Matching Items (3)
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- All Subjects: Mental Health
- Genre: Masters Thesis
- Creators: Kemer, Gulsah
Description
Introduction: Less than half of U.S. adults meet the aerobic physical activity guidelines to exercise at least 150 minutes a week. An individual's decision to be physically active is influenced by their perceptions of physical activity. To address perceptions, interventions need to be implemented where adults spend one third of their day; the workplace. A number of physical activity interventions have been conducted and few have been successful at improving physical activity; therefore, there is a need to explore novel approaches to improve physical activity in the worksite. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the impact of a seven-day gratitude intervention on perceptions of physical activity and happiness in the workplace. Methods: Full-time employees at two worksites participated in a seven-day online journaling study. Participants were randomized into the intervention (gratitude) or control group and were assessed for perceptions of physical activity and happiness at baseline, immediate post-test (day 7) and one-week follow-up (day 14). Results: Results of this study indicate that the seven-day gratitude intervention may not significantly improve perceptions of physical activity or increase happiness. Future research should consider assessing the individual's readiness for change at baseline, increasing the length of the intervention, testing participant level of gratitude at baseline and employing a larger sample size.
ContributorsRowedder, Lacey (Author) / Huberty, Jennifer (Thesis advisor) / Chisum, Jack (Committee member) / Lee, Chong (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2014
Description
The purpose of this study was to create a brief strength of religious
onreligious
worldview scale that has language inclusive for nontheistic populations. An exploratory
factor analysis was conducted using 207 participants from a major public southwestern
university and a public midwestern university in the United States. It was determined
that the Strength of Worldview Scale (SOWS) is a single-factor measure, which also
demonstrated high test-retest reliability. It was hypothesized that scores on the SOWS
would be negatively correlated with the Depression, Stress, and Anxiety Scale (DASS),
positively correlated with the Purpose in Life Subscale, and not correlated with the
Extraversion Subscale of the Big Five Inventory (BFI). Only a modest statistically
significant correlation between the SOWS and Purpose in life was found. A regression
analysis was also conducted with theistic/atheistic belief as a predictor of scores on the
SOWS. A curvilinear relationship was found, indicating that strong theists and atheists
score more highly in the SOWS than those who are unsure of their beliefs on the
existence of a God, Gods, or Higher Power. Preliminary results suggest that the SOWS
may be a promising measure for assessing strength of belief in both theist and nontheist
populations.
onreligious
worldview scale that has language inclusive for nontheistic populations. An exploratory
factor analysis was conducted using 207 participants from a major public southwestern
university and a public midwestern university in the United States. It was determined
that the Strength of Worldview Scale (SOWS) is a single-factor measure, which also
demonstrated high test-retest reliability. It was hypothesized that scores on the SOWS
would be negatively correlated with the Depression, Stress, and Anxiety Scale (DASS),
positively correlated with the Purpose in Life Subscale, and not correlated with the
Extraversion Subscale of the Big Five Inventory (BFI). Only a modest statistically
significant correlation between the SOWS and Purpose in life was found. A regression
analysis was also conducted with theistic/atheistic belief as a predictor of scores on the
SOWS. A curvilinear relationship was found, indicating that strong theists and atheists
score more highly in the SOWS than those who are unsure of their beliefs on the
existence of a God, Gods, or Higher Power. Preliminary results suggest that the SOWS
may be a promising measure for assessing strength of belief in both theist and nontheist
populations.
ContributorsRobele, Joseph (Author) / Kinnier, Richard (Thesis advisor) / Kemer, Gulsah (Committee member) / Santos, Carlos (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2015
Description
Mindfulness is a concept derived from the Buddhist discourses of the Satipattana. Interventions that draw on mindfulness have been shown to reduce psychologically distressing symptoms in clinical settings. It has become widely used as a therapeutic technique in counseling, so it is important to develop an instrument measuring mindfulness-related constructs. This study presents a new instrument measuring the importance of mindfulness-related constructs. Results from an exploratory factor analysis revealed a clear two-factor structure, with the factors named "Present Moment Awareness", and "Compassion and Ethical Behavior." These items were positively correlated with each other and, as expected, negatively correlated with depression. Finally, hours of meditation moderated this association such that the association was stronger among participants who reported higher levels of meditation practice.
ContributorsMeer, David (Author) / Santos, Carlos (Thesis advisor) / Homer, Judith (Committee member) / Kemer, Gulsah (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2014