Browsing by Author "Dr. Roger Mitchell, Committee Member"

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Being Healthy Counts To H.I.M.: An Examination of Health Behavior Among Participants in a Diabetes Prevention and Health Promotion Program.
(2009-03-09) Banks, Erin; Dr. Jacqueline McClelland, Committee Member; Dr. Roger Mitchell, Committee Member; Dr. Craig C. Brookins, Committee Chair; Dr. Jason Allaire, Committee Member
This study employed a non-random, quasi-experimental design to assess the impact of a diabetes prevention and health promotion program on the health behavior of older African American adults in a church setting. Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) (Bandura, 1986, 1977) and Socio-ecological (McLeroy et al., 1988) and PRECEDE- PROCEEDE Planning (Green & Kreuter, 1999) models were utilized as guiding frameworks. A modified curriculum from the Lifestyle Balance: Healthy Eating and Being Active Diabetes Prevention program was used. Significant decreases were found in fasting blood sugar over the eight-week period for both program participants and the comparison group. However, there was not an increase in diabetes knowledge, daily moderate-vigorous exercise levels or self-efficacy for physical activity for individuals who participated in the program from Time 1 to Time 2. The findings are discussed relative to their contributions to health-related research and interventions with African Americans and the role of African-American churches as a conduit for health messages and behavior change.
Evaluation of a Child Maltreatment Prevention Self-help Program: The Role of Social Support and Parental Empowerment in Producing Positive Outcomes
(2010-05-04) Hart, Kendrea C.; Dr. Katherine Klein, Committee Member; Dr. Pamela Martin, Committee Member; Dr. Roger Mitchell, Committee Member; Dr. Mary Haskett, Committee Chair
The purpose of this dissertation study was to evaluate a child abuse prevention program for families considered at-risk for abuse. Specifically, this study sought to gain a better understanding of how program participation was associated with parenting behavior and child maltreatment risk, and if this relation was partially mediated by social support and parental empowerment. The sample consisted of 187 parents and grandparents who attended Circle of Parents groups throughout a southeastern state. It was hypothesized that (a) higher program participation would predict improvements in parenting behavior, lower levels of maltreatment risk, higher levels of social support within and outside the group, and higher feelings of parental empowerment; (b) higher levels of social support within and outside the group, as well as higher levels of parental empowerment, would predict improvements in parenting behavior and lower child maltreatment risk; (c) the relation between program participation and parenting behavior, as well as child maltreatment risk would be mediated by social support and parental empowerment. Results revealed that program participation significantly predicted improvements in parent behavior and social support within the group. In addition, social support within the group significantly predicted improvements in parent behavior. Social support outside the group also significantly predicted levels of lower child maltreatment risk. There was no support for mediation effects. Considerations for interpreting results, limitations, directions for future research, and implications for practice are discussed.
The Influences of Site Design on Physical Activity and Social Interaction in Residential Planned Unit Developments
(2007-08-07) Demir, Evrim; Dr. Daniel Rodriguez, Committee Member; Dr. Roger Mitchell, Committee Member; Dr. Perver Baran, Committee Co-Chair; Prof. Robin C. Moore, Committee Chair
Rapid increase of overweight and obesity rates and related health consequences of diabetes and heart diseases have characterized the chronic health crisis facing the US population since the past decade. The lack of opportunities for daily physical activity in the built environment has been a major environmental factor causing increased sedentary lifestyles and contributing to this health crisis. Understanding the relationship between the built environment and physical activity is essential to evaluate the efficiency of possible environmental interventions, and therefore, is fundamental for creating and sustaining health-promotive environments. This study investigates the influences of residential neighborhood site design on daily routine physical and social interaction activities of individuals. The study utilizes a multiple case study design where four suburban residential planned unit developments (PUDs), located in Triangle area of North Carolina, are selected and studied. A 2X2 matrix, formed by ordinal indicators of neighborhood amenities and neighborhood site layout variables, is used as the determinant for case selection. Neighborhood physical environments are objectively analyzed using spatial analysis techniques such as GIS and Space Syntax (through integration, connectivity, and intelligibility values). Physical activity and social interaction variables are measured using a multi-method approach utilizing both objective (direct-observation of neighborhood-wide outdoor activities) and subjective methods (community survey investigating user perceptions and evaluations of neighborhood physical and social environment, as well as residents' physical⁄social activity patterns and their favorite places/routes with explanations for reasons of use). Statistical analysis systems (SAS) and geographic information systems (GIS) software are used to statistically and spatially analyze collected data. Specifically, how site design characteristics of PUDs influence various activity patterns of the residents is studied. The spatial differences and similarities across⁄within cases are used to explain variations in activity levels and types. The results of the study suggest that neighborhood site design has influences on physical activity and social patterns of individuals. Syntactical properties of residential neighborhoods are better predictors of physical activity levels than individual-level variables alone. This study adds to the small but growing knowledge base on the effects of design on public health and increases understanding of how community design can contribute to addressing the issue of sedentary lifestyles.