Using Social Cognitive Theory to Predict Intention to Smoke in Middle School Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrett Miller ◽  
Manoj Sharma ◽  
David Brown ◽  
Mohammad Shahbazi

The purpose of this study was to use social cognitive theory to predict the frequency and intention for not smoking among middle school students. The study utilized a cross-sectional design (n=163) and administered a 38-item valid and reliable questionnaire. Frequency for smoking was predicted by environment not supportive to smoking (p < 0.0001) and emotional coping (p < 0.001) (Adjusted R2= 0.20). Intent to smoke was predicted by emotional coping (p < 0.0001); environment not supportive to smoking (p < 0.001), expectations for not smoking (p < 0.003), and self-control for not smoking (p <0.017) (Adjusted R2= 0.36).

2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen L. Usher

According to A. Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory, individuals form their self-efficacy beliefs by interpreting information from four sources: mastery experience, vicarious experience, social persuasions, and physiological or affective states. The purpose of this study was to examine the heuristics students use as they form their mathematics self-efficacy from these and other sources. Semistructured interviews were conducted with eight middle school students who reported either high or low self-efficacy and with students’ parents and mathematics teachers. Students relied on information from all four hypothesized sources, which were combined according to various heuristics. Teaching structures, course placement, and students’ self-regulated learning also emerged as important factors related to self-efficacy. Results refine and extend the tenets of social cognitive theory.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amar Kanekar ◽  
Manoj Sharma ◽  
Russell Bennett

Young adults engage themselves in unsafe sexual behaviors exposing themselves to getting aSTD and/or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to use social cognitive theory in predicting safer sex behaviors among college students. A cross-sectional study design was implemented among a sample of 180 sexually active college students. More than half of the survey responders were monogamous and less than a quarter had two sexual partners. A step-wise multiple regressions model indicated a statistically significant predictive model with self-efficacy, situational perceptions and self-control towards safer sex as significant predictors (48% predicted variance) of self-reported sexual behaviors.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052199128
Author(s):  
Omobolanle Atinuke Fenny

Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime’s (GTC) claim to explain crime, at all times, and in all places, has received considerable empirical support using Western, Scandinavian, and Asian samples. However, the theory is yet to be tested using a Nigerian sample. Using cross-sectional data from a sample of 1,192 junior secondary school (middle school) students in Nigeria, this study examines the explanatory power of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s GTC in predicting bullying perpetration and victimization in that context and culture. Binomial logistic regression was used to test the hypothesis that the bullying perpetration and victimization experiences of these students would be negatively related to self-control. Study provides support for the cross-cultural potency of the GTC as low self-control predicted the bullying and victimization experiences of these students regardless of gender. Students’ perception of a negative school environment was also a significant predictor of bullying. This is the first test of the GTC with a Nigerian sample and hopefully, will be a springboard for effective bullying prevention policy/programs in Nigerian schools. The public policy implications of the findings are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven H. Kelder ◽  
Dale S. Mantey ◽  
Duncan Van Dusen ◽  
Kathleen Case ◽  
Alexandra Haas ◽  
...  

Objectives: From 2017 to 2018, electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use increased 78% among high school students and 48% among middle school students in the United States. However, few e-cigarette prevention interventions have been evaluated. We determined the feasibility and initial effectiveness of “CATCH My Breath,” an e-cigarette prevention program, among a sample of middle schools in central Texas. Methods: Twelve middle schools in Texas (6 intervention schools and 6 control schools) participated in the CATCH My Breath pilot program during 2016-2017. CATCH My Breath is rooted in social cognitive theory, consists of 4 interactive in-class modules, and is collaboratively administered via classroom and physical education teachers, student–peer leaders, and social messaging (eg, school posters). We collected 3 waves of data: baseline (January 2017), 4-month follow-up (May 2017), and 16-month follow-up (May 2018). Using school as the unit of analysis, we tested a repeated cross-sectional, condition-by-time interaction on e-cigarette ever use, psychosocial determinants of use, and other tobacco use behaviors. Analyses controlled for school-level sociodemographic characteristics (eg, sex, race/ethnicity, and percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch). Results: From baseline to 16-month follow-up, increases in ever e-cigarette use prevalence were significantly lower among intervention schools (2.8%-4.9%) than among control schools (2.7%-8.9%), controlling for covariates ( P = .01). Intervention schools also had significantly greater improvements in e-cigarette knowledge (β = 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-1.21; P = .008) and perceived positive outcomes (β = –0.12; 95% CI, –0.23 to –0.02; P = .02) than control schools, controlling for covariates from baseline to 16-month follow-up. Conclusion: Ever e-cigarette use was lower among middle schools that implemented the CATCH My Breath program than among those that did not. Replication of findings among a larger sample of schools, using a group-randomized, longitudinal study design and a longer follow-up period, is needed.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e032721
Author(s):  
Bolan Yu ◽  
Lijuan Dai ◽  
Juanjuan Chen ◽  
Wen Sun ◽  
Jingsi Chen ◽  
...  

ObjectivesIn this cross-sectional survey, we sought to determine the prevalence of and the influence of prenatal and neonatal factors on childhood visual impairment without correction (VIUC) in a paediatric population from Guangzhou, China.SettingThe health survey covered 11 administrative districts in Guangzhou, including 991 schools.ParticipantsAll of the primary and middle school students in Guangzhou were invited to complete an online questionnaire with the help of their parents. The results of physical examinations were reported by school medical departments. The results of the questionnaire were collected by the researchers. In total, 253 301 questionnaires were collected.Primary outcome measuresThe students’ uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was examined by trained optometrists by standard logarithmic visual acuity charts. VIUC was defined by UCVA (of the better eye) (UCVA <6/12) with three levels: light VIUC (UCVA ≥6/18 to <6/12), mild VIUC (UCVA ≥6/60 to <6/18) and severe VIUC (UCVA <6/60).ResultsA total of 39 768 individuals (15.7%) had VIUC, and the rate was much higher among grade 10 to 12 students (51.4%) than among grade 1 to 6 students (6.71%). The following factors were significantly associated with an increased risk of VIUC: female gender, high birth weight, formula feeding, not having siblings, higher level of parents’ education, parental myopia, much homework time and little outdoor activity. Delivery mode was not associated with the risk of VIUC.ConclusionsThis study validates known major prenatal/genetic, perinatal and postnatal factors for childhood VIUC. In conclusion, prenatal and perinatal factors can affect the onset of childhood VIUC, but parental myopia and postnatal factors are the main factors.


Author(s):  
Diana M. Doumas ◽  
Aida Midgett

Cyberbullying is a significant problem among school-aged youth. Cyberbullying peaks in middle school with 33% of middle school students reporting cyberbullying victimization and more than 50% reporting witnessing cyberbullying as bystanders. Although the association between cyberbullying victimization and internalizing symptoms is well documented, there is limited research examining the impact of witnessing cyberbullying on bystanders. To assess differences in internalizing symptoms between cyberbullying bystanders and non-bystanders, a school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among middle school students (6th–8th grade) in the United States (N = 130; 57.4% female; 42.6% male). Questionnaire data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of co-variance (MANCOVA) with three outcome variables (depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms) and the between-subject factor bystander status (bystander, non-bystander). We controlled for witnessing school bullying to examine the unique effect of witnessing cyberbullying on internalizing symptoms. Results of the MANCOVA indicated a significant effect for cyberbullying bystander status (p < 0.04). Post hoc analyses demonstrated that bystanders reported significantly higher levels of depression (p < 0.05), anxiety (p < 0.02), and somatic symptoms (p < 0.01) than non-bystanders. Findings suggest that programs to support students who witness cyberbullying are needed to reduce the mental health risks associated with being a cyberbullying bystander.


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