Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / HIV/AIDS has made a huge impact on human development and sexual reproductive habits in this century in the world and especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It has only recently been acknowledged that HIV/AIDS has an equal if not greater effect on or threat to people with disabilities. Survivors of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) with resultant disability are incorrectly believed to be sexually inactive, unlikely to use drugs or alcohol and at less risk of violence or rape than their non-disabled peers. This group can thus be described as economically, educationally and socially disadvantaged, which in itself, suggest that they are a high-risk group for HIV infection. The overall aim of this study is to examine the factors that could contribute to the risk and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among individuals with spinal cord injuries in South Africa. The specific objectives of the study are to assess the behavioral and protective factors that could contribute to risk and vulnerability to HIV infection among individuals and spinal cord injuries; and to explore the socio-cultural issues that might increase individuals with spinal cord injuries’ vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The design of this study was a mixed methods design, particularly the sequential explanatory strategy was used will used in this study. The study was conducted in four (4) conveniently selected provinces (highest prevalence of SCI). The Quad-Para Association of South Africa’s (QASA) provincial databases was used to invite individuals with SCI to participate in the study. Data for quantitative part of the study was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of various sections requesting for information on: Demographics; HIV-Knowledge (HIV- KQ-18); Sexual behaviours; Sexual communication and negotiation skills; Self-efficacy to refuse sex. Separate binary logistics analysis was done to assess which of the selected factors are associated with risky sexual behaviour. The forced entry method approach was used to determine which of these factors have the greatest productive power to predict sexual risk behaviour. No “a priori” sample size was developed for the qualitative part, but participants were recruited until saturation has been reached of all the categories. Consenting participants were visited by the researcher for data collection in the environment indicated by the participant. Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The study was conducted according to ethical practices pertaining to the study of human subjects as specified by the UWC and Faculty of Community and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee of the UWC.

Tidigare forskning har visat att det existerar en vidspridd oro för de miljöproblem vi idag står inför. Trots detta agerar de flesta människor inte i linje med sin oro, vilket skapar en diskrepans mellan en attityd och konkret handlande, där det även existerar stora variationer mellan länder. Med bivariata korrelationsanalyser ämnar denna uppsats att finna den eller de samhällsfaktorer som till högst grad kan förklara detta gap. Resultaten visar att den sociala tilliten inom ett land till högst grad förklarar varför vissa länders oro inte resulterar i konkret miljövänligt handlande. Sociala utgifter, BNP per capita, institutionell kvalitét är även betydelsefulla faktorer för att förklara detta gap. Denna uppsats fann inget stöd för att politisk tillit påverkar styrkan i sambandet mellan miljöoro och miljövänligt beteende.

Children's theories of mind have been researched extensively over the past two decades. Generally, studies concerning this understanding have focused on children between three and five years of age because it is believed that an understanding of mind develops during this period. However, evidence from naturalistic contexts suggests that many younger children can demonstrate an understanding of the mind. Despite this, the focus in many studies has been the age at which children are able to demonstrate a representational understanding of mind. Less interest has been directed towards how children use their understanding during their everyday interactions. Evidence suggests further investigations need to consider the social nature of a theory of mind. For example, a growing amount of research indicates that social contexts are important in facilitating an understanding of mind. Relationships have been reported between a theory of mind and the following: peer popularity, family size and level of fantasy play. Given these, it appears necessary for research to address the social implications of an understanding of mind in 3-5 year olds. Interview and observation methods were adopted for data collection. The interview phase of this study investigated whether or not selected characteristics of narrative influenced children's performance on four non-traditional literature based false belief tasks. Results indicated that narrative style, active participation and narrative detail were significant predictors of children's ability to demonstrate an understanding of false belief. Age was not identified as a significant variable. The results from both phases in this study suggest that 3-5 year olds can demonstrate an understanding of mind during non-traditional false belief tasks and everyday interactions. It is argued that an understanding of mind is characterised by a range of behaviours and that not all these are addressed in the traditional paradigm. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

It has been argued that marketing contributes to society by finding solutions to a diverse range of social issues. Importantly, research within the (social) marketing domain recognises that the concept of exchange is a fundamental aspect of influencing people to take on positive social issue behaviours (Andreasen, 1995; Rothschild, 1999). However, regardless of the influence of social marketing, ultimately the behavioural exchange resides with the individual. This infers that exchange can be considered from the individual’s (i.e., consumer’s) point of view, of intrapersonal or self-exchange (Gould, 1994). Furthermore, the conditions that facilitate or constrain this form of exchange are found within the individual – and relate to for example, individual differences. However, in recent years there has been limited interest in exchange theory within the marketing domain and, in particular, exchange as a fundamental consumer behaviour phenomenon (Anderson et al, 1999; Gould, 1994). This study seeks to extend current consumer behaviour and social marketing knowledge in the areas of exchange theory and personality. Based on an examination of the extant literature, a model of determinants and outcomes of Social Issue Exchange was developed and empirically tested. The Social Issue Exchange Model proposed in this study accounts for a number of associations which includes a representation of personality termed pro-social orientation along with social issue involvement, attitude toward social issues, subjective assessment of negative consequences and feelings. The determinants of social issue exchange included the multi-component variable pro-social orientation comprising the traits risk aversion, locus of control, consideration of future consequences, susceptibility to normative influence and social responsibility along with the variables social issue involvement and attitude towards social issues. The outcomes of social issue exchange include the variables of subjective assessment of negative consequences and feelings. The study adopted a quantitative methodology using an Internet administered questionnaire that allowed for the measurement of the determinants and outcomes of social issue exchange. The construction of the questionnaire followed a sequential process which involved developing new measures, utilising and adapting existing measures and then pre-testing these measures to ensure the development of a psychometrically sound and respondent-friendly survey instrument. The final survey used Excess Alcohol Consumption and Speeding social issues as stimuli for the study. Data collection resulted in 1146 (comprising 559 for Speeding social issue, and 587 for Excess Alcohol Consumption social issue) useable surveys for subsequent analysis. Analysis included a number of statistical procedures including correlation analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis and tests of the model via Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis. Overall, the findings provided support for the proposed Social Issue Exchange Model. In terms of the measurement model, the findings show that pro-social orientation accounted for different amounts of variance in the five traits, with consideration for further consequences accounting for the most variance and susceptibility to normative influence accounting for the least. In terms of the inner model, all the hypothesised paths were supported with the exception of attitude towards social issues and social issue exchange. A comparison of the smaller models (i.e., Speeding and Excess Alcohol Consumption) with the overall model indicated that largely the relationships were consistent, with the exception of social issue involvement and attitude towards social issues which was not supported in the Excess Alcohol Consumption model. The findings provide a number of theoretical and practical implications for research. From a theoretical perspective, broadening the concept of exchange to account for self-exchange in the context of social issue behaviours contributes to the body of knowledge on exchange. Moreover, aggregating traits to form the multi-component construct pro-social orientation takes a holistic approach to personality and thereby, provides greater clarification of the psychological processes that drive individuals to respond positively or negatively to social issues and associated behaviours. From a practical perspective, this study may lead to a better understanding of how personal characteristics can shape an individual’s response to social issues as well as their behaviours. In summary, the importance of understanding the processes that influence individuals’ social issue behaviours provides a justification for this study. Accordingly, this study offers valuable insights into how ‘exchange’ is an integral feature of individual behaviour change, as well as positive social change for society.

A model of social behaviours, peer rejection, social cognitions and psychosocial outcomes in children aged 9 to 12 was investigated. Two studies, including one pilot study (Study 1) and a longitudinal study with two waves and a 6-month lag between assessments (Study 2A and Study 2B), were conducted to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships pertaining to the antecedents and consequences of peer rejection as children approach adolescence. In Study 1, perceptions of relationships, peer-related attributions, and depressive symptoms were examined as consequences of peer rejection among 208 Grade 5 and 6 children aged 9 to 11 from one primary school. The findings from this study indicated that social cognitions play a partial mediating role linking peer rejection to depressive symptoms. The interaction between peer rejection and social cognitions did not contribute to the prediction of depressive symptoms, therefore a diathesis-stress model of depression was not supported. Study 2A and 2B were cross-sectional and longitudinal examinations of Study 1. A model of social behaviours, peer rejection, social cognitions and children's functioning was proposed and tested. In these studies, perceptions of relationships and perceived social acceptance were indicators of social cognitions. Participants were 334 Grade 5 to 7 children mostly aged 9 to 12, with 308 participants completing both assessments of the longitudinal study. Results of Study 2A provided further support for the mediating role of social cognitions between peer rejection and depressive symptoms. Positive associations between peer rejection, relational aggression and withdrawal, and a negative association between peer rejection and prosocial behaviour were also found. Significant associations of externalising behaviour with physical aggression and peer rejection were also found, suggesting separate pathways to depression and externalising behaviour via children's behaviours and peer rejection. In the longitudinal study, earlier relational aggression and withdrawal were associated with later peer rejection. No support for a longitudinal mediation effect for social cognitions in the peer rejection-depression relationship was observed, although a bidirectional association between social cognitions and depressive symptoms over time was found. Gender differences and moderation were also tested, but few effects were found. It was concluded that children's cognitions regarding peer relationships and perceived social acceptance are important factors in understanding the pathways from peer difficulties to depression during late childhood. Furthermore, evidence was found for specific pathways linking children's social behaviours to depression and externalising behaviour. Implications for theory, research and practice are discussed, including the importance of considering the child's perceptions of their peer functioning as well as actual peer status, and the need for future research to examine social cognitive factors relevant to aggression as well as withdrawal. Possible directions for targeted interventions are also described.

There is an enduring and prevailing disparity between the clinical prevalence of alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related problems and the frequency that nurses recognise and intervene in these common problems. The extant nursing literature has long determined an urgent need for further investigation into why nurses do not respond to patients with ATOD-related problems in the consistent and effective manner that the prevalence of these costly health problems require, or in a manner that reflects the opportunities that nurses have to offer brief and timely intervention. This thesis reports and discusses the investigation of factors that determine identification, assessment and interventions of patients with alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related problems by a randomly selected sample of Registered Nurses [n=1281] in practice in New South Wales, Australia. Of particular interest was the relationship between nurses' ATOD knowledge, therapeutic attitudes and clinical activity. Multiple quantitative and qualitative methods were used, firstly to systematically investigate factors within the nurse and their clinical setting that might predict desired clinical behaviour towards addressing ATOD-related problems, and secondly, to analyse and describe nurses' self-reported perceptions, views and experiences of the issue and what aids or impedes it. The research instrument - a 72 item self-completed questionnaire was developed and refined within a process of three (3) pilot studies and test-retest method. A multiple regression model was developed to establish the predictors of key clinical behaviours. Thematic coding was used to analyse the perceptions of these nurses as to the factors that affect their ability to intervene with patients who have ATODrelated problems. Convergent and divergent concerns between quantitative and qualitative findings became apparent. Thematic analysis of open-ended responses demonstrated that nurses report a complex of factors that affect their ability and capacity to intervene with patients who have ATOD-related problems. Among these are factors located within nurses themselves, within their patient(s), within their workplace, within other health professionals and within the broader social/cultural context. The latter part of the thesis systematically considers the relationships between the quantitative and qualitative findings within this large sample of registered nurses. From this comprehensive level of analysis, workforce implications for ATOD education, training and organisational support for nurses, the most numerous group of health care workers, have been readily identified. The major empirical finding of this investigation is that there is a significant difference between positive attitudinal sets and motivation of practicing registered nurses to perform desired ATOD-related clinical activities, and the lower reported frequency at which this occurs. The qualitative findings are highly convergent with the empirical ones. It is the nurse's self-identified lack of knowledge, skills, experience and confidence that is now reported as having the greatest effect on their ability to assess, identify and offer brief and timely intervention for patients with ATOD-related problems, rather than any prevailing beliefs and attitudes that these patients were not worthy of their care, or outside the legitimate framework of their nursing role.

This study examined the efficacy of a multimodal intervention with conduct disordered boys in the middle primary years. The intervention consisted of a behavioural classroom program; a small group, social skills program; and a behavioural parenting program Resource implications of this model were also evaluated. A review of the current literature on conduct disorders showed that these children account for less than 5% of the population, but they have a strong impact on families, teachers, peers, schools and the wider community. About 50% of children with severe, early behavioural problems will continue with these problems, not only throughout their adult lives, but into the next generation. Early intervention appears to offer our best hope of altering this trajectory. Interventions with this population have been largely unsuccessful. At the present time the most promising intervention is behavioural parent training programs. Combining these with child focused social skills programs, and behavioural programs in the school setting, increases their efficacy. This study used a single subject experimental design to examine the effects of this program on four boys with behavioural difficulties. Continuous measures were taken with parent, and teacher daily record charts, and classroom observations. Pre, post and followup measures were taken with the Child Behaviour Checklist. The results of the study were mixed. Some subjects, according to some respondents, improved in home and school behaviours. All three subjects, for whom there was followup data, had improved. The classroom, and parenting programs appeared to be associated with positive changes in child behaviour, the small group was associated with more disruptive behaviour at school.

<p>By using existing knowledge from the game community, which have had a long experience from game artificial intelligence, and new research</p><p>from the field of artificial intelligence I have implemented REACT, a crowd simulation system for visual effects. REACT is based on high-level behaviour that uses an underlying layer of low-level behaviour. The high-level capabilities gives the digital character means to reasoning about how to achieve certain goals based on a knowledge base of rules and facts that are present in the virtual world. This gives the digital character a degree of autonomous intelligent behaviour.</p><p>REACT is designed to integrate directly into the 3D animation package Maya as a plug-in. This means that the animators can continue to animate their characters via their animation package of choice, rather than having to learn a new technology. In addition, many animators are already familiar with the workflow of Maya, so learning curves are reduced.</p><p>REACT is already in use in the visual effects industry where it has proven itself to be a worthy competitor to the existing systems on the market.</p>

<p>In everyday life we perform motor behaviours that have no apparent instrumental function. Are these correlated to sensation seeking and do they differ depending on what situations we are in? University students in Örebro (N=108), participated in the study. The participants were asked to fill out a double questionnaire containing the sensation seeking scale and another one for measuring non-productive motor behaviours. The non-productive motor behaviours were not correlated to the sensation seeking scale. The behaviours where reported in a way that suggest that they are more than just random occurrences. We tend to perform more of these behaviours if we need to make an effort to stay concentrated.</p> / <p>Vi utför i vårt vardagliga liv motoriska beteenden som inte har någon uppenbar instrumentell funktion. Är dessa korrelerade till sensation seeking och skiljer de sig beroende på i vilken situation vi är i? Universitetsstudenter i Örebro (N=108) deltog i studien. Deltagarna ombads att fylla i ett dubbelt frågeformulär innehållande sensation seeking skalan samt ytterligare ett formulär för att mäta icke-produktiva motoriska beteenden. De icke-produktiva beteendena visade sig inte vara korrelerade till sensation seeking. Beteendena rapporterades på ett sätt som tyder på att de är mer än slumpmässiga företeelser. Vi tenderar att utföra fler av dessa beteende ju mer vi behöver anstränga oss för att koncentrera oss.</p>

In everyday life we perform motor behaviours that have no apparent instrumental function. Are these correlated to sensation seeking and do they differ depending on what situations we are in? University students in Örebro (N=108), participated in the study. The participants were asked to fill out a double questionnaire containing the sensation seeking scale and another one for measuring non-productive motor behaviours. The non-productive motor behaviours were not correlated to the sensation seeking scale. The behaviours where reported in a way that suggest that they are more than just random occurrences. We tend to perform more of these behaviours if we need to make an effort to stay concentrated. / Vi utför i vårt vardagliga liv motoriska beteenden som inte har någon uppenbar instrumentell funktion. Är dessa korrelerade till sensation seeking och skiljer de sig beroende på i vilken situation vi är i? Universitetsstudenter i Örebro (N=108) deltog i studien. Deltagarna ombads att fylla i ett dubbelt frågeformulär innehållande sensation seeking skalan samt ytterligare ett formulär för att mäta icke-produktiva motoriska beteenden. De icke-produktiva beteendena visade sig inte vara korrelerade till sensation seeking. Beteendena rapporterades på ett sätt som tyder på att de är mer än slumpmässiga företeelser. Vi tenderar att utföra fler av dessa beteende ju mer vi behöver anstränga oss för att koncentrera oss.