Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone / This Capstone looks into the aspects of planned communities that are successful in reducing the need for automobile usage among residents. / The goal of this study is to assess automobile use in sustainably developed communities and note the ways in which these communities successfully reduce the need for personal automobiles. In response to research about the environmental and health effects of urban sprawl, developers have pushed for sustainably developed communities. These master plan communities follow particular guidelines and set goals to alleviate their effect on the environment and help reduce the negative effects of sprawling development. Because auto-dependency is a sign of sprawl, it is important that these communities develop in such a way that reduce citizens’ reliance on personal automobiles. This study will examine three separate master planned communities in the Tucson region and assess how each one addresses the issue of automobile usage, examining common factors between the different communities and what factors make these communities successful. This study found that several factors are important in reducing automobile use. These examples of successful development will potentially help future communities be successful in reducing automobile usage.

The purpose of this longitudinal repeated measures experimental study was to determine the effects of bone health testing using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on outcomes of intentions toward and actual engagement in bone health behaviors (calcium intake, vitamin D intake, physical activity) among perimenopausal women. The Perimenopausal Bone Health Behaviors Model was developed based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and guided this study to determine how perimenopausal women respond to DXA and bone health information compared to bone health information only.One hundred fifty community-based perimenopausal women (ages 35-55) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=75 DXA and bone health information) or to a comparison group (n=75 bone health information). Baseline demographic data were collected. The Prevention Intentions Questionnaire and Behaviors Questionnaire were administered at baseline, at two weeks, and at two months after both groups received assigned interventions.Results showed 32% (n = 24) of intervention group women had low bone density. The intervention of DXA and bone health information showed near-significance (p = .068) over the intervention of bone health information alone in affecting women's intentions, and showed near-significance in affecting calcium intake (p = .052). Lower bone density test scores were related to higher intentions (r(74) = -.23, p = .046) at two weeks after DXA and bone health information, and were related to improved vitamin D intake (r(73) = -.25, p = .03) at two months after DXA and bone health information. At study end, Attitudes contributed 27.0% of the variance in Intentions among women who received DXA and bone health information; Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control contributed 62.0% of the variance in Intentions among women who received bone health information only.Nursing interventions focusing on perimenopausal women should include providing bone health information to all perimenopausal women. Interventions targeting attitudes toward bone health behaviors may motivate some perimenopausal women to participate in behaviors that contribute to decreased risk of osteoporosis. Early detection and intervention in perimenopausal bone loss may reduce osteoporosis morbidity and may impact women's quality of life, reduce financial consequences to individuals, families, communities, and the nation.

The current study examined the capacity of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and the Prototype/Willingness model (P/W model) to predict intention to have unsafe sex with new and regular partners as well as frequency of unsafe sex in a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) sample. The study also examined aspects of the sexual situation immediately prior to or during unsafe sexual intercourse (such as substance use, venue and emotional state) to determine whether there were any significant correlations and group differences. One hundred and fifty-eight male participants between the ages of 18-26 who have had sex with another male in the last nine months completed an online survey of sexual habits, TPB and P/W model variables. With the exception of prototypes, the results showed significant group difference in terms of TPB and P/W model variables between risk groups. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between models in predictive capacity in terms of either intention or frequency of unsafe sex. The results of the study suggested participants were generally only having unsafe sex with regular partners, that in older samples it may be more parsimonious to use the TPB than P/W model and that it is important to measure TPB variables in terms of both new and regular partners for increased accuracy and greater applicability in terms of HIV/STI interventions.

The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of factors associated with nonmedical anabolic steroid use among males ages 18-30 who do not participate in intercollegiate athletics. The Behavioral Intentions and Ergogenic Aid/Performance Enhancer use among non-intercollegiate athlete males survey instrument was developed, reviewed for content validity by a jury of experts, and pilot tested. The pilot testing results (n=25) demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.74). The final version of the Behavioral Intentions and Ergogenic Aid/Performance Enhancer use among non-intercollegiate athlete males survey instrument was administered at two distribution sites which included Ford’s Fitness Center in Lexington, Kentucky and the Johnson Center on the University of Kentucky’s campus to non-intercollegiate athlete men between the ages of 18-30 (n=121). The final version of the survey instrument was also found to be reliable (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.86).Of the 121 respondents, 7 (5.9%) reported using nonmedical anabolic steroids at least 1-2 days a week or more. A total of 9 (7.4%) men reported intending to use nonmedical anabolic steroids within the next year. Age was found to have a statistically significant association with intention to use nonmedical anabolic steroids (p=.037).Perceived behavioral control (p=.029) was found to be the strongest predictor variable of study participants’ intention to use nonmedical anabolic steroids. Muscle mass builder use (p=.011) and muscle mass builder use in combination with multivitamin use (p=.000) were found to be significant predictors of actual nonmedical anabolic steroid use. Study participants were more likely to use nonmedical anabolic steroids if they were currently using a muscle mass builder or using a muscle mass builder in combination with a multivitamin. No decision about the effectiveness of the components of perceived behavioral control (self-efficacy and control) as a one or two part construct was possible because of the small number of study participants. Two additional demographic predictor variables were found to be statistically significant with predicting the intention to use nonmedical anabolic steroids. Being a competitive bodybuilder (p=.001) was positively correlated and being satisfied with body image (p=.025) was negatively correlated with the intention to use nonmedical anabolic steroids.

The implementation of a tobacco-free policy is the leading recommendation among health institutes for reducing the harms associated with tobacco exposure–for both smokers and nonsmokers–on college campuses. Despite the health benefits associated with tobacco-free policies, compliance with these policies remains a serious challenge on college campuses. Interventions aimed at increasing smokers’ willingness to comply with tobacco-free policies are essential for improving public health. Guided by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the purpose of this study was to (a) investigate the factors associated with tobacco-free policy compliance among undergraduate students and (b) design and evaluate a theory-based campaign aimed at increasing compliance with a tobacco-free campus policy. To achieve these aims the current study was conducted in two phases. Phase One was a qualitative investigation that analyzed focus group data related to messaging strategies for increasing tobacco-free policy compliance. Phase Two was a quantitative investigation that used survey data to explore variables associated with tobacco-free policy compliance and to test the effectiveness of a campus-wide print-based campaign. Results from Phase One suggest various ways to target the TPB variables in messages in order to improve tobacco-free policy compliance. Results from Phase Two suggest the psychological variables and the physical variable of nicotine dependence are not related to tobacco-free policy compliance behaviors; however, social variables, quit attempts, and daily cigarette use are predictors of compliance behaviors. Similarly, the TPB variables had mixed results for relating to tobacco-free policy compliance behaviors. In addition, the campaign materials were supported as effectively improving tobacco-free policy compliance behaviors, both through individual level survey reports of compliance and observed compliance behaviors on campus. Although the campaign materials were designed around the TPB variables and were supported for improving compliance behaviors, above average campaign exposure was only found to improve normative beliefs from pre- to post-intervention. In addition to theoretical and practical implications offered from this study regarding tobacco-free policy compliance behaviors, this study also provides critical insight into the current compliance behaviors on the University of Kentucky’s campus.

Character education assumes responsibility for influencing and educating youth on morals, values, beliefs and positive character attributes in order to influence them into being positive and contributing members of society. Character education is most often taught in the home, schools and community. One community organization that integrates character education into its programming is 4-H Youth Development. The purpose of this research is to view the relationships between character education and 4-H, and more so whether Kentucky 4-H programs influence the knowledge, attitudes and practices of positive character among youth leaders. This study also looked at length of 4-H involvement and gender in order to determine influence. It was found that Kentucky 4-H programs do influence positive character among youth leaders, as youth indicated that they had gained character knowledge from 4-H involvement, as well as the program had made them a better person. It was also found that the gender of youth or their length of involvement in 4-H programs does not affect the character knowledge, attitudes and practices gained from involvement. The author recommends using these positive findings to continue to expand Kentucky programs and recruit adults and youth.

This thesis focuses on how reproductive health is made meaningful in the context of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Kentucky. Using ethnographic field methods, including participant observation and semi-structured interviews, the paper explores how staff members negotiate definitions of reproductive health as employees of Planned Parenthood health center. The analysis addresses reproductive health discourse among the clinic staff and how reproductive health is used as a site of intervention. It also explores the sociocultural processes and interactions the staff members engage in at the national and local levels and the role these play in shaping the conceptualization of reproductive health and how it is deployed at the clinic level. This analysis illuminates the fluid nature of reproductive health meanings and the ways in which health care delivery is contextually and socially mediated.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is taking steps to expand bioenergy production in response to federal policy initiatives as well as environmental and energy security concerns. The success of this industry will be impacted by the supply of feedstock available from private individuals who own a majority (78%) of forest resources in the state. Despite a developing body of bioenergy research, little is known concerning the social availability of forest biomass for energy production. This study measures intent to harvest energy wood among family forest owners using a mail-­‐based survey and tests the effect of educational materials provided to participants. The theory of planned behavior is used to model factors that affect landowner intentions. Two-­‐thirds of respondents reported that they intend to include energy wood in future harvests, but the educational material treatment did not affect intentions. Respondents’ attitudes, perceived subjective norms, and perceived control each had a significant effect on intent to harvest. Respondents also identified barriers that may prevent them from harvesting, providing forestry professionals with a list of challenges to overcome if supply is to be maximized. The results of this study are valuable for all stakeholders involved in the development of a sustainable biomass and bioenergy industry.

Obesity is a widespread topic across the country as healthcare costs continue to rise. The field of health communication encompasses many efforts made by scholars and those working in health education and promotion to help individuals live healthier lives. As technology continues to evolve, e-health and mobile health programs are being explored as creative avenues for this endeavor. This study takes a mixed methods approach consisting of an experiment and a series of in-depth interviews. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, the experiment examines the effects of a popular mobile phone application, “my fitness pal,” on the users’ attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control of health behaviors. The interviews investigate how and why the mobile application has health benefits. There were 35 University of Kentucky employees who participated, and then a few follow-up interviews were conducted. Although, several hypotheses were not supported by the data, the results show there was an increase in the overall health statuses of participants encouraged to interact with co-workers about the mobile application through social media as well as face-to-face communication. Several applications can be taken from this study in order to improve future mobile health applications and workplace health and wellness programs.

The theory of planned behavior is a great tool for understanding predictors of drug use, specifically marijuana. Although the theory has been applied in the U.S. and European context, research on the predictors of behavioral intention for marijuana use within the Arabian Gulf context is limited. This thesis provides an overview of the theory of planned behavior as used in the U.S. and European context. An argument for the need to better understand predictors of behavioral intentions to use drugs, in the Arabian Gulf Region, prior to developing interventions and preventions is presented. Data was collected from 95 participants between the ages of 18-25 who were from the six GCC countries. Participants had the option to complete the survey in English or in Arabic. Results of the study suggest attitudes are the strongest predictor for behavioral intentions to use marijuana. Knowledge and sensations seeking were not significantly related to behavioral intentions for marijuana use within the current sample.