Positive Changes In Attitudes Research Articles

Developing non-cognitive skills in part-time students at a South African university: Overcoming negativity and supporting behavioural change

This paper reports on the findings of an intervention aimed at assisting a group of thirty-one part-time students registered for a third year Management Accounting and Finance course to develop a range of non-cognitive skills that have been shown to positively impact academic behaviour. In addition to facilitating the teaching and learning of academic content, lecturers introduced students to academic mindsets, academic behaviours, learning strategies and social skills through role-plays and practical demonstrations. The intervention also strove to influence the context in which students learned in order to positively influence the attitudes of the students towards the course and to motivate them to acquire and practice behaviours that would support their learning. The intervention involved two action research cycles in which the researchers were able to reflect on the effectiveness of the various approaches used to encourage behaviour change and the acquisition of new skills. The findings of the study indicate that the intervention was successful in developing a range of non-cognitive attitudes, strategies and behaviours in students, with most of the cohort reporting positive changes in attitude towards their studies and the belief that academic success was indeed possible.

Factors associated with students’ attitude change in online peer assessment – a mixed methods study in a graduate-level course

Positive student attitude towards peer assessment can be demonstrated through high-quality peer assessment activities. Research findings on students’ attitudes before and after such activities were mixed. This study was conducted using a mixed-methods approach to investigate the underlying factors influencing students’ attitude change. Participants were students enrolled in an online graduate-level assessment course in the college of education in a university in the southeast United States in the fall of 2017 (N = 31). Surveys and interviews were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data separately, both of which indicated that perceived accurate and specific feedback tended to help students shift to more positive attitudes towards online peer assessment. In addition, final task score improvement after the activity was correlated with positive attitude change. Qualitative results also identified other factors, such as communication with the peers’ work and logistic concerns. The current study offers insights for researchers and instructors to promote positive attitude changes in online peer assessment activities.

An Evaluation of Community-Based Interventions Used on the Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation in West African Countries

The traditional practice called Female Genital Mutilation has been recorded in several countries in Africa and in other regions around the world. Female Genital Mutilation is regarded as a major Public Health burden due to the extensive health risks associated with the procedure and community-based interventions has been prescribed to eliminate the practice. This paper presents a review of published literature about community-based interventions carried out to prevent Female Genital Mutilation in West Africa between the years 2000-2013. A literature search was conducted for papers published between the years 2000 - 2013. Papers were reviewed if they reported a positive change in knowledge, attitude and behaviour towards FGM. Twenty papers met the inclusion criteria. A total of eight types of methods were identified: Advocacy Campaigns, Health Education, Sensitization Workshops, Community dialogue, Media campaigns (radio, newspaper, film shows, information posters) counselling, role plays and Skills training. This study identified that these interventions utilised health promotion models such as the behaviour change, client-centred/empowerment, social change and most commonly the educationalmodel. None of the interventions were based on the medicalmodel of health promotion. Hence, it seems an incorporation of the medical and educational models of health promotion could result in a greater impact in community-based interventions to prevent FGM.

The effect of psychiatric nursing students' internships on their beliefs about and attitudes toward mental health problems; a single-group experimental study

BackgroundIt is important that nursing students develop positive beliefs and attitudes toward individuals with mental health problems during nursing education in order to provide an effective nursing care and create a therapeutic environment. ObjectiveThis study was conducted to analyze the effect of psychiatric nursing internship practice and the personal characteristics and preferences of psychiatric nursing interns on their beliefs and attitudes toward mental illnesses. DesignThis is a single group experimental study with a pre-test and post-test. ParticipantsThe study sample included 33 fourth-year nursing students enrolled in the School of Health who participated in an internship in psychiatric nursing. MethodologyThe study data were collected using a student information form, the Community Attitudes Toward the Mentally Ill Scale (CAMI) and the Beliefs Toward Mental Illness Scale (BMI) at the beginning and end of the 14-week internship of 32 h per week. FindingsThe students' beliefs and attitudes toward mental health problems were found to be moderate with no significant differences between mean pre-test and post-test scores. ConclusionThe psychiatry nursing internship practice yielded minimal positive changes in students' beliefs and attitudes toward mental health problems. Initiation of the process of developing positive attitudes and beliefs in the first year of nursing education and increasing the internship period may provide more effective results.

Atitude de cuidadoras formais de idosas institucionalizadas sobre a velhice: efeito de uma intervenção educativa

O objetivo foi investigar o efeito de uma intervenção educativa sobre a atitude em relação à velhice de cinco cuidadoras de idosas institucionalizadas. A intervenção consistiu de quatro sessões em que eram exibidos vídeos abordando temáticas pertinentes à velhice, seguidos de questionamentos e reflexões. Os resultados mostram mudança positiva de atitude, especialmente naqueles aspectos relacionados à imagem social do idoso, podendo trazer benefícios no cuidado às idosas.

Effects of education and social contact on mental health-related stigma among high-school students

Poor knowledge and stigma toward people with mental illness negatively affect intentions to seek help among adolescents. The study aimed to assess the impact of three school-based interventions and to explore whether positive changes in attitudes were linked to more favorable changes in desire for social distance and seeking help. A total of 221 upper secondary students were allocated to three interventions: 1. social contact; 2. Mental Health Literacy (MHL) conducted by clinicians; 3. MHL conducted by dis-peer instructors. Measures of knowledge, attitudes, views on empowerment and recovery, willingness to interact, and help seeking were collected. Generalized Estimating Equations and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to evaluate scores differences between interventions through time, and to test the interrelationships between knowledge, attitudes variables and the two outcomes of interest. Findings showed that all groups improved in knowledge, attitudes, empowerment, willingness to interact, and seeking help. SEM revealed that the increase in knowledge was significantly associated with the General attitudes toward people with mental illness construct that, in turn, was positively associated with willingness to interact and seeking help. Results encourage the use of anti-stigma interventions in order to decrease negative attitudes toward mental illness and improve behavioral intentions among students.

Influence of anti-tobacco advertisements on the attitude of slum dwellers about use of tobacco: a cross-sectional study from Mandya city

Background: As per the Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) rules, the anti-tobacco health spots and disclaimers are being provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India. These advertisements are aimed at creating awareness about the ill effects of tobacco use. Mass media anti-tobacco advertising campaigns play an important role as part of a comprehensive tobacco control program and are associated with increase in smoking cessation and declines in adult tobacco use prevalence.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the influence of anti-tobacco advertisements among slum dwellers of Mandya city. A self-structured, close-ended questionnaire was used to interview 700 slum dwellers. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic data, tobacco usage status, questions related to awareness about anti-tobacco advertisements, and influence of anti-tobacco advertisements on attitude toward tobacco use. Frequency distributions and percentages were examined for each item and Chi-square test was used.Results: Out of 700 participants 54.5% were males and 45.5% were females. Nearly 87.7% of males and 70.2% of females had noticed the statutory warning which is shown during tobacco products’ usage on television/movies. Almost 66.4% of males and 68.0% of females had a positive change in attitude toward tobacco use due to influence of anti-tobacco advertisements.Conclusions: There is awareness against use of tobacco and this awareness should be used to motivate them to quit tobacco as well as to stop them from initiating tobacco use.

The Effects of an Appropriate Behavior Program on Elementary School Children Social Skills Development in Physical Education.

The purpose of this study was to see the effects of an appropriate behavior development program in relation to the improvement of fair play and social skills behaviors of elementary school children during the physical education class. The participants of this study were 204 students from 5th and 6th grade from seven different public schools in Castilla–La Mancha, Spain. Data was collected through a questionnaire to measure students’ pre and post appropriate behaviors when winning, appropriate behaviors when loosing, appropriate behaviors during the game, fair play skills and social skills, during the physical education class. Results from this study revealed that participants improved their behaviors with the implementation of the intervention (appropriate behavior program), generating positive changes in students’ attitudes and social skills during physical education class. In relation to children gender, girls had better scores than boys in relation to appropriate behaviors when losing. Further, when comparing students’ age, those from 10 to 11 years old scored higher in fair play behaviors and social skills. In conclusion, the intervention program was effective to improve the behaviors of the school children, generating positive changes in their attitudes and social skills during physical education.

Öğrenmeyi Öğrenme Üzerine Ev Temelli Aile Katılımı Çalışması

Bu eylem araştırması çalışmasının amacı velilerin çocuklarının öğrenmeyi öğrenme becerilerinin geliştirilmesini desteklemede kullanabilecekleri bir veli eğitimi çalışması gerçekleştirmektir. Sekiz veli ve bu velilerin çocukları araştırmanın katılımcılarını oluşturmuştur. Araştırma verilerinin toplanmasında öğrenme stilleri envanteri, ders ses kayıtları, alan notları, araştırmacı günlüğü, whatsapp grubu, öğrenci çalışma kağıtları, geçerlik-güvenirlik komitesi toplantı kayıtları ile odak grup görüşmesi ve yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen temel sonuçlar şunlardır: (a) Velilerin veli eğitimi çalışmasına katılımlarında devamlılığın sağlanmasında ve motive olmalarında öğrenme ihtiyaçlarının saptanması ve yüz yüze dersler yanında sosyal ağın da kullanılması etkili olmuştur. (b) Veliler destekleme çalışmalarında genellikle anlamlandırma, yineleme ve örgütleme stratejilerinin kullanımını anlamayı izleme ve duyuşsal stratejilere göre daha kolay gerçekleştirmişlerdir. (c)Veli eğitimi çalışması velilerin çocuklarının öğrenmelerini nasıl destekleyebileceklerini öğrenmelerinde, kendilerini daha yeterli hissetmelerinde ve aile katılımı çalışmalarını yapmaya olan isteklerinin artmasında etkili olmuştur. (d) Veli eğitimi çalışması çocukların akademik başarıları, özgüvenleri, sınıf içi derse katılımları ve öğrenmeye yönelik tutumlarında olumlu değişikliklere neden olmuştur.

Medical Student Attitudes on Nutrition Counseling After Implementation of a Novel Curricular Activity

Objective: The aim of this research was to determine the changes in medical student attitudes toward nutrition counseling after implementation of a novel curricular activity during a required third-year clerkship. Method: All third-year medical students completing their required family medicine clerkship were invited to participate in a voluntary survey composed of the Nutrition in Patient Care Survey (NIPS) and demographics before their required curricular clerkship activity consisting of two separate case-based modules focused on nutritional aspects of patient care. Students and faculty facilitators met via web platform at an assigned time to review and discuss questions. All students were invited to complete the postsurvey composed of only the NIPS. Results: Completion rate was 31% for both pre- and postsurveys. Students’ intended specialty choice did not lead to a significant difference in scores on any of the five subscales on pre-intervention surveys. Almost half (43.9%) of the students who completed the surveys reported offering nutrition-related counseling despite lack of formal training. The Physician–Patient Relationship score went from 4.29 to 4.37 (p < 0.03) and the Physician Efficacy score went from 3.18 to 3.34 (p < 0.01). The was no significant difference identified pre- versus postintervention for the Clinical Behavior scales. Conclusions: The modules used in this pilot study resulted in positive changes in student attitudes toward counseling patients about nutrition. The inclusion of required case-based modules focused on nutrition is feasible and can positively impact student attitudes regarding their efficacy in counseling patients.

A Cognitive Linguistic Study of the English Preposition 'in'

The present study aims at analyzing the polysemy of the English preposition in from the cognitive linguistic (CL) point of view using Evans' and Tyler's approach (2003). The perplexity faced by Iraqi second language learners (L2) due to the multi-usages of this preposition has motivated the researcher to conduct this study. Seventy-six second year university students participated in this experimental study. The data of the pre-test and post-test were analyzed by SPSS statistical editor. The results have shown the following: First, a progress of more than (0.05≤) has been detected as far as students' understanding of the multiple usages of the preposition in is concerned. Second, the results of the questionnaire have shown a prominent positive change in the students' attitude toward CL approach. Third, the main source of difficulty has been shown to be attributed to the diversity in the semantics of the preposition in. Fourth, CL as an approach has proven its effectiveness in accurately comprehending the semantics of the English preposition in.

A Cognitive Linguistic Study of the English Preposition 'in'

The present study aims at analyzing the polysemy of the English preposition in from the cognitive linguistic (CL) point of view using Evans' and Tyler's approach (2003). The perplexity faced by Iraqi second language learners (L2) due to the multi-usages of this preposition has motivated the researcher to conduct this study. Seventy-six second year university students participated in this experimental study. The data of the pre-test and post-test were analyzed by SPSS statistical editor. The results have shown the following: First, a progress of more than (0.05≤) has been detected as far as students' understanding of the multiple usages of the preposition in is concerned. Second, the results of the questionnaire have shown a prominent positive change in the students' attitude toward CL approach. Third, the main source of difficulty has been shown to be attributed to the diversity in the semantics of the preposition in. Fourth, CL as an approach has proven its effectiveness in accurately comprehending the semantics of the English preposition in.

SNS eWOM sentiment: impacts on brand value co-creation and trust

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the sentiment of social networking site (SNS)-based brand-related electronic word-of-mouths (eWOMs) influences consumers’ engagement in brand value co-creation and brand trust change, thereby influencing their purchase intention for the brand; and explores a potential moderating effect of mavenism.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 237 college students participated in an online survey to report brand-related eWOM stories to which they were exposed and the brand trust change, brand value co-creation behavior and attitude and purchase intention in response to this exposure. The eWOM stories were content analyzed into positive vs negative eWOM. Structural equation modeling was used to test all hypotheses.FindingsParticipants reported a significantly higher level of brand value co-creation engagement behavior and more positive brand value co-creation engagement attitude and brand trust change after seeing a positive (vs negative) brand-related eWOM on SNSs. Brand trust change and value co-creation engagement attitude positively influenced purchase intention. The moderating effect of mavenism was not significant.Practical implicationsFindings suggest that brand marketers should actively monitor and respond to the sentiment of SNS-based eWOMs and establish strategies to encourage consumers to create and share positive eWOMs on SNSs.Originality/valueThis study contributes to closing the empirical gap in SNS-based eWOM research by providing support for brand-related eWOM sentiment as a significant motivational factor triggering consumers’ engagement in brand value co-creation and brand trust change on SNSs as well as purchase intention.

Supporting positive sexual health for persons with developmental disabilities: Stories about the right to love

Accessible Summary This research is about the sexual rights of persons with developmental disabilities. For 12 months, nine adults with developmental disabilities and three allies created videos about love and intimacy. The group found that family members, caregivers and support workers can make it hard for people with developmental disabilities to learn about and experience healthy relationships. This research is important because it promotes the experiences and perspectives of persons with developmental disabilities, which can hopefully lead to positive changes in attitudes and service delivery that support positive sexual health. AbstractBackgroundAlthough sexual rights are human rights, persons with developmental disabilities are often excluded from developing positive sexual health due to societal attitudes, stigma, a lack of education and limited opportunities.MethodsAs a part of a 12‐month participatory action research study in a western Canadian province, nine adults with developmental disabilities and three allies created videos that explored the dimensions of sexual health as experienced by people with developmental disabilities. Participants were involved in all stages of the filming process. The filming topics identified by the participants emerged as the core research themes.ResultsPersons with developmental disabilities often have limited opportunities to develop and nurture intimate relationships. Participants also identified that: (a) a lack of support from caregivers, (b) a lack of education about sexual health, (c) ableist spaces and (d) the absence of agency policies that acknowledge and protect sexual rights create further obstacles.ConclusionsInclusive practices where the sexual rights of persons with developmental disabilities are respected and celebrated are critical in promoting positive sexual health. For many agencies, this requires reframing policies and programmes that include acknowledging and protecting the sexual rights of persons with developmental disabilities. While providing accessible pedagogical opportunities about sexual health was identified as important, ensuring curriculum delivery for support workers, as well as educating families and caregivers about the importance of sexual health and inclusion, is paramount, where the views and opinions of persons with developmental disabilities are at the forefront of the process.

Conservation Education, Alternative Livelihood and Habitat Restoration: The Best Strategies for Conservation of Magombera Forest Reserve

The Magombera forest is a home of endemic and endangered biological species such as Udzungwa red colobus monkey (Procolobus gordonorum) and the Magombera chameleon (Kinyongia magomberae). However, the forest is facing high threat of disappearing through resources extraction pressure from adjacent local communities. The project aimed at improving conservation of Magombera forest by involving the adjacent communities through provision of conservation education, restoration initiatives and bee keeping as alternative livelihoods. The study revealed that the concept of forest conservation is well supported. Nevertheless, people are extracting resources from the forest for their subsistence. The dependence of the people on the forest is due to lack of alternatives to the forest resources, inability of the people to produce alternatives source of income and little conservation education. The project resulted in a community having a positive attitude change towards conservation. The improved bee keeping was introduced to the community and successfully adopted. About 89% of indigenous trees planted for restoring the degraded area of the forest survived, only 11% of trees planted could not survive. There is a need to expand the scale of the project by involving many participants particularly youths that showed strong interest in the project.

Attitudes towards the dying and death anxiety in acute care nurses - can a workshop make any difference? A mixed-methods evaluation.

In Singapore, the core curriculum for end-of-life (EOL) care used in nurse training courses is limited. Only 45% of nurses indicated familiarity with inpatient palliative care. Nurses who lack skills in palliative care may develop anxiety and negative attitudes towards caring for dying patients. We explored whether a two-day, multimodal EOL care workshop could reduce nurses' death anxiety and improve nurses' skills, knowledge, and attitude towards palliative care. Forty-five nurses participated in the workshop. At baseline before and at six weeks after, a 20-item knowledge-based questionnaire and the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R) were administered. Six weeks post-workshop, in-depth interviews were conducted. We employed descriptive statistics, student paired samples t-test and inductive thematic analysis. There was a significant improvement in nurses' knowledge score (p < 0.01) and reduction in their death anxiety score (p < 0.01). Fear of Death (p = 0.025) and Death Avoidance (p = 0.047) sub-scores decreased significantly. However, the remaining domains such as Neutral Acceptance, Approach Acceptance, and Escape Acceptance did not show any significant difference, although Escape Acceptance showed a trend towards a reduced score (p = 0.063). After the workshop, more nurses adopted the Neutral Acceptance stance (76.2%), and none of them fell into the Fear of Death subdomain. Most nurses interviewed reported a positive change in their knowledge, attitudes, and practice even after the workshop. The multimodal palliative care workshop was useful in improving nurses' EOL knowledge and reducing their anxiety towards death. The positive change in nurses' attitudes and practices were noted to be sustained for at least six weeks after the intervention.

Empowering the Next Generation to End Stigma by Starting the Conversation: Bring Change to Mind and the College Toolbox Project

To examine outcomes in a 4-year college pilot program built on stigma change research. U Bring Change to Mind (UBC2M) was developed and launched at Indiana University (IU) in 2014 as an institutionally supported, student-led organization to make campuses "safe and stigma-free zones." The accompanying College Toolbox Project (CTP) assessed change in student prejudice and discriminatory predispositions as well as perceptions and behaviors at follow-up. All entering Class of 2019 students were invited to complete a Web-based survey (N= 3,287; response rate= 44.6%). In their third year, students were sent a follow-up survey. Stigma indicators for 1,132 students completing both waves were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate regressions. Models controlled for social desirability, prior contact, socio-demographics, and self-reported mental illness. Participation was examined for potential biases. Statistically significant positive changes in attitudes and behavioral predispositions emerged. Although fewer students with prior contact endorsed stigma items initially, they reported significant reduction at follow-up. UBC2M active engagement was associated with lowering prejudice. Both passive and active engagement predicted change in discriminatory predispositions as well as current inclusive behaviors and positive perceptions of campus mental health culture. A long-term, community-based, student empowerment approach with institutional supports is a promising avenue to reduce stigma on college campuses, to develop the next generation of mental health leaders, and to potentially reduce societal levels of stigma in the long run. CTP provides evidence that both contact and contextual visibility matter, and that UBC2M offers a nationally networked organizational strategy to reduce stigma.

Rebuilding Life after Burn Injuries in Korea: Using Photovoice.

This study analyzed life after injury for burn survivors using the photovoice research method. Study participants were six burn survivors who lived in the community after being discharged from the hospital. These six participants engaged in a series of photovoice workshops and activities that took place over a period of 4 months. The study results were as follows: burn survivors were able to achieve a positive body image during their physical recovery. They overcame many psychological difficulties that accompanied their burn injuries. Their attitudes toward their lives changed positively. The greatest influence in bringing out these changes was support from family, friends, and other burn survivors. They were better able to fight against social oppression with their recovered self-esteem. The participants had experienced a disconnect from the activities and interpersonal relationships they had prior to their injury owing to long-term hospital stays and time away from work. However, as they began new social activities, they were able to establish new interpersonal relationships. Based on the research results, this study suggests that medical, psychological, and social approaches as well as positive changes in social attitude are necessary to support burn survivors' recovery.

저소득층 아동의 비만관리를 위한 ‘건강한 돌봄놀이터’ 프로그램 효과 검증

The purpose of this study is to verify the effectiveness of physical activity and nutrition programs to prevent obesity in children from low-income families. For 423 local childrens centers in 50 metropolitan areas, the program was tested for its effectiveness after running two hours of physical activity and one hour of nutrition/food education per week for eight weeks (July 30 to September 21). The statistical analysis program used the SPSS Statistics V21.0 (IBM), and the statistical verification set a significant level (α=.05). Changes in pre- and post-obesity levels, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of physical activity and nutrition used the descriptive, frequency analysis, and Paired samples test methods. According to the analysis, the “healthy care playground” program, which was conducted together with physical activity and nutrition education, was effective in managing obesity in children from low-income families. Along with changes in body composition (during abdominal obesity rate, muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass, and basic metabolic rate), it also showed positive changes in knowledge, attitude and behavior about physical activities.

A 3-Year Model for Building a Sustainable Science Outreach and Teacher Collaborative

BioEYES is a K-12 science outreach program that develops self-sustaining teachers as a replication strategy to address high demand for the program while promoting long-term school partnerships. This paper explores the practices of “model teachers” from multiple grades, who are empowered over a three-year period to deliver BioEYES’ hands-on science content autonomously, as compared to the program’s standard co-teaching model (BioEYES educator + classroom teacher). The authors found that BioEYES’ professional development (PD) workshop, classroom co-teaching experience, and refresher trainings assist teachers in gaining autonomy to teach the program’s curricula. In addition, the authors found: 1) a similar effectiveness on student learning across three grade bands, and 2) positive attitude changes about science as a result of the program, regardless if the BioEYES unit was taught by a model teacher or program staff. Further we found that high school model teachers exceeded the performance of BioEYES educators. This observation supports our contention that giving high quality STEM programing that includes multi-level PD to teachers generates the strongest possible outcome. Overall, we characterize the impact and financial investment of BioEYES and describe a PD framework that can be used by outreach providers to deliver content, expand their reach, and sustain school partnerships.