Goal Of Participation Research Articles

Integrated game-theory modelling for multi enterprise-wide coordination and collaboration under uncertain competitive environment

In this work, an integrated Game Theory (GT) approach is developed for the coordination of multi-enterprise Supply Chains (SCs) in a competitive uncertain environment. The conflicting goals of the different participants are solved through coordination contracts using a non-cooperative non-zero-sum Stackelberg game under the leadership of the manufacturer. The Stackelberg payoff matrix is built under the nominal conditions, and then evaluated under different probable uncertain scenarios using a Monte-Carlo simulation. The competition between the Stackelberg game players and the third parties is solved through a Nash Equilibrium game. A novel way to analyze the game outcome is proposed based on a win–win Stackelberg set of “Pareto-frontiers”. The benefits of the resulting MINLP tactical models are illustrated by a case study with different vendors around a client SC. The results show that the coordinated decisions lead to higher expected payoffs compared to the standalone case, while also leading to uncertainty reduction.

Exploring the Factors Associated with MOOC Engagement, Retention and the Wider Benefits for Learners

Abstract Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have and continue to change the way in which nontraditional learners’ access education. Although the free element of these has been linked to low completion rates due to no invested interest, the MOOC platform enables innovative technologies and practices to be trialled. Therefore, rather than attributing varied intentions of learners for high drop-out rates, it is suggested that an increase in completion can be achieved through more focussed pedagogical practices. In this way, it is necessary to understand the wider benefits of MOOC engagement for learners and what factors are key to their engagement and retention. The current research qualitatively analysed open feedback obtained from learners that corresponded to their goals of course participation. The feedback was also matched to categorical data that related to initial course intentions, the value of course materials and activities, the preferred extent of instructor interaction, unit completion and their overall rating of the MOOC. Thematic analysis revealed eight key themes that can be linked to engagement and wider benefits of course participation and widely related to professional and educational development, for example, supplementary learning for undergraduate students. Moreover, the MOOC appeared to have encouraged learners to revaluate their perspectives of and attitudes towards Dementia and those diagnosed with it, demonstrating another key element of this course. The open feedback revealed that quality assured MOOCs have significant impact on the lives of enrolled learners and pedagogical design and advances in these courses are considered, particularly in relation to collaborative learning. Finally, the application of MOOCs to wider learning and teaching at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is discussed, with emphasis placed on the advantages of readily available resources and scope for scholarly activity.

A mixed-method study of the efficacy of physical activity consultation as an adjunct to standard smoking cessation treatment among male smokers in Malaysia.

Background This study examined the effectiveness of using Physical Activity Consultation (PAC) as an addition to the standard smoking cessation treatment in Malaysia. We explored participants’ experiences in terms of physical activity and smoking abstinence with the combined PAC and smoking cessation intervention.MethodsWalk-in smokers from a local smoking cessation clinic volunteered for the 8-week intervention program, while undergoing standard smoking cessation treatment. In Week 1, a facilitator conducted a face-to-face intervention to explore participants’ involvement in physical activity and helped to set physical activity strategies and goals for participants to increase physical activity levels. Participants were provided with follow-up phone calls at Weeks 3 and 6. Participants answered questionnaires that measured smoking withdrawal (Shiffman–Jarvik Withdrawal Scale), cessation self-efficacy (Cessation Self-efficacy Questionnaire), physical activity involvement (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and mood (Brunel Mood Scale) upon recruitment, at post-intervention and at follow-up 3 months after the intervention ended. Participants also responded to interviews about their experiences with the PAC and smoking cessation treatment at post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up.ResultsSeven participants completed the program until follow-up. All were successfully abstinent. Only two participants increased physical activity levels, whereas others maintained their physical activity levels or showed slight decreases. Several themes were identified in this study, including participants’ experiences with withdrawal symptoms, smoking cessation self-efficacy, triggers to smoking cessation, thoughts on standard smoking cessation treatment in Malaysia, physical activity involvement, mood, and thoughts and beliefs on combining smoking cessation and physical activity.ConclusionsThis study suggests PAC was helpful in maintaining or increasing the overall physical activity levels of participants and could assist with smoking abstinence. Findings showed that all participants who stayed in the program were successfully abstinent. In general, the findings in this study provided promising results for further research on PAC as an adjunct to smoking cessation treatments in Malaysia. Trial registration This intervention is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Trial registration number: ACTRN12616000269437).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-016-3675-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Promoting Community Participation in Peri - Urban Infrastructures

AIM: The aim of this research is to examine the importance of community participation in education and social infrastructure in Peri - Urban of Tirana city.MATERIAL AND METHODS: This research states that “involvement of community” is a direct response to giving the community a voice in shaping their future environment to promote urban regeneration in combination with the respecting of the principle of sustainability.RESULTS: This rich picture of community participation and urban planning brings an improver's eye to the real issue on the ground, focused mainly on the guidelines set by the European Union. The goal of the project participation which generates public space, beyond the values that carry on improving the quality of life for the citizens – can illustrate how urban regeneration projects may have a huge impact on the entire city life. The result is to create an area which improves profits and a good lifestyle; re-conceptualization of investment as an investment in urban infrastructure, an investment that can have a large impact even with a relatively low cost.CONCLUSIONS: This article emphasises the need for a real metamorphose to all barriers between builders and users which must be abolished so that building and usage become two different parts, of the same planning process.

Stroke : Highlights of Selected Articles

<i>Stroke</i> : Highlights of Selected Articles

First Year After Stroke: An Integrated Approach Focusing on Participation Goals Aiming to Reduce Depressive Symptoms.

Depression is a common issue after stroke. A focus on assisting people to achieve their personal participation goals may reduce levels of depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a person-centered, integrated approach on facilitating goal achievement in the first year poststroke on depressive symptoms. This study was a randomized controlled trial that addressed ways to enhance participation in patient-valued activities and intermittently screen for adverse sequelae postdischarge from rehabilitation. Collaborative goal setting was undertaken in both groups at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. The control group received standard management as determined by the treating team. In addition, the intervention group received a multimodal approach, including telephone contacts, screening for adverse sequelae, written information, home visits, review of goal achievement, and further referral to relevant health services. The main outcome measure was depressed mood, measured by the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. One hundred ten participants were recruited. No group differences were identified at baseline on any demographic and clinical variables. Using multiple linear regression analysis, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to the severity of depressive symptoms at 12 months poststroke (R2=0.366; F (6, 89)=8.57; P<0.005), with the intervention group recording lower depressive scores. This model of community-based rehabilitation proved effective in reducing poststroke depressive symptoms. An integrated approach using pursuit of patient-identified activities should form part of routine poststroke management. URL: http://www.anzctr.org.au. Unique identifier: ACTRN12608000042347.

Beneath Our Eyes: An Exploration of the Relationship between Technology Enhanced Learning and Socio‐Ecological Sustainability in Art and Design Higher Education

AbstractThis article uses published research to explore how Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) can help to sustain learning communities to engage in creative exploration and open investigation. It then draws on this research to ask: how could we use TEL to support pedagogies of socio‐ecological sustainability in the Art and Design education community? Three interrelated themes are explored: learning communities – in developing shared values and supporting investigations around issues of concern; learning spaces – in supporting these communities and their dialogue; and theory – to illustrate and provide language to understand the values, activities and goals of participants. Theory may help us to link the impact of these community activities, supported by TEL, to global issues. This article attempts to initiate an exploration of the fundamental elements required to create pedagogies of socio‐ecological sustainability within Art and Design higher education.

Farmers’ Participation Obstacles in Management of Irrigation Networks

The purposes of this study are to analysis and group the participations’ obstacles of users in usage management and the irrigation networks maintenance in Semnan province. It was applied research and causal-correlation method was used. The statistical population of the study consists of all farmers having used irrigation networks in the Semnan province (Garmsar and Damghan town) having a population over of 18650 and finally 255 of which answered the questions. The main instrument used for date collection was questionnaire. To determine validity, the questionnaires were given to experts and some doctorate students, and then to evaluate reliability of the questionnaires, a pretest has been done, which was on 30 random farmers of Tehran (Varamin area), the gained questionnaire’s Alpha Coefficient was %88, it shows suitable reliability of the questionnaires. the main obstacles for the farmers’ participation were political obstacles (government’s inattention to roles of non–governmental organizations, the government’s inattention to users’ ownership right, the users being’s not clear of goals of participation, the focus of the maintenance and management activities of irrigation networks by the government, The government’s inattention to role of council) which have the most share (31.12) and then economical obstacles were (not economical in the maintenance and management of irrigation networks, lack of credits necessary for programs, usage management and the irrigation networks maintenance projects having the late outcome, financial inability for participation). Psychological and personal factors (unwell physical state for participation; programs are not adaptive with the farmers’ needs) which have the least share (3.39) in explaining total variance of the participations’ obstacles of users in usage management and the irrigation networks maintenance. These 5 factors explained 66.12 of total variance of all public participation’s obstacles in the usage management and the irrigation networks maintenance.

Long-term Rehabilitation in Patients With Acquired Brain Injury.

Patients with acquired brain injury who have been discharged from inpatient neurological rehabilitation often continue to suffer from limited independence, participation, and quality of life. Participation-focused outpatient treatment (in German: teilhabeorientierte ambulan. In a randomized, controlled trial, 53 patients who had sustained an acquired brain injury approximately four years earlier were allotted to two different sequences of treatment (26 TEAM/control, 27 control/TEAM). The primary endpoint was the achievement of an individual participation goal one month after the start of treatment. The secondary endpoints included independence in everyday activities, health-related quality of life, participation, and need for nursing care. The intervention was four weeks long and was carried out on an outpatient basis (19.4 ± 1.3 hours per week). Patients in the control group were treated in a manner resembling usual current care. All endpoints were evaluated in a per-protocol (PP) analysis of data from 47 patients. For confirmation, an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was also carried out for the primary endpoint and for independence in everyday activities. According to the PP analysis, TEAM patients achieved their individual participation goals at 1 month more frequently than control patients receiving standard treatment (61% vs. 21%; p = 0.008) and improved more with respect to independence in everyday activities. The difference between TEAM and standard treatment was +7.3 points on the FIM (Functional Independence Measure) scale (95% confidence interval [2.8; 11.8]; p = 0.0024). The superiority of TEAM was confirmed by the ITT analysis (achievement of the participation goal, TEAM vs. standard treatment: 54% vs. 19%, p = 0.0103). Moreover, improvements were seen at 12 months in quality of life, participation, and the need for nursing care. The TEAM rehabilitation program can help patients in the chronic phase of acquired brain injury achieve participation goals that are relevant to everyday life. An adjustment of the care structure in Germany to include such intensive goal-oriented rehabilitation programs would lead to a more effective mobilization of these patients' potential for long-term rehabilitation.

A Social-Ecological Framework for Urban Stewardship Network Research to Promote Sustainable and Resilient Cities

To realize more sustainable and resilient urban social-ecological systems, there is great need for active engagement from diverse public agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, natural resource managers, scientists, and other actors. Cities present unique challenges and opportunities for sustainability and resilience, as issues and organizations are frequently intertwined in networks of relations. Understanding and leveraging the range of knowledge types, motivations, skills, and goals of diverse participants and their networks is fundamental to sustainable and resilient cities. As efforts to examine and understand urban stewardship networks continue to emerge, it is increasingly clear that there are no structured or systematic frameworks to guide the integration of social and ecological phenomena. Such a framework could facilitate planning new urban stewardship network research, and provide a basis for comparisons among cities and their urban stewardship networks. In this paper, we develop and present a social-ecological framework for examining and understanding urban stewardship networks. To illustrate this framework and provide examples of its prospective and evaluative utility, we use examples from the U.S. Forest Service’s Stewardship Mapping (STEW-MAP) network in the United States from Baltimore, MD, USA, New York City, NY, USA, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA, and Seattle, WA, USA.

Efficacy of a Universal Brief Intervention for Violence Among Urban Emergency Department Youth.

Violent injury is the leading cause of death among urban youth. Emergency department (ED) visits represent an opportunity to deliver a brief intervention (BI) to reduce violence among youth seeking medical care in high-risk communities. The objective was to determine the efficacy of a universally applied BI addressing violence behaviors among youth presenting to an urban ED. ED youth (14 to 20 years old) seeking medical or injury-related care in a Level I ED (October 2011-March 2015) and screening positive for a home address within the intervention or comparison neighborhood of a larger youth violence project were enrolled in this quasi-experimental study. Based on home address, participants were assigned to receive either the 30-minute therapist-delivered BI (Project Sync) or a resource brochure (enhanced usual care [EUC] condition). The Project Sync BI combined motivational interviewing and cognitive skills training, including a review of participant goals, tailored feedback, decisional balance exercises, role-playing exercises, and linkage to community resources. Participants completed validated survey measures at baseline and a 2-month follow-up assessment. Main outcome measures included self-report of physical victimization, aggression, and self-efficacy to avoid fighting. Poisson and zero-inflated Poisson regression analyses analyzed the effects of the BI, compared to the EUC condition, on primary outcomes. A total of 409 eligible youth (82% participation) were enrolled and assigned to receive either the BI (n = 263) or the EUC condition (n = 146). Two-month follow-up was 91% (n = 373). There were no significant baseline differences between study conditions. Among the entire sample, mean (±SD) age was 17.7 (±1.9) years, 60% were female, 93% were African American, and 79% reported receipt of public assistance. Of participants, 9% presented for a violent injury, 9% reported recent firearm carriage, 20% reported recent alcohol use, and 39% reported recent marijuana use. Compared with the EUC group, participants in the therapist BI group showed self-reported reductions in frequency of violent aggression (therapist, -46.8%; EUC, -36.9%; incident rate ratio [IRR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.76 to 0.99) and increased self-efficacy for avoiding fighting (therapist, +7.2%; EUC, -1.3%; IRR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.15). No significant changes were noted for victimization. Among youth seeking ED care in a high-risk community, a brief, universally applied BI shows promise in increased self-efficacy for avoiding fighting and a decrease in the frequency of violent aggression.

Psychological factors are important to return to pre-injury sport activity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: expect and motivate to satisfy

PurposeTo describe individuals’ expectations, motivation, and satisfaction before, during, and after rehabilitation for ACL reconstruction and to explore how these factors were associated with return to pre-injury sport activity at 1-year follow-up.MethodsSixty-five individuals (34 males), median age 22 (15–45) years, scheduled for ACL reconstruction participated. Participants completed the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC-SKF) and questions about expectations, satisfaction, and motivation pre-operatively and at 16 and 52 weeks after surgery.ResultsPrior to surgery, 86 % of participants stated that their goal was to return to their pre-injury sport activity. Those who had returned to their pre-injury sport activity at 52 weeks were more motivated during rehabilitation to return to their pre-injury activity level, more satisfied with their activity level and knee function at 52 weeks, and scored significantly higher on the IKDC-SKF [median 92.0 (range 66.7–100.0)] at 52 weeks, compared to those who had not returned [median 77.6 (range 50.6–97.7)].ConclusionPrior to ACL reconstruction, most participants expected to return to their pre-injury activity level. Higher motivation during rehabilitation was associated with returning to the pre-injury sport activity. The participants who had returned to their pre-injury sport activity were more satisfied with their activity level and knee function 1 year after the ACL reconstruction. Facilitating motivation might be important to support individuals in achieving their participation goals after ACL reconstruction.Level of evidenceProspective cohort study, Level II.

The Enlightened Self: Identity and Aspiration in Two Communities of Practice

Existing research on religious identity, especially from a narrative perspective, has tended to focus either on accounts of the past (especially occasions of religious change) or on conceptions of religious identity in the present. Religious communities, however, not only provide a sense of identity and belonging in the present—as a “Catholic” or “Buddhist,” for example—they also promote a particular vision of the religious ideal: The way of being-in-the-world that all adherents are (or ought to be) striving to achieve. Drawing on fieldwork and interviews, this paper describes and analyzes the identity and lifestyle goals of participants in two communities of practice: An Integral Yoga studio and a Catholic prayer house. I find that the ideal spiritual self in both communities is defined by three key characteristics: A sacred gaze, a simultaneous sense of presence and detachment, and a holistic style of identity management. I suggest that in constructing and transmitting a shared vision of the “enlightened self,” these organizations offer practitioners a highly desirable but ever-elusive aspirational identity. This study calls attention to religious organizations as important suppliers of possible identities—the identities, either desired and feared, we think we could or might become in the future—and reveals the situated and contextual nature of adherents’ religious aspirations.

The Relation Between Participation Motives and Goal Orientation of Participants in Recreational Dance Activities

The aim of the study was to investigate: a) the participation motives of adults who take part in recreational dance activities, b) whether their demographic characteristics differentiate their participation motives and goal orientation and c) the relation between motivation and goal orientation. The study sample was 908 adult men and women, who participated in learning Greek dances. For the data collection, the method used was the Greek version (Patsiaouras, Keramida & Papanikolaou, 2004) of Participation Motivation Questionnaire (Gill, Gross & Huddleston, 1983) and the Greek version (Diggelidis & Papaioannou, 2002) of “Personal Orientation” questionnaire (TEOSQ: Task & Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire) (Duda & Whitehead, 1998). Considering the results of the research, the emerging conclusions are: a) the factors “fitness”, “abilities-skills” and “friendship” constitute the most important motives for participating in dance activities. b) gender, age, educational level and dancing experience become partly differentiating factors for participation motives c. among the recreational dance activities, Greek dances form a natural activity in which the participants are both internally and externally motivated. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n3p302

Initial Response to Program, Program Participation, and Weight Reduction Among 375 MOVE! Participants, Augusta, Georgia, 2008-2010.

IntroductionObesity management guidelines specify initial goals for participation and weight reduction for the first 6 months of a weight-reduction intervention, but guidelines do not specify when to assess early response and make adjustments. We aimed to determine whether very early or early weight reduction in the weight-reduction program MOVE! predicted later participation or achievement of weight-reduction goals.MethodsUsing clinical data from 375 MOVE! participants enrolled from July 2008 through May 2010, we examined program participation and weight reduction. Very early response was defined as achieving a weight reduction of 0.5% or more at week 2, and early response was defined as achieving weight reduction of 1.0% or more at week 4. Success, or achievement of weight-reduction goal, at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years was defined as a weight reduction of 5% or more. Participation was assessed according to the number of sessions attended within the first 6 months of program enrollment; attendance of 14 or more sessions was classified as high-intensity participation.ResultsVery early responders were more than 5 times as likely (odds ratio [OR] = 5.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.69–17.71; P = .005) and early responders were more than 10 times as likely (OR = 10.76; 95% CI, 2.64–43.80; P = .001) to achieve the 6-month weight-reduction goal as participants who were not very early responders or early responders, respectively. Early responders were almost 7 times as likely to achieve the 1-year weight-reduction goal (OR = 6.96; 95% CI, 1.85–26.13; P = .004). Neither very early nor early response predicted participation, high-intensity participation, or success at 2 years.ConclusionThis research supports the predictive value of very early response and early response to MOVE! on weight-reduction success at 6 months; early response also predicted 1-year success, suggesting that the 2-week point may be an ideal time to assess initial response and make intervention adjustments.

(522) A behavioral telehealth program for chronic pain: participant characteristics, goals, and psychosocial outcomes

Telehealth-delivered behavioral therapy for chronic pain has been evaluated in the research setting; few data have described real world implementation and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate characteristics, behavioral health goals, and psychosocial outcomes among participants enrolled in a nationally available standardized 8-week behavioral therapy program for chronic pain provided by both a licensed therapist and a behavior coach via telephone/secure video. This was mixed-methods retrospective cohort analysis among consecutive program graduates (enrollment February-July 2015; N=100; mean age 52y; 23% male). Participant chief complaint, behavioral goals, and mood triggers were abstracted by de-identified clinical record review using structured qualitative research methods. Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms data were collected at baseline and program graduation by validated survey (DASS-21). Back pain (42%) and hip/leg/knee pain (28%) comprised the most common chief complaints. Pain management (44%) and weight loss (43%) were the most frequently cited goals. At baseline, approximately half of participants had elevated depression (54%), anxiety (50%), and/or stress (45%) scores. Triggers for depressed, anxious or stressed mood included severe pain (47%), health concerns (46%), and interpersonal relationship challenges (45%). At graduation, significant improvement in depression (-48%), anxiety (-44%), and stress (-23%) scores were observed among those with non-normal baseline values (p<.001); degree of improvement did not vary by participant age or sex. In summary, participants in a national behavioral telehealth program for chronic pain shared several common complaints, goals, and mood triggers, and experienced significant improvement in depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. This work was supported by AbilTo, Inc., New York, NY.

Learning from the FCC's Lifeline Broadband Pilot Projects

In 2013, the Federal Communications Commission facilitated 14 experimental broadband Lifeline projects proposed by wireline and wireless broadband providers around the country. The projects tested consumer responses to a range of issues, including preferences for speed, the effects of different levels and types of discounts, and the effectiveness of different methods of outreach. In order to focus on the unconnected, participants could not have subscribed to broadband service within the past 60 days. In practice, the vast majority of them had never had broadband.The most consistent result was unexpected: an extremely low participation rate. Wireline providers and mobile providers (except those in Puerto Rico) managed to sign up less than 10 percent of the number of participants they had expected despite extensive outreach efforts. Puerto Rico mobile providers met their participation goals probably because of mass-market television advertising. These results demonstrate the difficulty of encouraging low-income people without connections to sign up even with large discounts, suggesting that subsidies are likely to go to people who already subscribe rather than working to close the digital divide.The trials also revealed subscribers’ willingness to trade off speed for lower prices, with subscribers regularly choosing plans that offered less than 10 Mbps, which is the FCC’s current required minimum for rural broadband subsidies. Because faster broadband typically costs more, higher minimum speeds are likely to blunt the (already likely low) beneficial effects of subsidies by increasing the price of eligible plans.Finally, subscribers generally expressed a preference to avoid digital literacy training classes. In one project, many participants were willing to forego an additional $10 per month savings or a free computer in order to avoid taking those classes. However, those results do not necessarily mean digital literacy training is not, or could not be, beneficial. The data from the pilot programs (weakly) show that those who took such classes were somewhat more likely to continue to subscribe once the subsidies expired. While that may reflect a self-selection effect, it nevertheless suggests that digital literacy training can plan a role. Still, the results also suggest that digital literacy training should be studied further to evaluate which aspects of it are most effective.

The Capabilities Questionnaire for the Community Mental Health Context (CQ-CMH): A measure inspired by the capabilities approach and constructed through consumer-researcher collaboration.

The involvement of people with psychiatric disabilities in research and service evaluation has traditionally been rare, especially in the construction of outcome measures. This study documents a collaborative process with consumers from 2 Portuguese community mental health services in the construction of the Capabilities Questionnaire for the Community Mental Health context (CQ-CMH). The measure is inspired by Nussbaum's capabilities approach and aims to measure consumers' capabilities when supported by the community mental health services. Focus groups with 50 consumers from 2 programs generated data about their gains from and goals for participation in the programs. A Steering Committee-comprising 3 consumers and 2 researchers-analyzed the data, generated a list of items, sorted them according to Nussbaum's list of capabilities, and developed a rating scale. To check face validity, the questionnaire was tested with 15 consumers. The collaborative process led to the transformation of traditional research roles, the promotion of empowerment to participants, the ecological validity of the results, and a cultural adaptation of Nussbaum's list to the context of the study. The resulting CQ-CMH is composed of 104 items organized by 10 capabilities, and 1 open-ended question about service improvements. The capabilities approach and the collaborative process undertaken both support the exercise of choice and control by people with psychiatric disabilities. The capabilities measure-constructed by consumers-may be used as an outcome measure in service evaluation. The questionnaire will undergo further testing of its validity and psychometric qualities.

Abstract P072: Early Response Predicts One-Year Weight-Reduction Goal Achievement with MOVE!®

Introduction: Previous reports suggested that age, gender, race, and participation predicted weight reduction in the weight-reduction program, MOVE!®, available at Veterans Administration Medical Centers. It is not known if early response to the MOVE!® program predicts continued participation or weight reduction. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that early weight reduction success with MOVE!® would predict ongoing participation and weight-reduction goal achievement at one year. Methods: Using longitudinal clinical data from electronic health records of 107 MOVE!® program participants with 1-month and 1-year data, MOVE!® sessions and weight reduction were examined in this secondary analysis. Participation was based on group session attendance. Attending 14 or more sessions within the first 6 months was selected as a participation cut point based on the 2013 guidelines for overweight and obesity management. Early response was based on at least 1% weight reduction from baseline at week four. Weight-reduction success at one year was based on at least 5% reduction from baseline. Results: Participants were 59.3 (SD=11.1, SEM=1.1) years of age on average; female 13% (14 of 107); African American 54% (58 of 107); Caucasian 46% (49 of 107); with a mean BMI of 35.5(SD=5.0, SEM=0.49) and attended 7.3 (SD=4.9 , SEM=0.5) sessions on average. Total 6-month group session participation was not explained by early weight reduction success (t = 0.81; CI -1.11, 2.63; p = .42). Early responders were no more likely to participate in 14 or more MOVE!® sessions within 6 months than participants who were not early responders (OR = 1.2; CI 0.34, 4.20; p = .78). Early responders were seven times as likely to achieve at least the 5% weight reduction goal at one year compared to those participants who were not early responders, while controlling for age, gender, race, and total group sessions (OR = 6.96; CI 1.85, 26.13; p = .004). Conclusions: Early response was a significant predictor of at least 5% weight reduction goal achievement at one year. However, early response was not a predictor of participation or ongoing participation reaching 14 sessions in 6 months. Further study is needed to determine genetics as well as other predictors of early response to MOVE!®.

Terminal decline in well-being: The role of social orientation.

Well-being development at the end of life is often characterized by steep deteriorations, but individual differences in these terminal declines are substantial and not yet well understood. This study moved beyond typical consideration of health predictors and explored the role of social orientation and engagement. To do so, we used social variables at the behavioral level (self-ratings of social participation) and the motivational level (valuing social and family goals), assessed 2 to 4 years before death. We applied single- and multiphase growth models to up to 27-year annual longitudinal data from 2,910 now deceased participants of the nation-wide German Socio-Economic Panel Study (Mage at death = 74 years; SD = 14; 48% women). Results revealed that leading a socially active life and prioritizing social goals in late life were independently associated with higher late-life well-being, less pronounced late-life decline, and a later onset of terminal decline. Significant interaction effects suggested that the combination of (reduced) social participation and (lowered) social goals magnifies the effects of each other. Findings also indicated that less decline in social participation was associated with less severe rates and a later onset of well-being decline. We found little evidence that valuing family goals is associated with late-life trajectories of well-being. Associations were independent of key correlates of well-being and mortality, including age at death, gender, education, disability, hospital stays, and goals in other life domains. We discuss possible pathways by which maintaining social orientation into late life may help mitigate terminal decline in well-being.