Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Agricultural and Extension Education

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face unique developmental challenges and vulnerabilities with food security. In particular, Caribbean Island SIDS continue to remain vulnerable to drastic shifts in global markets and natural disasters. Moreover, they are exposed to the inequities, fragilities, and underlying risks in the global food system. In the case of The Bahamas, explicitly, this reality holds as the country suffers from the lack of structured and sustainable agricultural programs that can supply agricultural products for the entire country. One solution to this ongoing food dilemma may be to shift developmental focus towards enhancing sustainable urban agricultural practices, such as backyard gardening. To that end, this descriptive quantitative research study appraised residents' current behavioral intentions on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama to adopt and engage in the practice of backyard gardening. This study also explored the current status of social and economic well-being on the two islands. The adoption of this behavior was analyzed using the theory of planned behavior and was supplemented by self-determination theory. Results indicated that there was a positive sense of economic and social well-being among residents. Concerning behavioral adoption, the inverse relationship with perceived behavioral control and positive relationship with subjective norms explained 16.7% of the variance in the model. Conclusions determine that residents had a stronger perceived sense of capability toward the practical aspect of backyard gardening versus the technical side. Further, the intention to engage was driven by a desire to be sustainable for the country's greater good. Recommendations include formulating backyard gardening programs that improve residents' technical abilities while promoting food sovereignty and food capacity.

Committee: Mary T. Rodriguez Dr. (Advisor); Amanda Bowling Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Agriculture; Caribbean Studies; Sustainability

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2005, Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

Social scientists frequently assess factors thought to underlie behavior for the purpose of designing behavioral change interventions. Researchers commonly identify these factors by examining relationships between specific variables and the focal behaviors being investigated. Variables with the strongest relationships to the focal behavior are then assumed to be the most influential determinants of that behavior, and therefore often become the targets for change in a behavioral change intervention. In the current proposal, multiple methods are used to compare the effectiveness of two theoretical frameworks for identifying influential motivational factors. Assessing the relative influence of all factors and sets of factors for driving behavior should clarify which framework and methodology is the most promising for identifying effective change targets. Results indicated each methodology adequately predicted the three focal behaviors examined. However, the reasons theory approach was superior for predicting factor influence ratings compared to the TpB approach. While common method variance contamination had minimal impact on the results or conclusions derived from the present study's findings, there were substantial differences in conclusions depending on the questionnaire design used to collect the data. Examples of applied uses of the present study are discussed.

Committee: Jeffrey Vancouver (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology, Industrial

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2008, Speech Communication

The purpose of this study was to investigate individuals' motivations to take dietary supplements using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). In addition to the standard TPB constructs, self-identity and past behavior were tested as additional variables to increase the theory's predictive power, and because of conflicting past research, the interaction between self-identity and past behavior was examined. The results of this study indicated that two TPB constructs – attitudes and subjective norms – were independent predictors of individuals' intentions to use dietary supplements. Additionally, this study found that that self-identity and past behavior independently predicted intention and captured additional variance not accounted for by the standard TPB constructs. Furthermore, this study found that self-identity was a stronger predictor of behavioral intention at lower levels of past behavior rather than at higher levels. Practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Committee: Judith Weiner PhD (Advisor); Marjorie Keeshan Nadler PhD (Committee Member); James Patterson PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Health

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2024, Educational Leadership

Introduction: Respite care is a needed support service for families with autistic children. The Theory of Reasoned Goal Pursuit (TRGP) is a theory used to predict and explain health behaviors. Purpose: This study applies the TRGP to use of respite care services. A new instrument was created to determine the attitudes, norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), motivation, and intentions of parents and legal guardians of autistic children to use respite care services. Behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs are described. Methods: No instruments were available that examine the constructs of the TRGP as they related to respite care services use; therefore, one was developed and evaluated for validity and reliability. Face and content validity were assessed by expert review, internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. Stepwise linear regression was used to predict motivation, intentions, and behavior. Participants were recruited through email listserv, open social media invitations, and through shares by community stakeholders. Results: 56 participants (100% female, 89.3% White, mean age = 41.6 years old) completed the online survey. Three significant regression models were created. In Model 1 (F=41.756, p < 0.001), instrumental attitudes and injunctive norms accounted for 63.5% of the variance of motivation. Injunctive norms (β =0.510) have a stronger effect on motivations than instrumental attitudes (β =0.390). In Model 2 (F=41.195, p < 0.001), capacity and motivation accounted for 61.7% of the variance of intention. Capacity (β =0.643) had a stronger effect on intentions than motivation (β =0.357). In model 3 (F=16.095, p < 0.001), intentions accounted for 24.0% of the variance of behavior. Conclusion: The TRGP was determined to be a promising framework for investigating respite care service use among parents of autistic children. More research is needed (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Paul Branscum (Committee Chair); Ann Haley MacKenzie (Committee Member); Ganiva Reyes (Committee Member); Sharon Custer (Committee Co-Chair); Érica Fernández (Committee Member) Subjects: Public Health

Specialist in Education, Miami University, 2023, School Psychology

This thesis explored how parental social media strategies differ across community types (e.g. rural, urban, and suburban) based on the idea that environment may influence parents' priorities. The need to understand how parents mediate their children's use of social media is growing since if disregarded, children may suffer harm. This research was the first of its kind to explore how parental social media mediation strategies differ across community types and the first to examine the relationship between mediation strategies and time outdoors/on screens. ANOVA and ordinal regression analyses revealed that urban parents practice restrictive mediation to a statistically significant extent, and restrictive parenting negatively correlates with parental perception of child screen time. In addition, restrictive mediation increased with population density. Reasons for this may be due to perceptions of greater risks, peer influences, and/or alternative activities available. More restrictive parents may set and enforce a greater number of time limits for their children, thus resulting in a perception that their children are spending less time on screens. Research in the future should explore how community type relates to parents' mediation behaviors and should consider using objective measures of children's screen time and social media use.

Committee: Kevin Bush (Advisor); Kyle Bush (Committee Member); Darrel Davis (Committee Member) Subjects: Educational Psychology; Psychology; Social Research

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2023, Social Work

Background: Approximately 50% of individuals seeking treatment for substance use and mental health conditions in behavioral healthcare settings have a lifetime history of TBI affecting their ability to engage in behavioral health treatment. Identifying lifetime history of TBI using validated screening methods can optimize interventions for these individuals, however, TBI screening adoption has failed in these settings. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior and Diffusion of Innovations Theory, this explanatory sequential mixed methods study aimed to improve our understanding about how provider characteristics (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), intentions), innovation-level factors (acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness), and contextual determinants affect TBI screening adoption in behavioral healthcare settings. Methods: In Phase I, 215 behavioral health providers in the United States completed a training introducing the OSU TBI-ID, followed by a web-based survey assessing attitudes, PBC, subjective norms, and intentions to screen for TBI (Time 1). After one-month, providers completed a second survey assessing the number of TBI screens conducted, and the acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of TBI screening (Time 2). Data were analyzed using structural equation modelling with logistic regressions (SEM) and logistic regression with moderation effects. Results informed development of a qualitative interview guide. In Phase II, 20 providers from Phase I participated in interviews to build upon the quantitative results. Data were analyzed thematically and integrated with the quantitative results. Barriers to adoption were also identified and linked to constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results: Approximately 25% of providers adopted TBI screening, which was driven by motivations to trial the innovation. SEM demonstrated that more favorable attitudes toward TBI screening were (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Alicia Bunger (Advisor); Alan Davis (Committee Member); Jennifer Bogner (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Health Care; Public Health; Social Research; Social Work

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2020, City and Regional Planning

Food waste is a wicked problem. It is the result of agricultural economic policies, income inequality, deficient distribution networks, and food edibility enculturation among other factors. Food waste is generated at every level of the food system, with each level having numerous activities with enough uniqueness and reasons for wasting food. Equally, there are numerous ways to prevent, reduce and recycle food waste at each level of the food system, but solutions also depend on the same factors that causes it and are additionally influenced by sustainability policies, existing waste management infrastructure, land use priorities, and social and personal psychological norms. Hence it can feel that finding a solution for food waste is a never-ending battle. Solutions must be implemented at all levels of the food system and in order to do this food waste and solid waste management planners must look for causes and solutions at the macro and micro scales. The research presented here is concerned with implementing solutions and understanding how these solutions could be successfully implemented. In the first essay, I report the case study of a planning process undertaken in the Mississippi Gulf Coast to develop a food system plan that integrated strategies commonly included in regional solid waste management plans, in order to manage food waste more sustainably with strategies designed to accommodate local needs and unique circumstances. While most food system plans acknowledge the importance of managing food waste, this study was the first food system planning effort that included a committee composed of local solid waste management professionals and local stakeholders interested in food waste prevention, reduction, and recycling. The planning process was a three-step process that engaged stakeholders in the food supply chain from production, distribution, retail, and consumption through to post-consumption. The essay describes the specific steps taken to assess the g (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Bernadette Hanlon PhD (Advisor); Brian Roe PhD (Advisor); Kareem Usher PhD (Committee Member); Jennifer Evans-Cowley PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Area Planning and Development; Behavioral Psychology; Environmental Health; Environmental Management; Environmental Studies; Land Use Planning; Public Health; Sanitation; Social Psychology; Sustainability; Urban Planning; Wildlife Management

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 0, Clinical Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

Background: Young, first-time blood donors are crucial to the sufficiency of the national blood supply. Ambivalence about donating blood has received little empirical attention, but it may represent a significant impediment to the retention of this donor group. The primary goals of the present study were to: 1) assess the effect of a motivational interview on ambivalence, the Theory of Planned Behavior constructs (i.e., donation intention, attitude, self-efficacy, and subjective norms), and autonomous motivation to donate blood, 2) determine if individual differences in ambivalence moderate interview outcomes and the relationship between attitude and donation intention, and 3) test a model of donation intention informed by the Trans-Contextual Model. Methods: Donors aged 16 to 24 years (N = 259) were randomly assigned to a motivational interview or a treatment-as-usual control group. Measures of ambivalence, donation intention, attitude, self-efficacy, subjective norms, and autonomous motivation were administered at baseline and follow-up. Results: An ANOVA revealed a significant effect of study group on donation attitude, reflecting greater baseline to follow-up change among donors in the motivational interview group compared to donors in the control group (p = 0.01). There was no significant effect of group on donation intention, self-efficacy, subjective norms, ambivalence, or autonomous motivation. Linear regression analyses indicated that ambivalence moderated the relationship between change in attitude and change in donation intention such that higher levels of ambivalence were associated with stronger attitude – intention relations (p < 0.01). Path analyses revealed that increases in autonomous motivation were associated with increases in attitude and subjective norms, and that increases in self-efficacy and attitude were associated with increases in donation intention. Conclusions: A brief motivational interview enhances positive don (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Christopher France Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Tania Basta Ph.D. (Committee Member); Christine Gidycz Ph.D. (Committee Member); Ryan Shorey Ph.D. (Committee Member); Julie Suhr Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2016, Communication

More cancer survivors than ever before are living five years or longer past their initial diagnosis. Cancer and its treatment are often not the end of chronic health issues among survivors. The comorbidity of interest in this study is obesity. Cancer survivors often gain weight during treatment, and rarely return to their pre-treatment weight. The purpose of this study to explore how to best frame nutrition messages for cancer survivors, which may help to reduce obesity and ultimately improve the quality of life among survivors. Utilizing the Integrated Model of Behavioral Prediction (IMBP), it was predicted that messages would predict attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioral control, which would in turn predict fruit and vegetable intentions. A mixed methods design was used to test the effectiveness of two message formats, narrative and non-narrative. Messages were pre-tested among (N = 10) cancer survivors using semi-structured interviews. The message pre-test revealed that both narrative and non-narrative formats were equivalent in content. The main study utilized an experimental design whereby (N=211) saw either the experimental (narrative) or control (non-narrative) message on fruit and vegetable consumption. Results indicated no significant differences between condition. Of the determinants of intention in the IMBP, only perceived behavioral control predicted fruit and vegetable intentions at follow-up. Future research in this area should consider tailoring narrative formats, and focus on the multifaceted nature of energy balance.

Committee: Shelly Hovick Ph.D. (Advisor); Lanier Holt Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

Doctor of Business Administration, Cleveland State University, 2014, Monte Ahuja College of Business

With counterfeit good consumption growing at alarming rates each year, this topic is increasingly demanding attention of marketing academics. This dissertation examines two sets of factors that influence consumer attitude toward counterfeits: sociocultural influences and psychological influences. Based on a review of the literature, two constructs, namely information susceptibility and normative susceptibility are combined to form a group of sociocultural influences expected to influence consumer attitude toward counterfeits. In addition, five constructs are combined to represent psychological influences, namely value consciousness, self-identity, integrity, materialism and perceived risk. Data was collected through a web-based survey and features a cross-sectional design. Utilizing a sample of 228 respondents, confirmatory factor analysis coupled with structural equation modeling was employed to analyze hypothesized relationships. Results suggest the most significant influence on consumer attitude toward counterfeits is integrity; the more integrity held by a consumer, the less favorable their attitude toward counterfeits. In addition, materialism and normative susceptibility were also found to be positively related to consumer attitude toward counterfeits. Consumer attitude toward counterfeits was also shown to have positive significance as a mediating variable between the antecedents and purchase intention. The results of this dissertation suggest that consumers, and their reference groups justify purchasing counterfeit items due to what they believe to be unfair business practices such as charging too much. This research will assist scholars, marketers, and government agencies to understand the implications of counterfeit good consumption and contribute to the development of effective strategies to counter the purchase of non-deceptive counterfeit goods.

Committee: Ashutosh Dixit PhD (Committee Chair); Elad Granot PhD (Committee Member); Ji-Eun Park PhD (Committee Member); Kimberly Neuendorf PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Marketing

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2009, Agricultural and Extension Education

For many years Extension Professionals have struggled to retain youth in the 4-H youth development program. Research shows that when members start the program at an early age, they are more likely to stay in the program longer. However, little research has been done regarding recruitment and marketing to the youngest age group, the 4-H Cloverbuds. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the recruitment and marketing strategies used with the 4-H Cloverbud program. Particularly, the study sought to investigate successful recruitment strategies, and barriers to marketing the Ohio 4-H Cloverbud program according to Ohio State University Extension Professionals. Specific objectives of the study were to a) explore what strategies Extension Professionals use to recruit Cloverbuds and Cloverbud parents/ guardians, b) identify what marketing techniques have not been successful in recruiting Cloverbuds/Cloverbud parents/ guardians, c) determine what marketing messages are used most often. The study was grounded on two collective theoretical frameworks. The Theory of Reasoned Action and the Theory of Planned Behavior guided this study. In regards to marketing the 4-H Cloverbud program, the Theory of Planned Behavior and Theory of Reasoned Action help determine why or why not potential Cloverbud families intend to perform the behavior of enrolling their children into the 4-H Cloverbud program. To address the research questions, a qualitative study was designed to investigate techniques used for recruitment and marketing of the Ohio 4-H Cloverbud program. Nineteen Extension Professionals participated in one of three focus groups held via WebEx to gather data to answer the research questions. Focus group participants consisted of Ohio State University Extension Professionals from nineteen different counties who had been employed with OSU Extension anywhere from one to 30 years and been involved with the 4-H Cloverbud program from one to 13 plus years. Significant (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Emily Rhoades PhD (Committee Chair); Scott Scheer PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Agricultural Education; Communication

Master of Science in Exercise and Health Studies, Miami University, 2011, Exercise and Health Studies

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the “Raising Exercise Confidence” manual on constructs from a) the Theory of Planned Behavior (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention), b) Self-Determinism Theory (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), and c) Social Cognitive Theory (self-efficacy) relating to exercise at Miami University's Recreational Center. Data from 346 Miami University students was collected to determine the effect of reading the manual on each theoretical construct. A 2 X 2 (Gender X Time) mixed-model MANOVA revealed a significant effect of the manual on all six constructs. This indicated that the manual was effective in increasing constructs relating to exercise behavior, thus serving as an effective resource for promoting exercise participation amongst college students. Limitations of the study and future directions are also discussed.

Committee: Valerie Ubbes PhD, CHES (Committee Chair); Thelma Horn PhD (Committee Member); Susan Lipnickey PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Education

PHD, Kent State University, 2005, College of Communication and Information / School of Communication Studies

Utilizing Ajzen's (1985) theory of planned behavior as the theoretical basis, prospective donors' cognitive and emotive processing of requests for charitable gifts was examined. The study extended the model by including emotional involvement operationalized as self-reported strength of discrete emotions. Within a counterbalanced design, subjects (N = 144) watched 3 nonprofit organizations' fundraising videos and were offered a $15 honorarium, which could be contributed to the organizations as a measure of behavior. Among attitudes toward (a) making a gift, (b) philanthropy, and (c) the organization, only attitude toward the gift (ATT_G) was found to explain a significant portion of behavioral intention (BI). Social and moral norms were found to be components of subjective norms and contributed to behavior intention, whereas descriptive norms did not. Perceived behavioral control also contributed to BI. BI was not related to actual behavior, nor were attitudes or perceived behavioral control. Among the emotions, sadness and puzzlement negatively impacted ATT_G and compassion positively impacted ATT_G. Anger, sadness, and contentment negatively impacted BI and compassion positively affected BI. Higher levels of fear, contentment, happiness, and compassion were related to more positive ATT_G, whereas higher levels of anger and puzzlement were related to less positive ATT_G. Implications for both theory development and professional practice are presented. First, although the TPB effectively predicts intentions to make a charitable gift, the study questions the assumption that positive attitudes or intentions are related to behavior. This study suggests that there are other factors which may impact behavior. Second, this study confirms that people have multiple emotional reactions to altruistic requests, suggesting that research examining the impact of single emotions on persuasive situations may be inadequate. Third, the study suggests that there are cognitions and emot (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Rebecca Rubin (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2024, Sociology

Previous studies have extensively examined women's fertility intentions and contraceptive use, yet research on men's intentions, especially among those in emerging adulthood, remains fairly limited. This study aims to advance our understanding of the relationship between men's fertility intentions and condom use among heterosexual, sexually active young adult males aged 18-29-year-old who are not in coresidential partnerships, using data from the 2015-2019 National Survey of Family Growth. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior and the life course perspective, I explore two central questions. First, I investigate the association between fertility intentions and condom use when accounting for sociodemographic indicators. I find that men not intending to have children in the next two years have a higher likelihood of condom use compared to using no method. However, fertility intentions did not significantly distinguish between the use of female-based methods and condoms. Second, I focus on the majority of young adult men who do not intend to have a child within the next two years and examine how sociodemographic characteristics, relationship dynamics, and sexual partnerships relate to their contraceptive use. Among these young adult men, I find that age, relationship status, race, school enrollment, and number of sexual partnerships emerged as significant correlates of contraceptive method choice. By investigating emerging adult men's contraceptive behaviors and fertility intentions, this study offers new perspectives on how emerging adult men navigate pregnancy timing and sexual health.

Committee: Wendy Manning Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Lauren Newmyer Ph.D. (Committee Member); Kei Nomaguchi Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Demography; Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2024, Journalism (Communication)

This research assesses the effects of media richness on journalism students' attitudes and readiness to report on mental illness ethically and accurately. Due to the ongoing inaccurate and sensationalized depictions of mental illness in media, future journalists must be trained to combat these issues. This study engaged 280 U.S. journalism students in a posttest-only experimental design. Participants were assigned to one of three conditions through Qualtrics: rich media with a narrated slide deck, moderate media with a non-narrated slide deck, and lean media with a static text page. Results indicated no significant difference in attitudes, self-efficacy, or intentions between the groups, challenging the predicted educational advantage of rich media. These findings suggest alternative factors – such as individual motivation – might also influence learning outcomes. This study calls for further inquiry into rich media educational methods to prepare journalism students to tackle subjects like mental health in their future careers.

Committee: Parul Jain (Advisor); Greg Newton (Committee Member); Kimberly Rios (Committee Member); Robert Stewart (Committee Member) Subjects: Journalism; Mass Communications; Mass Media; Mental Health

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership

Agriculture continues to have the largest number of injuries and fatalities compared to any other industry in the United States (Mulhollem, 2023). In 2022, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting experienced the highest death rate per 100,000 workers out of any other industry (National Safety Council, 2024). According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (n.d.), more than two million youth under the age of 20 are exposed to agricultural-related hazards, many resulting in injury or fatalities, each year. It has been found that 48% of all youth occupational fatalities are in the agricultural industry, making youth in agriculture nearly eight times more likely to be fatally injured compared to all other occupations (Weichelt et al., 2022). Engineering, enforcement, and education can all be used to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities (Giles et al., 2019). Education can be used to recognize, respect, and control potential hazards present in the workplace (OSHA, 2023). Safety programming is incorporated into many of the preexisting avenues for agricultural education including cooperative extension, school based agricultural education, and industry supported programs (American Farm Bureau, 2023; Hillison, 1987; NIFA, 2023). School based agricultural education (SBAE) often provides opportunities for students to learn about safety practices in the agricultural industry. Safety education has been a part of the mission of SBAE courses since the establishment in 1917 (Cheng et al., 2017). In Ohio, there were approximately 326 schools offering SBAE in 2022 (Ohio FFA, 2022). This study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), Framing Theory, and semiotics to create and test advertisements for an agricultural safety education program. This research utilized an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design. Qualitative data collected from high school students were used to create frames for advertisements that were tested in the quantitative phase. Overal (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Annie Specht (Advisor); Caryn Filson (Committee Chair); Cara Lawson (Committee Chair); Dee Jepsen (Advisor) Subjects: Agriculture; Communication

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.), Franklin University, 2023, Health Programs

Aim: The study sought to understand the relationship between cardiovascular disease, fatalism, and prevention-seeking behaviors disparities between Blacks and Whites. Background: In the US, one death occurs every forty seconds as a result of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The CVD burden disproportionately impacts Blacks partly due to the overabundance of attributable risk factors like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes within this population segment. Approximately 90% of lifestyle risk factors are modifiable. Early prevention strategies or prevention-seeking behaviors are vital in improving patient outcomes. However, prevention-seeking behavior (PSB) strategies should be culturally sensitive. Method: The study was based on a cross-sectional research design, and data was collected via a web-based survey instrument. Black and White adults aged ≥18 years were the population of interest. The dependent variable was prevention-seeking behavior, and the focal dependent variable was the cardiovascular disease fatalism instrument (CVD-FI) score. Alternate independent variables included age, race, cardiovascular disease, and comorbid conditions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statics, Pearson's correlational analysis, and ANCOVA via IBM SPSS Statistics Grad Pack 29.0 Standard Windows. Conclusion: There was insufficient evidence to reject the null hypotheses of a statistically significant difference between Blacks and Whites in CVD fatalism and prevention-seeking behaviors. Race may have indirectly influenced fatalism through CVD family history and preexisting conditions and levels of PSB through care access.

Committee: Jordan Argus (Committee Chair); Steven Marks (Committee Member); Dail Fields (Committee Member) Subjects: Cultural Anthropology; Education; Health; Health Care; Health Care Management; Health Sciences; Pharmacy Sciences

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2023, Nursing: Nursing - Doctoral Program

Background. Overweight and obesity have continued to increase among all age groups in the United States. The exact causes of overweight and obesity are still unspecified. Understanding factors affecting children's eating behaviors may provide a unique insight into future interventions to prevent overweight and obesity. Purpose. Guided by the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this dissertation aimed to 1) review factors in the literature affecting the eating behaviors of preschoolers, 2) determine the extent to which demographic characteristics and the primary caregivers' factors (i.e., beliefs, intention to provide a healthy diet, and feeding practices) can explain the variance in the diet quality of preschoolers, and 3) determine the extent to which demographic characteristics and the primary caregivers' factors (i.e., beliefs, intention to provide a healthy diet) can explain the variance in their feeding practices. Primary caregivers were defined as individuals responsible for the upbringing of a preschooler (e.g., parent, grandparent, guardian, or older sibling). Methods. This dissertation consisted of 3 manuscripts. First, the review paper was to summarize, critically analyze, and synthesize the existing body of literature on the factors influencing the eating behaviors of preschool children according to their caregiver's determinants and identify the research gaps to guide future research studies. Two electronic databases were searched including PubMed and CINAHL Plus with Full Text, to identify eligible studies that were published between January 2017 and March 2022. A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was used for the second and third manuscripts. Data were collected using self-administered surveys in REDCap and telephone interviews regarding diet quality. The participants were recruited from Facebook across the US and various settings and facilities in the Midwest. A total of 146 primary caregivers of preschoolers were recruited (88% (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Tamilyn Bakas PhD (Committee Chair); Elaine Miller Ph.D. (Committee Member); Rebecca Lee Ph.D. (Committee Member); Sarah Couch Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Nursing

PHD, Kent State University, 2023, College of Communication and Information

In this dissertation, the main goal was to examine whether the theory of planned behavior is a better theoretical framework with contextual antecedents, such as parental gaming antecedents to video game co-playing intentions and behaviors. This is first accomplished by measuring the underlying beliefs parents have about video games that either propel them to co-play or not to co-play video games with their kids. Since this study is guided by the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991), intentions and behaviors are predicted by attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control belief constructs. Ajzen (1991, 2020) suggests that more constructs can be included to further predict intentions and behavior. In the case of parents, I suggest that beliefs about a behavior relating to their children are likely formed by personal beliefs about the behavior as it relates to themselves. Specifically, parents hold beliefs about activities that they then, must readjust when they think about doing the behavior with their kids. As such, I predict that parents' beliefs about playing video games are contextual antecedents to parents' beliefs about co-playing video games with their children. In this study, I propose an addition to the TPB model by including a new set of behavioral constructs, gaming antecedents, as preceding constructs to parents' co-playing constructs. I find that contextual antecedents related to gaming inform parents' co-playing beliefs. The findings indicate that parents have preconceived notions about gaming, shaping their beliefs and perspectives toward co-playing with their children. These contextual antecedents can even predict parents' likelihood of co-playing with their kids. When studying parent-child shared behaviors, the inclusion of contextual variables into future TPB models helps define and explain how parents' prior beliefs and behaviors affect the behaviors they share with their children.

Committee: Jennifer McCullough (Advisor); Chance York (Committee Co-Chair); Enrico Gandolfi (Committee Member); Miriam Matteson (Committee Member); David Silva (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2023, Biological Sciences

Environmental degradation has led to a number of environmental issues including, but not limited to, habitat loss, plastic pollution, harmful algal blooms, and climate change. While many of those environmental issues are driven by human actions, there are also numerous environmentally positive, or pro-environmental, behaviors that individuals can adopt to help mitigate negative impacts on the environment. Several theories have aimed to uncover what encourages individuals to change their environmental behavior, such as connection to nature and Theory of Planned Behavior, however, the exact influence and interaction of these theoretical factors, as they encourage pro-environmental behavior adoption specifically, is still unclear. Yet, understanding the factors that influence pro-environmental behavior adoption is critical for environmental educators communicating environmental issues and solutions with the intention of raising awareness and changing behaviors. In this research, I explore the factors that influence pro-environmental behavior adoption in the Lake Erie region through examining the environmental identity of the author through autoethnography, the pro-environmental behaviors of individuals that attend environmental education events, and the influence of social circles on environmental mindedness. Using a mixed method approach, I have uncovered how individuals may be influenced by experiences, education, family, and friends. This information can be used to improve environmentally based communication and encourage more individuals to adopt pro-environmental behaviors.

Committee: Karen Sirum Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Pascal Bizarro Ph.D. (Other); Nathan Hensley Ph.D. (Committee Member); Maria Bidart Ph.D. (Committee Member); Matthew Cross Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Biology; Climate Change; Conservation; Ecology; Education; Environmental Education; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Social Research; Sociology; Sustainability; Wildlife Conservation