Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-80). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references.

Childhood obesity is a global concern. The objectives of this meta-analytical study were to evaluate the effectiveness of school-based childhood obesity prevention programs, and to examine program components (moderators). The methods included searching databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and the university's EBSCOhost Web service) as well as handsearching reference lists of articles published in English. Selection criteria for studies to be included in the meta-analysis were limited to studies that reported body mass index (BMI) or skinfold thickness as outcome measures and were school-based obesity prevention interventions; cross-sectional design studies were excluded. We hypothesized the meta-analysis would yield a summary effect size of magnitude which would indicate that school-based interventions have been effective in improving children's BMI or skinfold thickness values. A total of 26 114 children from 27 school-based childhood obesity prevention programs provided 54 effect sizes. A random-effects model calculated a small summary effect size of 0.039 (95% confidence interval -0.013 to 0.092). Heterogeneity among studies was observed which disappeared after pooling studies that used a randomized controlled trial design with one program moderator (physical activity or nutrition). We failed to accept our hypothesis and concluded that overall, school-based interventions have not been effective for improving body mass index or skinfold thickness to curb childhood obesity; however, randomized controlled trials that focused on physical activity or nutrition appeared to produce promising results.

This study aims to observe and understand what effect influence-earned and appointed badges have during Twitch streams and their interactions. Twitch is the most popular live streaming platform online and draws in a large number of content creators, with its primary draw being video game live streams. During video game live streams, streamers play a game and interact with viewers, of which there are different types depending on monetary contribution and status given by the broadcaster. Using ethnographic observation, two weeks’ worth of streams on a medium sized channel were viewed and later analysed with thematic structure, focusing on streamer-audience, viewer-subscriber, and the place of moderators and VIPs. The results show that while badges can delineate who is a regular viewer and who is not, beyond this they show little significance towards the positions of different audience members. Moderators and VIPs are shown to have more sense of regularity and more power over or exemption from chat limits. Additionally, those contributing monetarily are shown to get extra appreciation via on-screen alerts and triggered audio segments, making the streamer aware of their contribution. In chat, this earns them an additional badge, showing their level of contribution to the stream. This did, beyond recognition on stream, not show a longitudinal affect towards people who contributed monetarily. Overall, badges thus did not hold significant power, but observations raised more questions that inspire future research.

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Black men have the highest burden of prostate cancer (PCa) compared to all other races. Early detection of PCa is controversial, thus preference based PCa testing is recommended. PCa testing intention can be used as a proxy for testing preferences. Intention is known to predict behavior; however there is a gap between testing intention and testing behavior. The aims of this study were to examine the PCa testing intention-prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing gap and identify social cognitive variables that moderate the gap. Two hundred and sixteen black men participated in this longitudinal study. Results indicated PCa testing intention was a positive but moderate predictor of three PSA testing outcomes, p<.05. Men who tested in accordance with their PCa testing intention (positive or negative) ranged from 52% to 58%. Men who intended to test but did not, were the group most responsible for the PCa intention-PSA testing gap. History of PCa testing had an independent main effect on medical claim of a PSA test between time one interview and one year after time one interview, p<.05. A significant knowledge of PCa testing controversy by PCa testing intention interaction effect on medical claim of a PSA test between time one and time two interview was found, p<.05. Men who do not know about the testing controversy are more likely to have a positive intention and fulfill their testing intention. Conversely, men who are aware and appreciate the controversy surrounding testing are more ambivalent about testing. Social cognitive variables were associated with PCa testing intention-PSA testing outcomes. These variables should be considered when designing interventions to help black men to manage their risk for PCa in a manner that is consistent with their testing preferences. / Public Health

The primary purpose of this research was to examine the long-term relations between peer victimization and internalizing symptoms (anxiety and depression) in middle school children. Furthermore, this study intended to determine the potential roles of self-worth, self-acceptance, and social supports in moderating or mediating these proposed relations. At time one, 280 sixth grade students participated and at follow up, 77 eighth grade children were participants. All children were from the same public middle school and completed self-report measures representing the constructs previously described. Reported levels of peer victimization were found to be similar to those reported in previous studies. Significant concurrent correlations were found between the sixth grade predictor variables (victimization, self-worth, social acceptance, social supports). Sixth grade reported peer victimization was also significantly associated with eighth grade depression for boys and eighth grade social anxiety for girls. Tests of mediation supported the role of global self-worth for boys and social acceptance for girls. Teacher support served a significant moderating role for boys' peer victimization-internalizing symptom (depression and social anxiety) relation. In both cases, boys reported fewer internalizing symptoms when peer victimization was low and teacher support was high. Findings are integrated into the literature regarding peer victimization and internalizing difficulties. / Ph. D.

The comprehension of how job satisfaction impacts employee performance is of utmost importance to an organisation. If the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance could be better understood, managers could manipulate the variables to increase job satisfaction which will in turn lead to better performance of the company. Both a theoretical and an empirical analysis were applied in this study. The quantitative research design was followed using a standardised questionnaire as measuring instrument. The questionnaire was handed to 56 employees targeted by a cross-sectional survey which was spread across all 8 departments of the company. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to indicate the relationships between the variables. Company policies and practises were found to be the factor that was most significantly related to job satisfaction and job performance. Motivation and personal development was the performance factor that was most significantly related to general satisfaction and total performance. A strong positive relationship between job satisfaction and job performance was confirmed, which indicated that the more satisfied employees are the better they will perform. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The comprehension of how job satisfaction impacts employee performance is of utmost importance to an organisation. If the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance could be better understood, managers could manipulate the variables to increase job satisfaction which will in turn lead to better performance of the company. Both a theoretical and an empirical analysis were applied in this study. The quantitative research design was followed using a standardised questionnaire as measuring instrument. The questionnaire was handed to 56 employees targeted by a cross-sectional survey which was spread across all 8 departments of the company. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to indicate the relationships between the variables. Company policies and practises were found to be the factor that was most significantly related to job satisfaction and job performance. Motivation and personal development was the performance factor that was most significantly related to general satisfaction and total performance. A strong positive relationship between job satisfaction and job performance was confirmed, which indicated that the more satisfied employees are the better they will perform. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015