Browsing by Author "Jury, Angela Faye"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Fruit & vegetable intake amongst men in New Zealand : an evaluation and extension of a stage and continuous model of dietary behaviour : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2008) Jury, Angela Faye
    Purpose. The purpose of the study is to develop a better understanding of the process of behaviour change and factors which contribute to an increased level of fruit and vegetable intake (F&V) among men in New Zealand. The study aims to determine the impact of psychosocial and contextual factors integrated into an extended stage model. As a more parsimonious continuous model maybe sufficient for understanding F&V intake, the study also plans to evaluate the impact of psychosocial and contextual factors on behaviour, and whether intentions is the mechanism by which the psychosocial factors influence behaviour. Design. Data was collected using a self administered questionnaire in a mail survey from N = 518 men aged 18 years and over randomly selected from the electoral roll. Mean differences in factors across the stages of change were assessed with one way ANOVAs and Games Howell post hoc tests, and trend analyses assessed linear and non-linear components of trend. The independent impact of factors on intentions and behaviour was assessed with hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Measures. Stage of change was assessed with a single item measure, F&V intake with a 7-item food frequency questionnaire, and food insecurity with items used in the 1997 National Nutrition Survey. Previously developed measures were used to assess the pros, cons, self efficacy, self identity, and susceptibility to disease. Scales were developed and adapted for F&V intake for control, descriptive and subjective norms. Results. In total, 51% of men were in the action/maintenance stage and 32%, 10% and 7% in the precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages respectively. Mean F&V intake was 3.92 (SD = 2.08) servings a day and 30.4% were eating at least 5 servings. All factors differed significantly across the stages of change. The predictor variables collectively explained R² = 43% (42% adjusted) in intentions and 40% (38% adjusted) in behaviour. The impact of self efficacy and intentions on behaviour depended in part on household food insecurity status. Discussion. Similar conclusions were reached using the stage and continuous model. To increase intentions of eating 5 or more servings of F&Vs a day in the future, interventions should modify perceived norms, self efficacy, pros and cons, and awareness of F&V guidelines. Interventions targeting those with high food insecurity may also be required to help translate their intentions into action.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Some mental and physical health outcomes associated with sexual abuse in childhood : a community survey of New Zealand women : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2002) Jury, Angela Faye
    This study examines the long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on mental and physical health functioning, as well as the potentially mediating effects of PTSD symptomatology in a community sample of 964 New Zealand women. In total 63% (n = 606) of women surveyed reported experiencing a traumatic event in their lifetime, of which 16 experienced CSA only and 114 experienced multiple types of traumatic events including CSA. Current mental health functioning was examined using measures of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology and psychological distress. Measures of physical health symptoms, chronic health, and health care use were used to assess current physical health functioning. Significantly higher levels of PTSD symptomatology and psychological distress were found among women with histories of CSA in comparison to nontraumatised women. Elevated levels of physical health symptoms were also found in women who had experienced multiple types of traumatic events including CSA in comparison to nontraumatised women. Findings indicate that the main effects of traumatic experiences involving CSA on psychological distress and physical health symptoms were partially mediated by PTSD symptomatology. Among women with histories of CSA, hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate the impact of CSA characteristics and contextual factors on current mental and physical health functioning, over and above that explained by relevant demographic and background variables. Among the CSA variables, appraisals of CSA effecting many areas of a survivor's life were associated with higher levels of PTSD symptomatology. Higher levels of chronic health problems were associated with experiences involving physical injury and appraisals of CSA as uncontrollable were related to increased health care use. In conclusion, traumatic experiences involving CSA can negatively impact on the current mental and physical health functioning of women. However, a higher risk of adverse outcomes is associated with several CSA factors. These findings indicate the importance of ensuring the development and provision of services aimed at preventing and ameliorating the impact of exposure; the need to comprehensively assess survivors in both clinical and health care settings; and the utility of further research examining factors which may influence individual variability in adaptation, as well as subsequent trauma exposure.