulära tjänster, ett ämne som tidigare ofta behandlats ur ett företagsperspektiv. Konsumentperspektivet är ett viktigt tillägg eftersom forskning har visat en minskad efterfrågan på cirkulära tjänster även om många kunder ställer sig positiva till deltagande. Utifrån denna diskrepans syftar denna studie till att undersöka hur variablerna attityd, kostnad, subjektiv norm, upplevd beteendekontroll och vana kan påverka kundens intention att engagera sig i dessa tjänster. Genomförandet skedde genom en enkätbaserad undersökning av tjänsterna återtag, reparation och uthyrning. Resultaten visar att en majoritet av de undersökta variablerna, framförallt vana och attityd, påvisar ha ett betydande samband till kunders intention att delta i cirkulära tjänster. Vissa av värdena var icke-signifikanta och kunde därför inte bidra till besvarandet av undersökningens syfte. För att vidareutveckla och understödja resultaten från denna studie bör vidare framtida forskning replikera studien för att samtidigt kunna öka kunskaperna inom området för cirkulära tjänster.

Resource and visitor experience degradation in Haleakalā National Park resulting from recreational use of the Pools of 'Ohe'o has led park officials to discourage visitor use of the pools. This study uses the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine relationships among visitors' attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control with regard to exploring the pools, their intentions to explore, and their actual behaviors while visiting the pools. Further, this study examines the influence of persuasive messages on visitors' behavior at the pools. Persuasive message treatments emphasize either the dangers of exploring the Pools of 'Ohe'o or resource protection and visitor experience impacts of recreational use at the pools. Through regression analysis of attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control with intention to explore, TPB is generally found to be an effective model for understanding visitor behavior at 'Ohe'o's Pools, particularly when visitors are exposed to persuasive messages. Results of analysis of variance indicate that the TPB model components of attitudes and subjective norms with regard to traveling companions and National Park Service officials are influenced by exposure to the persuasive treatment messages. Additionally, both intention to explore the pools and observed exploration behavior are significantly lower among those visitors receiving any persuasive treatment message. Thus, results of this research generally support the individual relationships assumed within TPB. With identification of the most influential components of visitor behavior, as understood through the TPB model developed in this study, managers of Haleakalā National Park will be able to develop and apply persuasive interpretive messages that maximize safe and sensitive visitor recreational behavior at the Pools of 'Ohe'o. / Master of Science

Breast cancer affects thousands of women each year and among those diagnosed, African-American women (AAW) make up a significant proportion that are diagnosed with early onset disease, have larger tumors, greater lymph node involvement, higher mortality and lower survival rates. Studies examining factors associated with greater breast cancer morbidity and mortality in this group have suggested that they may differ from Caucasian women in terms of certain risk factors for breast cancer; however, other evidence suggests that the risk of developing breast cancer is similar among African-American and Caucasian women who have a family history of breast cancer. As such, access to genetic counseling and testing (GC/T) services would be an important part of cancer control for this group but in this fast moving area of medicine African-American women are being "left behind". It is unclear why AAW have not readily adopted these preventive services. In light of the paucity of evidence regarding explanations of underuse, it is possible that important factors such as perceived behavioral control (PBC) in the Theory of Planned Behavior may help explain African-American women's participation in genetic counseling and testing for BRCA 1/2. The goals of this mixed methods study were twofold; first, to explore levels of perceived behavioral control and general motivations regarding genetic counseling and testing for BRCA 1/2 in African-American women at moderate to high-risk for breast and ovarian cancer and second, to explore the dimensionality of the perceived behavioral control construct from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and its utility in understanding underuse of BRCA 1/2 genetics services in this group. African-American women are being "left behind". Overall, women had high levels of perceived behavioral control, low knowledge and positive attitudes towards genetic counseling and testing for BRCA 1/2. Results from the principal components analysis lent support for the dimensionality of the perceived behavioral control construct suggesting that it indeed could be thought of as made up of the constructs perceived control [P-C] and perceived difficulty [P-D]. Only perceived control was found to be associated with genetic testing intentions suggesting that it was a better predictor. Neither scale was associated with genetic counseling intentions. African-American women are being "left behind". Future research should focus on educational efforts geared towards highlighting the utility of genetic counseling in addition to genetic testing for BRCA 1/2. Theoretical implications include using two measures to assess aspects of perceived behavioral control (perceived difficulty [P-D] and perceived control [P-C]) instead of one PBC measure. Additionally, studies using the TPB model should include the constructs of spirituality and knowledge when trying to understand underuse of BRCA 1/2 genetic services in African-American women at moderate to high-risk for breast cancer. African-American women are being "left behind". / Ph. D.

Sensory and consumer sciences aim to understand the influences of product acceptability and purchase decisions. The food industry measures product acceptability through hedonic testing but often does not assess implicit or qualitative response. Incorporation of qualitative research and automated facial expression analysis (AFEA) may supplement hedonic acceptability testing to provide product insights. The purpose of this research was to assess the application of AFEA and qualitative analysis to understand consumer experience and response. In two studies, AFEA was applied to elucidate consumers emotional response to dairy (n=42) and water (n=46) beverages. For dairy, unflavored milk (x=6.6±1.8) and vanilla syrup flavored milk (x=5.9±2.2) (p>0.05) were acceptably rated (1=dislike extremely; 9=like extremely) while salty flavored milk (x=2.3±1.3) was least acceptable (p<0.05). Vanilla syrup flavored milk generated emotions with surprised intermittently present over time (10 sec) (p<0.025) compared to unflavored milk. Salty flavored milk created an intense disgust response among other emotions compared to unflavored milk (p<0.025). Using a bitter solutions model in water, an inverse relationship existed with acceptability as bitter intensity increased (rs=-0.90; p<0.0001). Facial expressions characterized as disgust and happy emotion increased in duration as bitter intensity increased while neutral remained similar across bitter intensities compared to the control (p<0.025). In a mixed methods analysis to enumerate microbial populations, assess water quality, and qualitatively gain consumer insights regarding water fountains and water filling stations, results inferred that water quality differences did not exist between water fountains and water filling stations (metals, pH, chlorine, and microbial) (p>0.05). However, the exterior of water fountains were microbially (8.8 CFU/cm^2) and visually cleaner than filling stations (10.4x10^3 CFU/cm^2) (p<0.05). Qualitative analysis contradicted quantitative findings as participants preferred water filling stations because they felt they were cleaner and delivered higher quality water. Lastly, The Theory of Planned Behavior was able to assist in understanding undergraduates' reusable water bottle behavior and revealed 11 categories (attitudes n=6; subjective norms n=2; perceived behavioral control n=2; intentions n=1). Collectively, the use of AFEA and qualitative analysis provided additional insight to consumer-product interaction and acceptability; however, additional research should include improving the sensitivity of AFEA to consumer product evaluation. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this sequential exploratory mixed methods study was to develop and test a theory of planned behavior questionnaire that includes both direct and belief-based measures for seeking professional help from a MFT for participants and their spouses during times of relationship distress. To complete this goal, three focus groups (N = 24) were conducted to elicit the salient behavioral, normative, and control beliefs associated with seeking professional help from a MFT for participants and their spouses during times of relationship distress. The data was member checked and then analyzed using thematic analysis. Next, two quantitative measures were constructed, one using the salient beliefs elicited during the focus groups and the second using general questions that assessed participants' overall attitude, perceived norm, and perceived behavioral control. Both measures were placed online pilot tested (N = 102) using Qualtrics panels. The results suggest that the measures were accurate predictors of behavioral intention. The main stage then used both measures to assess the predictive ability of the elicited beliefs. The results also suggest that the beliefs accurately predicted participants' behavioral intentions for seeking professional help from a MFT for them and their spouses during times of relationship distress. The results also indicate that an intervention could be used to encourage troubled individuals, couples, and families to seek professional help from a MFT when experiencing relational issues. / Ph. D.

Interest in wood-based bio-energy systems in the United States is increasing and may play a part in future renewable energy initiatives (Dincer 2000). Family forests have potential to play an important role in supplying wood biomass for energy production. However, access depends mostly on the management intentions among family forest owners. Enhanced biomass markets in regions where family forest ownership dominates could increase productivity by reinvigorating the low-value merchandizing required to accomplish silvicultural objectives. Given diverse owner objectives and forest types on family forests, estimates of biomass availability must include both biophysical and social aspects of procurable feedstock. This thesis chronicles a biosocial case study that estimates potential biomass supply from 51 family forests in Virginia and North Carolina. The study occurred within a woodshed centered on the future site of an impending ethanol plant in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. A survey instrument using the theory of planned behavior was used to measure ownership characteristics and intention to harvest. Forest attributes were collected during property visits to estimate potential yields resulting from silvicultural simulations. Results reveal that forest cover-type and tree size significantly affect owner intentions to harvest and owner attitudes toward harvesting partially mediate this relationship. Outputs from silvicultural simulations correspond with those made using Forest Inventory and Analysis data within the study region. Disproportionality was examined by coupling social and biological drivers of sustainable wood biomass availability. Implications of the research include refined estimates of potential supply and demonstrating a multi-scalar, mixed-method approach for assessing wood biomass availability. / Master of Science

Evaluation is a burgeoning field and remains fairly young by most standards. Within Cooperative Extension, evaluation practices have been implemented at a variety of levels given that evaluation is mandatory for much of the funding Cooperative Extension receives. With evaluation in high demand, it is expected that most Extension educators are performing some levels of evaluation as a routine part of their jobs. In order to perform the required evaluations, an Extension educator must exhibit some level of knowledge and skill regarding evaluation. While much research to date has been done on the level of evaluation within the organization, there is a lack of understanding regarding the evaluation competencies that Extension educators must possess and the culture of evaluation within the organization. This study set out to examine the evaluation competencies, culture, and evaluation behaviors within Cooperative Extension. Utilizing an online survey format and quantitative methodology, a widely accepted set of evaluation competencies were examined for their importance within Cooperative Extension. A panel of 13 experts was selected to examine the competencies and it was determined than all competencies in the list were necessary for Extension educators to exhibit in their jobs. The list of competencies was then combined with a subscale regarding culture and a subscale based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991). A total of 419 Extension educators in four Extension systems participated in the study, with 222 generating usable data for a response rate of 13%. The highest and lowest skill level for the competencies were determined by Extension educators self-reporting. Perception of importance of each competency was examined and the highest and lowest importance rankings were determined. These were compared to the rankings of importance by the expert panel. A path analysis was conducted by modifying the Theory of Planned Behavior model and multiple regression analysis. Mean weighted discrepancy scores were calculated to determine the differences in skill level and perception for each of the competencies. The subscale of culture was examined for potential areas of Evaluation Capacity Building (ECB) within the organization. Results show that while there was much agreement between the expert panel and Extension educators regarding the importance of competencies, experts ranked all competencies as important while Extension educators did not. The results of the path analysis determined intention and perceived behavioral control explained 3.9% of the variance in the evaluation behavior exhibited by skill. Subjective norm and attitude explained 11.8% of the variance within intention. Perceived behavioral control, attitude and culture accounted for 13.1% of the variance in subjective norm. Culture and perception accounted for 7.1% of the variance in attitude. Perception, program area, college major, location, training in evaluation, degree level and years of experience explained 28% of the variance within evaluation culture. Finally, recommendations for practice and future research were made based on these findings. / Ph. D.

Background: Less than half of Americans meet the recommendation of leisure-time physical activity (PA) of 150 minutes (CDC, 2012). A number of efficacious programs have been developed, and those that are based on theory are more effective. However, it is often difficult to determine the mechanisms of effect through meditational analyses. This is particularly an issue when a theory-based intervention is effective but theoretically hypothesized meditational relationships are not found. One reason for the lack of relationship could be the methods used to assess different theoretical constructs. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is one model used in the exercise and PA research domain which generally employs traditional fixed-graded measures of proposed theoretical mediators (e.g., strongly disagree to strongly agree response sets). More recent research provides initial evidence that using continuous-open scaling (e.g., ratio-level scaling; days or time/per week rather than agreement scales) has shown the superiority in measurement accuracy demonstrated by stronger relationships between the theoretical constructs and behavioral outcomes when compared to other scaling types. However, continuous open scaling has only been applied to correlational studies and there is no evidence that this scaling procedure results in measures that are sensitive to change or are related to both self-reported and objectively measured PA. Primary Aims: The primary aims of this study were to determine 1) the sensitivity to change of TPB constructs using different response sets and self-report and accelerometer assessed PA, and 2) if TPB constructs measured using the different response-sets have differential prediction of PA measured using self-report and accelerometry. Methods: Forty-six young adults were recruited to complete 13-item measure of TPB constructs using both fixed-graded and continuous-open scales as well as Godin's Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire at 3 time (T1=Baseline, T2=End of week 1, T3=End of week 2) points over 2-weeks. Potential participants were excluded if they engaged in PA of 150 minutes or more per week. Inclusion criteria were the ability to perform moderate intensity PA and aged 18-25 years old. The order of different scales for the TPB constructs was randomly and evenly assigned within each condition. Participants were asked to wear an accelerometer for 2 weeks; one week prior to the action planning activity and one week after. To determine the sensitivity to change of the measures, participants were randomly assigned to either complete a personal action plan for physical activity (AP) or not (Control). Due to the exploratory nature of the pilot we set the significance level for all tests at p<0.10. Results: In general responses to the continuous open versus fixed closed items, at each time point, resulted in significantly (p<.05) lower perceptions of attitude (instrumental attitudes T1=4.4, T2=4.2, T3=4.3 versus time1= 6.2, T2=6.4, T3=6.3; affective attitudes T1=3.6, T2=3.5, T3=3.9 versus time1= 5.0, T2=5.0, T3=4.8), subjective norm ( T1=3.4, T2=3.3, T3=2.4 versus time1= 5.3, T2=5.2, T3=5.3), perceptions of control ( T1=3.2, T2=3.7, T3=3.9 versus time1= 4.6 T2=4.9, T3=5.2), and intention (T1=1.5, T2=1.8, T3=2.4 versus time1= 4.8, T2=5.1, T3=5.2). In regards to sensitivity to change continuous open and fixed closed measures of instrumental attitudes, subjective norms did not demonstrate significant changes as a result of action planning. Affective attitudes measured by the continuous-open scale, but not when measured by the fixed-closed scale, showed change over time regardless of condition. Perceived behavioral control measured using the continuous-open scale increased for AP participants by approximately 0.5 compared to control participants change of approximately 0.1 (p=.09). A similar pattern was found with intention in that changes in the continuous-open scale were significant (AP=0.9; control=0.2; p=0.07). No other scales showed significant sensitivity to change. Self-reported PA increased significantly for AP participants (81-16 minutes per week of PA) when compared to control participants (87 +/- 19 to 75 +/- 17 minutes per week of PA; p<0.1). Same pattern of differences was shown between AP (65 +/- 13 to 107 +/- 15 minutes per week of PA) and control (70 +/- 14 to 65 +/- 16 minutes per week of PA) participants (p<0.05). Conclusions: Continuous open scaling have significant correlations with all constructs along with affective attitude and intention being correlated with the actual reported exercise behavior over fixed graded scaling. This data sheds further insight into the different response sets of the TPB in application to exercise domain within a sedentary, young population. The lack of a significant difference may be due to the small sample size. Further research should investigate the role of the personalized action plan utilizing a larger sample size and the correlation of the TPB with intention and actual exercise behavior within an intervention. / Master of Science

BACKGROUND: Health-related interventions informed by behavioral theory have been shown to be more effective in changing behaviors as compared to those that are not. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) has been used to successfully predict and explain a variety of health related behaviors, including sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and physical activity (PA). The TPB assumes that behavioral intentions are the most important determinant of behavior. Intentions are the function of individual's attitudes toward the behavior (these evaluations can be positive or negative), subjective norms (social standards and expectations surrounding the behavior), and perceived behavioral control (perception of the ease with which the behavior can be performed). According to literature, behavioral intentions predict 20% - 40% of the variance in health behaviors with attitudes beings the strongest predictor of diet, and perceived behavioral control being the strongest predictor of physical activity related intentions. Excessive SSB consumption and inadequate PA have been highly associated with the obesity epidemic, and related comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes. Understanding and targeting these behaviors through application of health behavior theories, such as the TPB, is important. PRIMARY AIMS: This research is embedded within a larger 2-arm randomized-control trial, Talking Health, which targets residents in rural southwest Virginia. Guided by the TPB, the overall goal of the Talking Health trial is to determine the effectiveness of a 6-month intervention aimed at decreasing SSB intake (SIPsmartER) compared to a matched contact control aimed at increasing PA (MoveMore). Each condition includes three classes, one teach-back call, and 11 interactive voice response (IVR) calls. The primary aims of this secondary analysis of Talking Health are to 1) determine if single-item TPB indicators are correlated with multi-item TPB scales for SSB and PA; 2) examine how baseline TPB variables predict participation in the SIPsmartER and MoveMore; 3) determine how the IVR TPB variables assessed during IVR calls predict future SSB and PA behaviors reported in a subsequent IVR call; and 4) explore how TPB variables change over the course of the teach back and 11 IVR calls. METHODS: Eligibility requirements included being 18 years of age or older, having reliable access to a telephone, drinking 200 kilocalories of SSB per day, and having no contraindications for moderate-intensity physical activity. The present research utilizes data from the baseline health assessment, class attendance and IVR and teach back calls completion data, as well as data collected in teach-back and 11 IVR calls. Multi-item TPB constructs for both SSB and PA behaviors were assessed at baseline (measured on a 7-point Likert scale). Each IVR call assessed self-reported past week behavior (ounces of SSB or minutes of PA) and four single-item TPB constructs including behavioral intentions, perceived behavioral control, instrumental attitudes, affective attitudes, and subjective norms. Participation was measured as the number out of 15 activities completed by participants (three classes, one teach back call, and 11 IVR calls). Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi square tests, independent T-tests, Pearson's correlations, Cronbach's α, and sequential multi-step regression models. Multiple data imputations were used to account for missing data. RESULTS: Of the 301 participants, 81% were female and 93% were Caucasian. The mean age of participants was 48.8 ± 13.5. Additionally, 32% of participants completed high school education, 55% earned < $20,000 per year, 32% had a full time or part time job, and 33% were classified as low health literate. Single-item indicators for both SSB-TPB questions (r > 0.60) and PA-TPB questions (r > 0.69) were highly correlated with their multi-item scales. Baseline TPB variables did not predict the participation rates in either SIPsmartER (F=1.763, R2=0.057, P=0.124) or MoveMore (F=0.815, R2=0.028, P=0.541) conditions. Of the nine SIPsmartER IVR regression models, eight were significant, and the SSB-TPB variables predicted about 30% of the variance in SSB behavior. Of the nine MoveMore IVR regression models, all were significant, and the PA-TPB variables predicted about 20% of the variance in SSB behavior. In both conditions, the majority of variance was explained by behavioral intentions and the addition of other TPB variables (perceived behavioral control, instrumental attitudes, affective attitudes, and subjective norms) explained substantially less variance in the behaviors. There were no notable patterns of change in TPB variables over 11 IVR calls for either SIPsmartER or MoveMore participants. DISCUSSION: Our findings show that single-item indicators can be used as reliable measures of the TPB constructs. The TPB model did not show significant predictive value when it comes to participation in SIPsmartER or MoveMore. On the other hand, our findings show that TPB model explained about 30% (SSB) and about 20% (PA) of variance in behavior. Although significant changes in IVR TPB variables were found between the two time points in several instances for both SSB and PA behavior, there were no patterns of change over time. Based on our findings, assessing behavioral intentions as the goal behavior in each IVR call may be the most useful application of the TPB. Other TPB variables can be assessed using single-item indicators. / Master of Science

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) provides quality education programs to local schools. In order to continue this success and expand programs to reach more middle and high school students, a mixed methods study was conducted to help better understand why local middle and high school teachers participate or not in park educational programs. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, teacher surveys measured factors that influence teacher intentions to participate in park programs to best predict their likelihood of future involvement. In addition, school administrators were interviewed to understand their perceptions of teacher involvement. Results provided insight to how GRSM can better provide valuable services to local middle and high schools. The best predictors of teachers' intentions to participate in future programs were their perceptions of whether programs would enhance academic achievement, how easily and comfortably they could incorporate the programs into their pre-existing curricula, and whether the experience would be a fun experience in nature for both their students and themselves. Future communications with teachers should therefore emphasize that Park programs are fun, relevant learning experiences that address academic requirements for various subjects and are relatively easy to incorporate into pre-existing curricula. / Master of Science