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This study examined the relationship between demographics, attitudes, and subjective norms (influences) on Virginia adults over 50 with at least one adult child and the presence of estate planning documents. The Theory of Reasoned Action (Azjen & Fishbein, 1980) was applied using a secondary data set of 189 participants. Regression analyses examined paths from external variables (demographics), attitudes toward the behavior, and subjective norms to the intention and behavior. Intention and behavior were defined as the possession, intention to possess, and non-intention to possess estate planning documents. Asset-focused documents included Will, Living Trust, Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Issues, and the Letter of Instruction. Health care-focused documents included Living Will and the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. An analysis was also conducted on the possession of a complete set of estate planning documents. Older persons were more likely to possess all documents except the Letter of Instruction. Respondents with higher assets were more likely to possess a Will. Respondents who were more educated were more inclined to possess a Living Will. Respondents that had informally promised property to their children were more likely to possess a Living Trust. Younger respondents were more likely to intend to possess a Will, the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, and the Living Will. Persons with lower assets were more likely to intend to possess a Will, and those with a goal for privacy in financial affairs and who believed they should help their adult children financially were more likely to intend to possess a Living Trust. Participants who intended to possess a Letter of Instruction were more educated, male, owned homes, and had a goal for privacy in financial affairs. Age (younger) was an indirect influence to the Letter of Instruction, mediated through the goal to leave family financial security. Participants with lower assets and in good emotional health did not have intention to possess a Living Trust. Male gender and owning a home were influences on not intending to possess a Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Issues. Males were less likely to have a Letter of Instruction. Respondents with the goal to leave an inheritance were more likely to have non-intention to possess the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Issues. More education, lower income, and residing with a relative were mediated influences to the Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care and for Financial Issues through the goal to leave inheritance. Respondents that were older, had more assets, owned homes, had a goal to leave an inheritance, and that had informally promised their property were more likely to possess more estate documents. Indirect paths to having a set of estate planning documents were more education, lower income, and residing with a relative, which were mediated through the goal to leave inheritance. The low number of estate planning documents respondents had and the lack of intention to obtain estate planning documents indicate a need for further education in the areas of estate planning. The occurrence of older age as an influence, particularly with health care-focused documents, indicates a need for more awareness in younger adults of their vulnerability, at any age, to illness or injury and that medical directives should be in place. Ph. D.

According to the State of the Nation’s Housing (Harvard, 2005) more than one in five homebuyers is a single woman and twice as many unmarried women as unmarried men are buying homes. Notably unmarried women make up more than one-third of the growth in real estate ownership since 1994. The purpose of this study was to examine this cultural phenomenon. Utilizing an interpretative qualitative paradigm, in-depth interviews, social identity and reason action theories, this research explored the social, psychological, and symbolic meanings single, never-married, women in their 30s and 40s attributed to home buying as well as the design and purchasing behaviors they displayed. In an effort to create and refine the questionnaire for this research, a five participant pilot study was conducted in southwestern Virginia. The main body of this work consisted of 12 in-depth interviews and included six participants from southwestern Virginia, five participants from northern Virginia and one from western Pennsylvania. The average age of the participants was 39.5 years, with a range of 29 – 48 years. In total, 21 themes emerged in this study: 18 were strongly supported and mentioned by at least 50%, or six of the twelve, dissertation participants, while three received moderate support and were discussed by at least 25%, or three of the twelve, respondents. The themes were further divided into the following categories: behavioral themes which answer the question of the how women approach the buying process; behavioral themes which answer the question of what women buy, psychological themes which answer the question of why single women buy; social themes which promote a sense of security or stability; and social themes which promote a sense of isolation. The findings of this study can be used to enhance the residential construction industry and to assist housing professionals who routinely interact with female homebuyers. In addition, these findings suggest the continued need for home-buyer education and further research. Ph. D.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of universal design kitchen features by people using wheelchairs. The study examined the features of the GE Real Life Design Kitchen in the Center for Real Life Design at Virginia Tech and determined which universal design features were beneficial to users in wheelchairs. The specific objectives were: 1. to evaluate the universal design features of the GE Real Life Design Kitchen by people in wheelchairs, and 2. to examine how the GE Real Life Design Kitchen is used by people in wheelchairs as they prepare a meal in the space. Nine participants, with various disabilities, who use a wheelchair on a daily basis were selected for the study. The sample consisted of 5 male and 4 female participants with ages ranging from 28-58 years old. Each participant had varying levels of grip, strength, and memory as a result of their disability. Data for this study were collected through a variety of observation and interviewing methods. The study was separated into four different sections/activities; the pre-cooking interview, the universal design evaluation, the cooking activity, and the post-cooking interview. Each participant was asked to test specific universal design features located in the GE Real Life Design Kitchen and was given a set menu and asked to prepare a meal. The results of this study determined that people who use a wheelchair while cooking are very efficient and do not require much counter space in order to prepare a meal. Appliances with easy to read and use controls are preferred and should be located within good visual range of a person in a wheelchair to be effective. In addition, it was determined that a pull-out cutting board and some type of roll-out tray feature in a base cabinet is useful to a person in a wheelchair. The results concurred with existing recommendations concerning clear floor and open knee spaces at the sink and cooktop areas, and also discovered that clear floor and open knee space is useful under a countertop microwave because it allows the wheelchair user to get their body closer to the task. Results from this study cannot be generalized to a national population of wheelchair users because of the limitations of the sample. Results, however, are significant in terms of providing consumers, cabinet and appliance manufacturers, policy makers, and designers with valuable insight and information concerning the inclusion of universal design features in kitchens and environments that accommodate the needs of all people, including the person in a wheelchair. In addition, the results of this study imply that not all universal design features recommended in kitchen design are beneficial to people in wheelchairs. Further investigation of some of the universal design features tested is needed. Ph. D.

Consumer spending accounts for over sixty-five percent of the Gross Domestic Product in the United States, greatly affecting the economy, as well as the retail sector. The consumer, rather than business or government, has become the dominant factor in shaping the course of the aggregate U.S. economy (Curtin, 1982). The purpose of this study is to examine whether the economy, as perceived by consumers, has any effect on the apparel purchase expenditures of consumers, and if so, how personal factors such as gender, age, income, educational attainment, race, and marital status contribute to their perceptions and decisions. A research model was created using consumers' current economic perceptions, future economic perceptions, and importance of fashion as predictors of apparel expenditures. Demographic variables were included to see if demographics had any significant influence on current and future perceptions, importance of fashion, and/or apparel expenditures. Data for this study was obtained by administering a paper and internet survey to 166 consumers in the stratified market of Roanoke, VA. One-way ANOVA analysis findings indicate that age had an influence on consumers' future economic expenditures. Age and education had an influence on consumers' importance of fashion, while marital status had an influence on apparel expenditures. Regression analysis indicated that consumers' perceptions of current and future economic conditions and importance of fashion were significant predictors of consumers' apparel expenditures. Recommendations include collecting real expenditure amounts, comparing perceived economic conditions data to real economic indicators, and comparing Consumer Expenditure Survey data with real economic indicators. Master of Science

Appropriate housing for the aging American population is a timely topic of research in both housing and gerontology. Universal design is an innovation in housing design that is gaining interest from both industries. This research examines the effectiveness of universal design features that have been identified by experts in the field of aging, housing, and universal design as important to resident and caregiver participants of the ECHO demonstration housing program. A national survey was conducted that included all available current residents of the HUD ECHO houses and their caregivers. The relationships between age, effectiveness of universal design features, health and dependency were investigated. Quantitative results include some confounding relationships, and plausible explanations. A qualitative analysis, based on on-site and telephone interviews, and tape recordings of those interviews with residents and their caregivers, as well as architectural drawings, observation, and photographs of the ECHO houses provided additional details. The qualitative approach indicated that many of the universal design features recommended by the experts consulted satisfactorily met the needs of residents and/or their caregivers. It also revealed, however that some features were not considered important by residents and caregivers, some were not reported as present (when they were documented by the researcher as present), and at least one HUD-specified universal design feature was not provided by ECHO houses. Another aspect of the qualitative perspective addressed the health of the residents. Health characteristics are presented in the context of their effect on dependency. Phase II dependency task information was compared to that reported in phase I, and improvement and decline was noted. Conclusions, and Implications that elaborate on findings, and future research is recommended for taking this research to the next level. Ph. D.

This study focuses on determining how Virginia farmers are planning for farm retirement and succession and whether they will be financially prepared for their retirement years. The Virginia farming population is aging, life expectancy is increasing, and Social Security benefits are not a stable source of retirement income presenting challenges for Virginia farmers who are planning to either retire from the family farm or transition it to the next generation. In this study a 59-item survey was sent to 2000 randomly selected Farm Credit agricultural customers. Results from the survey were analyzed using chi-square tests and correlations to determine statistically significant relationships between the variables. The analysis indicates that Virginia farmers planning to retire from the farm face high levels of debt and plan to sell the farm operation. Virginia farmers planning to transition the farm are generating higher profits from the farm operation and their successor has been identified. The majority of Virginia farmers are financially prepared for retirement with Social Security support; however, without supplemental income from Social Security the majority of the Virginia farming population is not financially prepared for retirement. The results indicate necessary action from the private, academic, and public sectors. Financial professionals should offer retirement planning seminars, academia should continue to research the issues, and the government should consider developing a savings plans specifically for the agricultural community that offer tax advantages. Master of Science

With the prevalence and integration of the Internet in our lives, online shopping has become a popular and convenient method of obtaining goods. However, there is an important experience that occurs between the customer and the product as well as the customer and the space in the actual, physical store which does not yet occur in the virtual store (Raijas, 2002). Customers' increased use of new technology and the Internet illustrates that an incredible growth potential exists in the electronic grocery store industry. Currently, electronic grocery stores have not taken advantage of key components of traditional grocery retailing practices or information technology (Raijas, 2002). Consequently, electronic grocery stores have not yet provided customers with significant benefits for choosing online grocery shopping as opposed to traditional grocery shopping in the actual store. This finding suggests that a better quality shopping experience could be provided for online grocery store customers through the marriage of the benefits of online grocery shopping with the benefits of traditional grocery shopping. This study presents a proposal of how to combine the benefits of shopping in an actual retail store with the benefits of shopping online. Master of Science

The United States is experiencing a rapid rise in its citizens aged 85 and older, which is the fastest growing segment of the population. By the year 2050 the population of adults 65 years old and older is predicted to double in size. This trend, referred to as the graying of America, has been a catalyst for researchers eager to fill gaps in appropriate housing options for this population. For the past decades assisted living has grown as such an option for senior housing. The purpose of this study was to design an assisted living private dwelling unit based on criteria found in literature and in the findings of two research projects. Data were collected during site visits to five assisted living facilities as part of the Best Practices study. Data collected during the CAVE study, in which participants expressed preferences toward assisted living apartment designs, were also utilized. Design criteria emerging from both studies were found to be in support of current literature. A design concept employing these criteria was developed. The design was presented through graphic techniques including plans, elevations and isometric drawings. Master of Science

The number of older persons is increasing, both in actual number and as a percentage of the population. As an individual ages his or her body changes and the ability to deal with the demands of an environment usually decreases. A well designed, supportive environment may help older persons to utilize their homes more fully, more safely, and allow them to live independently in their homes longer. Use of kitchens and bathrooms may present the greatest challenge and the greatest safety hazard and in order to remain independent, an older person must be able to use these rooms fully and safely. The purpose of this study was to determine what supportive feature are being included in the kitchens and bathrooms of homes being built for persons living in age-restricted retirement communities. A list of research and design recommendations based on empirical research was compiled and ordered into categories of supportive features for general, kitchen, and bathroom design for seniors. Design recommendations were provided for most elements in kitchens and bathrooms designed for senior citizens and point values were assigned to individual supportive features on the basis of safety and ease of use. Based on this evidence, two data collection tools were created to assess kitchens and bathroom of homes designed for senior living. Hypotheses were developed relating characteristics of the locations of the retirement communities, characteristics of the retirement communities, and characteristics of the individual homes to the percentage of possible points earned in kitchens and bathrooms of homes studied. Age-restricted retirement communities were identified and contacted by telephone to determine if they met the criteria for inclusion in the study and permission to study the retirement communities was obtained from community representatives. Sixty homes in 23 communities from four states were surveyed using the data collection tools and photographed for this study. Data were entered into a statistical computer program and a scoring system for evaluating and comparing kitchens, bathrooms of different types, and total homes was developed. Kitchens in the retirement community homes studied had 46% - 76% of the possible number of recommended supportive kitchen features. Bathrooms had 48% - 57%, bathtubs had 58%, and separate showers had 48% - 52% of the possible number of recommended supportive bathroom features. Kitchens in larger, more expensive retirement homes had higher Kitchen Percentage Scores and bathrooms in communities that were developed by not-for-profit communities had higher Bathroom Percentage Scores. The kitchen and bathroom assessment tools created for this study are the result of compiling 40 years of research recommendations. These tools provide the means to compare kitchens and bathrooms of different homes, regardless of the configuration or combination of appliances and fixtures within the rooms. Scores of different rooms or houses can be compared using either the total score or the percentage score for number of supportive features. Comparisons can be made without consideration for the style, size, or degree of opulence in the homes. The assessment tools can be refined for use by members of different professions. Ph. D.

Recently, technology and its impact on aging has become an expanding field of inquiry among marketers, designers, and housing professionals. A major reason for this interest is that the use of technology can help older people who experience deteriorating health to live independently. Another reason stems from an increase in the elderly population. The purpose of this study was to investigate older people's attitudes toward adopting technology as it relates to homes that could improve the quality of life and assist in aging in place. Attitudes were examined in terms of perception and acceptance of residential technology. Data for this study were gathered by an online survey. Online questionnaires were distributed to the potential sample of 9,789 e-mail addresses through the Virginia Tech alumni list serve on February 2004. The response rate was 15.8% with 1,546 eligible responses returned by February 27. The majority of the sample for this study can be described as Caucasian, married men, age 55 to 64 with good or excellent health and a post graduate college education living in owned single-family detached homes. Chi-square, ANOVA, Pearson's correlations, and path analysis were employed to test hypothesized relationships. Nine hypotheses were proposed to examine the relationships of variables based on the research framework. Results from this study cannot be generalized to a national population because of the limitations of the sampling frame. Results, however, are significant in terms of the investigation of early computer adopters who are age 55 and older living independently. Their desire to age in place was not very different from the national population. Findings about the attitudes toward computer and Internet technology indicated that respondents had surprisingly similar attitudes. Age was revealed as an important factor for both the desire to age in place and attitudes toward residential technology as a direct effect. Future research should include people with various demographic backgrounds. In addition, the results of this study imply that differentiated marketing strategies should be recommended to reach older consumers. Ph. D.

This study was designed to identify recurring themes in Civil War legends that are told in reference to antebellum homes in regions of Southwest Virginia. Existing literature indicates that collecting these legends is an important task because doing so helps others to better understand the community of legend-tellers. Previous research has also indicated that legends form a type of American mythology with reveals the way the legend-tellers perceive the specific subject they describe in the legends. Eight historic homes were visited in six southwestern counties of Virginia. Qualitative data were collected from a purposive sample of 12 participants who lived in these houses, previously lived in an historic house, or worked in an historic house museum. Each house was chosen as a site of inquiry because it has some significance for those interested in the Civil War or because it represents typical houses in similar southwestern Virginian communities during the Civil War era. In-depth interviews were the sole means of data collection and provided detailed and unlimited legends used to identify themes. The data were collected analyzed using a multiple case study approach. The findings from this study indicate that Civil War legends are being told in reference to antebellum homes in Southwest Virginia. Additionally, the tellers of the legends have common thoughts about the Civil War. The three major conclusions made in this study are (1) northern soldiers were aggressors during the Civil War; (2) southerners were strong during the Civil War; and (3) ghosts and ghostly activity serve as reminders of the Civil War. By continuing to share these legends, the tellers indicate their own perspectives of the Civil War as well as the perspectives of those who originate the legends. The legend-tellers also provide insight into the culture of today's southwestern Virginians as well as the Civil War era southwestern Virginians. Master of Science

Visualization is an important part of the design process. The sketches that are created during the design process are the visible evidence of the visualization that occurs in the brain. The process of designing involves a conversation that occurs between the student and the sketches created during problem finding and problem solving in the design process. This conversation allows the student to progress through the design process manipulating both the drawn image on paper and the visualization that occurs in their mind until a fitting solution to the problem is found. This study sought a better understanding of this communication style and it's effect on designed final products. Two methods of analysis were utilized in this research. Quantitative analysis was used to measure the correlation between quality of sketching process and the quality of the final designed product. Then multiple case studies were examined to describe in detail the design process styles of three students. First the sketches that were created during the designing of a student project were counted and then evaluated for sketch creativity and sketch efficacy. The final design products were evaluated for project creativeness and project function. Significant positive statistical correlations between the variables were observed. In summary, the quality of sketches and visual thinking during the design process had a measurable positive effect on the final designed solution. Master of Science

The Wilderness Road, starting in Big Lick (Roanoke today) was a primary route over the Allegheny mountains for travelers migrating to the Kentucky frontier. Ordinaries and taverns (referred to as public houses) were known to offer food and lodgings to travelers in the state capital city of Richmond, but little is known about what, if any, accommodations were available to these settlers headed westward through southwest Virginia. With the first stops along the Wilderness Road being in Montgomery County, this study sought to determine if public houses existed in this county between the years 1773-1823, and if so, where were they located and who operated them. Further, what was the typical design or plan of public houses and how would they have been furnished. What comparisons could be made between public houses in Richmond and on in southwest Virginia. County court records, including wills, appraisals, licensing records, and court order books revealed that public houses not only existed, but also there were often as many as 5 or 6 operating at one. A license had to be purchased each year from the court and names of proprietors were recorded. These listings also helped to identify structures standing today that once served as a public house. On site observations along with WPA (Work Projects Administration) reports and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources surveys documentation of historic houses in the county offered notable similarities in design and plan among five former houses selected for this study. Wills and appraisals provided some clues about furnishings. The result of this study adds an important chapter to the story of public houses in early Virginia history. Master of Science

Tea is the world's oldest and currently most popular beverage in the world. Tea drinking has long been an important aspect of Chinese culture and has evolved as an art form called the "tea ceremony". With the growing interest in Asian culture, ethnic food, and the health benefits of tea, the tea market in the United States has increased dramatically. These developments, along with the recent growth in coffeehouses/shops, indicate a potential for similar success for teashops. The purpose of this study was to design a contemporary teashop deriving design inspiration from traditional Chinese culture and teahouse design. An existing site in a university town was selected for the study. Historical factors were identified through review literature and visual records of historic teahouses and architecture. Photos of contemporary Chinese teahouses provided information on teahouse operation and layout of functional areas. Observation of four local coffee shops was completed to collect data on function and design. Data were used to determine the workable solutions for a teashop designed for an American market. Based on the data collected, a design concept and programming requirements were developed. Design solutions that were found to be suitable and advantageous to enhance the concept were incorporated into the proposed design. Interior space layout, teashop logo, lighting fixtures, and façade design were developed. The design solutions were presented through plans, elevations, detail drawings, and perspective drawings. Master of Science

This study was designed to help those persons developing and delivering consumer education curriculum understand the needs of Middlesex, Virginia High School Students. The instrument used was a consumer knowledge survey developed by a partnership between the Consumer Federation of American and American Express. The 52 item questionnaire was designed to measure knowledge in six key areas of consumption-consumer credit, checking/savings accounts, automobile insurance, housing rental, food purchase, and automobile purchase. The respondents were students attending Middlesex High School from the four grade levels with completed Informed Consent forms. There were 55 respondents from a total pool of 375 (freshmen, 44%; sophomores, 27%; juniors, 13%; and seniors, 16%). Descriptive statistics were used for demographic items. Non-statistical comparisons were made between grade levels, descriptive demographic characteristics, and consumer categories. Comparisons were also made between the data collected and the data of the national consumer knowledge survey by the Consumer Federation of America and American Express Company. The results indicate that Middlesex High School students were not well prepared for the world of consumption. Overall, the students who responded had limited understanding of consumer knowledge in the six specific areas. The average score was 39%. Students had the poorest understanding of consumer credit, auto insurance, and food purchases. Scores for these category areas averaged less than 40%. The students scored highest on housing rental (45%) and checking/savings accounts (44%). The seniors scored the highest overall score (48%), which was higher than the national average of high school seniors (42%). Master of Science

Housing researchers are aware of the lower homeownership rates and other housing problems of single women but there is very little research focusing on single women homeowners or the characteristics of the housing they buy. Also, since a wide body of research can be found that examines determinants of homeownership for various population groups, the importance of this study was in its focus on single women homeowners and the characteristics of their housing rather than the determinants of ownership for this group. Using data from the 1993 American Housing Survey (AHS), the study sample consisted of 639 women homeowners who were either widowed, divorced, separated, or never-married, and who did not own their previous residence. The study's purpose was to construct a profile of single women home- owners that included a description of their demographic and housing characteristics, the means by which they acquired their homes, and the changes made in their housing when they became homeowners. Additionally, this study examined which demographic and previous housing characteristics of this group were related to the housing characteristics of their present homes. Descriptive results from this study suggested that single women homeowners are primarily middle aged without young children at home, earn moderate incomes, and that the largest proportion of them live in the South and metropolitan areas. When compared to homeowners in general, single women homeowners' homes cost less and represented a higher proportion of attached and mobile home units. The results also showed that single women used low-down payment financing instruments to a lesser degree than did all homeowners. Results from statistical analyses suggested that significant relationships exist between single women homeowners' housing characteristics, and a) their demographic characteristics, b) their previous housing characteristics, and c) their reasons for moving and selecting their current homes and neighborhoods. Another key finding was that single women homeowners of varying marital status differed in their present and previous housing characteristics and their reasons for selecting the current home. The results of this study support suggestions made by other researchers that examining differences not only by gender but also by the variations in marital status will help to clarify and add to the knowledge of housing and its relevance to populations of varying social composition. Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to identify the extent of adoption of microwave ovens by older adults in Blacksburg, Virginia. Level of adoption was defined and determined as a function of 1) frequency of use of the microwave oven in comparison to the range, and 2) complexity of food preparation. Mere ownership was not considered as an indicator of adoption. Focusing on the final stage of Rogers theory of adoption (1962), three levels of adoption were determined: High, medium, and low. A random sample of 75 adults 65 years and older was selected from the listing of retired personnel in the 1997-98 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University faculty and staff directory. Telephone interviews were conducted to collect information regarding current microwave oven usage patterns and decisions for future use and purchase. Relationships between level of adoption, and user characteristics and microwave oven characteristics were statistically tested. Results from the study indicate that 56% of these older adults who own a microwave oven are high adopters; i.e. they used the microwave more than the range and performed high complexity tasks. About 52% reported using the microwave oven more frequently than the range. Nearly all respondents were satisfied with the microwave oven in terms of speed and convenience, while 60% were satisfied with quality of foods cooked in the microwave oven. There was no significant difference in level of adoption with age, gender, health condition, and knowledge of microwave oven use. However, level of adoption was significantly higher among older adults who were "never" married or "previously" married compared to those that were "currently" married. Also, level of adoption was significantly lower among those older adults who had touch controls on their microwave oven compared to those with rotary dials. Other significant results of this study dealt with future use and purchase decisions. About 93% of the respondents indicated a desire to continue using a microwave oven in the future and about 76% indicated that they would purchase one in the future if their current microwave oven "dies." Results from this study have implications for appliance manufacturers who can increase sales by targeting this group, researchers in household equipment who can study adoption of other innovative appliances, and developers of retirement communities who might consider providing a microwave oven for use by residents or provide a space where one can be placed. Master of Science

The problem that was examined in this research was to develop and test a conceptual model that describes the relationship between personal financial wellness and worker job productivity. The research questions were (1) what is the personal financial wellness profile?; (2) how does the personal financial wellness profile differ by the demographic characteristics?; (3) what is the relationship between financial stressors and personal financial wellness profile?; (4) what is the relationship between personal financial wellness and financial stress level?; (5) what is the worker job productivity profile?; (6) what is the relationship between personal financial wellness and worker job productivity?; (7) what is the relationship between financial stress and worker job productivity?; and (8) what financial education programs do employees want in the future? In order to test a part of the conceptual model, a survey research design was undertaken. A questionnaire was developed and pre-tested. A mail survey (N=474) of white-collar clerical workers of a large employer located in mid-eastern state was conducted during January, February, and March of 1998. From a random sample of 447 (27 out of original 474 were undeliverable), 288 questionnaires were returned (64.4%). Seventeen questionnaires were determined unusable resulting in a 60.4% usable return rate (271/447). In terms of subjective perception, as a group, the respondents were not financially well. In the behavioral assessment, the respondents reported above a mid-point score. On overall financial wellness scales, the respondents were not satisfied with their financial situation. Personal financial wellness was influenced by some of the demographic characteristics and financial stressors. The lower levels of personal financial wellness were related to the financial stress level. Those who have high levels of personal financial wellness reported better performance ratings, less absenteeism, and less work time used for personal financial matters. Workers are interested in comprehensive financial education programs which include retirement education, better use of employee benefits, money management, credit management, and consumer protection. Some workers are not financially well because they have financial problems. If employers can improve personal financial wellness of workers, such as through financial education, it may increase productivity, because personal financial wellness is related to worker productivity. Ph. D.

Personal resource systems define the quality of daily living, shaping personal well-being, societal satisfaction and overall quality of life. This study explores the construct of such systems through the emerging concept of Personal Resource Systems Management (PRSM) and models that concept for future research, consideration and debate. It is a qualitative exercise in grounded theory, a demonstration of integrative, interdisciplinary scholarship and a contribution to interactive practice in resource management, a subject matter specialty of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS). As such the proposed PRSM model advances the stated goal of FCS practice to "promote optimal well-being of families, individuals and communities." Specifically, a PRSM model within the context of FCS should • describe person-environment interaction • as well as aggregates thereof (family and community) and • identify diverse daily impacts on the quality of living, personal well-being, societal satisfaction and overall quality of life • by modeling a consistent system of multiple options, each with a clear solution Twenty-three existing models appearing in resource management texts between 1975 and 1996 were evaluated for the ability to adequately support these assumptions, using the Liebert and Spiegler framework for evaluation of theory. Though most models provided partial support, no existing models fully fit the adopted criteria. Traditional resource management concepts were therefore adapted and extended using interdisciplinary findings to model the Personal Resource Systems Management (PRSM) concept. Master of Science

One of the family's responsibilities is to conduct activities of early childhood education and child care which prepare children for further education and human capital development. This study focused on family behavior in allocation of time and income for investment in children. This study used a pre-existing database with a total sample of 301 rural families with one child aged 2-5 years from three villages of Agam (West Sumatera) and two villages of Wonogiri (Central Java). Interviews and testing were conducted at each sample's home. The data were analyzed using descriptive and statistical analyses. Rich and small families invested significantly more time and money in children than poor and large families. Mother's working time, child's age, and family type had negative and significant influence on the amount of time spent on children. The families that devote more time in children spend and invest less money in children. Javanese families in the study invested less money but more time in children, while Minangese families invested more money but less time. The amount of time spent for children had a positive and significant influence on the child's nutritional status, and an insignificant impact on the child's IQ score. Besides the amount of time devoted to children, the child's nutritional status also was influenced by the child's age and gender. Also, the child's IQ score was significantly and positively influenced by the father's education and negatively by family size, family type, and the child's age. Based on the findings, it was apparent that poor families may be continuously trapped in poverty, because of less ability to invest in children. Parental investment in children may lead to better child quality. This study provides evidence that mother's time spent outside the home may lead to less time investment, and less time investment may negatively influence the child's nutritional status. As policy is formulated, non-economic as well as economic aspects should be considered. Additional research is needed to further explore the most appropriate measure of child quality and the variables which influence child quality. Ph. D.

Wants and needs for housing change over time as events occur (such as marriage, raising families, career promotions) that cause adults to re-examine their living environments. As people age, this reassessment continues, and alternative housing options may be considered. One housing option that is available to older adults is an independent living retirement facility. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between motivations for moving to independent living retirement facilities and subsequent satisfaction with that environment. The sample for this study consisted of residents of townhomes leased to older adults for age-segregated living in a planned retirement community, with health care amenities on site. The research was conducted in two phases: focus groups were convened with residents of this facility, and a self-administered instrument was developed and sent to all 94 residents of the townhomes. The instrument measured the influences on moving and residential satisfaction on a four-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression. A total of 79 usable responses were obtained from the initial mailing and one follow-up postcard, for a response rate of 84%. There were twice as many women as men in the sample group, and it was evenly divided between married-couple and widowed households. The average age for the residents was 78 years. They were well-educated older adults, and the majority had prior occupations in professional and managerial sectors. The influence on moving that received the highest number of positive responses (>2.5 on a Likert-type scale) was to maintain independence, followed by being free of home maintenance, and the knowledge that health care needs would be taken care of in the future. The residents were satisfied with their overall housing and neighborhood environment, especially with their neighborhood. They were less satisfied with maintenance of the facility and with the management. Two influences on moving emerged as having a positive relationship with residential satisfaction: preference for a homogeneous (age-segregated) community, and a desire to move closer to friends and family. The variables that significantly predicted residential satisfaction were (a) a preference for a homogeneous community, (b) a desire to move closer to friends and family, and (c) the pull of the macroenvironment (i.e., features available, or inherent, in the nearby vicinity of the retirement community that act as pulls, such as mountains, a nearby university, or a rural area), which had an inverse relationship to residential satisfaction. Four individual components of residential satisfaction (housing, neighborhood, maintenance, and management) were analyzed for predictors of satisfaction. One variable predicted housing satisfaction (homogeneous community), none predicted neighborhood satisfaction, five predicted satisfaction with maintenance (environmental concerns, homogeneous community, macroenvironment, future support, and family and friends), and three predicted satisfaction with management (homogeneous community, family and friends, and macroenvironment). The latter three predictors were the same predictors of residential satisfaction, emphasizing a strong relationship between management and residential satisfaction. Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to explain the safety and usability problems in the residential interior environment of Thai older adults. A sample of 163 retired government employees who live in Bangkok, Thailand were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire which included questions about housing characteristics, interior environment features, personal information, health condition, and activity level. The mean age of the older adults was 68.1 and ranged from 60 to 93 years. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and means as descriptive statistics and one-way analyses of variance. The findings revealed that most of the Thai older adults had lived in their own two story detached houses more than ten years and with their family members. The majority of the respondents had vision problems, but almost all could easily perform activities of daily living by themselves and half of them could easily perform instrumental activities of daily living by themselves. Problematic interior environmental features in each area of the home were identified and prioritized. When respondents were divided by age group, significant differences appeared in the degree of difficulty with two safety and usability features in the home. Divided by daily activity levels, respondents revealed significant differences in the degree of difficulty associated with eight safety and usability features. When the homes were broken down to five categories: entrance and stairs, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and other interior features of the house, it was these other interior features that seemed to have the most problems in safety and usability. The kitchen had the most problems in safety and usability when compared to other rooms. Based on these findings, design recommendations for Thai housing were developed. Master of Science

This study was designed to determine whether the variables gender, age, marital status, occupation, self-employment, income, race, and education could be used individually or in combination to both differentiate among levels of investor risk tolerance and classify individuals into risk-tolerance categories. The Leimberg, Satinsky, LeClair, and Doyle (1993) financial management model was used as the theoretical basis for this study. The model explains the process of how investment managers effectively develop plans to allocate a client's scarce investment resources to meet financial objectives. An empirical model for categorizing investors into risk-tolerance categories using demographic factors was developed and empirically tested using data from the 1992 Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) (N = 2,626). The average respondent was affluent and best represented the profile of an investment management client. Based on findings from a multiple discriminant analysis test it was determined that respondent demographic characteristics were significant in differentiating among levels of risk tolerance at the p < .0001 level (i.e., gender, married, single but previously married, professional occupational status, self-employment status, income, White, Black, and Hispanic racial background, and educational level), while three demographic characteristics were found to be statistically insignificant (i.e., age, Asian racial background, and never married). Multiple discriminant analysis also revealed that the demographic variables examined in this study explained approximately 20% of the variance among the three levels of investor risk tolerance. Classification equations were generated. The classification procedure offered only a 20% improvement-over-chance, which was determined to be a low proportional reduction in error. The classification procedure also generated unacceptable levels of false positive classifications, which led to over classification of respondents into high and no risk-tolerance categories, while under classifying respondents into the average risk-tolerance category. Two demographic characteristics were determined to be the most effective in differentiating among and classifying respondents into risk-tolerance categories. Classes of risk tolerance differed most widely on respondents' educational level and gender. Educational level of respondents was determined to be the most significant optimizing factor. It also was concluded that demographic characteristics provide only a starting point in assessing investor risk tolerance. Understanding risk tolerance is a complicated process that goes beyond the exclusive use of demographic characteristics. More research is needed to determine which additional factors can be used by investment managers to increase the explained variance in risk-tolerance differences. Ph. D.

This study obtained data on North Dakota women entrepreneurs engaged in home-based businesses in order to provide a profile of this population. The study also determined what demographic characteristics and workspace conditions are related to satisfaction with the workspace. The Women's Business Institute provided the database. The survey method was an opscan format mail questionnaire, which produced a 38% response rate. Chi-Square and Phi Coefficient analysis of 116 responses provided answers to the research questions. A telephone survey of non-respondents suggested that the responses were representative of the sample. Testing of the model showed the following major findings: (1) These North Dakota home-based businesses are small, part-time, developing businesses fulfilling personal as well as economic needs. (2) The women entrepreneurs are well educated, middle-aged, and have no children under five years of age. (3) Most of the businesses are not the major source of income for the household. Almost two-thirds of the entrpreneurs report that the business provides less than 20% of the total household income. (4) Almost three-fourths of the sample expressed satisfaction with all five workspace variables: space, privacy, security, personal safety, and accessibility. The women entrepreneurs are committed to having a business in the home, as suggested by their designation for workspace and storage, and time spent in the workspace. This sample showed that a business can be integrated into the home without decreasing satisfaction with housing. Also, this group of entrepreneurs may be an indicator of an emerging style of home-based business, "hobbypreneurs." They seek fulfillment of personal needs as well as economic needs, and spend most of the business time in the workspace versus away from home. Ph. D.

Today, the workplace is undergoing dramatic changes, featuring increased team activities and informal interactions. The work place neighborhood is a design concept derived from a city planning theory that may solve the workplace design problems arising from these changes, and provided a focus for this project. The Educational Technology office area of the Advanced Communication and Information Technology Center (ACITC) possesses the features representing the general workplace tendency today. The purpose of this project was to develop a workplace neighborhood space prototype for this office area. This prototype will provide a work environment conducive to team efforts and informal interactions and a workplace neighborhood space model for future reference. The project had three design phases: design programming, design development, and design evaluation and revision. During the design programming, a survey questionnaire was distributed to all of the 12 Educational Technology employees and behavioral mapping observations were conducted. Then, a conceptual plan, a series of workplace space patterns and a floor plan were developed for the workplace neighborhood space prototype. Finally, computer models were prepared for three neighborhood units for design evaluation. The result of the design evaluation indicated that the concerns between individual and group work spaces were not solved. The space prototype was revised, and a computer model of the revised space prototype was prepared. The revised space prototype met the work patterns of the employees more closely and reflected the design concept of workplace neighborhood more clearly Master of Science

The custom of coffee drinking in Turkey dates back to the sixteenth century coffeehouses of Istanbul, which were once important forums for community integration. Even though coffee drinking today is still an important custom in Turkey, traditional coffeehouses have lost their importance in urban areas and are rapidly being replaced by contemporary cafes that promote European themes. With the new generation placing less emphasis on traditional values and accepting a modernized lifestyle, the existence of Turkish coffeehouse culture is struggling to survive. The purpose of this thesis project was to develop a design concept for a contemporary Turkish coffeehouse franchise retaining important aspects of the traditional coffeehouses of the past. Historic features were identified through observations and visual recordings of historic Turkish coffeehouses and interviews with older patrons of traditional coffeehouses. Focus group discussions were held with graduate and undergraduate Turkish students enrolled at Virginia Tech to obtain information on their perceptions of traditional coffeehouses and responses to the idea of a contemporary coffeehouse. Based on the information gathered, design criteria were established for the design of individual coffeehouse components with a consistent image, adaptable to various sites and spaces. Coffeehouse logo, nameplate, and facade designs were proposed. Presentations for the design included detailed elevations, plans, sketches, and perspective views. Master of Science

The research purpose was to explain the user's influence on energy consumption with cooking systems using electricity. This research was conducted in two phases. The research objective of Phase I was to determine if relationships exist that explain the user's influence (i.e., user characteristics--knowledge, experience, practices, and user interaction--and appliance operating time) on the energy consumption of cooking systems using electricity. The ultimate aim of this research, the outcome of Phase II, was to identify categories of cooking style that explain the user's influence (i.e., user characteristics and appliance operating time) on energy consumption of cooking systems using electricity. The data used to answer the research question consisted of video tapes of consumers preparing the research menu, a survey, and data recorded on a data collection sheet by the researcher (i.e., watthour consumption). Simultaneous triangulation was used to answer the research questions. Phase I determined that energy consumption was correlated with knowledge, user interaction, practices, appliance operating time, cooking system interaction, goodness-of-fit, information, behavior, the user, and statistical interaction between the cooking system and goodness-of-fit. Independent variables explained 38.6% of the variation in energy consumption. However, when only the variables under the user's control were included in the regression model, just 25% of the variation in energy consumption was explained. Phase II determined the three most important factors that distinguish the five cooking style categories based on user characteristics (i.e., patient style, average style, uninformed style, hurried style, and hurried style with no control) were: (a) percentage of the sample that left the heat source on after cooking, (b) percentage of the sample that did not match the diameter of the heat source and the diameter of the cookware when using high heat, and (c) percentage of the sample that fried using high heat. Additional variables that differed among categories were: reusing hot elements, use of retained heat, and use of medium heat settings. In summary, important factors in explaining variations in energy consumption include: inherent characteristics of the cooking system, user's knowledge, highest heat setting selected and matching the diameter of the heat source with the cookware diameter, leaving the heat source on after cooking, and selecting highest heat setting when frying. Three categories of consumers cooking style were developed (i.e., low, average, high energy consumption) to summarize the data. The highest heat setting selected and leaving the heat source on after cooking was completed were factors that distinguished consumers among the three categories. Ph. D.

Virtual reality (VR) is the latest technique to be used in the ongoing search for experiential simulation methods for evaluation of environmental designs. The purpose of the study was to investigate the potential for using VR to evaluate interior environments. The objective was to investigate whether observation of a VR simulation provides the same information as observation of the existing environment. A sample of 24 NASA engineers and university faculty members observed the Payload Operations Control Center (POCC) at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Comparisons were made of observations of the actual POCC, a VR simulation, and a second VR simulation that was altered to test for ability to recognize changes. Participants evaluated the POCC for differences in general characteristics, object visibility, distance perception, ability to reach an object, and ability to share objects and conversation. Comparisons were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, and I tests. Findings revealed few differences among the real and the VR worlds. Changes to the virtual world were generally recognized. Ph. D.

An essential area within every store's environment is the cash wrap area. This study was conducted to identify user needs and expectations of the cash wrap area in retail stores and to develop design recommendations. Women's apparel specialty stores in vicinity of Virginia Tech, and two women's groups at Virginia Tech were selected for the study. The study consisted of (1) a survey to assess employee perceptions of the cash wrap area; (2) a survey to assess the customer perceptions of the cash wrap area; and (3) field measurements of cash wrap areas in participating stores. The surveys were divided into the following four sections: (1) environmental dimensions, (2) ideal conditions for the cash wrap area, (3) open ended questions on the cash wrap area design, and (4) demographic information. Respondents were asked to divide 100 points among the environmental dimensions (ambient conditions, space and function, and signs, symbols and artifacts) to indicate their relative importance; and to agree or disagree on a six - point Likert scale. Mean values for the variables were calculated separately for both employees and customers. Field measurements of the cash wrap areas were documented in seven of the participating women's apparel specialty stores. The data were analyzed descriptively and statistically. A significant finding was that customers regard the environmental dimension of space and function to be most important. Ideal conditions identified by customers and employees were itemized. The results indicated that employees have high expectations about their work environment and what they hope to accomplish within it. Responses to the open-ended questions were categorized and prioritized. Design recommendations were developed and categorized into: general recommendations, cash wrap area size recommendations, design feature recommendations, design recommendations specific to employee needs, and ADA design recommendations. Master of Science

At a time when problems faced by youth and families are complex and multi-faceted, organizations serving this audience have limited resources and find single-agency, categorical approaches inadequate. Collaboration offers communities a process to create solutions that are holistic and maximize resources. The purposes of this study were to examine factors necessary for collaboration and to assess barriers and incentives for these relationships. Case study methodology was applied to a rural community child care collaborative in Fauquier County, Virginia. All members who had ever served on the Board of Directors for this collaborative program were surveyed. The theoretical basis for research were 19 factors associated 'Nith collaboration identified by Mattessich & Monsey (1992). Respondents were asked to determine to what extent they considered these factors to be important and to what extent they were evident in the collaboration studied. In addition, open ended questions probed barriers and incentives for collaboration as experienced by respondents. Master of Science

Congress continues to prefer nonprofit organizations over government and for-profit investors for participation in federally assisted multifamily housing programs because nonprofit organizations are believed to be more efficient in delivering services than government and more altruistic than for-profit investors. However, empirical information to support these beliefs is limited. The purpose of this study was twofold: a) to determine if property management practices of federally assisted, nonprofit-owned multifamily housing properties are different from those of comparable government- and for-profit-owned properties with regard to administration practices, financial management practices, maintenance procedures, and services provided to residents and b) to determine how much variance in these management practices is explained by type of owner, owner's goals for property , property manager's qualifications, and neighborhood environment. Independent t-tests and a multiple regression analysis, respectively, were used. The population consisted of public housing and Section 8 nonprofit- and for-profit-owned, project-based properties in Virginia (197 properties total). Results were based on 96 property managers’ responses to an 81-item mailed questionnaire, which included open- and close-ended responses. Management practices at the nonprofit-owned properties generally were not significantly different (at .10 alpha level) from those at either the government- or for-profit- owned properties. Nonetheless, some patterns were apparent. These included the nonprofit-owned properties having lower vacancy and unit turnover rates, quicker turnaround times for routine maintenance, and more initiatives to empower residents than the for-profit-owned properties. Also, management at the nonprofit-owned properties tended to conduct their maintenance more frequently and quickly than management at the government-owned properties. Approximately 42% of the variability in the management practices of the sample was explained by type of owner, owner’s goals for property, property manager’s qualifications, and neighborhood environment. Moreover, the nonprofit-owned properties, on average, scored higher than the government- and for-profit-owned properties with regard to their overall property management practices. While these findings appear to support Congress’ preference of nonprofit organizations over government and for-profit investors for participation in federally assisted multifamily housing programs, concern exists about the financial solvency of the nonprofit-owned properties, particularly since one-third of these properties failed to meet budget goals. Ph. D.

The problem addressed in this study was: What home modifications are made to residential environments to meet the functional capabilities of the aging in place audience? The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase I 102 Floyd County, Virginia, adults 65 years of age or older were interviewed in order to identify their task capabilities and identify the modifications being made to meet their environmental needs and task capabilities. Phase II consisted of a case study of six females taken from the Phase I sample group. This section of the study focused on the modifications identified in Phase I, the techniques used, and the reasons they were made. The findings indicate that 26% of the adults in the study were experiencing difficulty with at least one Activity of Daily Living, 33% were experiencing difficulty with at least one Instrumental Activity of Daily Living. However, like many older adults, these individuals had a relatively high function level and wanted to stay in their home as long as possible. Modifications are being made in order to equalize the participants' function level and the characteristics of the living environment. Housing education programs should be targeted toward the elderly and their family members and provide more information relating to aging in place. Professionals in housing and related fields should have the knowledge necessary to advise clients on making decisions to help insure their ability to live independently as they age. Master of Science

The 1991 oil fires that were set by the Iraqis as they retreated from Kuwait during the Gulf War are still considered the worst and biggest oil fires in the history of the world. An initial study was conducted in 1992 to investigate the negative effects of the pollution caused by the oil fires on the socio-psychological values of housing and the cultural meanings of home and homeownership of Kuwaiti households. In 1994, a follow-up study was conducted to examine how time between the two studies and treatments of residential interiors and exteriors might have affected Kuwaiti households' perceptions regarding the negative effects of ORP on the socio-psychological values of housing, cultural meanings of home and homeownership, and housing satisfaction. Three-hundred and forty-seven non-smoking and non-institutionalized Kuwaiti household members participated in the follow-up study. Only eighty-nine of the participants in the follow-up study has also participated in the initial study. All the participants were 18 years or older, and were randomly selected from 60 different cities and suburbs in Kuwait. Six trained interviewers collected the data via telephone using survey questionnaires constructed specifically for that purpose. A comparison of frequencies and percentages from both the initial and the follow-up studies showed that more than two-thirds of the participants continued to be very concerned about the unclear hazardous effects of ORP on their health and safety and the health and safety of their family members. There was a decrease in the negative effects of ORP on most of the socio-psychological values of housing and cultural meanings of home and homeownership. The overall housing satisfaction of Kuwaiti households with their contaminated homes remained high. It was concluded from this study that only time and treatment of residential interiors had significant influence on Kuwaiti households’ perceptions about the negative effects of ORP on the housing values, cultural meanings of home and homeownership, and housing satisfaction. The implications of this study could be beneficial mainly to Kuwaiti households who wish to solve their housing problems caused by ORP; to the Kuwaiti government to seek, through the United Nations, financial compensations from Iraq; and to Kuwait University and Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research to expand their research base and investigate the best methods to remedy the problem of ORP in the Kuwaiti residential environment. Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to compare the responses of interior designers, architects, and child development professionals to statements regarding preschool spaces and, from those responses, determine spatial characteristics to be included in a guideline to aid in the design of childcare facilities. The sample for this study consisted of design and child development professionals working in their respective fields in Virginia, North Carolina, and the Washington Metropolitan area. Responses were gathered using a mail survey which included a variety of questions about preschool spaces. Analyses of the forty-eight Likert scale questions from the questionnaire using a one-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in the responses of the groups in twenty-five instances. These differences concerned private spaces for children, adequacy of information available about children's needs, food preparation facilities, and spaces for support activities. In many other instances, only the level of disagreement with particular statements was significantly different. Frequency analyses of four questions concerning identification of the five most important spatial characteristics from given lists again indicated general agreement among design and child development professionals. The characteristics identified as most important for inclusion in preschool spaces were: safety, flexibility, creative opportunities, density, varied play opportunities, anthropometrics, visual access to outdoors, acoustics, varied lighting, security, temperature controls in each room, signage, furniture safety, comfort, durability, maintenance, varied surface levels, design supporting children's competency, varied play spaces, spaces offering physical and mental challenges, and child-sized toilets. cCharacteristics viewed differently by design and child development professionals tended to be issues that were specific to the discipline such as anthropometries (design) or provision of cooking facilities for children (child development). A recommendation for a preliminary design guideline was made that included all characteristics viewed as important to either design or child development professionals. Implications of this research and recommendations concerning future investigations are included. Master of Science

The purpose of this study was to determine if the hotel industry could reduce a portion of its operating costs used for unnecessary lighting expenses. The study was conducted at the Donaldson Brown Center in Blacksburg, Virginia with 32 hotel guests participating. Data was collected to determine light fixture usage during periods of guestroom inactivity (inactive is defined as periods after the guest had checked-in but was out of the guestroom). Two treatment rooms and two control rooms were monitored to determine inactivity of the room, usage of light fixtures, and usage of daylight. Light levels and wattage readings were taken to determine consistency in light levels of the lamps and energy used by the different fixture/lamp combinations in each of the four rooms. One treatment room and one control room were on the east side of the building and the other treatment and control room were on the west side. The test rooms were evaluated to insure that all interior variables (i.e., structural configuration, size, materials and finishes, furnishings, light fixtures, and HV AC system) were controlled. The only features changed in the guest rooms were lamps housed in the fixtures of the two treatment rooms where the ceiling fixtures were relamped with two 16 watt compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and portable fixtures were relamped with one 18 watt CFL. Standard incandescent lamps were used in the control rooms. It was found that the time lights arc left on in inactive rooms can amount to a considerable portion of a hotels operating costs for energy usage. Results show a 64-71 % reduction in energy consumed by CFLs compared to incandescent lamps. Fixtures housed with incandescent lamps cost an average of $.008 per hour to run compared to those lamped with CFLs which cost $.003 per hour to run. Through total or strategic relamping of fixtures, operating costs for electric lighting can be cut by more than 50% and energy resources would be saved. Implemented environmental strategies could then be used as a marketing tool to attract environmentally conscious consumers. Master of Science

The purpose of this study was to identify whether the residential environments of Korean women age 65 and older living in apartments were safe for them. In order to accomplish the purpose, this study focused on the safety practices of older Korean women in their daily activities. The sample of 90 older women was selected from the residents living in three apartment complexes of Kang-Nam and Kang-Dong areas in Seoul, Korea. The data were collected through survey questionnaires, which had been pretested, and revised based on Tomlinson's instrument. The survey instrument measured perception of safety hazards, safety features, safety precautions, and intended modifications/assistance. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentage, and means as descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis. The average age of the sample was 73.5 years old. Most of the respondents were in good health. The majority of the sample lived with the family of their adult child. Most of them received money from their children. Most of the dwelling units were owned by their child. The majority of the sample lived in dwelling units located below the ninth floor. Master of Science

This study examined the opinions of 552 residents of rural Virginia regarding acceptance of manufactured homes, formerly known as mobile homes, and their occupants. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent respondents' demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, innovativeness, and perceptions of manufactured home characteristics, its occupants and neighborhood characteristics, predicted the acceptance of manufactured homes. Data were obtained from two mail surveys distributed among eight rural counties. One survey covered single-section manufactured homes (N = 274) and another covered double-section manufactured homes (N = 278). A proposed theoretical model was adapted from M. J. Dear and S. M. Taylor's (1982) model for community attitudes toward mental health care facilities. Hypotheses were tested through multiple regression analyses. The statistical model for the full sample included 13 independent variables. Six variables (perceived manufactured home occupant behavior, proportion of manufactured homes in the county, perceived manufactured home condition, manufactured home type, respondents’ gender, and manufactured home knowledge) emerged as significant predictors of manufactured home acceptance (R² = .3541). Separate regression models for the single- and double-section manufactured home subsamples were evaluated. In the single-section manufactured home subsample, perceived manufactured home occupants’ behavior, proportion of manufactured homes in the county, and perceived manufactured home condition were significant predictors of single-section manufactured home acceptance (R² = .2522). In the double-section manufactured home subsample, perceived manufactured home occupants’ behavior, perceived manufactured home condition, respondent's manufactured home knowledge, and neighborhood physical homogeneity were significant predictors of double-section manufactured home acceptance (R² = .3574). Results suggested respondents' socioeconomic and demographic characteristics were not important in predicting manufactured home acceptance. Instead, acceptance was mostly the result of perceptions about occupants’ behavior, a finding consistent with Dear and Taylor's (1982) study about acceptance of mental health facilities. In general, double-section models were more accepted than single-section models. Ph. D.

Restaurant attributes influence the perceptions and behaviors of restaurant customers. Among these attributes are music and its sound level. Sound level has been known to affect people's behaviors and judgments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of music sound level on customers in a restaurant, specifically, where they sit and how long they stay. The study took place in a restaurant where customers seat themselves and music sound levels vary across tables. A convenience sample of dinner customers were observed for three weeks. Each week, speakers were placed in different locations causing tables that were originally quiet to become loud. A total of 107 table selections were analyzed using Chi Square tests. The effects of sound levels on length of stay were analyzed using an ANOVA with 36 dining parties. The results showed no significant effect regarding table selection except when speakers were in their usual locations. An explanation of this significant effect may be that regular customers were familiar with the speaker locations and the sound levels of restaurant tables, and therefore, chose tables with lower sound levels over tables with high sound levels. Results from the ANOVA show that the length of stay of customers at high volume tables was significantly less than at other tables. Also, there was a negative correlation between length of stay and sound levels, indicating that the louder the music the earlier customers would leave. These findings may indicate that as customers become familiar with a restaurant's sound levels, tables with high sound levels may be avoided. Also, in high music levels customer leave sooner. The implications may be increasing or decreasing table turns or affecting the satisfaction of regular customers. Master of Science

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George Bush on July 26, 1990. Title III of the Act, Public Accommodations, went into affect January 26, 1992. The purpose of this study was to examine compliance by firms who own, manage, or lease buildings. A study such as this was of great importance for the following reasons: both the disabled population and building owners, managers, and tenants are affected by this legislation; the ADA was not developed or intended to be a building code and is being enforced by the Justice Department; there is confusion in the existence of different compliance guidelines and the fact that some of the rulings are not clear or had not yet been finalized by January 26, 1992. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the level of compliance, the compliance process, and the awareness and knowledge of Title III as well as the factors that influenced compliance or non-compliance among facility management professionals. Data was collected by a mail questionnaire which was sent to a random sample of 500 members of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) who are employed in American firms. According to the returned questionnaires, more than half the respondents reported their compliance costs were less than $50,000 and signage was the feature most often altered. Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported they fell into the service category and just over three-fourths reported that their firms own the building(s) they occupy. Findings of the study show that legal responsibility motivated respondents most. Respondents agreed most often with the attitude statements "accessibility is a right" and "the disabled make a valuable contribution" and the greatest problem encountered appears to be the lack of clarity of regulations. Just over three quarters of respondents complied before the deadline. Most firms are in the process of complying or have fully complied with Title III. Master of Science

The purpose of this study was to describe the behaviors of the children and the parents, as well as the perceptions of the parents in pediatric office waiting room environments. Master of Science

The Strumpel Behavioral Economic Model (1976) provided the conceptual framework for this study, along with the use of qualitative methodology proposed by McCracken (1988). Qualitative interviews were conducted with nine black small business owners in non-metropolitan central and southwestern Virginia. Analysis of the data revealed a common definition among the respondents. Retirement was viewed as a time when one could no longer work due to physical or mental impairments--not a time of voluntary removal from the workforce. Few formal arrangements had been made to provide for income during the period when these business owners could no longer work, while all had made plans for the disposition of the business upon their deaths. Social and cultural factors might have contributed to these small business owners’ failures to adequately plan for retirement. These factors were expressed in four themes which emerged from the interviews: a definition of retirement, interracial prejudice, intra-racial prejudice, and mentors. Prejudice by both whites and blacks within their communities had a negative effect on business earning. Mentors had an indirect relationship on retirement planning for these respondents. Contrary to the literature on minority small business owners, these respondents discussed the positive influence of mentors on their individual business practices and ethics -- if not retirement planning. The need exists for financial planning educators and practitioners to assist this population in accepting retirement planning as a future goal, in view of their self-definition of retirement. Planning is necessary to ensure accumulation of wealth and a means for that wealth to become retirement. income. By recognizing the definition of retirement as stated by the respondents, financial planning educators have a unique opportunity to educate this population as to the need for retirement planning. Lastly, financial counseling and planning practitioners have a opportunity to enter a truly untapped market for their expertise by serving the black community, in general, and small business owners, in particular. Master of Science

Public housing programs have been the major tool for providing shelter in Abuja City, Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationships between housing satisfaction and structure types, building features, housing conditions, neighborhood facilities, management, and demographic/socioeconomic characteristics. The main objective was to develop a model for determining factors which affect housing satisfaction in public housing in Nigeria. The sample of 1,089 households was randomly selected from the residents living in 19,863 public housing units in Abuja City. The public housing units were built and are managed by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA). All data for the study were collected through self-administered questionnaires, which had been developed, pretested, and revised. The instrument measured the residents’ level of housing satisfaction on a five-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, multiple regression, and correlation analysis. The majority of the sample was households of more than four persons, headed by males from 31 to 40 years of age. The respondents were well educated, renters, and employees of the federal ministries. The residents expressed dissatisfaction with their overall housing situation; however, a significant positive relationship was found between housing satisfaction and satisfaction with structure types, building features, housing conditions, neighborhood facilities, and housing management. The mean satisfaction score for the room units differed significantly (p ≤ .05) from the means for the other structure types. Residents of the room units were less satisfied than any other residents. Privacy within the house had the strongest effect on satisfaction with building features. Interior construction quality had the greatest influence on satisfaction with housing conditions, while cleanliness of the neighborhood had a strong effect on neighborhood satisfaction. FCDA housing officials’ attitudes affected residents’ satisfaction with management. The model variable that contributed most to the explanation of variation in overall housing satisfaction was management. However, all five of the single-item measures contributed significantly to the prediction of housing satisfaction. Government housing policy should encourage a decent living environment, effective housing management, and construction of high quality structure types which incorporate users’ needs and preferences. Ph. D.

The purposes of this two-phase study were to identify and describe the problems in assisted living and nursing home dining areas, identify solutions, and offer design recommendations or guidelines that would be useful to those involved in creating the dining environment for the elderly. The study was completed in North Carolina, and was limited to facilities with a minimum of 40 beds. Phase I consisted of a mailed questionnaire to a random sample of 288 of the total 576 administrators of assisted living and nursing homes. The response rate was 32.6%, or 94 questionnaires completed and returned. Frequencies and percentages were examined to determine the most commonly occurring problems in dining areas. Findings of Phase I revealed the major problems and gave direction for the in-depth case studies of Phase II. The problems occurring most frequently were glare from windows, maintenance of walls and floors, noise, size of room, and instability of tables. From the 34 respondents who gave permission for further research, six facilities were selected for in-depth exploration of the target problems identified in Phase I. Methods used in Phase II included: (1) observation of the dining room, photographing the area, preparing sketches of the floor plan and furniture layout, and verifying the information submitted on the mailed questionnaires of Phase I; (2) interviews with staff members; and (3) interviews with residents. The participants of Phase II were a convenience sample of five on-duty staff members and five lucid elderly residents at each facility. The findings of Phase II revealed that staff and residents made adjustments to avoid glare. Maintenance problems concerning repair of walls and floors were, however, overlooked by staff and residents. Sound levels in the dining room were disturbing and confusing, causing irritation and loss of appetite among resident diners. Noise was often generated by both residents and employees. Restricted size of the dining space hindered staff from providing service, while residents accepted the given size. Many residents preferred separate eating areas for those who could feed themselves and those who required assistance in eating. Finally, the unlevel tables and instability of table bases were constant irritations to residents and staff. There were implications for designers of various disciplines as well as furniture manufacturers, administration personnel, and educators of design students. Design recommendations included suggestions that would be useful to the four groups listed above. Recommendations for further study include researching opinions of family members on design of facilities; exploring areas other than dining rooms of assisted living and nursing home interiors; and studying the comparison of assisted living and nursing home environments for satisfaction level of residents. Ph. D.

This study was designed to examine characteristics of overextended homeowners and to determine to what extent financial difficulty, as measured by the back-end financial ratio (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, plus consumer credit payments, divided by gross monthly income), can be explained by a combination of affective and objective attributes and precipitating life events. The Parrott and Lytton (1993) Model of Family Housing Stability was used as the theoretical basis of this investigation. Demographic characteristics; financial characteristics, including net worth and financial ratios; money management characteristics and practices; recently-experienced life events; and psychological characteristics of the sample were reported. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of Prince William County, Virginia residents who were clients of a Cooperative Extension financial counseling program. Two sources of data were used: a 169-item survey instrument and a financial profile. Of the 519 cases where both a financial profile and a survey were completed, 245 were homeowners and comprised the sample. Demographic characteristics of the sample were found to be dissimilar to those of Virginia and U.S. citizens. Respondents had lower median incomes, and a higher percentage of ethnic minorities and households with children living at home. Descriptive statistics were used to profile sample households. A quarter of the sample had a negative net worth and the mean amount of liquid assets covered one week’s expenses. Almost three-quarters of sample households had monthly household expenses that exceeded income. Over 80% experienced three or more life events that affected their finances. The most frequently-reported event was unemployment. Seventeen independent variables were regressed on the dependent variable to produce a statistically significant R² of .3138 (p

Computers are being used in interior design for space planning, drafting, and modeling. Advances in technology have made it possible to create graphic renderings and animations which enable designers and clients to “walk through” the designed space long before its construction. In kitchen showrooms this technology can be used as a marketing device to generate numerous three-dimensional computer models of complete kitchen setups, each capable of displaying all the possible combinations of styles and finishes available. The purpose of this study was to test the communication effectiveness of three-dimensional computer-generated models in presenting design ideas and alternatives to a client. Three forms of kitchen design presentations were compared: Line Drawings, an actual Showroom Display, and three-dimensional Computer Model. A sample of 32 residents from the town of Blacksburg, Virginia were shown the three presentations and scored each one for its efficiency of communication of specific design concepts. Their reactions to the use of computer models as presentation media were also obtained. ANOVAs and Chi Square tests were used to analyze the data. The Showroom Display was the best communicator of space and design ideas and the, Computer Model was most effective in presenting color and finish alternatives. In conclusion, the Computer Models were found to be an effective and acceptable means of kitchen design presentation. Although they cannot replace Showroom Displays, Computer Models can be used effectively and economically as an enhancement to showroom displays and can facilitate reduction of the number of displays required for effective marketing in a showroom. Master of Science

Computer-aided design has been integrated into the design process primarily in the latter stages as a drafting tool for detailing and accuracy rather than incorporated into the early stages as a design tool for enhancing ideational fluency. Pencil-based design (i.e., hand drawing and sketching) has traditionally been the graphic medium in the ideation process to aid in externalizing and manipulating designers' ideas. The early, creative design phases require the design medium that is used during schematic ideation yield to the deSigner's needs in generating, communicating, and evaluating ideas (Marshall, 1992). The integration of the computer-based method into schematic ideation may impact the design process by possibly affecting the designer's creative abilities and the resulting creative aspects of the design solution. This study examined the products of creativity to determine if differences exist in creativity ratings of design solutions generated using two design methods - pencil-based and computer-based - in the preliminary design phases. Interior design students (n=40) used the two design methods and generated design solutions for a small restaurant project. An established instrument was used by eight design educators to evaluate the design solutions on creathlity and six other design merit aspects. The process of creativity was also examined and the perceptions of the interior design students were assessed regarding the use of the deSign methods and the influences on creativity. Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to examine tenant participation in self-sufficiency programs in Hampton Public Housing and to explore relationships that might exist between participation in programs, demographic factors, and housing values. A theoretical framework was developed based on the human needs theory and an adaptation of the home values test. Programs offered to the Pine Chapel community of Hampton, Virginia were ranked by HUD administrators to determine programs most likely to assist residents in achieving self-sufficiency. Higher ranked programs were related to education for adults and children. Data was collected from 42 residents. The sample consisted, primarily of black female single parents between 19 and 25 years old. Chi Square analysis was performed to test three hypotheses. Marital status, number of dependents, and household type were found to be significantly related to level of program participation. Findings indicate that households most likely to be involved in higher-level programs were married-couple households, households with two dependents, or dual-parent and multi-generational households. Most respondents had lower-level housing values. However, marital status was significantly related to housing values. Households most likely to have higher level housing values were those where respondents were separated, widowed, or divorced. No significant relationship was found between the level of program participation and the level of housing values. Conclusions reached were that households with two adults present may have offered more opportunities for respondents’ participation in educational programs. Most participant households included children and their program involvement often centered around children. Master of Science

This study was designed to compare the financial attitudes, financial behaviors, and financial satisfaction of limited income households and middle income households. Deacon and Firebaugh’s family resource management systems theory was used as the theoretical model for this study. Measures of financial attitudes concerned the areas of planning, credit, spending, saving, insurance, financial responsibility, and expectations. Measures of financial behaviors concerned the areas of planning, spending, saving, credit, insurance, taxes, and financial responsibility. Measures of financial satisfaction concerned satisfaction with standard of living and amount of money saved or invested. The respondents were a sub-set of an existing data base, Financial Attitudes and Practices of Virginia Citizens, Form A, (N=529). Forty-one respondents who reported a 1989 income below 125% of the poverty guidelines were included as the limited income sample. One hundred eight respondents who reported an income in 1989 between $30,000 and $44,999 were included as the middle income sample. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic items. T-tests and chi-square tests were used to compare responses to the individual measures by income group. A t-test compared the mean summed scores for the measures of financial attitudes using a Likert type response scale. There was a significant difference in the financial attitudes of limited income households and middle income households (p = .00). Using the same method for the measures of financial behaviors and financial satisfaction, it was found that there also were significant differences in the financial behaviors (p = .00) and financial satisfaction of limited income households and middle income households (p = .00). Master of Science

Unsafe exits from dementia care units present problems for residents and pose ethical dilemmas for caregivers. The purpose of this experimental research was to determine whether visual barriers reduced the exiting behavior of residents in a long-term care facility. A visual barrier was defined as one that appeared to be an obstruction, but that did not impede egress through the door. The study was conducted in a 30-bed dementia care unit and was limited to the emergency exit door where an alarm sounded each time the panic bar was touched. An “exit" was defined as a resident touching the panic bar and sounding the alarm. The sample consisted of 3 females and 6 males who attempted to exit the unit at least once during baseline condition. All residents were diagnosed with some form of dementia. The tests were conducted under three visual barriers and one baseline condition. Each condition was observed for seven days from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The schedule was as follows: Baseline Condition: No experimental manipulation was used. This observation provided a comparison for the three test conditions. Test Condition 1: Mini-blinds that covered the glazing of the door. Test Condition 2: Cloth panel that covered the panic bar of the door. Test Condition 3: Both the mini blind and the cloth panel. During baseline collection, 9 residents triggered the alarm for a total of 120 attempted exits. Test condition 1 decreased exiting to 73 attempts. During test condition 2, 5 attempted exits occurred, and 18 attempted exits occurred during test condition 3. Statistical analysis included Friedman’s Rank test for correlated samples and Wilcoxon Sign Rank tests for treatment versus control comparisons. Test conditions 2 and 3 significantly reduced attempted exits while test condition 1 was not statistically significant. In conclusion, visual barriers were a safe and effective method for deterring resident exiting for this particular nursing home. Master of Science

The purpose of this research was to determine consumers’ satisfaction with cooking systems commonly available in the United States. Five types of cooktops (conventional electric coil, gas flame, solid element, and halogen and electric coil under glass ceramic) and six types of cookware (glass ceramic, porcelain enamel-on-aluminum nonstick, stainless steel with an aluminum disk, heavy gauge aluminum, thin gauge aluminum, and heavy gauge aluminum with non-stick finish) formed 30 cooking systems. Fifteen consumers prepared one menu that represented four cooking operations (frying, boiling, thermalization, and waterless) with each of the 30 cooking systems. They also completed a three-part questionnaire to determine their knowledge and practices regarding the interaction between cooktops and cookware at the beginning, to assess their satisfaction with each cooking system, and to test their knowledge and preferences after completing the 30 cooking systems. Statistical analysis included repeated measures ANOVA, T-test, and General Linear Model (GLM). Statistically significant findings include: (1) Knowledge was different before and after completing the 30 cooking systems; (2) There was a relationship between consumers’ knowledge and overall satisfaction; (3) There was a relationship between optimum compatibility and consumers’ satisfaction; (4) There were differences among cookware of different gauges with respect to evenness of heating; (5) The cooking systems required different levels of user interaction; (6) There were differences in consumers’ satisfaction with cookware cleaning and frying due to the interior finish of the cookware. However, there was no significant difference in consumers’ overall satisfaction with the cooking systems. Master of Science