Browsing by Subject "Social Cognitive Theory"
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Item An Exploratory Study of the Relationship Between Exercise Leader Source Credibility, Participant Self-Efficacy, and Exercise Adherence(2010-10-12) Gadberry, Kacy L.Using Social Cognitive Theory, Social Identity Theory, and Source Credibility, this study examined the role of instructor source credibility as related to exercise adherence. A one-time survey was given to participants of an eight-week exercise program. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was used to test hypotheses. Results indicate that perceived expertise was a significant predictor of intentions to adhere to class. Additionally, this study shows how Social Identity Theory can predict lower levels of identification in an exercise context. The scales used to text source credibility were shown to be accurate measures of perceived instructor expertise, likeability, and enthusiasm. Thus, these scales can be used to examine this subject in later studies.Item Caregivers? Attitudes Toward Milk Fat Type and Milk Consumption Among WIC Participants: An Exploratory Study(2012-07-16) Serrano, Katrina JaneFactors such as parental/caregiver influences and socioeconomic status have been shown to impact food-related attitudes and behaviors. Consequently, these attitudes and behaviors affect health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess, using the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), attitudes toward milk fat type and milk consumption among Texas WIC participants. Few studies, using this theoretical framework, have examined milk intake specifically among this population. Four hypotheses were proposed according to the theoretical model. The inclusionary criteria used for this study yielded a subset sample of 2,115; all cases included were Texas WIC participants. The results of this study show that caregivers' attitudes toward drinking and offering milk fat type are related. Caregivers' attitudes toward drinking milk fat type and the type of milk they drank were proven to be statistically significant. Similarly, caregivers' attitudes toward offering milk fat type and the milk fat type their children drank were proven to be significant. Caregivers' milk intakes were positively associated with children's milk intakes. It is evident that parental/caregiver modeling influences children's dietary habits. Parental/caregiver behaviors are important influences to consider when implementing nutrition education programs or intervention efforts, especially for participants of WIC. Improving caregivers' attitudes toward low-fat or fat-free milk intake can also contribute to healthier food-related choices.Item Interpersonal influence on physical activity : mediation by psychological factors and moderation by personal characteristics(2010-05) Ripperger-Suhler, Kenneth Grant; Chalip, Laurence Hilmond, 1951-; Gottlieb, Nell H.; Bartholomew, John B.; Steinhardt, Mary; Kohl, Harold W.; Mirowsky, JohnThe primary purpose of the study was to identify relationships among sources of interpersonal influence, putative psychological mediators, and physical activity. The moderation of these relationships by age, body composition, and educational attainment was also evaluated. Responses from 1224 employees were collected through an online survey at a major healthcare facility in central Texas. Structural equation modeling was used to construct the Social Context Scale of Interpersonal Influence and to estimate its ability to explain intention to be physically active and predict physical activity behavior. Invariance testing provided estimates of moderation by age, education, and body composition. Home social context was positively associated with self-efficacy and positive anticipated outcomes and negatively associated with negative anticipated outcomes. Friend social context was positively associated with self-efficacy, positive anticipated outcomes, and intention. Teasing was positively associated with negative anticipated outcomes. Self-efficacy and positive anticipated outcomes were positively associated with intention. Negative anticipated outcomes were negatively associated with intention. The relationship between friend social context and both positive anticipated outcomes and intention was stronger for obese than non-obese respondents. Home social context was more strongly associated with self-efficacy for those with four year degrees than for those without. Self-efficacy was more strongly associated with intention for those with four year degrees than for those without. Self-efficacy predicted subsequent total leisure time physical activity and the relationship was stronger for respondents over 45 years of age than for those younger than 45. The association between self-efficacy and subsequent total leisure time physical activity was also stronger for respondents with a four year degree than for those without. Home and friend social contexts provide potential conduits for post intervention influence on physical activity behavior. The discussion of the benefits of physical activity among friends may encourage overweight and obese individuals considering exercise, especially those with limited physical activity experiences of their own.Item Mr and Mrs: How 'I Do' Impacts Physical Activity in Married Individuals(2012-07-16) Michel, Kacy L.This dissertation presents three separate studies designed to investigate the relationship between marriage and physical activity behavior. First, a systematic literature review of nineteen articles presents qualitative and quantitative articles from 2000 to 2010 that focus on the relationship between marriage and physical activity and/or exercise. Based on the findings from the review, social support (or lack of support), culturally-determined gender roles, environmental factors such as income level, and intrapersonal factors such as self-efficacy each influenced spousal physical activity. Secondly, a qualitative study based on interviews and photographs from twenty-four married individuals utilized Social Cognitive Theory to explore the mechanisms, determinants, and influences of spousal physical activity. Findings indicate verbal persuasion by husbands encouraged wives, yet verbal persuasion by wives was perceived as nagging by men. While verbal persuasion by husbands increased a small number of wives' sense of self-efficacy, the majority of women felt that persuasion increased motivation, not necessarily confidence. Findings also highlighted the power of modeling to increase husbands' physical activity. Overwhelmingly, men reacted more positively to modeling than verbal persuasion. Lastly, a second qualitative piece employed General Systems Theory to conceive of the marital unit as a type of system working within other broader systems. Findings highlighted the desire for increased quality time as a motivator for physical activity within the marital system. Also, the larger cultural, occupational, and familial systems greatly influenced marital dyads. Cultural expectations to be the primary caregiver negatively impacted wives while occupational pressures negatively influenced both parts of the marital dyad. Regarding the familial system, parents cited the influence of their own parents as well as a desire to "pass on" exemplary physical activity habits to their children. Finally, couples with children highlighted an increase in exercise frequency yet decrease in exercise intensity.Item Skin Bleaching in Jamaica: A Colonial Legacy(2012-07-16) Robinson, Petra AlaineLight skin color sits within a space of privilege. While this has global significance and relevance, it is particularly true in Jamaica, a former British colony. The majority of the population is of African descent, yet there is an elevation of Eurocentric values and a denigration of Afrocentric values in many facets of life, specifically in the promotion of light skin as an indicator of beauty and social status. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychological and socio-cultural factors that influence the practice of skin bleaching in the postcolonial society of Jamaica. Additionally, the study outlined the nation's efforts to combat the skin-bleaching phenomenon. The naturalistic paradigm of inquiry was used to frame the study and to collect and analyze data. The sample consisted of fifteen participants?twelve participants (six males and six females) with a history of skin bleaching; a retailer of skin lightening products; a local dermatologist who has written and published in local newspapers on the practice; and a representative from the Ministry of Health who was integrally involved in the national educational efforts to ban the practice. Data came from three sources: in-depth interviews with respondents; observation of participant's skin-bleaching practices; and a review of local cultural artifacts from popular culture and the media. Data from the audio recorded and transcribed interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Some of the findings reveal that there are multiple and inconsistent definitions of bleaching; skin bleaching enjoys mixed reviews?much attributed to economic and social class distinctions; bleachers demonstrate and boast of their expertise in managing the bleaching process suggesting, that because of this expertise, they are immune to any negative side-effects of the practice; the bleaching practice was found to be intermittent, time consuming and laborious, costly and addictive; there are several motivations for the skin-bleaching practice, and these are primarily connected to issues of fashion, beauty, popularity, self-image and acceptability; there is a certain level of defiance towards the government?s efforts to ban bleaching yet an expressed sense of responsibility among bleachers. The overall findings show that there is a bias in Jamaica for light skin over dark skin and these values are taught in non-formal and informal ways from very early in life. The practice of skin bleaching is of social and public health concern, and this study has implications for national policy, practice and theory.