Interdisciplinary Academic and Community Partnerships to Promote Child Well-being at School: The Outdoor Classroom

This community-based participatory research (CBPR) project involved academic-community partners working together to design, build, and implement an outdoor classroom at a local elementary school to improve the school environment and foster child health and learning. A two-week pilot period took place prior to implementation and formative research was gathered. The formative research findings revealed that the school partners had initial concerns with the environmental conditions and outdoor classroom space, timing of the program within the school day, and materials in the outdoor classroom. The concerns were reported and addressed. The participating teachers completed a survey and reported satisfaction with the partnership and offered further suggestions for the future. This partnership provides important lessons learned for public health practitioners and applied researchers

University of North Florida Environmental Center Annual Report 2020

2020 Annual Report of the Environmental Center at the University of North Floridahttps://digitalcommons.unf.edu/ecenter_annual/1008/thumbnail.jp

IERE Annual Report 2022

2022 Annual Report of the Institute for Environmental Research and Educationhttps://digitalcommons.unf.edu/ecenter_annual/1009/thumbnail.jp

IERE Annual Report 2023

2023 Annual Report of the Institute for Environmental Research and Educationhttps://digitalcommons.unf.edu/ecenter_annual/1010/thumbnail.jp

University of North Florida Environmental Center Annual Report 2019

2019 Annual Report of the Environmental Center at the University of North Floridahttps://digitalcommons.unf.edu/ecenter_annual/1007/thumbnail.jp

Testing Multi-Theory Model (MTM) In Explaining Sunscreen Use Among Florida Residents: An Integrative Approach for Sun Protection

Florida residents have the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the nation. Sunscreen usage was found to be the one of the most effective integrative health approaches for reducing risk of skin cancer. Given the limited information on the likelihood of adopting and continuing sunscreen usage behavior, this cross-sectional study aimed to examine the correlates of initiating and sustaining sunscreen usage behavior among Florida dwellers, using the fourth-generation, multi-theory model (MTM) of behavior change. A web-based survey containing 51 questions was emailed to Florida residents aged 18 years or above, who were randomly selected from the state voter file. Psychometric validity of the survey instrument was established using structural equation modeling, and Cronbach’s alpha values were calculated for assessing the internal consistency. An independent-samples-t-test and hierarchical multiple regression tests were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that participants who engaged in sunscreen usage behavior, participatory dialogue (β = 0.062, p \u3c 0.05), behavioral confidence (β = 0.636, p \u3c 0.001), and changes in the physical environment (β = 0.210, p \u3c 0.001) were statistically significant and accounted for 73.6% of the variance in initiating sunscreen usage behavior. In addition, the constructs of emotional transformation (β = 0.486, p \u3c 0.001) and practice for change (β = 0.211, p \u3c 0.001), as well as changes in the social environment (β = 0.148, p \u3c 0.001) were significant predictors of maintaining sunscreen usage behavior and contributed to 59% of variance in sustenance. These findings offer a valuable insight regarding the applicability of MTM models to guiding public health interventions promoting sunscreen usage and preventing UV radiation risk and related skin cancer

An Empirical test of an expanded version of the theory of planned behavior in predicting recycling behavior on campus

Background: The study and promotion of environmental health behaviors, such as recycling, is an emerging focus in public health. Purpose: This study was designed to examine the determinants of recycling intention on a college campus. Methods: Undergraduate students (N=189) completed a 35-item web-based survey past findings and an expanded version of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Path analytic models were examined with bootstrapping method. Results: The path coefficients revealed that all of the direct paths were statistically significant except the direct path from descriptive norm to behavioral intention. The model explained 49.3% of the variance in recycling intention. The strongest predictors of campus recycling intention were moral obligation and behavioral attitudes. Discussion: The expanded version of the TPB proved to be a sound theoretical framework to study the determinants of recycling on campus. Overall, the model components had a large effect on recycling intention. Translation to Health Education Practice: Using behavior change theory to understand recycling behavior is prerequisite to evidenced-based recycling interventions. These findings should be used to guide campus recycling interventions. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Total body skin examination adherence among young adults with an increased risk for skin cancer

Although ultraviolent radiation exposure and skin cancer rates are rising in the US, there is not a consistent national message calling for routine total body skin examinations (TBSE) by a healthcare provider. This pilot study examined TBSE rates among adults at an increased risk for skin cancer (history of sunburn, indoor tanning use, excessive UV exposure, poor sunscreen use). Overall skin cancer prevention behaviors were insufficient among respondents (n=953) and only a quarter of respondents considered at an increased risk for skin cancer reported a TBSE. White, older students with light skin who regularly use sunscreen were significantly more likely to report a TBSE. These findings highlight the need for a national study examining TBSE across the lifespan among high-risk individuals

The Efficacy of a Brief Nature Sound Intervention on Muscle Tension, Pulse Rate, and Self- Reported Stress: Nature Contact Micro-Break in an Office or Waiting Room

Background: There is a growing recognition that environmental design impacts health and well-being. Nature contact is a design feature or exposure that is especially important in public health and healthcare. To date, there are limited findings on the impact of nature sounds. Objective: This experimental study was designed to examine the effect of nature sounds on physiological and psychological stress. Methods: Participants were randomized into one of three groups—silence (n = 9), nature sound (n = 17), and classical music (n = 14)—and listened to the assigned sound for 15 min in an office or waiting room-like environment. Pre- and postdata were collected including muscle tension (electromyogram), pulse rate, and self-reported stress. Results: With the exception of pulse rate, there were no statistical differences in baseline or demographics among groups. A paired t-test by group showed a decrease in muscle tension, pulse rate, and self-reported stress in the nature group and no significant differences in the control or the classical music groups. The significant reduction in muscle tension occurred at least by 7 min of listening to the nature sound. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential benefit of even very brief (less than 7 min) exposure to nature sounds. Brief nature sound “booster breaks” are a promising area for future research with important practical implications