Positive Changes In Attitudes Research Articles

Effect of Veteran-Focused Suicide Prevention Public Messaging on Help-Seeking Behavior and Secure Firearm Storage.

Suicide is a major public health concern in the United States. Veterans are among those at higher risk for death by suicide. Firearm ownership is one factor that contributes to veterans' elevated suicide risk. The current study sought to determine the effectiveness of an evidence-based, multi-media advertising campaign with a specific focus on veterans related to secure storage of firearms and general help-seeking attitudes during a mental health crisis. Results indicated positive changes in (a) attitudes toward seeking help from a health care provider or a friend/loved one during a mental health crisis, (b) attitudes toward firearm storage during a crisis, and (c) self-reported secure firearm storage behaviors post-advertising, particularly among veterans. Implications for future advertising campaigns, clinical interventions, and research investigations are discussed.

Impact Assessment of an Educational Intervention Programme Using a Serious Game on Cyberviolence against Women and Girls

AbstractCyberviolence among teenagers is a persistent problem addressed by several prevention programmes. In this article, we evaluate an educational intervention programme based on a serious game (CyberSafe Tool) that addresses cyberviolence against women and girls. The goal of the intervention and the serious game was to raise young people’s awareness of online violence against women and girls and to promote safe and responsible online behaviour. The intervention, conducted between 2020 and 2021, included 959 teenagers between 13 and 16 years old from Italy, Greece, Estonia and the United Kingdom. We used a survey questionnaire to conduct an impact assessment. It was administered three times – before the intervention, immediately after the intervention and three weeks after the intervention – to identify participants’ attitudinal changes. The results indicate significant positive attitude changes after the intervention that remained unchanged after the third questionnaire, which was administered three weeks after the intervention.

Qualitative process evaluation of a disability-inclusive ultra-poor graduation programme in Uganda

Background: There is a paucity of evidence regarding what works to help persons with disabilities escape the trap of poverty. To address extreme poverty among the general population, poverty graduation approaches have gained popularity. These programmes combine direct livelihood assistance (e.g. provision of assets) with wider support given to individuals (e.g. skill development). However, these interventions have rarely been adapted to be disability-inclusive.Objectives: The present research is a qualitative process evaluation of a disability-inclusive poverty graduation intervention, implemented in Uganda from 2020 to 2022. The study focusses on contextual influences on the intervention and mechanisms of impact according to the perspectives of implementers and intervention recipients, with a complementary analysis of structures and resources used to deliver the intervention derived from a desk-based review of programme reports.Method: In all, 15 implementers and 23 persons with disabilities who received the intervention were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Interview data underwent framework analysis.Results: National infection prevention measures and loss of intervention funding associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were identified as contextual influences on the intervention. Respondents highlighted increases in social empowerment and positive changes in societal attitudes to disability as routes through which the intervention had a positive impact. However, instances of jealousy from community members not receiving the intervention were also an unintended consequence.Conclusion: Results are discussed in terms of practical implications for delivering similar interventions in other contexts.Contribution: This study contributes new knowledge about the key factors that influenced the effectiveness of a disability-inclusive poverty graduation intervention.

PENYULUHAN PENGEMBANGAN KARAKTER DAN KETERAMPILAN PADA ANGGOTA KARANG TARUNA CIPINANG BESAR UTARA

This article discusses character and skill development counselling for members of Karang Taruna RW 08 Cipinang Besar Utara through a structured extension program. The method used is a participatory approach that involves members of Karang Taruna in every stage of the activity. Counselling activities include practical skills training and discussions about character values, such as leadership, cooperation, and social responsibility. The evaluation results showed significant improvements in member skills as well as positive changes in attitudes and behaviours. Thus, this program not only contributes to individual development, but also strengthens the role of Karang Taruna as a change agent in the community. This PKM activity is an effort to equip the members of Karang Taruna RW 08 Cipinang Besar Utara with the necessary provisions to become a superior young generation. Through this counselling, the cadet members are expected to be able to develop strong characters and skills that are relevant to the needs of the working world. It is hoped that, with the provisions they have, the participants can become agents of change in their environment and contribute to community development.

Shaping Attitudes Toward Sustainable Insect-Based Diets: The Role of Hope

Amid growing global food demands and environmental concerns, entomophagy (insect consumption) offers a sustainable protein alternative, though its acceptance is limited in regions where it is not traditionally practiced. This study explores the role of cognitive goal-oriented hope in shaping attitudes toward entomophagy. We surveyed 270 adults, measuring their attitudes before and after providing information about entomophagy. The results show that individuals with higher levels of cognitive goal-oriented hope experienced significantly more positive attitude shifts after receiving information on entomophagy. The findings highlight that hope not only correlates with positive attitude changes but also plays a direct role in moderating the impact of information on attitudes. This suggests that hope enhances openness to new ideas and can be cultivated through targeted policy, education, and communication strategies to promote sustainable dietary practices. These insights offer a foundation for designing effective interventions to encourage the acceptance of insect-based foods.

Testing the Effect of Sending an Evaluative Message on Perceiving Others in Computer-Mediated Communication

ABSTRACT Interpersonal mediated communication research has demonstrated that exchanging cues during online interactions can change message receivers’ perception of the senders in socially desirable ways. Building from previous self-transformative work, this work explores how perceptions of others are also shaped by the messages we write evaluating others. More specifically, the research examines the effects of sending different types of evaluative messages on attitude, social attraction, physical attraction, and task attraction toward a hypothetical CMC partner. The first experiment (N = 193) prompted participants to view a post of a video game player and then provide a confirmatory or disconfirmatory evaluation or no evaluation. Results indicated that providing positive evaluations caused a positive change in attitude toward the target, while providing negative evaluations negatively affected attitude but did not necessarily affect social, task, or physical attraction. The second experiment (N = 129) conceptually replicated the first experiment’s design in the context of an Instagram post. The results generally replicated those of the first study but additionally produced significant results on social attraction. Providing an evaluation caused significant changes in the receivers’ perception of attitude and social attraction, with the direction of change corresponding with the valence of the evaluations given to the target.

Interventions addressing care staff views of older LGBTQ+ people in residential and homecare settings: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionPrevious research has identified that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) social care service users have concerns and/or negative experiences of their care due to staff views and attitudes...

ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS AMONG STUDENTS OF THE FACULTY OF SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Supplements are products widely used among athletes to improve sports performance and reduce fatigue symptoms. The aim of the study was to determine the differences of the use of dietary supplements among students of the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš (by year of study and gender), as well as the differences between the frequency and duration of physical activity with the use of dietary supplements. The survey was conducted on a sample of 201 students of both genders, all four years of undergraduate studies, aged 19 to 23. The respondents completed questionnaire containing questions related to dietary supplementation, physical activity and the existence of fatigue symptoms. Survey results show that 40.8% of respondents use supplements. Male students used dietary supplementation more often than female . Students most commonly take vitamins (68.3%), proteins and amino acids (15.1%) whereas 5.6% of them use minerals. The results have shown that with the increase of the year of study, the number of students taking supplements decreases significantly. Also, the analysis of the results by gender showed that male students were more likely to take amino acid supplements. No differences were found between the duration and frequency of physical activity and the use of supplements. It could be concluded that with the increase of the year of study, we note positive changes in students' attitudes to the use of supplements, which could be explained by the acquisition of knowledge in the field of sports nutrition and supplementation through the curriculum contents of the study program.

The Power of a Smile: Exploring the Connection between Teacher Facial Expressions and ESL Learning

This research was designed to determine the impact of smiling by an ESL teacher on students' learning achievement. Ten males and six females were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. All of them were students of a higher education program in the United Arab Emirates for the study. The findings suggested that a smile is a major part that can lead to better learning outcomes and affirmed the positive psychology theory. In addition, it was ascertained that a smiling teacher leads to positive changes in attitude; learning climate; motivation and involvement; rapport with the subject; reduction in stress; anxiety; fear and anger; and an improvement in trust and respect. Higher learning outcomes may be achieved through any of these ways. This conceptual model is conducive to empirical research study as presented in this research.

How early onset of COVID-19 changed vaccine-related attitudes: A longitudinal study

The paper investigates how the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the attitudes and beliefs of a previously anti-vaccine and vaccine-undecided population: how it changed their anti-vaccine beliefs and related arguments, perceptions of scientists’ credibility, as well as what their beliefs about COVID-19 are and what protective action they undertake against it. We used preexisting data from a 2018 study, where we identified groups of anti-vaccine and vaccine-undecided individuals (N = 365) whom we reached out to again in April/May 2020 (during the first months of the pandemic, when no COVID-19 vaccine was available). An online survey was used to measure changes in attitudes toward vaccination, reasons for vaccine rejection, attitudes toward scientists, and (at Measure 2) to measure attitudes toward COVID-19 and protective action against it. Results indicated a general pro-vaccine shift in attitudes, as well as reduced support for all anti-vaccine arguments. Surprisingly, we also found a negative shift in the sample’s perceptions of scientists’ agency and communion. Anti-vaccine individuals were also much less likely to employ any protective measures and had the lowest levels of fear associated with COVID-19. These results show that the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak caused a positive change in vaccine attitudes, especially in the vaccine-undecided group. At the same time, strongly anti-vaccine individuals were likely to reject protection against COVID.

Digital therapeutic for hypertension improves physician-patient communication and clinical inertia: a survey of physicians who implemented CureApp HT in clinical practice.

In the 2019 Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension by the Japanese Society for Hypertension, lifestyle modification is recommended for all individuals except those with normal blood pressure. However, no detailed methods have been established to achieve the target blood pressure and resolve clinical inertia. CureApp HT, a digital therapeutic for hypertension that contributes to blood pressure reduction through lifestyle modification, was approved as software as a medical device for reimbursement by Japanese national health insurance in September 2022. This study aimed to survey physicians who implemented CureApp HT to assess how it changes physician-patient communication and contributes to clinical inertia resolution. A questionnaire survey was conducted at three time points: before the first prescription (first survey), 3 months (second survey), and 6 months (third survey) after the first prescription for physicians who had implemented CureApp HT. The primary outcome was the total score of five items on a Likert scale related to physician-patient communication, and it was analyzed based on the 47 physicians who responded to all three questionnaires. The total score of physician-patient communication significantly improved after 6 months of the introduction of CureApp HT, reflecting that physicians observed positive changes in patients' knowledge and attitudes regarding hypertension treatment. Furthermore, the number of physicians who set a target home blood pressure of 125/75 mmHg for their patients significantly increased. CureApp HT allows physicians to recognize changes in patients' disease knowledge and treatment attitudes, enabling them to set more stringent blood pressure targets and addressing clinical inertia. Physicians who implemented CureApp HT recognized changes in the patients' stages of behavioral change through improvements in patients' knowledge of the disease and their attitudes towards treatment, and by experiencing more effective communication, they set stricter blood pressure targets.

Fathers' engagement in a parenting program primarily intended for female caregivers: An early qualitative process evaluation in Western Kenya.

Parenting programs predominantly target one caregiver of the child or most commonly the child's mother. However, fathers are also important caregivers whose engagement in interventions can benefit child health, nutrition, and development. In August 2023, a qualitative process evaluation was conducted during the first quarter of implementation to assess initial fidelity, quality, and outcomes of a parenting program in rural Western Kenya. In-depth interviews were conducted with female and male caregivers along with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with program delivery agents. This secondary analysis specifically focused on stakeholders' perceptions of father involvement in the program and aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to fathers' participation, initial program impacts when fathers were involved, and recommendations for increasing father inclusion. Thematic content analysis was conducted, and data were triangulated across stakeholder groups. Overall, relatively few fathers participated in the program. Nevertheless, for the rare cases of participating fathers, stakeholders highlighted positive changes in fathers' caregiving attitudes and practices. Key barriers to fathers' program engagement included restrictive gender norms and perceived opportunity costs. Stakeholders suggested several strategies for better reaching fathers, including providing financial incentives and flexible scheduling of sessions. Overall, we found that fathers' participation and program experiences were starkly different from those of mothers. Gender-responsive program adaptations and father-targeted implementation strategies are likely to increase the fathers' engagement in parenting programs, which in turn may facilitate greater program impacts on family caregiving and child outcomes. Future evaluations of parenting programs should combine qualitative and quantitative approaches to more comprehensively assess program impacts on fathers and over time.

Engaging commercial dairy demonstration farmers in farmland biodiversity management communication

ABSTRACT Purpose: This paper presents the process, experiences and outcomes of piloting various communi­cation activities relating to farmland biodiversity management with 11 Irish dairy demonstration farmers. Design/Method/Approach: A 17-month cycle of action research, which included a 12-month communication activity pilot, researcher diary entries, and baseline and endline semi-structured interviews with participating demonstration farmers. Findings: The integration of farmland biodiversity management into an on-farm group meeting was identified by the demonstration farmers as most influential on their decisions to make changes to biodiversity management on their farms, while the integration of farmland biodiversity management into online group meetings was ranked lowest. Positive attitude and practice changes were identified over the communication activity pilot. Practical Implications: Awareness of communication activities that effectively engage demonstration dairy farmers on farmland biodiversity management, with foundation and guidance for the implementation of such activities with a wider cohort of farmers. Theoretical Implications: Identification of the potential to positively influence on-farm biodiversity management change through co-creative, participatory communication activities. Originality/Value: Addresses communication on farmland biodiversity management with demonstration dairy farmers in Ireland.

Communicating, Eating And Drinking With Dementia

Abstract Background Problems with eating and drinking can put patients at risk of malnutrition. Hospitalised patients with dementia are at a higher risk for eating/drinking difficulties and inadequate food/fluid intake. Dysphagia in dementia can contribute to malnutrition, dehydration, weight loss, choking episodes, repeat chest infections, pneumonia, and recurrent hospitalisations - all of which can cause strain on relationships between the person with dementia and carers. Where communication (and eating/drinking/swallowing) are impacted, the person with dementia can experience a decrease in quality of life, wellbeing, sense of personhood, and quality of relationships. Direct training and indirect feeding support for care staff results in fewer mealtime difficulties, more time spent assisting at mealtimes, and a positive changes in staff attitudes towards assisting in mealtimes for people with dementia. Using observational instruments to identify eating/drinking difficulties can lead to a positive influence for staff knowledge and skills to support patients/residents. Methods Create a Departmental Information Leaflet on “Communicating, Eating and Drnking with Dementia” for staff, visitors, service users, and their families.Select a tool to be used by nursing staff to better inform on behaviours around eating and drinking with dementia (Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia Scale (EdFED-Q)).Create a training Powerpoint for Staff on “Communicating, Eating and Drnking with Dementia” and using the EdFED-Q tool. Results Departmental Information leaflet created.Selection of the EdFED-Q tool.Training programme for nursing staff developed on Communicating, Eating and Drnking with Dementia and using the EdFED-Q tool. Conclusion As outlined in the Irish National Dementia Strategy (2014), all people who provide care or interact with those with dementia should be trained and upskilled in working with and communicating with those with dementia. It is important to continue to develop our services and build on quality initiatives to do this.

Health-Related Communication of Social Media Influencers: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACT Social media influencers (SMIs) are an essential part of today’s digital media landscape and have the ability to significantly impact the health-related attitudes and behavior of their audiences. Despite an increasing number of studies, research has produced mixed results, and a comprehensive overview of the main findings is lacking. Therefore, the goal of this scoping review was to comprehensively map the literature focusing on SMIs and their health-related communication. Specifically, we analyzed the most frequently studied health topics and social media platforms, the methodological characteristics of the studies, as well as the communication techniques employed by SMIs, and the potential positive and negative effects of their communication on their audience. Additionally, we examined the major research gaps in this area. Altogether, we analyzed n = 116 empirical papers. The results reveal a wide range of different outcomes influenced by SMIs, including both positive and negative changes in health-related attitudes and behavioral intentions among their followers. Furthermore, our findings highlight the need for future research to prioritize experimental and longitudinal studies, investigate actual behavioral outcomes resulting from influencer content exposure, and closely examine the potential negative effects of SMIs’ health-related communication. More attention needs to be paid to health-related misinformation disseminated by SMIs. Lastly, this study identified several highly relevant health topics and social media platforms that should be the focus of future research.

Effectiveness of Live Webinars to Teach Financial Literacy: A Case Study Among Public Employees

In the wake of economic downturns, a global pandemic, and changes to work-based benefits, the need for financial education is evident as adults continue to show low levels of financial literacy. To address these issues, a financial wellness program for working adults consisting of six 1-hour webinars taught by area experts and business professionals was created among public employees in Nebraska, the United States. The sample for this case study program analysis includes 424 participants who participated in all six live webinars and completed both a pre- and post-assessment of financial knowledge, behavior, and attitudinal questions. An estimatedttest showed an 11-percentage point increase from pre- to post-assessment on the knowledge questions. Additionally, participants reported positive changes in attitude regarding their finances. Regression results showed that individuals with the lowest income benefited the most, answering 1.8117–2.1176 more questions correctly, suggesting that the webinars were especially beneficial for people who might be struggling the most financially. The positive findings from this study show that impactful financial education can be delivered online via live webinar format. This is useful for providers who develop and plan financial literacy programs for adults.

Unpacking the nuances: an exploratory multilevel analysis on the operationalization of integrated STEM education and student attitudinal change

Integrated STEM education (iSTEM) is recognized for its potential to improve students’ scientific and mathematical knowledge, as well as to nurture positive attitudes toward STEM, which are essential for motivating students to consider STEM-related careers. While prior studies have examined the relationship between specific iSTEM activities or curricula and changes in student attitudes, research is lacking on how the aspects of iSTEM are operationalized and their influence on shifts in student attitudes towards STEM, especially when considering the role of demographic factors. Addressing this gap, our study applied multilevel modeling to analyze how different iSTEM aspects and demographic variables predict changes in student attitudes. Drawing on data from two five-year NSF-funded projects, we evaluated pre- and post-attitude survey responses from 948 students. Our analysis identified two key iSTEM aspects—relating content to students’ lives and engagement in engineering design—that significantly influence positive attitude change. The results highlight the importance of curriculum relevance and hands-on, problem-solving activities in shaping student attitudes. However, the impact of these instructional strategies varies across demographic groups. The study’s insights into the differential impact of iSTEM aspects on diverse student groups provide actionable guidance for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers aiming to enhance STEM learning experiences and outcomes.

Secondary school students’ attitudes of tolerance towards minorities

Continued migration flows are inevitable, and research into favorable conditions for educating students in pluralistic societies is timely. This study attempts to address the operationalization of favorable conditions when educating children in diverse societies. Previous research into the contact hypothesis and acculturation theory has suggested that moderating factors are necessary for contact between groups of “others” to effect positive change in attitudes of tolerance and reduce prejudice. To represent groups of “others”, this study—which analyzed ICCS data from both the 2009 and 2016 cycles—considers lower-secondary students with an immigration background, who speak a different language than the administered assessment in the home, and diversity in terms of socio-economic background. To represent a desirable or “successful” classroom context, the study focuses on attitudes of tolerance held by lower-secondary students towards minorities, investigating whether participation in civic activities in the school or community, or the act of learning in more diverse classrooms, was associated with increased rates of tolerance. Findings supported the stated hypotheses to some extent, as some associations between heterogenous classroom composition (in terms of the share of students from immigrant backgrounds and those who spoke different languages in the home) and increased attitudes of tolerance towards minorities were observed. Student participation in civic activities in school was significantly associated with higher attitudes of tolerance towards minorities in 16 out of 18 analyzed countries. A relation between civic participation in the community and tolerance towards minorities was not found. Overall, students’ rates of tolerance towards minorities increased significantly for the majority of analyzed countries between 2009 and 2016.

The role of human behaviour change in companion animal management: A case study of Praia de Faro, Portugal

Abstract Humane dog and cat population management has relied on Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) projects in an attempt to control or reduce free-roaming populations and improve the welfare of dogs and cats. It has been recognised that the root cause of dog and cat population and welfare issues is people and their attitudes and behaviours towards dogs and cats – whether this is through lack of responsible ownership leading to loss or abandonment, or programs that focus on single tools such as sterilisation. Failing to recognise the interdependency that exists between individual and community responsibility means that projects that rely solely on the actions of an individual or a small group, and do not involve the wider community, risk limiting their impact and sustainability. Typically, sterilisation projects regularly fail to address this issue. The concept of human behaviour change is beginning to be used in dog population management programs but is still largely unused and untested in cat population management programs. In 2013, a 4-year project in Praia de Faro, Portugal, started to explore how communities respond to a local program using community engagement tools to measure and evaluate changes in attitudes and behaviours towards owned and un-owned dogs and cats. The research question is: ‘does community involvement and participation in a project increase its chances of success in relation to improved welfare for animals?’ Results suggest improved dog and cat welfare, positive changes in attitudes and behaviours of the community, and increased community involvement.

Impact of Improving Discipline of Vocational School Students Post Field Work Practice Program (PKL)

The lack of discipline of post-PKL students at vocational schools requires genuine efforts to maintain academic achievement and preparation for the world of work. This research aims to determine efforts to improve the discipline of vocational school students after the PKL program at SMK MUH 1 Sukoharjo—descriptive qualitative research using the Miles & Huberman method. Data was obtained through non-participant interviews, direct observation, and documentation studies of students, teachers, and SMK MUH 1 Sukoharjo staff. Data analysis includes data reduction, presentation, and conclusion to understand efforts to improve student discipline after PKL. The research found that the PKL program at SMK MUH 1 Sukoharjo was a strategic step in improving student discipline. This can be seen from an increased understanding of discipline application of disciplinary values, to positive changes in students' attitudes and behavior. This positive impact is not only felt in daily life at school but also leads to a significant increase in academic achievement. The PKL program at SMK MUH 1 Sukoharjo has succeeded in creating a learning environment that supports the holistic formation of student character and discipline. In conclusion, the PKL program at SMK MUH 1 Sukoharjo has succeeded in proving its effectiveness in improving student discipline, as seen by increasing understanding of the concept of discipline, application of values, to positive changes in student attitudes and behavior, as well as positive changes in student attitudes and behavior—significant increase in academic achievement.