This study explored the demographics, environmental tendencies, and significant life experiences of 91 Sustainability Coordinators employed by municipalities across Canada. The intent of this research was to find a common set of activities that may have motivated these individuals, and may motivate others, to take on roles and practical challenges in the realm of sustainability. A mixed methods approach was conducted which was inclusive of a literature review, an online survey (which acquired demographic info, three environmentally themed psychological scales, and an open ended question of autobiographical recollections), and statistical analysis. The results paralleled findings of other researchers on similar environmental groups, where gender was the predominant predictor of environmental tendency and that various experiences in natural areas are what these individuals attribute these pro-environmental tendencies to. This research will add to the minimal literature available on this emerging and undocumented occupation.

Submitted by William Justo Figueiro (williamjf) on 2015-07-28T22:21:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 34d.pdf: 527027 bytes, checksum: 3a2994f6e833591e621767e0894712b3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-28T22:21:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 34d.pdf: 527027 bytes, checksum: 3a2994f6e833591e621767e0894712b3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Nenhuma / Arma de fogo tem sido um tema amplamente discutido na literatura científica. Entretanto, pouquíssima atenção vem sendo dada aos aspectos motivacionais e psicológicos do seu uso. Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver um instrumento capaz de investigar as atitudes motivacionais de adultos com relação às armas de fogo. Foram realizados dois estudos. No Estudo I, foi feita uma revisão das escalas existentes na literatura internacional juntamente com grupos focais com civis e militares sobre a motivação para o uso de armas. A partir daí, foi criado um modelo que continha quatro fatores: “Arma como Risco”, “Arma como Proteção”, “Direito ao Porte de Arma” e “Exposição” e elaborados itens que os contemplasse. Cada item foi analisado por três juízes quanto à sua semântica, clareza e pertinência teórica. Baseando-se na concordância e notas atribuídas pelos juízes, foram selecionados 51 itens que formaram a primeira versão da Escala Motivacional para o Porte de Arma (EMPA). No Estudo II, a EMPA foi aplicada em 550 respondentes, sendo 258 homens (46,90%) e 292 mulheres (53.10%). A idade variou de 18 a 86 anos (Média= 28 anos, DP= 13,75 anos). A aplicação foi coletiva e o projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Os dados foram analisados por meio de análise fatorial exploratória com o método dos componentes principais e rotação Varimax para quatro fatores, conforme modelo desenvolvido no Estudo I. Posteriormente foram feitas análises fatoriais confirmatórias. Após a retirada de alguns itens (devido à baixa saturação e comunalidade), obteve-se uma solução com 36 itens, índice KMO=0.91 e Teste de Bartlett significativo. O modelo explicou 48% da variância com os fatores “Arma como Proteção” (13 itens), “Arma como Risco” (11 itens), “Direito” (cinco itens) e “Exposição” (sete itens). Os resultados da análise fatorial confirmatória apoiaram a estrutura da EMPA encontrada na análise fatorial exploratória. Todas as relações entre as variáveis latentes e observadas foram significativas, indicando que o fator contribui para a explicação da variância do item. Foram observadas também correlações entre os fatores. Quanto maior a intensidade no fator “Proteção” e “Direito” menor são o “Risco” e a “Exposição”. Da mesma maneira, quanto maior a variável “Risco” e “Exposição”, menor o “Direito”. Os escores da EMPA foram analisados com relação ao sexo, estado civil e experiência com arma de fogo. Os resultados mostram índices psicométricos de validade e fidedignidade satisfatórios para a EMPA, indicando que o instrumento poderá auxiliar futuramente no processo de avaliação psicológica para o porte de arma e em pesquisas. / Firearm has been a theme thoroughly discussed in the scientific literature. However, little attention has been given to the motivational and psychological aspects of its use. This study had as objective the development of an instrument capable of investigating the motivational attitudes of adults regarding firearms. Two studies were conducted. In the first Study, a review on the existent ranges in international literature was made along with focal groups made up of civilians and military relate to the motivation for using weapons. From then on, a model that contained four factors was created: “Weapon as a Risk”, “Weapon as Protection”, “Right to Carry a Weapon” and “Exhibition” and elaborated items to contemplate them. Each item was analyzed by three judges as for its semantics, clarity and theoretical pertinence. Based on the agreement and grades given by the judges, 51 items were selected which formed the first version of the Motivational Range for Carrying a Weapon (MRCW). In the second Study, MRCW was applied in 550 respondents, being 258 men (46,90%) and 292 women (53.10%). Ranging from 18 to 86 years old (Average = 28 years old, DP = 13,75 years old). The application was collective and the project was approved by the Committee of Ethics in Research. The data were analyzed through exploratory factorial analysis with the method of the main components and Varimax rotation for four factors, as the model developed in the first Study. Later empirical factorial analyses were made. After the retreat of some items (due to low saturation and commonality), a solution with 36 items was achieved, index of KMO=0.91 and significant Bartlett Test. The model explained 48% of the variance with the factors “Weapon as Protection” (13 items), “Weapon as a Risk” (11 items), “Right” (5 items) and “Exhibition” (7 items). The results of the empirical factorial analyses supported the MRCW structure found in the exploratory factorial analysis. All of the relationships among the latent and observed variables were significant, indicating that the factor contributed to the explanation of the variance of the item. Correlations among the factors were also observed. The higher the intensity in the factor “Protection” and “Right” the lower are “Risk” and “Exhibition.” In the same way, the higher the variable “Risk” and “Exhibition”, the lower is “Right.” The scores of MRCW were analyzed regarding the sex, marital status and experience with firearm. The results show psychometric indexes validity and loyalty satisfactory for MRCW, indicating that the instrument will hereafter be able to help in the process of psychological evaluation for the carrying of a weapon load and in researches.

Abuse of prescription and over-the-counter substances other than alcohol is becoming a prevalent issue; therefore, it is important to identify factors that may help predict risk for this abuse. Some demographic and situational factors have been identified for traditional 4-year college students. However, less is known about community college students, who enter college less academically prepared and may be still enmeshed with family and peer groups from high school. In this correlational study, predictors of substance abuse other than alcohol were explored among a convenience sample of 118 students from an American community college. The research question was developed based on previous research such as Bandura's social learning theory and Arnett's theory of emerging adults. The question explored how well gender (male, female, other) and 2 dimensions from the Ryff scale of psychological well-being (sense of autonomy and positive relationships with others) predict substance use among the community college sample. Use of substances other than alcohol was measured using the Drug Abuse Screening Test-10. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to test the research hypotheses. Although gender was not related to substance use, higher autonomy and more positive relationships scores were statistically significant predictors of higher use of substances other than alcohol among this sample. These findings were consistent with characteristics of emerging adulthood that may present risk factors for this group of college students. Findings support positive social change as they may be considered by stakeholders when considering possible prevention or intervention activities to address substance use issues on community college campuses.

本研究は受刑者教育プログラムを開発してその効果を明らかにすることを目的としている．主要教育方法としては視聴覚教育やグループワークを加味した日本のロールレタリング技法を採用し，合計12セッションのプログラムを構成した．2015年の間，Z刑務所受刑者34名を対象に3期にかけてプログラムを行い，教育前後の受刑者の心理的変化を確認した．また，受刑者の課題とFGIの質的内容分析を通じて教育効果を再確認した． / The object of this study is to develop and to evaluate an education program for prison inmates. The main method of this program which consists of 12 sessions is "role lettering" added to group work and audio-visual stimulation. In 2015, 34 prison inmates participated in this program at Z prison in Korea. This program has verified in evaluating the inmates' psychological change. And it has reverified in evaluating the effectiveness of education through qualitative content analysis of focus group interview as well as prison inmates' tasks. / 博士(社会福祉学) / Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare / 同志社大学 / Doshisha University

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