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AbstractThis scoping review explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with communication, behavioral, and social theories to enhance health behavior interventions. A systematic search of articles published through February 2024, following PRISMA guidelines, identified 28 relevant studies from 13,723 screened. These studies, conducted across various countries, addressed health issues such as smoking cessation, musculoskeletal injuries, diabetes, chronic diseases and mental health using AI-driven tools like chatbots and apps. Despite AI’s potential, a gap exists in aligning technical advancements with theoretical frameworks. The proposed AI Impact Communications Model (AI-ICM) aims to bridge this gap, offering a road map for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social work practices in many forms have societal value via exploratory pathways and motivational methods toward self-awareness and personal betterment. Such practices exist among, and are adapted to, varied cultural norms. This research examined the use of spirituality-based approaches, as implemented in Indonesia, to help people who have been affected by drug addictions or by disabilities. By interviewing social workers who engage spirituality to assist clients at rehabilitation centers, we elicited details of such workers’ methods for aiding in their clients’ recovery. Analysis of our verbatim transcripts identified characteristics of the social workers’ self-reports and concomitant overall themes. Findings identified positive effects that were achieved while social workers incorporated spirituality as a part of their methodology with clients. Beneficial behavioral changes were associated with spirituality invoked as a part of the social workers’ process, which encouraged clients to recognize their inner values, to keep a positive attitude toward overcoming difficulties, and to develop useful social skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern transportation amenities and lifestyles have changed people's behavioral patterns while using the road, specifically at nighttime. Pedestrian and driver maneuver behaviors change based on their exposure to the environment. Pedestrians are more vulnerable to fatal injuries at junctions due to increased conflict points with vehicles. Generation of precrash scenarios allows drivers and pedestrians to understand errors on the road during driver maneuvering and pedestrian walking/crossing. This study aims to generate precrash scenarios using comprehensive nighttime fatal pedestrian crashes at junctions in Tamil Nadu, India. Though numerous studies were available on identifying pedestrian crash patterns, only some focused on identifying crash patterns at junctions at night. We used cluster correspondence analysis (CCA) to address this research gap to identify the patterns in nighttime pedestrian fatal crashes at junctions. Further, high-risk precrash scenarios were generated based on the positive residual means available in each cluster. This study used crash data from the Road Accident Database Management System of Tamil Nadu State in India from 2009 to 2018. Characteristics of pedestrians, drivers, vehicles, crashes, light, and roads were input to the CCA to find optimal clusters using the average silhouette width, Calinski-Harabasz measure, and objective values. CCA found 4 clusters with 2 dimensions as optimal clusters, with an objective value of 3.3618 and a valence criteria ratio of 80.03%. Results from the analysis distinctly clustered the pedestrian precrash behaviors: Clusters 1 and 2 on pedestrian walking behaviors and clusters 3 and 4 on crossing behaviors. Moreover, a hidden pattern was observed in cluster 4, such as transgender drivers involved in fatal pedestrian crashes at junctions at night. The generated precrash scenarios may be used to train drivers (novice and inexperienced for nighttime driving), test scenario creation for developing advanced driver/rider assistance systems, hypothesis creation for researchers, and planning of effective strategic interventions for engineers and policymakers to change pedestrian and driver behaviors toward sustainable safety on Indian roads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractGamification has arguably emerged as the most dominant of persuasive technologies, giving rise to a multidisciplinary field and diverse associated industries. As the field has grown, so too has the need for further resolution, nuance, and conceptual acuity; it is important to be able to distinguish different facets once the use of umbrella terminology becomes insufficient. One notable area of interest is gamblification, the study of which is not yet as well-developed; while gamblification is often conceptualized as an extension of gamification, recent research has found it to be an effective means of engaging users in alternative ways. This article examines points of similarity and difference between gamblification and gamification, with the intention to highlight the scope of gamblification as a means to promote specific user behavior and, furthermore, to provide a clear theoretical basis for the ongoing investigation into this phenomenon. The most significant point of difference is that while successful gamification primarily utilizes intrinsic motivations to effect meaningful change, gamblification does so predominantly through leveraging extrinsic motivations. Consequently, gamification and gamblification are used to achieve different aims and are suited to different contexts. Finally, a future research agenda for developing the study of gamblification is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the responses of domestic violence perpetrators to group treatment by conducting observations with 12 men from two 10-week two-group interventions who had received a no-contact order. Thematic analysis was applied to the observation notes. The participants often indicated improved awareness and behavior change through expressing feelings of shame, learning alternative behaviors, and acquiring new techniques. Conversely, the normalization of violence, social expectations, gendered stereotypes, and masculinity crises were identified as barriers. The findings indicate that learning and implementing new strategies for healthy and respectful intimate relationships can help men take responsibility for their abusive acts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that affects a person's general well-being. Current evidence sets an association between psychological well-being and controlled metabolic parameters. People newly diagnosed with T2DM show higher prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has effectively improved psychological adjustment, but most studies do not specifically address recently diagnosed people nor usually include long-term follow-up measures. We sought to assess changes in psychological variables in people with newly diagnosed diabetes who received a cognitive–behavioral intervention, within a comprehensive care program. 1208 adults with T2DM (≤5 years) who attended a national health institute in Mexico received a cognitive–behavioral intervention aimed at improving quality of life and reducing emotional distress that often interferes with diabetes control, as well as evaluating cognitive and emotional resources and social support. Measures of quality of life, diabetes-related distress, anxiety and depression questionnaires were compared at pre-test, post-test and follow up using Friedman's ANOVAs. Multiple logistic regression models evaluated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and triglycerides control at post-test and follow up. Questionnaire measures and metabolic variables significantly decreased symptomatology at post-test and these changes maintained at follow-up. Significant associations were found between quality-of-life scores and HbA1c and triglycerides levels in post-test and follow-up. Diabetes-related distress scores increased the odds of having adequate HbA1c control at post-test. This study contributes to the evidence on the importance of considering psychological factors as part of comprehensive diabetes care to improve quality of life and emotional burden and facilitate the achievement of metabolic goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug checking services (DCS) allow people who use drugs to submit drug samples for chemical analysis and provide feedback of results and counseling. Our study tested the validity of behavioral intention measures against reports of actual behavior and the adoption of protective behavioral strategies. DCS patrons at Boom Festival 2018 completed three surveys during the festival (pre-drug analysis 343 participants submitted 671 drug samples, post-drug analysis 290 participants reported on 341 drug sample results, three-day follow-up 145 participants reported on 195 drug sample results) and another survey after six months (n = 71). At third-day follow-up, when the results were 'not the expected substance' (N = 35), 86% (n = 30) reported they 'didn't take the substance'; 11% (n = 4) 'took a smaller dose than initially planned' and only 3% (n = 1) 'took it as planned'. In 71% (n = 63) of the matched post-test and third-day follow-up answers (N = 89), the behavior reported at third-day matched the behavioral intention reported during post-test. After six months, there was a slight increase in most harm-reduction behaviors; however, there was a substantial drop-out among respondents. Results support the hypothesis that DCS promote the adoption of safer drug use practices; however, further research is needed to evaluate the medium- and long-term effects of DCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indiscriminate waste disposal practices and open defecation put pressure on environmental and human health in developing countries. Environmental sanitation laws have been enacted in those countries in an attempt to change sanitation behavior, but enforcement has been weak. This study examined the causes of poor enforcement of environmental sanitation laws in Ghana and the effects of the phenomenon on environmental and public health. Qualitative data were collected from 83 sanitation-related experts, informants, and workers, and analyzed using the thematic approach. It became evident that the main causes were the weak political will of the government, low commitment of enforcement institutions, mild sanctions regime, inadequate funding for enforcement, pervasive corruption, poor sanitation culture, and low capacity of the enforcement institutions. The environmental health effects were polluted air and water bodies, choked drainage systems, seasonal flooding, and dirty community landscapes. The public health effects were the incidence of diseases including, diarrhea, malaria, typhoid, and neglected tropical diseases. The government should build a mix of committed political, cultural, religious, legal, and social institutions, comprising relevant sector ministries and local governments, traditional authorities, churches and mosques, sanitation tribunals, vibrant civil society organizations, and mass media for enforcement management through advocacy and public education on sanitation and the laws. The government should provide funding, fight corruption, equip the relevant institutions, and hold the frontline enforcement institutions—sector ministries and local governments—accountable for the lapses in enforcement. The socio-cultural behavior change approach to enforcement should be strengthened in support of the traditional prosecutorial and sanctions regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regarding resource scarcity and overpopulation, there is already a large number of sustainable solutions and frameworks available that could help propel the world into a better future. Yet, many of these issues are still left unsettled, which would indicate issues with the implementation of these solutions. Following research on behavioral analysis, a conceptual integrated framework was developed aiming to reveal how and why we can motivate individual consumers to engage in sustainable fuel consumption activities. The framework was tested in Denmark in a 30 days experiment involving 12 voluntary participants, testing their response to energy savings strategies. The results indicate that attitude shifts combined with the promotion of sustainable initiatives can result in a significant decrease in fuel consumption ranging from 13.4% to 25%. Following the experiment, the role of a modern society building on habits that propel its citizens toward their goals while trying to understand why certain habits are holding them back from achieving the desired outcome is elaborated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While faith, religion, and spirituality are frequently cited as helping survivors of domestic violence to recover from trauma, there is inadequate knowledge about how faith and religious beliefs can impact perpetrators' behavioral change in domestic violence interventions. This literature review synthesizes eleven studies that met the inclusion criteria on the role of faith and religion on perpetrators' behavioral change by focusing on the influence of faith communities and domestic violence interventions. The findings show that the roles of faith and belief systems on behavioral change among perpetrators are complex and dynamic as faith has varying impacts on behavioral change. The findings also indicate that social workers recognize how faith and spirituality, and the integration of faith-based strategies in interventions positively impact their practices. The studies also discuss the intersections between the roles of faith communities, men's faith-based justifications of violence, and religiously based male privilege. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical-thinking skills are a desired higher education outcome and a primary goal in education. This research focuses on fostering college students' critical thinking through reflective writing. During an 18-week study, a total of 60 English majors were recruited. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected, including 1) the pre- and post-tests of the 5-point Likert scale Reflection Questionnaire, and 2) nine students' reflective essays. The results showed that students significantly improved their critical thinking and revealed four prevalent changes. More specifically, self-worth and volunteerism (two major conceptual changes), as well as patience and gratefulness (two key behavioral changes) stood out among these changes. The implications of using reflective writing to promote students' critical thinking are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack of product availability is cited in the literature as a major factor that prevents consumers from purchasing sustainable products. Yet, little empirical research exists to document the potential behavioral consequences that result from lack of product availability, such as when consumers intend to purchase sustainable products but none are immediately available (see intention-behavior gap). Based on a survey of 630 consumers, this study examines how product availability affects consumer purchase intention for sustainable products within a behavior-intention model. The alternative mode of product acquisition, online rental, is offered to consumers to assess its moderating effect on purchase intention when the product is not physically available at the point-of-sale (POS). Using an experimental research design, we find that consumer purchase intention is positively affected by product availability. Additionally, rental is found to be an ineffective moderator, as consumers prefer traditional ownership over partial ownership when considering the purchase of sustainable products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in adults and third cause of death in the United States. Survivors face challenges postdischarge, including risks in self-management (SM) following prescribed regimens. Although SM education can help develop skills to control risk factors for stroke recurrence, little is known about lived experiences of patients adopting SM. To examine Veterans' lived poststroke experiences after discharge and their experiences in SM goal setting/attainment. Patients within one year of discharge from a Veterans Administration Medical Center in the United States with two risk factors for stroke recurrence were enrolled and received an SM workbook. Eight patients were interviewed (six males, two females; mean age 62: range 45–80). Part I concerned lived experience. Part II described experiences with goal setting and attainment. Data were analyzed inductively, identifying common experiences. Deductive analysis described goal setting and attainment. Transcript reviews identified SM themes and strategies. Lived experiences included 1) uncertainty about life, 2) anger and frustration, and 3) healthcare system challenges. Coping skills and setting goals to manage risks were critical for physical and emotional functioning. SM coping and goal setting aided recovery and improved life quality among Veterans after stroke. SM interventions assisted in regaining physical and emotional function. Findings may help in design of interventions for survivors, using SM and goal setting and attainment. Several implications for clinical practice were identified: Providers should acknowledge Veterans' challenges and struggles after their stroke and help Veterans to re-establish social identity, enhance self-esteem and improve mood. More emphasis should be given to the Veterans' caregivers' availability and willingness to help with their loved one's recovery, work reinstatement status and financial struggles. Recognition of the importance of the social context of recovery after a stroke is important, as nonmedical social interaction is often overlooked. Improvements are needed in the area of providers working with social workers and physical, occupational and mental health therapists to arrange more inpatient and outpatient treatments, including more frequent home visits. Veterans should be strongly encouraged to attend self-management diabetes education classes and smoking cessation and weight-loss programs offered for free within the Veterans Health Administration system. Self-management strategies using goal-setting and attainment concepts may assist individuals with stroke to regain physical and emotional functions, subsequently preventing another stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc in the lives of people around the world. Pandemics are powerful situations that can be examined from a social psychological lens. In this special section, four articles present data collected before and during the pandemic, providing a type of quasi-experimental design that helped examine the impact of the pandemic on social behavior. A number of findings emerged: the pandemic potentially increased instances of cyberbullying; the pandemic may have increased reports that Black-White intergroup interactions are more competitive and discriminatory; the pandemic may have reduced negative attitudes and bias in domestic versus international students in the U.S; and the pandemic may have allowed feelings of helplessness to provide a fear-reducing mechanism. We expand upon these findings by discussing how social psychology can help us understand and modify behaviors related to health and social relations during major threats like a pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Go for entertainment and fun, handle humor with care When developing a campaign, consider seeing entertainment and fun as the primary factor of interest, and the desired behavior as the side effect. Branding behavior: The strategy behind the truth® campaign. Keywords: Adolescents; strategic communication; Corona crisis; behavioral change; public campaign; COVID-19; influencers; teenagers; social distancing; physical distancing EN Adolescents strategic communication Corona crisis behavioral change public campaign COVID-19 influencers teenagers social distancing physical distancing 49 54 6 03/08/21 20210201 NES 210201 From the onset of the Corona crisis, a specific policy challenge was identified in the Netherlands: How to motivate young people to adhere to the behavioral measures, such as physical distancing?. [Extracted from the article]

Commercial motorcycle (CM) accidents constitute a major public concern in Nigeria. There is 8:10 chance that injuries resulting from these accidents are severe and debilitating including head and spinal injuries. This study is aimed at producing useful data on the prevalence, frequency, and determinants of helmet use among commercial motorcyclist in Ido-Osi Local Government Area, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive/cross-sectional study. A total of 360 respondents were selected by multi-stage sampling technique and interviewed using assisted self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Determinants of helmet use examined included age, educational level, marital status and religion. There was a 100% response rate. More than half of the respondents were within the age range of 20–29 years 164(53.6%) with the mean age of the study participants 29.9. The prevalence of helmet usage among commercial motorcyclist was 23.5%. The commonest reason for not using a crash helmet in this study was non-availability. The commonest reason for the non-availability of the welding helmet was the cost of the helmet. Less than half of the respondents were able to show or present helmet although some of the helmet presented were sub-standard (39.7%). The study also revealed irregular use of helmets among the respondents that used a helmet while riding a motorcycle as only 2.7% of them used it for all the five riding sessions assessed in this study. There was a statistically significant relationship between age, educational level, marital status and the use of helmets among respondents with p values of 0.005, 0.027, and 0.009, respectively. The prevalence of the use of helmets among the motorcyclist in this study is low despite the high level of awareness of legislation among the respondents on the use of helmets during riding. There is a need for the government to make provision for a safety helmet for this group of people at a subsidized rate if it cannot be given free of charge because of the economic situation of the country. There is a need to carry out behavioral change communication for this group of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effectiveness of using visual approaches in health education and its influential factors were still in debate. This study aimed to asess the effects of visualized nutrition education on dietary knowledge and behavioral changes, and factors influencing them. A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library was conducted. Eligible studies were trials assessed effects of visualized nutrition education on dietary knowledge or behavior changes, compared with non-visualized or no education group. Fourteen studies (n = 7,259) were qualitatively analyzed and 7 of them were included in the meta-analysis. We found a higher fiber intake in both short term (1.59 g/1000 kcals, 95% CI 0.90-2.27) and long term (1.36 g/1000 kcals, 95% CI 0.64-2.09). A marginal advantage was shown in short-term fruits and vegetables consumption (F&V consumption) (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.08, 95% CI -0.00 to 0.16). The education effects were more pronounced when education was delivered in series (SMDF&V consumption = 0.09, 95% CI 0.00-0.17), avoiding loss-framing (SMDFat intake = 0.31, 95% CI 0.10-0.51) and video modeling (SMDF&V consumption = 0.23, 95% CI 0.03-0.43), with short length plus cultural adaptation. Visualized nutrition education was overall promising in improving dietary behaviors. Delivering in series, short in length, with cultural adaptation were features tended to enlarge the benefits of visualized education while loss-framing and video modeling might be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyzed 108 films released during the transformation agenda period. The proportion, frequency, centrality and framing of agricultural content in the movies were reviewed. Data obtained were described using frequency counts and percentages. One out of three movies screened had agricultural content, which was either one or two scenes in the movie (80.0%). Such content was mostly peripheral (89.0%) to the themes of the films and negatively framed (60.0%). Potentials of the industry for agricultural purposes were poorly utilized by government. Government should partner with Nollywood to portray agriculture in a positive light for improved citizens' attitude toward agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent girls are at the center of many health development interventions. Based on ethnographic research in rural Malawi, I analyze the design, implementation, and reception of an international non-government organization's project aiming to reduce teenage pregnancies by keeping girls in school. Drawing on Fassin's theorization of culturalism as ideology, I analyze how a tendency to overemphasize culture is inherent to the project's behavior change approach, but is reinforced locally by class-shaped notions of development, and plays out through reinforcing ethnic stereotypes. I argue that culturalism builds upon previous health development initiatives that dichotomized modernity and tradition, and is strengthened by short-term donor funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective secondary prevention of HIV infections requires knowledge about changes in sexual behaviors after diagnosis among people living with HIV (PLHIV), yet there is a dearth of literature assessing gender-specific patterns and correlates of such changes among heterosexual PLHIV in China. Data used in the current study were derived from a cross-sectional survey conducted from 2012 to 2013 among 1212 heterosexual sexually active PLHIV in Guangxi, China. Most participants reduced sexual frequency (71.2%), reduced or maintained the same number of sexual partners (96.6%), and increased or maintained same frequencies of condom use (80.6%). Gender difference was found in changes in sexual frequency, but not in the number of sexual partners or condom use. For males, decrease in sexual frequency was associated with having no desire to have children (OR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.20, 3.44), being virally suppressed (OR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.079, 0.94), and social support (OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.06, 1.96). Health promoting behaviors in condom use (i.e., increased or maintained same frequencies of condom use) for males was associated with being 45 years of age or older (OR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.21, 0.61), having an HIV-negative main partner (OR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.11, 2.92), and physical health-related quality of life (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.04). For females, decrease in sexual frequency was associated with having no desire to have children (OR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.01, 2.47). Health promoting behaviors in condom use for females was associated with having an HIV-negative main partner (OR = 3.24, 95% CI 1.63, 6.45) and social support (OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.57, 0.99). Future intervention efforts need to target PLHIV who need extra support in making health-improvement efforts and to facilitate gender-specific behavioral changes in sexual risk reduction after HIV diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-planned events such as constructions or special events lead to road capacity reductions and create bottlenecks in the traffic network. The traffic impact of such events goes beyond local areas, as informed drivers may detour to alternative corridors and consequently the traffic congestion may divert or propagate to other corridors. Due to the lack of real observation data, traditional traffic impact analyses are typically based on simulation models, fixed-location sensor data or survey questionnaires. In this research, we use high-resolution vehicle trajectory data collected via a smartphone app, which is capable of keeping track of individual driver's behavior before and after road capacity reduction, to investigate travelers' behavioral responses to pre-planned events and the contribution factors. For this purpose, a functional data analysis (FDA) approach-based clustering method is firstly proposed to cluster trajectory data and identify detour patterns, and two logistic and a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression models are used to explain drivers' detour behavior choice for each pattern with spatial and temporal features of interest. A case study based on a lane closure event on MoPac expressway in Austin, TX is used as an example in this research. The case study demonstrates that: (1) the freeway capacity reduction triggered heterologous behavior responses, (2) driver detour behavior exhibits three major patterns and (3) each detour pattern highly depends on spatial features such as trip length, distance to freeway entrance and distance to other alternative freeways, in addition to the temporal features when the trip happens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of utilizing a wearable activity tracker in a credit-based physical activity instructional program (PAIP) for promoting physical activity (PA) in college students. Fourteen PAIP courses in a large public university were randomly assigned into intervention (k = 7; n = 101) and control (k = 7; n = 86) groups. All courses focused on a core curriculum that covers basic exercise and behavioral science contents through lectures and activity sessions. A Misfit Flash activity tracker was provided to students in the intervention group. Objective PA assessments occurred at baseline, mid-, and end-of-semester during a 15-week academic semester. The control group showed a significant reduction in moderate- and vigorousintensity PA (MVPA) minutes from baseline to the end-of-semester (P <.05), whereas the intervention group showed no changes in MVPA minutes over time. However, the intervention group also showed increased sedentary time and decreased time spent in light-intensity PA during the intervention period. Taken together, the present study found null effects of utilizing the wearable activity tracker in promoting PA in college students suggesting that intervention of primary using the wearable activity tracker as a behavior change strategy may not be effective to increase in PA in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study presents data on the longitudinal administration of the Italian Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS). We investigated cognitive-behavioral performance in a group of ALS patients over time and the feasibility of repeating the ECAS longitudinally compared with standard neuropsychological tests. Finally, correlations between clinical/genetic and cognitive/behavioral data were considered. Methods: One hundred and sixty-eight ALS patients were tested at baseline (T0). Among these, 48 patients performed the ECAS after 6 months (T1), 18 patients performed it at T2 (12 months), and five patients were assessed after 24 months (T3). Participants were also administered two cognitive test (FAB; MoCA) and psychological questionnaires (BDI; STAI/Y). The FBI was carried out with caregivers. Results: No cognitive deterioration was found across follow-ups. In contrast, although scores did not change between T0 and T1, scores improved significantly for ECAS Total/ALS Non-specific and Memory domains when the ECAS was repeated on three occasions (T0, T1, T2). Apathy/Inertia was the most common behavioral symptom, but no worsening of behavioral scores was detected over time. After 12-24 months, patients were still able to perform the ECAS in total, in contrast to FAB and MoCA, which were only partially administrable. Conclusions: The significant improvement of some ECAS scores over time supports the presence of possible practice effects, particularly in the memory domain, highlighting the need to accommodate for these in longitudinal assessments, through healthy controls groups or alternate versions. This work represents the first Italian ECAS follow-up study and confirms ECAS feasibility in patients with increasing physical disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate how public perceptions of air pollution, risk beliefs and self-reported actions to limit personal exposure to ambient air pollution vary across cities. Our analysis also examines the extent to which a number of individual-level variables are associated to self-protective and information-seeking actions due to bad air quality. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey in four cities with a total sample of 1202 inhabitants. We found a moderate variation in the subjective evaluation of local air pollution between cities, as well as in the levels of annoyance and distress due to air pollution. There was relatively little variation in perceived severity, worry and self-reported actions. No variation was found for self-reported attention to air quality levels and controllability beliefs regarding the risks from air pollution. Preliminary modeling of four self-reported actions suggests that self-reported attention to air quality levels and worry are important predictors of self-protective and information seeking behavior. We conclude that both personal and contextual factors have to be taken into account in order to understand public reactions to outdoor urban air pollution. We discuss the implications in terms of risk and health communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change poses one of the greatest challenges of any kind facing human society today. It is a threat to the availability of land, air, food and water - all of which are key constituents of the Sustainable Development Goals. Much of the observed change in climate is anthropogenic in nature. Hence, it is imperative for all human societies to make a positive contribution in spreading greater public awareness and engagement for creating a more sustainable world. Due to the lack of a reliable carbon footprint measurement system specific to Indian conditions, a robust multimedia application has been developed and designed in the form of India's first certified Carbon Footprint Calculator. Titled the ‘Yo!Green’ Carbon Calculator, it allows individuals and households to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, and recommends simple mitigation measures based on their emission profile. This paper presents the methodologies, assumptions and processes which have been adopted to develop the Yo!Green Carbon Calculator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use a unique data-set gathered during a short-lived interwar period in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan to compare characteristics of the households returning after the conflict with those that stayed in their communities of origin. We found that returning households seemed to face worse economic conditions, particularly in the case of female-headed returnee households. Nevertheless, our results show that returnees tend to perform better on different health indicators. Using a detailed set of variables about hygiene and sanitary habits, we explore the hypothesis that the latter result may be related to changes in attitudes given the distinct experiences during displacement. We show that returnees are indeed more likely to adopt these measures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a local promotional campaign on preconceptional lifestyle changes and the use of preconception care (PCC).Material and Methods: This quasi-comparative study was carried out between February 2015 and February 2016 at a community midwifery practice in the Netherlands. The intervention consisted of a dual track approach (i) a promotional campaign for couples who wish to conceive and (ii) a PCC pathway for health care providers. Questionnaires were collected from a sample of women who received antenatal care during the pre-intervention (n = 283) and post-intervention (n = 257) period. Main outcome measures were preconceptional lifestyle changes and PCC use (defined as searching for information and/or consulting a health care provider).Results: Women who were exposed to the intervention were significantly more likely to make at least one lifestyle change during the preconception period [adjusted OR 1.56 (95% CI 1.02-2.39)]. Women were especially more likely to preconceptionally reduce or quit [adjusted OR 1.72 (95% CI 1.05-2.83)] their alcohol consumption after exposure to the intervention. Although non-significant, it appeared that women who were exposed to the intervention more often prepared themselves for pregnancy by means of independently searching for preconception health information [adjusted OR 1.13 (95% CI 0.77-1.65)] or consulting a health care provider regarding their wish to conceive [adjusted OR 1.24 (95% CI 0.81-1.92)].Conclusions: Exposure to a local promotional campaign targeted at preconceptional health was associated with improved preconceptional lifestyle behaviours, especially with regard to alcohol consumption, and has the potential to improve the use of PCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel is a widely-used material in many industries. Although there is enough evidence that occupational exposure to nickel may cause respiratory illnesses, allergies, and even cancer, it is not possible to stop the use of nickel in occupational settings. Nickel exposure, however, can be controlled and reduced significantly in workplaces. The main objective of this study was to assess if educational intervention of hygiene behavior could reduce nickel exposure among Indonesian nickel smelter workers. Participants were randomly assigned to three intervention groups (n = 99). Group one (n = 35) received only an educational booklet about nickel, related potential health effects and preventive measures, group two (n = 35) attended a presentation in addition to the booklet, and group three (n = 29) received personal feedback on their biomarker results in addition to the booklet and presentations. Pre- and post-intervention air sampling was conducted to measure concentrations of dust and nickel in air along with worker's blood and urine nickel concentrations. The study did not measure significant differences in particles and nickel concentrations in the air between pre- and post-interventions. However, we achieved significant reductions in the post intervention urine and blood nickel concentrations which can be attributed to changes in personal hygiene behavior. The median urinary nickel concentration in the pre-intervention period for group one was 52.3 µg/L, for group two 57.4 µg/L, and group three 43.2 µg/L which were significantly higher (p< = 0.010) than those measured in the post-intervention period for each of the groups with 8.5 µg/L, 9.6 µg/L, and 8.2 µg/L, respectively. A similar pattern was recorded for serum nickel with significantly (p < 0.05) higher median concentrations measured in the pre-intervention period for group one 1.7 µg/L, and 2.0 µg/L for group 2 and group 3 compared with the post intervention median serum nickel levels of 0.1 µg/L for all groups. The study showed that educational interventions can significantly reduce personal exposure levels to nickel among Indonesian nickel smelter workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing environmental and health concerns associated with automobile dependence, municipalities across the Western world are investing in cycling facilities to encourage drivers and transit users to take up cycling as a mode of transportation, a process that is known as the travel mode substitution. This study explored the potential impact of cycle tracks on short-term travel mode substitution behavior. We present a case study of Sherbourne Street, located in downtown Toronto, Canada, that was redeveloped in 2012 to include a cycle track that replaced an existing bicycle lane. A street intercept survey was conducted in Fall, 2014, to record quantitative data on current and retrospective travel behaviors of cyclists (n = 214). A mode substitution effect was observed, with 38% of the respondents reporting that they would use travel modes other than cycling before the Sherbourne Street redevelopment, for making a trip to their current destination; the majority of them were previously transit users. Binary logistic regression models indicated that younger cyclists were less likely to substitute a car trip for a cycling trip. Those who did not use Sherbourne Street previously were more likely to substitute their travel mode. Improved safety was the most commonly reported reason for mode substitution. This study contributes to a limited literature by providing much needed insights into the impacts of cycle tracks on travel behavior in a North American context. This paper can also inform the development of easy-to-implement survey/audit tools to be used by professionals at the community level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To convince people to reduce their energy consumption, two types of persuasive appeals often are used by environmental organizations: Monetary appeals (i.e., ‘conserving energy will save you money’) and environmental appeals (i.e., ‘conserving energy will protect the environment’). In this field study we aimed to compare the effects of monetary and environmental appeals on showering habits. During two weeks we measured showering behavior in one hundred households. As compared to monetary appeals, environmental appeals were more effective in decreasing participants’ shower frequency. Interestingly, the monetary appeal was judged as somewhat more motivating to save water than the environmental appeal. We discuss theoretical and practical implications of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article profiles consumers based on their attitude toward different practices of responsible tourism, the extent to which they behave consistently with these attitudes, and, finally, the behavioral change they need to make to adopt those practices. Qualitative research informed the development of the quantitative study of a sample of Italian tourists self-selected as being responsible. Factor analysis identified the underpinning dimensions of what is meant by responsible tourism, and these factors were used to profile the respondents. The results of cluster analysis identified three different clusters with different levels of commitment and, especially, consistency between attitude and behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) uses two tobacco use surveillance questionnaires. One is administered during an at-home interview (HI) and the other, during an examination session at a mobile examination center (MEC). NHANES data for the years 1999–2012 were used to evaluate the consistency of responses to tobacco surveillance questions in HI and MEC interview. In addition, accuracy of self-reported smoking status was evaluated. Of those who reported to be daily cigarette smokers during HI, 18.7% reported to be either some-day smokers or nonsmokers during MEC interview. Of those who reported to be some-day cigarette smokers during HI, 22.1% reported to be daily smokers and 17.5% reported to be nonsmokers. Also, 4.1% of those who reported to be nonsmokers during HI reported to be either daily or some-day smokers during MEC interview. Using serum cotinine measurements taken during MEC interview, 27.1% were found to be smokers and 72.9% were found to be nonsmokers. In general, a moderate to high agreement, as measured by theκstatistic, was found between the self-reported responses to tobacco use questions during the home and MEC interviews as well as between smoking statuses based on self-reported and serum cotinine measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While studies have examined people's understanding of climate change and its relationship to tourism, these focus largely on developed country populations. Much future tourism growth will come from developing countries following economic development; often countries where climate change will be strongly felt. Do tourists from developing countries have the same knowledge gaps about travel, tourism, and climate change as in the developed world? Will behavioral change policies be successful in encouraging more environmentally friendly approaches to climate change and tourism in developing countries? This paper presents findings from 20 in-depth interviews with active Nigerian tourists, analyzing their understanding of climate change, the links known, or not, between their travel and climate change, and their willingness to change their tourism patterns. Understanding of climate change was limited and there was conceptual confusion. Participants did not view their own travel as a cause of climate change and many were embedded in air travel practice. Participants were unwilling to change their tourism patterns to reduce their contribution to climate change. Significant structural barriers limit low carbon tourism travel in Nigeria (and other developing countries), including reliability, availability safety, and speed. Behavioral change will be difficult to achieve. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Motivating alcohol abusers to enter treatment, comply with recommendations, and make significant changes in their behavior is no easy task. In the West, professionals learned the importance of motivation early on, and they learned it first from those recovering in Alcoholics Anonymous. Early occupational alcoholism programs used job performance and disciplinary steps to motivate problem drinkers to take action. The threat of job loss proved significant in breaking through denial and in motivating clients to begin a recovery process. This approach was incorporated into the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and EAP professionals have used job performance and disciplinary steps to motivate those with many types of personal issues. In the Russian Federation, no such history exists. This workplace-based alcohol intervention program is a first for Russia, and it uses the work performance approach successfully deployed in the West for many decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to examine how interpersonal norms, media norms, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy had an influence on healthy eating intention among adolescents. A probability sample of 544 adolescents aged 12 to 18 was conducted. Results indicated that girls had a more favorable attitude and intention toward healthy eating than boys. Healthy eating intention among boys was predicted by attitude, perceived behavioral control, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy, and among girls was predicted by perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy. Different marketing strategies to promote healthy eating among adolescent boys and girls should be adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonadherence to prescribed medications can lead to medical complications, disease progression, hospitalizations, overestimated dosing requirements, impaired quality of life, and death, as well as incurring substantive costs for the healthcare system from suboptimal dosing during ambulatory pharmacotherapy. Adherence can be improved by helping patients build habits of taking prescribed medications, impacting day-to-day implementation of and persistence with rationally prescribed drug dosing regimens. Accurate, easily understood and personally relevant feedback is clearly relevant to many patients in this process. There is a clear-cut need for studies specifically designed to investigate interventions aimed at improving adherence, taking into account the sometimes complex nature of these interventions. Implementation of results from such studies can be expected to improve outcomes. For scientific progress to be maintained in this field, there is also a clear need for consistent use of a sound taxonomy for the dosing errors that comprise poor adherence (distinguishing between initiation, implementation and discontinuation), and for interventions performed to improve adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines whether individual differences in preference for consistency (PFC) affect the behavioral change in the induced-hypocrisy paradigm. Undergraduate students (N = 108) completed the PFC scale either 1 month (no PFC-focus condition) or immediately before (PFC-focus condition) the induced-hypocrisy procedure; this procedure includes pro-social advocacy, transgression recall, and a behavioral change measure. Results demonstrated (1) that PFC-level predicts behavioral change only when the participants were focused on their own PFC and (2) a relationship between the number of recalled transgressions and behavioral change only for high-PFC participants in PFC-focus condition. The necessity of considering simultaneously PFC-level, PFC-focus, and the number of recalled transgressions to better predict behavioral change in the hypocrisy-paradigm, is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Current leisure mobility patterns are not sustainable. Because energy efficiency measures appear insufficient to accommodate predicted future volume growth, changes in transportation modes and volume are needed. Short-haul should be the preferred distance, public transportation the preferred mode and length of stay should increase rather than trip frequency. However, tourists are unwilling to adopt these changes. This paper proposes a new conceptual “three-gear model” demonstrating how happiness, travel motivations and perception of distance set barriers for desirable behavioral change. The model improves understanding of the gap between awareness of, and attitudes to, tourism mobility and the gap between environmentally friendly everyday behaviors and unsustainable vacation behaviors. The paper shows that happiness is integral to all stages of the tourist experience. Understanding happiness enhances the understanding of tourist behavior, and how it drives, via the speed–distance–demand loop, the three-stage model presented here. Key practical implications include the need for effective policies to break the speed–distance–demand loop, changes to transport infrastructure policies, and recognition of the role of happiness in sustainable tourism strategies. Theoretical contributions include a synthesis of theories to interrogate key behavioral gaps and a theoretical basis for future empirical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A photo-elicitation and a collage construction technique provide insights into citizens of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) awareness of the negative effects of fast-food consumption, the relationship between awareness and UAE fast-food consumption, and the discourses used by the UAE when resisting fast-food consumption. The study draws on two disciplinary backdrops: risk awareness and resistance to behavioral change. The findings show that risk awareness campaigns should not solely be linked to bodily concerns but need to develop messages that relate to the target audience within its social, political, and economic context. What this means conceptually is that health is no longer restricted to the individual microlevel dimension but rather emerges from the dialectical interplay between taking care of one's self and taking care of one's society. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Climate change and environmental issues have been increasingly in the forefront of the media and government agendas. However, despite much discussion and fanfare, little has been done in the way of serious commitment and clear course of actions since the adoption of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992 to bring carbon emissions to sustainable levels. To tackle the immensity of the climate change challenge, a paradigm shift in understanding is necessary to balance the course of global human development with energy demand and consumption patterns. Accounting for over 40% of global energy demand and more than 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, the building sector offers the greatest mitigation potential for reducing carbon emissions in both the short and long term, with positive implications for a range of associated sectors and industries. Promoting behavioral change among end-users for reduced energy consumption as well as encouraging the building industry to embrace sustainable design, low-carbon construction practices and materials, and renewable technologies, is fundamental to mitigating the impact of the built environment on planetary biospheres and preserving quality of life for generations to come. This paper starts by drawing attention to the building sector and related EU policy, outlining the challenges and opportunities for reducing energy consumption and carbon emission levels. Such policy provides the essential framework to engage stakeholders and allow supporting factors to foster progress in the sector. The paper contends that information on climate change has not led to significant improvements in meeting global targets and that what is needed is behavioral change among individuals and society as a whole. On the basis of research project experiences and literature review, it puts forth and explores five key elements contributing to behavioral change for reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions in the building sector, focused on: information and education; financial incentives and energy services; modern technologies and sustainable design; social and community norms; and biophilia (contact with the natural environment). The paper suggests opportunities for further research and concludes with recommendations for policy-makers and related stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few years, travel-behavior researchers have generally acknowledged the importance of habits and key events in understanding travel-behavior changes. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the evolving research field of mobility biographies. With a retrospective, qualitative survey, 20 parents of small children are questioned about key events affecting their travel behavior and in particular the role of childbirth in this respect. The findings reveal that the commonly expected car-dependency after childbirth is only one pattern among others such as the stability or even increase of green mode use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Travel demand management TDM) measures targeting changed or reduced private car use in urban areas prompt individuals and households to choose more efficient car use (chaining trips, car pooling, choosing closer destination), to suppress trips and activities, or to switch travel mode. We conjecture that these choices are made sequentially over time according to a cost-minimization principle. In general, less costly changes may however be less effective. Several potential ways are proposed in which intelligent transportation systems may reduce the costs of changes or reduction in car use, thus presumably rendering TDM measures more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conflicts in divorce are made up of strong emotions, misperceptions or stereotypes, poor or miscommunication, and repetitive negative behavior. In addition to the art of facilitating communication, the training of mediators needs to include theories of behavior change. Self-assessment of the mediator's confidence and conviction may assist the disputant parties. These elements describe how motivated or how convinced one is in the process. The ability to increase one's conviction and/or confidence in the process may be able to make significant strides in mediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hypothesized that an educational intervention based on a readiness model would lead to improved health outcomes among patients with asthma. Within a randomized control design in an urban Latino and African-American community, we conducted an intensive three-month pediatric intervention. A Family Coordinator provided patient education based on a readiness-to-learn model, and facilitated improved interactions between the patient and the doctor. Family education addressed the most basic learning needs of patients with asthma by improving their perception of asthma symptom persistence using asthma diaries and peak flow measures. The physician intervention focused clinicians' attention on patients' diary records and peak flow measures, and encouraged physicians to use stepped action plans. Patients were also tested for allergic sensitization and provided strategies to reduce contact with allergens and other asthma triggers. The results showed significant improvements by intervention group families on measures of knowledge, health beliefs, self-efficacy, self-regulatory skill, and adherence; decreases in symptom persistence and activity restriction; and increased prescription of anti-inflammatory medication by the physicians of the intervention group families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographic communities can become on-line communities if their members have common interests, needs, and goals, a desire for mutual communication, and can easily find one another to establish relationships. People are sometimes quite resistant to interacting on-line even when they regularly use the Internet for information gathering and e-mail. With mid-life career changers as a representative demographic group, this paper discusses the factors causing this resistance, ways to mitigate it and bring group members into on-line community environments, and mechanisms for sustaining their on-line interaction. Several methods for improving the sociability and usability of on-line communities are proposed, and it is recommended that the selection and implementation of technology be directed by the group's sociability and usability requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complete blood counts (CBCs) were performed on 215 out-of-treatment injecting and noninjecting drug users participating in a federally sponsored human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk-reduction program in Houston, Texas. A substantial proportion of patients/clients were found to be suffering from varying degrees of anemia and other hematological conditions. Anemia is known to affect cognitive skills such as the ability to concentrate and process information. This impairment can limit the effectiveness of drug intervention and treatment, even among those users eager to participate in intervention or treatment programs. Consideration of substance users' physical condition as manifested by hematological measures can provide an important compliment to health behavioral models that stress cognitive functioning without consideration of the underlying physical processes involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the directions of transport policy in the UK in the last few years have led to a wider consideration of possible measures to bring about behavioural change, in particular measures which have the potential to reduce car dependence. Among the measures currently being implemented by local authorities are public awareness or travel awareness campaigns. This paper examines the findings of a research project which evaluated a travel awareness scheme in the context of an integrated transport policy. The research project monitored the attitudes, beliefs and intentions of a sample of the residents who had been targeted by the Maidstone Initiative for Sustainable Transport (MIST)implemented by Kent County Council and Maidstone Borough Council. The research project found some remarkably consistent attitudes about car and bus travel over a period of three years. It also found that whilst people seem to be aware of the impact of travel on the environment they do not consider the environmental impact with the same degreeof importance as other attributes of travel. A further fording was ahidden desire to switch modes from the car. The paper will conclude by looking critically at the future for travel awareness campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]