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

Datorer, mobiltelefoner och iPads är exempel på digitala verktyg som används dagligen i samhället och skolan är inget undantag. Tidigare forskning beskriver att attityder, normer och upplevelser hos den enskilda läraren har stor betydelse för valet av digitala verktyg. Syftet med vår studie är att öka kunskapen om förutsättningarna för lärarens användning av digitala verktyg i matematikundervisningen i årskurs 4-6. Vilka yttre och inre faktorer upplever läraren existerar? Hur beskriver och motiverar läraren sina val mellan traditionella eller digitala verktyg? För att svara på frågorna använde vi intervjuer som konstruerades med utgångspunkt från Theory of planned behavior. Vår studie indikerar att det är fler yttre än inre faktorer som påverkar lärarens användning av digitala verktyg, varav fler underlättar än hindrar användandet. Resultaten är komplexa och svårtolkade men vi drar slutsatsen att framtiden för användning av digitala verktyg i matematikundervisningen ser ljus ut.

No / In light of the growing interest in "ethically questionable" consumer behavior, this study explores possible explanations of the occurrence of such behaviour, and subsequently develops a theoretical framework. The study is based upon data collected from 72 U.K. consumers, acquired from a projective approach with scenarios. Taking the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as an initial analytical framework, attitude, social influence, opportunity (as perceived behavioral control in TPB) and perceived unfairness are identified as the antecedents of ethically questionable behavior (EQB). Social influence is extended to include a broader range of external influences from subjective norm in TPB. Opportunity is considered to represent an aspect of perceived behavioral control as available resource to engage in EQB. Perceived unfairness is presented as an additional component and refers to the extent to which an actor is motivated to redress an imbalance that is perceived as unfair. Binary logistic models suggest that attitude and social influence consistently impact on EQB, as TPB would predict. Analysis of variance suggests that perceived unfairness and opportunity, though context specific, also show signs of significant influence on the acceptance and practice of this behavior. Additional to the construct of TPB, this study develops the dimension of perceived unfairness in the context of EQB decision-making. In the context of TPB, it provides further insight into our understanding of EQB, helping to provide a theoretical framework.

Yes / The paper explores the discrepancy between attitude and behavioural intention in ethical consumption, focusing on the role of techniques of neutralisation. Drawing on findings of 251 respondents in the UK, results suggest despite positive attitude towards ethical consumption, consumers are also susceptible to the techniques of neutralisation. Hierarchical and moderated regression analyses reveal that inclusion of the neutralisation construct moderates the influences of attitudes on behavioural intention, and advances the model’s predictive capacity. In spite of suggested positive attitude towards ethical consumption, real existing behaviour is frequently filtered through the techniques of neutralisation. The sample is restricted to in size and location, however the study clearly establishes techniques of neutralisation as a construct in the decision-making process, further warranting examination of each of the techniques. Summary statement of contribution: The study confirms validity of the addition of the neutralisation construct into the modified TPB model noted by Chatzidakis et al. (2007). It suggests improvement in predicting behavioural intention and shows the moderating effects the techniques of neutralisation have on constructs in the modified TPB model. The neutralisation construct is itself found to have a significant impact on moderating purchasing intention in ethical consumption.

Yes / This study empirically examines the combined effect of two crucial internal consumer predispositions, self-identity (SI) and internal environmental locus of control (INELOC), among consumers in a collectivistic culture and an individualistic culture. The study validated the extended theory of planned behaviour to predict consumers' green purchase intentions. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse primary data collected from 365 American and 408 Indian respondents. Analysis revealed differences between the two cultures. Green self-identity influenced attitude more than perceived behavioural control among American consumers, while the reverse was true for Indian consumers. Conversely, INELOC positively and significantly affected only Indian consumers’ perceived behavioural control, not that of American consumers.

Yes / Rationale: The Reasoned Action Approach (RAA) developed out of the Theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behavior but has not yet been widely applied to understanding health behaviors. The present research employed the RAA in a prospective design to test predictions of intention and action for groups of protection and risk behaviors separately in the same sample. Objective: To test the RAA for health protection and risk behaviors. Method: Measures of RAA components plus past behavior were taken in relation to eight protection and six risk behaviors in 385 adults. Self-reported behavior was assessed one month later. Results: Multi-level modelling showed instrumental attitude, experiential attitude, descriptive norms, capacity and past behavior were significant positive predictors of intentions to engage in protection or risk behaviors. Injunctive norms were only significant predictors of intention in protection behaviors. Autonomy was a significant positive predictor of intentions in protection behaviors and a negative predictor in risk behaviors (the latter relationship became non-significant when controlling for past behavior). Multi-level modelling showed that intention, capacity, and past behavior were significant positive predictors of action for both protection and risk behaviors. Experiential attitude and descriptive norm were additional significant positive predictors of risk behaviors. Conclusion: The RAA has utility in predicting both protection and risk health behaviors although the power of predictors may vary across these types of health behavior. / Data collection for this research was funded by a grant from the British Academy to the first three authors.

Yes / Background: Reasoned action approach (RAA) includes subcomponents of attitude (experiential/instrumental), perceived norm (injunctive/descriptive), and perceived behavioral control (capacity/autonomy) to predict intention and behavior. Purpose: To provide a meta-analysis of the RAA for health behaviors focusing on comparing the pairs of RAA subcomponents and differences between health protection and health-risk behaviors. Methods: The present research reports a meta-analysis of correlational tests of RAA subcomponents, examination of moderators, and combined effects of subcomponents on intention and behavior. Regressions were used to predict intention and behavior based on data from studies measuring all variables. Results: Capacity and experiential attitude had large, and other constructs had small-medium-sized correlations with intention; all constructs except autonomy were significant independent predictors of intention in regressions. Intention, capacity, and experiential attitude had medium-large, and other constructs had small-medium-sized correlations with behavior; intention, capacity, experiential attitude, and descriptive norm were significant independent predictors of behavior in regressions. Conclusions: The RAA subcomponents have utility in predicting and understanding health behaviors.

This study is a novel application of I/O Psychology principles to the U.S. swine industry. The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) recently identified caretaker motivation related to compliance with biosecurity behaviors as a priority needing to be better understood. This exploratory study seeks to identify if there is indeed a worker motivation issue within the industry that is impacting compliance with biosecurity, and if so, establish both a baseline of motivation and a better understanding of the primary influencing factors. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Job Demands/Resources Model of Burnout as a framework, an online survey was developed using items, adapted or in original form, from previous research and established measures. A total of 139 caretakers from five pork production companies participated in the survey and form the study's sample population. Results suggest the swine industry's problem with biosecurity compliance is not a motivationally driven issue, but findings were unable to provide evidence supporting a conclusive determination. Results for attitude (TPB) and job resources (JD-R) suggest further investigation into the rewards, supervisor support, and performance feedback categories of job resources could be promising avenues for continuing to explore what drives biosecurity non-compliance. Valuable insight was obtained about the swine industry and the caretaker role, and results are promising for improving quality of data collected as the research continues applying I/O theories and models to the swine industry for the purpose of investigating worker resources and attitudes. Continuing this research will help one of the largest industries in the United States to better understand the interactions and motivations behind worker attitudes and perceptions towards biosecurity adherence and to enhance positive outcomes for employees, farms, and consumers.

Natural disasters have become more severe and frequent than previous assessments with global warming. The increasing risk of natural disasters presents different groups of populations with diverse vulnerabilities, particularly those underrepresented social groups which need specific support before, during, and after extreme disasters. Hence, it is highly desired to examine vulnerability quantitatively and qualitatively across different social groups in risk to natural disasters. This dissertation study aims to investigate the measure of social vulnerability to two types of climate change-related natural disasters: sea-level-rise floodings and wildfires. In the study of sea-level-rise floodings, high-risk flooding areas are first identified for a coastal city. Then, we measure social vulnerability index (SVI) using a new SVI metric to identify vulnerable social groups which should be paid more attention for coastal flooding disaster mitigation. Compared to existing SVI methods, the new SVI leverages principal component analysis and analytic hierarchy process to achieve a better social vulnerability analysis. In the study of wildfires, we focus on the understanding of minority vulnerabilities and their disparities to wildfires over time and space. Minority vulnerabilities are analyzed with spatial clustering methods including Local Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi*. The vulnerability disparity is measured based on a reference point from which the quantity separates a minority group on a particular place. Both location quotient and location amplitude index are used to quantitively measure the vulnerability disparity among different minorities. Lastly, in addition to the “direct” impact of disasters on vulnerable population, this dissertation study also conducts vulnerability analysis to failed infrastructure (e.g., power systems) due to disasters, i.e., the “indirect” impact of disasters on different social groups. Recently, scheduled power outages known as Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) are becoming increasingly common to mitigate threats of wildfires to power systems. However, current PSPS decision making processes do not consider the unequal distribution of various social groups, particularly those who are more vulnerable to the power outage. This study investigates the measure of social vulnerability in high-risk fire areas to PSPS, which will help decision makers to better determine the efficiency of a PSPS event for wildfire mitigation.