Browsing by Subject "attitudes"
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Item A Process Model of Applicant Faking on Overt Integrity Tests(2010-01-14) Yu, JanieTo better understand the cognitive processes associated with faking behaviors, Ajzen?s Theory of Planned Behavior was adapted to the study of faking on overt integrity tests. This decision-based model is then expanded through the inclusion of a key outcome (counterproductive work behavior) and basic individual differences (conscientious personality and cognitive ability). Results from two student samples (n = 233 and n = 160) demonstrate that conscientiousness negatively predicts attitudes toward faking on employment tests, while cognitive ability predicts the ability to fake. In turn, faking ability moderates the effect of self-reported faking motive on actual test scores, while self-reported faking decreases the validity of integrity tests for predicting counterproductive work behaviors. Implications are discussed.Item Acculturation and Its Effects on Help-Seeking Attitudes among Asian Indians(2012-02-14) Mohan, SaritaThere is a lack of research in the mental health field and on help-seeking regarding the Asian Indian population. Asian Indians are the third largest Asian subgroup in the United States; thus, it is important to understand their culture and lifestyle. Collectively, they are more likely to consult family and close friends rather than seek help from mental health professionals. Asian Indians may not choose to discuss these problems because they feel it is unnecessary, or it could bring shame to the family. The purpose of this study was to look at the effects of acculturation on the help-seeking attitudes of Asian Indian parents and caregivers when considering seeking help for their children. Inclusion criteria included parents and caregivers of children ages 7-17, who are 18 years of age or older, of Asian Indian ancestry, have resided in the U.S. for at least one year, and who have been the primary caregiver for at least 6 months. Measures used examined culture, acculturation, help-seeking attitudes, and some basic demographic information. The survey was available online as well as on paper to be returned to the researcher. A total of 89 participants, the majority of whom were mothers and well-educated, completed the survey. Participants were recruited at community events, at a temple in Houston, and through family members and friends by emailing the online link. Analyses of the data indicated that acculturation does not impact openness to seek mental health services, level of mental health stigma, and intentions to seek mental health services. It was also shown that openness and stigma do not mediate the relationship between acculturation and the intention to seek mental health services. Finally, the top sources of help indicated by the Asian Indians in this study are intimate partners, mental health professionals, and doctors or general practitioners. There were participants who had taken their children to see a professional before, but opinions varied regarding its helpfulness. It is hoped that this study will provide valuable information to inform mental health professionals about an understudied population and to continue to emphasize the importance of understanding diversity and what that means for school psychology and the mental health field.Item Autism Genetic Testing: Psychological Factors Associated with the Test Decisions Among Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in Taiwan(2014-07-09) Xu, LeiAutism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of highly inheritable disorders. Genetic testing for ASD is anticipated to be offered in Taiwan in the near future. Therefore, it is critical to explore the psychological factors regarding the test decisions among the ASD-affected population before the provision of the test. This study examined emotions, attitudes, and intention regarding ASD genetic testing among parents of children with ASD in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was threefold: (i) systematically review the literature regarding the emotional responses, attitudes, and intention related to ASD genetic testing; (ii) examine the psychological factors, attitudes, and intention regarding ASD genetic testing among a sample of parents with autistic children in Taiwan; and (iii) utilize structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses to (a) examine the associations between the emotional and attitudinal factors that determine parents? intentions to undergo ASD genetic testing and (b) test the overall ?fit? of the model. The first study systematically synthesized a decade (2003-2013) of empirical studies regarding the emotional factors, attitudes, and intention associated with undergoing ASD genetic testing and summarized the methodological quality of the included articles. This study indicated a lack of literature on this research area as well as the gap in the overall quality of the existing studies. The second study was an empirical study among 444 parents of children with ASD from Taiwan in the preliminary data analysis. A SEM model was employed to analyze the relationship between the variables and test the fit of the theoretical framework. This study demonstrated that anxiety, fear, and guilt were all determinants of test intention among parents of children with ASD. In summary, the findings from this dissertation have direct implications for clinicians, psychiatrists, and other health professionals. Specifically, it will (i) help explain the potential psychological factors associated with undergoing ASD genetic testing, (ii) assist genetic professionals in becoming aware of the existing psychological concern, and (iii) help design appropriate pre-test educational programs. Educational materials addressing parents? emotional management should be developed. More significantly, policymakers should include and address parents? opinions properly in the official documents.Item Curanderismo and Mental Health: Mexican and Mexican-American Beliefs, Attitudes, and AcculturationRamirez, Kelsie Lozano; Curtis, Drew A; Contreras, Jose A; Lee, Jungeun; Self, Raelye TThis study explored the effects of generation on Mexican and Mexican-American beliefs about mental illness, their willingness to seek out psychological help, and their beliefs and attitudes about curanderismo, a Mexican folk-healing practice. This study utilized a convenience sample from four locations. Participants were split into two groups: Group 1 consisted of Mexicans or 1st and 2nd generation Mexican-Americans and Group 2 included participants who reported being 3rd, 4th, or 5th generation Mexican-Americans. The findings of the study indicated no significant differences between the two generation groups on beliefs and attitudes toward curanderismo, attitudes toward psychotherapy and psychotherapists, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. There was a statistically significant difference in the scores between the two generation groups on beliefs toward mental illness. Implications of research and practice are discussed.Item Curanderismo and Mental Health: Mexican and Mexican-American Beliefs, Attitudes, and AcculturationRamirez, Kelsie Lozano; Curtis, Drew A; Contreras, Jose A; Lee, Jungeun; Self, Raelye TThis study explored the effects of generation on Mexican and Mexican-American beliefs about mental illness, their willingness to seek out psychological help, and their beliefs and attitudes about curanderismo, a Mexican folk-healing practice. This study utilized a convenience sample from four locations. Participants were split into two groups: Group 1 consisted of Mexicans or 1st and 2nd generation Mexican-Americans and Group 2 included participants who reported being 3rd, 4th, or 5th generation Mexican-Americans. The findings of the study indicated no significant differences between the two generation groups on beliefs and attitudes toward curanderismo, attitudes toward psychotherapy and psychotherapists, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help. There was a statistically significant difference in the scores between the two generation groups on beliefs toward mental illness. Implications of research and practice are discussed.Item Not in Love, or Not in the Know? Graduate Student and Faculty Use (and Non-Use) of E-Books(Elsevier (Journal of Academic Librarianship), 2012) Cassidy, Erin Dorris; Martinez, Michelle; Shen, LisaThis study focuses on usage of electronic books (e-books) among advanced researchers, including graduate students and faculty, at a four-year academic institution. The researchers aimed to highlight differences in behavior, perception, and attitude between users and non-users of e-books. The survey findings suggest that, while a majority of these researchers do not necessarily favor e-books over print books, they do appreciate the convenience of the electronic format. Moreover, the results also indicate that many researchers may be entirely unaware of the library e-books available in their areas of study or may not fully realize all the features already being offered by some of these e-books, such as highlighting, note-taking, accessibility options, and downloading. These findings provide timely and practical applications for librarians interested in increasing library e-book usage with focused marketing plans targeting the needs of specific patron segments.Item School Nurses' Role as Opinion Leaders Regarding the HPV Vaccine for Youth(2013-06-17) Rosen, Brittany LeighThe most common sexually transmitted infection for both males and females is the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is responsible for nearly all cervical cancers. Currently, an HPV vaccine is available; however, HPV vaccination rates for US adolescents are dismal. School nurses serve as the person connecting medical and school communities, and are a critical component in assisting families traverse the medical and educational systems. Thus, there is reason to assume school nurses can be key opinion leaders regarding the HPV vaccine. The purpose of this study was to: (1) explain how the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory explains school nurses' roles as opinion leaders regarding the HPV vaccine; (2) document current literature regarding healthcare providers' perspectives and practice regarding the HPV vaccine; and (3) evaluate school nurses' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions of being an opinion leader and professional practice regarding the HPV vaccine for youth. DOI states opinion leaders influence the rate of an innovation (e.g., the HPV vaccine). We argue school nurses are opinion leaders for the HPV vaccine because of their unique leadership position through their cross-disciplinary understanding of the educational and health systems. The systematic literature review included 28 studies of healthcare providers. The main barrier, vaccine cost, was identified in 12 reports. Additionally, females and older adolescents were more frequently vaccinated than males and younger adolescents. To examine school nurses' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and professional practice regarding the HPV vaccine, the study included a sample of 413 school nurses. Structural equation modeling revealed knowledge influenced attitudes, attitudes affected perceptions and professional practices, and perceptions predicted professional practice. Furthermore, the perceptions variable was found to be a partial mediator in the model. Practitioners designing programs to engage school nurses in disseminating HPV vaccine education may benefit from questioning whether their programs might be emphasizing non-crucial elements for influencing vaccine dissemination practice (e.g., knowledge) and de-emphasizing influential elements such as attitudes and perceptions.Item Sporadic voters: how attitude change influences voter turnout(2009-06-02) Owens, Christopher T.This dissertation investigates the important role attitudes play in determining the participation levels of a large number of Americans. Over the past 30 years the prominent theories in the political participation literature have stressed the importance of socioeconomic status in explaining voter turnout. More recently, some have suggested that voting is a habit that most Americans acquire over their lifetimes. I contend that this previous work is incomplete in that it overlooks a large segment of the public that I describe as sporadic voters. Using National Election Study panel data from the early 1970s and 1990s, I find that neither socioeconomic status nor habit explains the voting behavior of sporadic voters. Sporadic voters decide to participate in elections based on their political attitudes at the time of any given election. If they have stronger partisan attachments, greater campaign interest or more external efficacy sporadic voters will be more likely to show up at the polls regardless of changes in education, age or income.Item The effects of nutrition education and gardening on attitudes, preferences and knowledge of 2nd-5th graders regarding fruits and vegetables(Texas A&M University, 2006-04-12) Nolan, Geralyn A.Child obesity has become a national concern. Obesity in children ages 6-17 has more than doubled in the past 30 years. Only 20% of children today consume the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. This trend is even more pronounced in minority populations. Past studies have reported that a horticulture-based curriculum, including gardening, can improve children's attitudes toward eating fruits and vegetables. To investigate whether children of a minority population can benefit from gardening supplemented with a curriculum on nutrition, research was conducted with elementary schools in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas (Hidalgo County). Elementary school teachers participating in this research agreed to have school gardens and complete all activities in a curriculum on nutrition provided to them through the Texas Extension Service. One hundred forty one children in the participating schools completed a pre- and posttest evaluating their attitudes and snack preferences toward fruits and vegetables and their knowledge before and after gardening supplemented with information on nutrition. Statistically significant differences were detected between pre- and posttest scores for all three variables. After comparing pre-and posttest scores, it was concluded that gardening with supplemental instruction, had a positive effect on all three variables including students attitudes and snack preferences toward fruits and vegetables and their knowledge of nutrition.Item The mediating effect of perceived organizational support on espoused safety attitudes: a field study(2011-02-17) Apodaca, Steven P.; Apodaca, Steven P.; Schell, Kraig L.; Hack, Tay; Davidson, William; Walker, Molly; Gee, Donna; Angelo State University. Department of Psychology, Sociology and Social Work.This research examined a proposed mediated model of safety attitudes and perceived organizational support in affecting safety outcomes in a population of nurses within a West Texas community hospital. Participants completed questionnaires pertaining to the aforementioned measures, and supervisors were solicited to complete a questionnaire pertaining to safety behaviors of subordinates within their respective departments. Data analysis revealed significant correlations among safety attitudes and perceived organizational support but failed to show support for a mediated model. Explanations as to why hypotheses were not supported are discussed, as well as avenues for future research.Item Visitor perceptions of alternative transportation systems and intelligent transportation systems in national parks(Texas A&M University, 2004-09-30) Dilworth, Virginia AnnThis dissertation examines the potential use of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and alternative transportation systems (ATS) in national parks. Visitors at two of the national park units in California, Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GOGA) and Sequoia and Kings Canyons National Parks (SEKI), were surveyed during May and July 2002 regarding their attitudes and intentions toward a variety of transportation and travel planning items (including ITS and ATS tools). There were three principal areas of inquiry: attitude toward transportation and travel planning tools, likelihood of using transportation and travel planning tools, and the difference between intentions for using tools before arriving at the study parks and while at the study parks. The results revealed several key findings. First, there was substantial support for the relationship between attitudes and intentions. Furthermore, both experience with technology and attitude toward technology were predictive of intention to use technology in the study parks. Third, there was a significant difference between the attitudes and intentions of visitors to an urban park (GOGA) and visitors to a rural park (SEKI). In particular, GOGA respondents perceived alternative transportation (e.g. shuttle, public bus, park and bike) as more appropriate than did SEKI respondents. Fourth, while some support was found for a relationship between one of the ITS goals, safety, and attitude toward ITS tools in national parks, there was no support for the relationship between other ITS and ATS goals (e.g. reduction of congestion) and attitudes toward or intent to use these tools in national parks. Finally, there was a significant difference between the types of tools respondents would use before arriving at and while at the study parks. Technology such as the Internet was more likely to be used before arriving at the parks. Following from diffusion of innovations theory, changes in perception toward these tools, as well as possible changes in the likelihood that they will be used in national parks, may be monitored by future research.