Awareness of anthropogenic climate change has increased drastically in the last decade. With the help of the United Nations and the 17 sustainable development goals, there is now an international consensus that measures must be taken urgently. Actions towards reducing our climate impact have started to take place in various industries and one important sector is the food sector. This thesis is addressed to companies that help consumers make smarter and more climate friendly food decisions with the help of climate data. More specifically the scope of this thesis was to develop and evaluate a climate impact visualization application with consumers as the intended target group. The foundation of the intervention included theories in behaviour change and information visualization design principles. The application was evaluated with 11 participants looking to reduce their climate impact. A user study was conducted where the participants used the developed intervention by completing different tasks and then evaluated the experience and the different components of the application. The purpose of the evaluation was to gain qualitative insights of which components should be considered in the development process of a final product. The results indicate that visualizations of the products carbon dioxide emissions, receipt list and personal progress tracking were the most important components for the application. The result also gave positive indications that a similar application could help change the user’s behaviour when purchasing food to a more climate friendly pattern. / Medvetenheten om antropogena klimatförändringar har ökat drastiskt under det senaste decenniet. Med hjälp av FN och de 17 målen för hållbar utveckling finns det nu en internationell enighet om att åtgärder måste vidtas snarast. Åtgärder för att minska vår klimatpåverkan har börjat äga rum i olika branscher och en viktig sektor är livsmedelssektorn. Denna avhandling riktar sig till företag som hjälper konsumenter att fatta smartare och mer klimatvänliga livsmedelsbeslut med hjälp av klimatdata. Mer specifikt omfattar denna avhandling att utveckla och utvärdera en visualiseringsapplikation för klimatpåverkan med konsumenter som den avsedda målgruppen. Grunden för interventionen inkluderar teorier inom beteendeförändring och design-principer för informationsvisualisering. Applikationen utvärderades med 11 deltagare som ville minska sin klimatpåverkan. En användarstudie genomfördes där deltagarna använde den utvecklade applikationen genom att utföra olika uppgifter för att sedan utvärdera upplevelsen och de olika komponenterna i applikationen. Syftet med utvärderingen var att få kvalitativa insikter om vilka komponenter som bör beaktas i utvecklingsprocessen för en slutprodukt. Resultaten indikerar att visualiseringar av produkternas koldioxidutsläpp, kvittolista och personlig framstegsspårning var de viktigaste komponenterna för applikationen. Resultatet gav också positiva indikationer på att en liknande applikation skulle kunna hjälpa till att ändra användarens beteende när man handlar mat till ett mer klimatvänligt mönster.

Despite its benefits to both physical and mental health, physical activity levels worldwide remain low and new solutions for behaviour change must be sought. Smartphone apps are extremely popular and prevalent across the population, however their quality is still questionable. Physical activity produces an acute ‘feel good’ effect and intervention designers should consider the role that affect (mood) plays in uptake and maintenance of behaviours. It is timely to examine the use of affect as a motivator for physical activity, using new tools that allow real-time capture of both affect and physical activity (smartphones). The existence, characteristics and quality of physical activity apps that provide feedback on affect were explored in this thesis A mixed methods approach, comprising a systematic review (study 1) and a systematic evaluation (study 2) was taken. Data collection methods included both quantitative and qualitative assessments, using pre-existing and fit-for purpose tools. Twenty-two physical activity apps that provided feedback on affect were identified. Apps often failed to target groups most at risk of poor physical activity levels. Feedback on affect was performed in a variety of ways. Quality of apps, based on 13 criteria, was mixed. Recommendations are made for researchers, app developers and funders, including the need for development of high quality physical activity apps incorporating and emphasising affective benefits, consideration of archiving processes for developed apps once development ceases, and collaboration between researchers, developers and users when designing apps.

The purpose of this dissertation was to test the utility of theories across the development, implementation, and evaluation of three nationwide knowledge translation (KT) interventions in the physical disability community. Using a theory-based evaluation guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), Study 1 evaluates the effectiveness of an evidence-based, continuing education module designed to increase emergency health care professionals’ (HCPs) knowledge and use of clinical practice guidelines for managing patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who present with autonomic dysrefexia. Findings suggest that behaviour change theory should be integrated into the intervention to change theory-based determinants of behaviour, and that information about intervention implementation may help explain observed outcomes. Study 2 examined the use of theory across three phases of research in the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Changing Minds, Changing Lives (CMCL) intervention. Study 2.1 describes the restructuring of the CMCL curriculum to include research evidence and theory. Study 2.2 evaluates the short- and long-term effects of the CMCL intervention on HCPs’ social cognitions for discussing leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and explores key implementation variables that predict changes in HCPs’ social cognitions. Overall Study 2 results suggest that: (1) using a KT framework and integrating stakeholders throughout intervention development increases the likelihood that interventionists will adopt and implement the intervention, and (2) real-world implementation is important to understanding intervention effectiveness. Study 3 examines the effectiveness, and its implementation correlates, of Get in Motion (GIM), a nationwide, LTPA-enhancing telephone counseling service for adults with SCI. Study 3 furthers our understanding of the relationship between implementation and effectiveness, and suggests key implementation ingredients that could be targeted in future refinements of GIM. Together, the dissertation studies contribute to our understanding of how to use theory when developing, implementing, and evaluating behaviour change interventions targeting HCPs and other end-users in the physical disability community. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Yes / prevent obesity at this age. This study tested the acceptability and feasibility of evaluating a theory-based intervention aimed at reducing risk of obesity in infants of overweight/obese women during and after pregnancy: the Healthy and Active Parenting Programme for Early Years (HAPPY). Methods: A feasibility randomised controlled trial was conducted in Bradford, England. One hundred twenty overweight/obese pregnant women (Body Mass Index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m2) were recruited between 10–26 weeks gestation. Consenting women were randomly allocated to HAPPY (6 antenatal, 6 postnatal sessions: N = 59) or usual care (N = 61). Appropriate outcome measures for a full trial were explored, including: infant’s length and weight, woman’s BMI, physical activity and dietary intake of the women and infants. Health economic data were collected. Measurement occurred before randomisation and when the infant was aged 6 months and 12 months. Feasibility outcomes were: recruitment/attrition rates, and acceptability of: randomisation, measurement, and intervention. Intra-class correlations for infant weight were calculated. Fidelity was assessed through observations and facilitator feedback. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews explored acceptability of methods, implementation, and intervention content. Results: Recruitment targets were met (~20 women/month) with a recruitment rate of 30 % of eligible women (120/396). There was 30 % attrition at 12 months; 66 % of recruited women failed to attend intervention sessions, but those who attended the first session were likely to continue to attend (mean 9.4/12 sessions, range 1–12). Reaction to intervention content was positive, and fidelity was high. Group clustering was minimal; an adjusted effect size of −0.25 standard deviation scores for infant weight at 12 months (95 % CI: −0.16–0.65) favouring the intervention was observed using intention to treat analyses. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: The HAPPY intervention appeared feasible and acceptable to participants who attended and those delivering it, however attendance was low; adaptations to increase initial attendance are recommended. Whilst the study was not powered to detect a definitive effect, our results suggest a potential to reduce risk of infant obesity. The evidence reported provides valuable lessons to inform progression to a definitive trial. / National Institute for Health Research

Yes / Sepsis is one of the most common causes of mortality in postnatal women globally and many other women who develop sepsis are left with severe morbidity. Women’s knowledge of postnatal sepsis and how it can be prevented by simple changes to behaviour is lacking. Methods: This paper describes the co-development and feasibility testing of a digital animation intervention called DAISI (digital animation in service improvement). This DAISI is designed to enhance postnatal women’s awareness of sepsis and how to reduce their risk of developing the condition. We co-designed the digital animation over a six-month period underpinned by theory, best evidence and key stakeholders, translated it into Urdu then assessed its use, firstly in a focus group with women from different Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups and secondly with 15 clinical midwives and 15 women (including BAME women). Following exposure to the intervention, midwives completed a questionnaire developed from the COM-B behaviour change model and women participated in individual and focus group interviews using similar questions. Results: The animation was considered acceptable, culturally sensitive and simple to implement and follow. Discussion: DAISI appears to be an innovative solution for use in maternity care to address difficulties with the postnatal hospital discharge process. We could find no evidence of digital animation being used in this context and recommend a study to test it in practice prior to adopting its use more widely. If effective, the DAISI principle could be used in other maternity contexts and other areas of the NHS to communicate health promotion information. / This study was funded by Translate Medtech, Leeds City Region. DAISI was developed by HMA Digital, Barnsley, UK.

Yes / Engaging in regular physical activity requires continued complex decision-making in varied and dynamic individual, social and structural contexts. Widespread shortfalls of physical activity interventions suggests the complex underlying mechanisms of change are not yet fully understood. More insightful process evaluations are needed to design and implement more effective approaches. This paper describes the protocol for a process evaluation of the JU:MP programme, a whole systems approach to increasing physical activity in children and young people aged 5-14 years in North Bradford, UK. This process evaluation, underpinned by realist philosophy, aims to understand the development and implementation of the JU:MP programme and the mechanisms by which JU:MP influences physical activity in children and young people. It also aims to explore behaviour change across wider policy, strategy and neighbourhood systems. A mixed method data collection approach will include semi-structured interview, observation, documentary analysis, surveys, and participatory evaluation methods including reflections and ripple effect mapping. This protocol offers an innovative approach on the use of process evaluation feeding into an iterative programme intended to generate evidence-based practice and deliver practice-based evidence. This paper advances knowledge regarding the development of process evaluations for evaluating systems interventions, and emphasises the importance of process evaluation. / Sport England’s Local Delivery Pilot - Bradford

This research examines the application of a Classic Glaserian Grounded Theory methodology to the phenomenon of drought when viewed from the perspective of household water users in southern England. The resulting conceptual work calls into question the effectiveness of water-wise messaging and current Government policies on water management, by highlighting the double assurances afforded to the public through their own observations of the natural cycling of water resources between atmosphere and land, and the continuous operation of the regulated water industry, that together sustain blind belief in the ongoing availability of potable water resources. To establish a clear separation between the development of substantive theory and mixed method studies that claim to take a grounded theory approach that are generally more popular within the discipline of Human Geography, the theory is presented alongside two pieces of work; a collection of modern drought histories and a questionnaire. Developed as part of the necessary process of cycling alternate projects to enable a theory to emerge from the data whilst the researcher is distracted from forcing her own ideas onto it, both these pieces can be viewed separately or as supportive companions to the theory. Additionally, in acknowledging the difficulty in presenting a Classic Grounded Theory in the traditional discussional form, for the benefit of the reader the theory is preceded by an autoethnography, which incorporates descriptive elements taken from field notes and the author’s personal water diary. These works draw data from subjects in three counties in England (Norfolk, Kent, and Devon), following the northwest – southeast rainfall gradient. Supplementary material for the drought histories is drawn from local and national archives and recorded oral histories. The primary emphasis of this work is placed on assessing the merits of each of the methods deployed in addressing environmental social science issues in the context of climate change, which hitherto have been focused on perception questionnaires and the development of popular cultural typologies.

Social learning is a key element in the methodology used in the Mexican telenovela Ultimo año, and suggest that people can adopt behaviour from watching television. An important aspect of social learning are role models to identify with and/or learn their behaviour, hopefully changing their behaviour. Entertainment Education is a tool to educate through entertainment like TV shows, and are often used to teach about health issues. Mexico legalized same sex marriages in the first state only five years ago. The culture is characterized by the “macho” machisimo culture. Therefore the study aims to treat homosexual youth in Mexico. The study investigates the Mexican gay’s youth reception on the show “Ultimo año”. This show aims to reach behaviour changes concerning issues such as reproductive health, gender based violence, violence and other health related issues. The study finds that the respondents are unable to identify with the characters and events to a large extent in Ultimo año. However, they can recognize some events in the show, as well as some characteristics that are portrayed. Our study shows that homosexuality is poorly represented in the show and the characters are too wealthy to appeal to our respondents. According to our respondents the show does not reflect Mexican youth in the correct way. Respondents thought that homosexuality was portrayed in a negative way, which did not support being gay or “coming out”. The lack of identifying negative feelings of the heteronormative narrative, along with the representation of homosexuality, therefore affecting the respondents in a way the effect would be no participation in social learning. Therefor unable to achieve the behaviour change that the show is aiming towards. The study is based on one focus group and three personal interviews. The theoretical background for this study contains Stuart Halls encoding/decoding model, Albert Banduras theory about social learning, Miguel Sabido´s Methodology and previous research on reception studies by Martina Ladenorf, Thomas Tufte and Sonia Livingstone.

Thesis (MPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study examines the implementation of an intervention aimed at stopping alcohol consumption during pregnancy in order to decrease Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and how this affected changes in alcohol consumption. FASD is a growing concern in South Africa where the prevalence rate is almost 12/100 at some schools in the Western Cape; the highest reported FASD rate in the world. FASD is caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy and it is an irreversible mental and physical disability in children. FASD is preventable through abstinence from alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The intervention study (referred to as the Ceres Intervention Study), utilised a cluster-randomised trial design, with a control and intervention group, where the control arm of the study received basic screening and information on FASD, while the intervention arm of the study received a more comprehensive intervention, consisting of a variety of screening and counselling techniques. The study took place during 2007/2008 in the Witzenberg sub-district in Ceres in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The Study used research techniques combined with therapeutic methods and techniques to mediate behaviour change in pregnant women. From the Ceres Intervention Study it was found that 60% of pregnant women changed their drinking behaviour, which led to questions around how this behaviour change took place. The main aim of this study therefore is to examine how pregnant women changed their drinking behaviour during this intervention and also what facilitated the change that was observed. In order to examine the behaviour change, data from the intervention arm and control arm of the study was analysed and a profile of the women was developed. A focus on the intervention arm of the study resulted in distinguishing further between two sub-groups within the intervention arm, namely, the change and no-change groups. Mainly quantitative data was obtained with the use of various tools, however from the comments and experiences of participants, qualitative data could be used as complementary to quantitative data to provide more clarity as to how behaviour change was facilitated in the study. Results from the study suggest that there is a dialectical interplay between client and counsellor which facilitate generative mechanisms that may lead to behaviour change. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie lig die implementering van 'n intervensie toe met die doel om die gebruik van alkohol gedurende swangerskap te stop teneinde Fetale Alkohol Spektrum Afwyking (FASD) te verminder en die gepaardgaande gedragsverandering by swanger vroue te ondersoek. FASD is 'n groeiende probleem in Suid-Afrika waar die voorkoms van FASD by 12/100 kinders by sommige skole in die Weskaap gerapporteer is. FASD word veroorsaak deur alkohol-gebruik tydens swangerskap en kan permanente verstandelike en fisiese gestremdheid by kinders veroorsaak. FASD kan voorkom word deur geen alkohol tydens swangerskap te gebruik nie. Die intervensie (of die Ceres Intervensie-studie) maak gebruik van 'n kliniese ontwerp met 'n kontrole en 'n intervensie groep, waar die kontrole arm van die studie basiese assessering asook inligting oor FASD ontvang het, terwyl die intervensie arm 'n meer omvattende intervensie bestaande uit 'n verskeidenheid assesserings sessies en beradingstegnieke ontvang het. Die studie is gedurende 2007/2008 in die Witzenberg sub-distrik in Ceres in die Weskaap, Suid-Afrika, geïmplementeer. Die studie maak gebruik van navorsingstegnieke gekombineer met wetenskaplik gebaseerde intervensie metodes en tegnieke om gedragsverandering by swanger vroue te onderhandel. In die Ceres Intervensie-studie is bevind dat 60% van die swanger vroue hul alkohol-gebruik gedrag verander het. Dit het aanleiding gegee tot vrae rondom hoe hierdie gedragsverandering plaasgevind het. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie is dus om te kyk na hoe swanger vroue hul alkohol-gebruik verander het gedurende die intervensie asook wat hierdie verandering in gedrag moontlik gemaak het. Om hierdie gedragsverandering te ondersoek is data van die intervensie arm en kontrole arm ontleed en is 'n profiel van die vroue saamgestel. Die fokus op die intervensie arm van die studie het aanleiding gegee tot die verdere onderskeiding tussen twee sub-groepe binne die intervensie arm, naamlik, die groep wat verander het en die groep wat nie verander het nie. Kwantitatiewe data is hoofsaaklik ingesamel, alhoewel kwalitatiewe data wat verkry is uit opmerkings en ondervindings van deelnemers as aanvullende inligting tot die kwantitatiewe data gebruik is teneinde die gedragsverandering wat plaasgevind het toe te lig. Bevindinge uit die studie dui op 'n dialektiese verhouding tussen klient en berader wat skeppende meganismes teweeg bring en sodoende moontlike gedragsverandering bevorder.

A few scholars have argued that the Internet is a valuable channel for social marketing, and that practitioners need to rethink how they engage with target audiences online. However, there is little evidence that online social marketing interventions can significantly influence behaviours, while there are few evidence-based guidelines to aid online intervention design. This thesis assesses the efficacy of online interventions suitable for social marketing applications, presents a model to integrate behavioural change research, and examines psychological principles that may aid the design of online behavioural change interventions.The primary research project used meta-analytical techniques to assess the impact of interventions targeting voluntary behaviours, and examined psychological design and adherence correlations. The study found that many online interventions demonstrated the capacity to help people achieve voluntary lifestyle changes. Compared to waitlist control conditions, the interventions demonstrated advantages, while compared to print materials they offered similar impacts, but with the advantages of lower costs and broader reach. A secondary research project surveyed users across an international public mobilization campaign and used structural equation modelling to assess the relationships between website credibility, active trust, and behavioural impacts. This study found that website credibility and active trust were factors in behavioural influence, while active trust mediated the effects of website credibility on behaviour. The two research projects demonstrated that online interventions can influence an individual’s offline behaviours. Effective interventions were primarily goal-orientated: they informed people about the consequences of their behaviour, encouraged them to set goals, offered skills-building support, and tracked their progress. People who received more exposure to interventions generally achieved greater behavioural outcomes. Many of these interventions could be incorporated into social marketing campaigns, and offer individually tailored support capable of scaling to massive public audiences. Communication theory was used to harmonize influence taxonomies and techniques; this proved to be an effective way to organize a diversity of persuasion, therapy, and behavioural change research. Additionally, website credibility and users’ active trust could offer a way to mitigate the negative impacts of online risks and competition.