This study assessed the relationship of variables from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) with intentions to use condoms at next sex and action planning for condom use for main partners and for casual partners among an online of men who have sex with men (MSM) in a Midwestern state. The purpose of this study was to investigate variables of TPB among an online sample of HIV negative, Midwestern MSM and assess significant predictors of intentions separately by casual partners and main partners. Next, action planning was assessed as a potential variable to address the intention-behavior gap. The sample was recruited through an online social networking site, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) - themed statewide newspaper and website. Participants completed an online survey that took 15-20 minutes to complete. Items assessed variables related to the TPB as well as action planning, stages of change, alternative strategies to reduce risk of HIV, and demographic variables including age, urban or rural residence, and HIV status. The results revealed that all TPB variables were strongly, significantly related for both casual and for main partners. The final regression models to predict intentions to use condoms at next sex accounted for 62% of the variance for main partners and 68% for casual partners. The regression models to predict action planning differed by partner type. For main partners, perceived behavioral control and intentions were significant predictors and explained 40% of the variance in action planning. For casual partners, self-efficacy was the significant predictor in the final model and explained 72% of the variance. Potential reasons for the differences in models by partner type for action planning are offered. Action planning is suggested as a potential mediating variable between intention and behavior that requires further research. Implications for HIV prevention interventions with MSM are discussed in light of reduced funding for low incidence states.

Syftet med studien är att belysa fyra förskollärares syn på planerad fysisk aktivitet och hur dederas beskriver att de arbetar e med det i förskolan. Tre frågeställningar formulerades utifrån syftet och dessa är: hur ser förskollärarna på begreppet planerad fysisk aktivitet, hur beskriver förskollärarna att de använder planerad fysisk aktivitet samt vilken påverkan upplever förskollärarna att planerad fysisk aktivitet kan ha på arbetsklimatet i förskolan.vilken påverkan förskollärarna upplever att planerad fysisk aktivitet kan ha på arbetsklimatet i förskolan. Syftet och frågeställningarna utformades utifrån ett fenomenologiskt perspektiv då studien utgår från förskollärares upplevelser. Studien utgår ifrån en kvalitativ ansats där fyra förskollärare på olika förskolor i Sverige har intervjuats. I resultatet framkommer det bland annat att förskollärarna har olika syn på fysisk aktivitet i förskolan då de definierar begreppet på olika sätt. Dessutom framkommer det att de har olika syften med den planerade fysiska aktiviteten i verksamheten. Förskollärarna arbetar även med planerad fysisk aktivitet på olika sätt där vissa använder utemiljön och barns fria lek medan andra har planerade gympapass inomhus. Det framkommer även i resultatet att planerad fysisk aktivitet kan påverka arbetsklimatet i verksamheten. / The purpose of the study is to elucidate four preschool teachers' views on planned physical activity and how they describe that they work with it in preschool. Three issues were formulated based on the purpose and these are: how do preschool teachers see the concept of planned physical activity, how do preschool teachers describe that they use planned physical activity and what impact the preschool teachers experience that planned physical activity can have on the working environment in preschool. The purpose and the questions were designed from a phenomenological perspective as the study is based on the experiences of preschool teachers. The study is based on a qualitative approach where four preschool teachers at different preschools in Sweden have been interviewed. The result shows that the preschool teachers have different views on physical activity in the preschool as they define the concept in different ways. In addition, it appears that they have different purposes with the planned physical activity in the business. Preschool teachers also work with planned physical activity in different ways where some use the outdoor environment and children's free play while others have planned gym passes indoors. It also appears in the result that planned physical activity can affect the working climate in the business.

Syftet med studien är att bidra med kunskap om barns inflytande under planerade aktiviteter i förskolans verksamhet utifrån förskollärarens perspektiv. Utifrån detta syfte formulerades två frågeställningar; vilken innebörd lägger förskollärarna i begreppet barns inflytande samt på vilket sätt tar förskollärarna till vara på och ger möjligheter till inflytande i planerade aktiviteter? Det sociokulturella perspektivet ligger till grund för studiens teoretiska perspektiv. Analysen är bearbetad med hjälp av begreppen mediering och den proximala utvecklingzonen. Studien bygger på en kvalitativ metod och bygger på inspelade observationer och semistrukturerade intervjuer med två förskollärare. Resultatet i studien visar på att det finns många olika sätt att arbeta med barns inflytande. Resultatet visar vikten av att följa barnen i deras intressen, vara lyhörd och närvarande men också att miljön påverkar barns inflytande. Resultatet visar också att mina två frågeställningar kan kopplas ihop med varandra genom att förskollärarna beskriver barns inflytande och hur barns inflytande möjliggörs på liknande sätt.

Syftet med den här studien är att undersöka vad förskollärare på I Ur ochSkur förskolor har för synpunkter på och erfarenheter av planerade aktiviteter, som inkluderar ämnesspecifika begrepp inom ekologi. Kvalitativa intervjuer av sex förskollärare verksamma inom två I Ur och Skur verksamheter iMellansverige har genomförts. Intervjusvaren har sammanfattats genom enfenomenologisk metod som använts som analysverktyg. Intervjufrågorna ärskapade utifrån studiens frågeställningar. Resultatet visar att samtliga förskollärare beskrev ekologi som ett brett begrepp, det handlade om att fokuserapå delar av begreppet och anpassa lärmiljöer därefter. Olika kretslopp var detinnehåll som dominerade förskollärarnas svar. Både bra och mindre braaspekter på planerade aktiviteter lyftes av förskollärarna. Utifrån de braaspekterna belyser förskollärarna bland annat trygghet för samtliga i verksamheten, genom vetskapen om vad aktiviteten innehåller samt fokuseradekunskaper om ett visst ämne. De mindre bra aspekterna som samtliga förskollärare lyfter är vikten av barnens intressen samt svårigheten att utveckla aktiviteten mot något annat håll om den är för uppstyrd. De ämnesspecifika begreppen lyftes av samtliga förskollärare som viktiga och ibland komplicerade. Förskollärarens medforskande roll var en aspekt som samtliga förskollärare lyfte som viktig, för att bemöta barnen i deras utveckling av kunskap.Förskoleverksamheter erbjuds via den här studien inspiration till kunskapsutveckling genom utomhuspedagogik, inom ämnesområdet ekologi och inkluderandet av ämnesspecifika begrepp. / The purpose of this study is to investigate what preschool teachers withinoutdoor preschools views and experiences of planned activities are, which include subject-specific concepts in ecology. Qualitative interviews with sixpreschool teachers active in two outdoor preschools in Central Sweden hasbeen conducted. The interview results has been summarized using aphenomenological method. The interview questions are created based on thestudy's questions. The results show that all preschool teachers highlightedecology as a broad concept, it was about focusing on parts of the concept andto adapt learning environments. Different cycles were the content that dominated the preschool teachers answers. Both good and not so good aspects ofplanned activities were highlighted by the preschool teachers. Based on thegood aspects that the preschool teachers highlighted, was security foreveryone in the workplace, through the knowledge of what the activity contains and focused knowledge of a certain subject. The not so good aspectsthat all preschool teachers highlighted was the importance of the children'sinterests and the difficulty of developing the activity in another direction if itis too steered up. The subject-specific concepts were highlighted by all preschool teachers as important and sometimes complicated. The preschool teacher's coresearching role, was an aspect that all preschool teachers highlighted as important when it´s about meeting the children in their development of knowledge. Through this study, teachers in preschools are offered aninspiration for knowledge development through outdoor pedagogy. In thesubject area ecology and the inclusion of subject-specific concepts.

Thesis (M.A. (Communication Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Health communication is one of the interventions used to overcome health issues in society. Behavioural change is a process that relies on influence, and carefully designed messages about a desired outcome. These messages are captured from health communication interventions such as health communication campaigns about HIV/AIDS. This study empirically measured behavioural intention and followed the introduction of the health communication campaigns at the University of Limpopo (UL) campus amongst students from all faculties. In order to evaluate these campaigns, a positivist research paradigm was chosen, and the quantitative approach was used to measure and determine the relationship between the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The constructs (or predictor variables) of the TPB model are deterministic of behavioural change. They work together to achieve change in behaviour, where the outcome variable is the behavioural intention. This study used the TPB model to guide the literature and methodology when it came to the formulation of questions for data collection. The target population sampled was aged between 18 and 28, and all the participants belonged to various schools across all faculties at the University of Limpopo. The researcher used of the Stratified random sampling method which is classified under probability sampling; 401 questionnaires were coded, and analysed. SPSS® version 25 was used to analyse the data. The results were-drawn descriptively and inferentially. This was done in order to define the relationship between the theory’s variables. The researcher used both Pearson Correlations and Regression Analysis to define the relationship between the variables. Descriptively, the majority of 148 (36.9%) participants strongly agreed while 174 (43.4%) agreed that they intended to participate in health communication campaigns in the future, as the predictor variable. Inferential findings showed that the behavioural intention variable amongst the students proved to be the one that contributed most towards behavioural change. The researcher suggests that further research should focus on message development. Health campaign messages should be developed that trigger intention, in order to achieve behavioural change for individuals so that they can ultimately participate in health campaigns.

Purpose The purpose of this master’s thesis is to investigate consumers’ perceptions of the end-of-life stage of a garment. Overall, the objective is to determine influencing factors that impact consumers’ disposal decisions to conceive a better understanding of post-purchase consumer behavior and formulate implications for both business and society. Design/Methodology/Approach The research of this study follows a deductive approach, whereby hypotheses are derived from existing literature and the Theory of Planned Behavior. A single quantitative data collection method is applied to collect primary data, namely, a cross-sectional self-administered online questionnaire. An effective sample size of 398 respondents is statistically analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. The conducted descriptive research design investigates the causal relationships between the latent variables and the Behavioral Intention. Findings The empirical findings reveal that consumers’ Attitude positively and individuals’ Subjective Norm negatively influences the intention to dispose of garments. The Personal Value of consumers highly negatively impacts the Attitude and therefore indicates an indirect relationship to an individual’s behavioral intention. There is no significant correlation between consumers’ Endeavor to Change to their Attitude towards garment disposal and between Perceived Behavioral Control and an individual’s disposal intention. Implications Fashion enterprises are advised to act as educators to raise awareness of the adverse effects of frequent garment disposal and elucidate lifetime-extension measures, such as creating emotional attachment through customization or co-creation. Furthermore, emphasizing longevity during the production phase is crucial to hinder the influential factor of disposal due to damage. Therefore, policymakers’ importance is decisive in establishing industry-wide standards regarding garment production and lifetime-extension practices. Furthermore, societal education about garment disposal opportunities should be provided, for example, through implementation in the general curriculum of schools and governmental or nongovernmental organizations’ campaigns. Originality/Value By taking the general development toward a throwaway society into account, a connection to the textile industry is drawn in this thesis. When looking at the literature, it is visible that increasing attention is placed on the post-consumer phase. However, the technical constitution and the actual disposal approaches were mostly covered in this context. Therefore, the authors of this thesis examine the particular consumers’ determination of the end-of-life stage of garments to contribute to current circumstances and related literature.

This study, that is a research and product development process, is based on sustainable development and the negative impacts of the growing consumption, and wear-and-tear habits of today’s society. The way we handle our resources, from mine to landfill cause devastating effects on the climate. LAST, is a multi-functional table made from wooden waste materials, that represents product design that allows the user to build a strong, long-lasting relationship with the product. The table is versatile, allows easy dismantling and incorporates qualities that create an incentive for the user to build an attachment to it to increase its lifetime. This has been done through applying different strategies within emotional design, product attachment and design for sustainability as well as applying knowledge within timeless design, aesthetic nourishment. The Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi has acted as inspiration to help navigate the projects design proposal that could allow for the user to appreciate their product for longer and indorse product longevity. The research question for the study is as follows: How can you promote product longevity by means of product design for sustainable development?

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the persuasive effects personal stories have on the university recruitment process. Specifically, this study explored how Fisher's (1984) concepts of narrative probability and fidelity influenced Ajzen's (1991) theory of planned behavior model using a four-staged quasi-experimental study. Jablin's (1982) anticipatory socialization phase of organizational assimilation theory acted as a context for this applied dissertation. This study evolved over four stages while working with the North Dakota State University Office of Admission. The first stage provided qualitative data exploring students' opinions of using story-based recruitment material. Focus groups also revealed what types of stories would be helpful for prospective students during the college admission process. Stage two developed and tested the narrative probability and fidelity scales based on Fisher's (1984) narrative paradigm. These newly created scales were used to determine the level of narrative probability and narrative fidelity in each of the experimental conditions. Stage three consisted of the creation and testing of the recruitment videos used in each experimental condition. The final stage tested the story-based recruitment and control videos on prospective students visiting North Dakota State University. The results of this dissertation were obtained using a series of ANOVAs, regression analyses, and path model testing techniques. Overall, the results suggested that high levels of narrative probability and narrative fidelity do positively influence prospective students' attitudes toward choosing a university and have a less powerful, but still positive, influence on their subjective norms beliefs and perceived behavioral control of choosing a university. The theory of planned behavior model was also supported by this data. The results of each stage of this study produced theoretical and practical implications. This dissertation concludes with a discussion of the results, implications, limitations, and future research opportunities.

Syfte: Studiens syfte var att öka förståelsens för unga vuxnas förhållningsätt till kreditkort som genomfördes genom att undersöka dess attityder, köpintentioner och kunskaper. Studiens resultat kan vara betydande för banksektorn som har en potentiell lång affärsrelation med kundsegmentet.   För att syftet skulle kunde uppnås ställdes tre olika forskningsfrågor:   Hur kan unga vuxnas attityder till kreditkort beskrivas? Hur kan unga vuxnas köpintentioner till kreditkort beskrivas? Hur kan kunskapsnivån hos unga vuxna gällande kreditkort beskrivas?   Metod: Fallstudie med kvalitativ ansats genom enskilda intervjuer.   Resultat: Studiens resultat visade att det föreligger en korrelation mellan bristfällig kunskap och negativ attityd, som även påverkar köpintentionen. Dessutom visade fallstudiens resultat att rädsla var den betydande attityden mot kreditkort som produkt. Ett fynd var att WOMM (Word of Mouth Marketing) påverkade köpintentionen till att teckna kreditkort samtidigt som bankernas marknadsföring inte alls påverkade köpintentionen. / Purpose: This study aimed to find out young adults’ approach regarding credit cards which was done by studying their attitudes, purchase intentions and knowledge towards the product. The results from the study could be of importance for the bank sector which have a potentially long business relation with the youth segment.   The research questions that needed to be answered to reach the purpose was as follows:   How can young adults’ attitudes be described? How can young adults’ purchase intentions be described? How can the knowledge level from young adults’ regarding credit cards be described?   Method: Case study with qualitive approach though separate interviews.   Results: The results from the case study suggested that there was a connection between inadequate knowledge and negative attitude towards credit cards, which in turn effect the purchase intention. Also, fear was the most common attitude against credit card as a product. A finding was that WOMM (Word of Mouth Marketing) affected the purchase intention to sign up for a credit card, while the bank marketing did not affect the purchase intention at all.

The presented thesis deals with the issue of mothers' decision-making in relation to their child's vaccination against pneumococcal infections. An on-line survey of mothers was conducted (n = 180) in order to obtain data for the theoretical model based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A hierarchical logistic regression was then performed in order to analyze the model with the intention to vaccinate as the dependent variable. The results of the regression analyses were supplemented by results of correlation analyses and non-parametric tests. The theory proved itself as a strong predictive instrument and the results suggest that the attitude is the main predictor of the decision in this non-representative sample of mothers. The subjective norm, as the second construct of the TPB, contributes only in certain case and the perceived behavioral control was not found influential at all. The perception of thread of contraindications of the vaccine proves also influential next to the attitude. The beliefs that mothers hold about the vaccine were analyzed according to mothers intentions to vaccinate (n = 70) or not to (n = 110). These results support the idea that mothers, especially those who do not want to vaccinate their children against pneumococcal infections, decide particularly according to...