Shaping safe drinking cultures : evoking positive emotion to promote moderate-drinking behaviour

Social marketing by Western governments that use fear tactics and threatening information to promote anti-drinking messages has polarized ‘binge drinking’ and ‘moderate drinking’ through a continuum that implies benefits and harms for both individuals and society. With the goal of extending insights into social marketing approaches that promote safer drinking cultures in Australia, we discuss findings from a study that examines alcohol consumers' moderate-drinking intentions. By applying the theory of planned behaviour and emotions theory, we discuss survey results from a sample of alcohol consumers, which demonstrate that positively framed value propositions that evoke happiness and love are more influential in the processing of an alcohol moderation message for alcohol consumers. The key limitations of this study are the cross-sectional nature of the data and the focal-dependent variable being behavioural intentions rather than behaviours. Research insight into the stronger influence of positive emotions on processing an alcohol moderation message establishes an important avenue for future social marketing communications that moves beyond negative, avoidance appeals to promote behaviour change in drinkers. These research findings will benefit professionals involved in developing social change campaigns that promote and reinforce consumers' positive intentions, with messages about the benefits of controlled, moderate drinking.

Behaviour of corrugated steel roof cladding under combined wind uplift and racking

During high wind events, crest-fixed profiled steel roof claddings in low-rise buildings can be subjected to combined cyclic wind uplift and in-plane racking (shear) forces. Static and cyclic tests of corrugated steel roof claddings were carried out to investigate the effect of in-plane racking force on the uplift strength, in particular, in relation to the fatigue cracking commonly observed under cyclic wind uplift. The presence of racking force appeared to have insignificant effect on the static and cyclic wind uplift strength. It may therefore be possible to include the diaphragm strength of these claddings in the design of low-rise buildings in a similar manner to valley-fixed claddings. This may lead to a reduction in bracing requirements.

Exploring association between perceived importance of travel/traffic information and travel behaviour in natural disasters : a case study of the 2011 Brisbane floods

A sound understanding of travellers’ behavioural changes and adaptation when facing a natural disaster is a key factor in efficiently and effectively managing transport networks at such times. This study specifically investigates the importance of travel/traffic information and its impact on travel behaviour during natural disasters. Using the 2011 Brisbane flood as a case study, survey respondents’ perceptions of the importance of travel/traffic information before, during, and after the flood were modelled using random-effects ordered logit. A hysteresis phenomenon was observed: respondents’ perceptions of the importance of travel/traffic information increased during the flood, and although its perceived importance decreased after the flood, it did not return to the pre-flood level. Results also reveal that socio-demographic features (such as gender and age) have a significant impact on respondents’ perceptions of the importance of travel/traffic information. The roles of travel time and safety in a respondent’s trip planning are also significantly correlated to their perception of the importance of this information. The analysis further shows that during the flood, respondents generally thought that travel/traffic information was important, and adjusted their travel plans according to information received. When controlling for other factors, the estimated odds of changing routes and cancelling trips for a respondent who thought that travel/traffic information was important, are respectively about three times and seven times the estimated odds for a respondent who thought that travel/traffic information was not important. In contrast, after the flood, the influence of travel/traffic information on respondents’ travel behaviour diminishes. Finally, the analysis shows no evidence of the influence of travel/traffic information’s on respondents’ travel mode; this indicates that inducing travel mode change is a challenging task.

Offending behaviour and mental illness : characteristics of a mental health court liaison service

This paper begins with a brief review of recent literature about relationships between offending behaviour and mental illness, classifying studies by the settings within which they occurred. The establishment and role of a mental health court liaison (MHCL) service is then described, together with findings from a 3-year service audit, including an examination of relationships between clients’ characteristics and offence profiles, and comparisons with regional offence data. During the audit period, 971 clients (767 males, 204 females) were referred to the service, comprising 1139 service episodes, 35.5% of which involved a comorbid substance use diagnosis. The pattern of offences for MHCL clients was reasonably similar to the regional offence data, except that among MHCL clients there were proportionately more offences against justice procedures (e.g., breaches of apprehended violence orders [AVOs]) and fewer driving offences and “other offences”. Additionally, male MHCL clients had proportionately more malicious damage and robbery offences and lower rates of offensive behaviour and drug offences. A range of service and research issues is also discussed. Overall, the new service appears to have forged more effective links between the mental health and criminal justice systems.

Non-market use and non-use values for preserving ecosystem services over time : a choice experiment application to coral reef ecosystems in New Caledonia

Non-use values (i.e. economic values assigned by individuals to ecosystem goods and services unrelated to current or future uses) provide one of the most compelling incentives for the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. Assessing the non-use values of non-users is relatively straightforward using stated preference methods, but the standard approaches for estimating non-use values of users (stated decomposition) have substantial shortcomings which undermine the robustness of their results. In this paper, we propose a pragmatic interpretation of non-use values to derive estimates that capture their main dimensions, based on the identification of a willingness to pay for ecosystem protection beyond one's expected life. We empirically test our approach using a choice experiment conducted on coral reef ecosystem protection in two coastal areas in New Caledonia with different institutional, cultural, environmental and socio-economic contexts. We compute individual willingness to pay estimates, and derive individual non-use value estimates using our interpretation. We find that, a minima, estimates of non-use values may comprise between 25 and 40% of the mean willingness to pay for ecosystem preservation, less than has been found in most studies.

Consumer Behaviour : Buying, Having, Being (3e)

Consumer behaviour is more than buying things; it also embraces the study of how having (or not having) things affects our lives and how possessions influence the way we feel about ourselves and each other - our state of being. The 3rd edition of Consumer Behaviour is presented in a contemporary framework based around the buying, having and being model and in an Australasian context. Students will be engaged and excited by the most current research, real-world examples, global coverage, managerial applications and ethical examples to cover all facets of consumer behaviour. With new coverage of Personality and incorporating real consumer data, Consumer Behaviour is fresh, relevant and up-to-date . It provides students with the best possible introduction to this fascinating discipline.

The applicability of the Precaution Adoption Process Model for understanding self-regulatory driving behaviour among older drivers

1. Introduction The success of self-regulation, in terms of enhancing older drivers’ safety and maintaining their mobility, depends largely upon older drivers’ awareness of the declines in their driving abilities. Therefore, interventions targeted at increasing older drivers’ safety should aim to enhance their awareness of their physical, sensory and cognitive limitations. Moreover, previous research suggests that driving behaviour change may occur through stages and that interventions and feedback may be perceived differently at each stage. 2. Study aims To further understand the process of driving self-regulation among older adults by exploring their perceptions and experiences of self-regulation, using the PAPM as a framework. To investigate the possible impact of feedback on their driving on their decision making process. 3. Methodology Research tool: Qualitative focus groups (n=5 sessions) Recruitment: Posters, media, newspaper advertisement and emails Inclusion criteria: Aged 70 or more, English-speaking, current drivers Participants: Convenience sample of 27 men and women aged 74 to 90 in the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane city, Queensland, Australia. 4. Analysis Thematic analysis was conducted following the process outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006) to identify, analyse and report themes within the data. Four main themes were identified.

Exploration of the fundamental equilibrium behaviour of calcium exchange with weak acid cation resins

This study evaluated the complexity of calcium ion exchange with sodium exchanged weak acid cation resin (DOW MAC-3). Exchange equilibria recorded for a range of different solution normalities revealed profiles which were represented by conventional “L” or “H” type isotherms at low values of equilibrium concentration (Ce) of calcium ions, plus a superimposed region of increasing calcium uptake was observed at high Ce values. The loading of calcium ions was determined to be ca. 53.5 to 58.7 g/kg of resin when modelling only the sorption curve created at low Ce values,which exhibited a well-defined plateau. The calculated calcium ion loading capacity for DOWMAC-3 resin appeared to correlate with the manufacturer's recommendation. The phenomenon of super equivalent ion exchange (SEIX) was observed when the “driving force” for the exchange process was increased in excess of 2.25 mmol calcium ions per gram of resin in the starting solution. This latter event was explained in terms of displacement of sodium ions from sodium hydroxide solution which remained in the resin bead following the initial conversion of the as supplied “H+” exchanged resin sites to the “Na+” version required for softening studies. Evidence for hydrolysis of a small fraction of the sites on the sodium exchanged resin surface was noted. The importance of carefully choosing experimental parameters was discussed especially in relation to application of the Langmuir–Vageler expression. This latter model which compared the ratio of the initial calcium ion concentration in solution to resin mass, versus final equilibrium loading of the calcium ions on the resin; was discovered to be an excellent means of identifying the progress of the calcium–sodium ion exchange process. Moreover, the Langmuir–Vageler model facilitated standardization of various calcium–sodium ion exchange experiments which allowed systematic experimental design.

Weak acid extractable metals in Bramble Bay, Queensland, Australia : temporal behaviour, enrichment and source apportionment

Sediment samples were taken from six sampling sites in Bramble Bay, Queensland, Australia between February and November in 2012. They were analysed for a range of heavy metals including Al, Fe, Mn, Ti, Ce, Th, U, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, Te, Hg, Tl and Pb. Fraction analysis, enrichment factors and Principal Component Analysis –Absolute Principal Component Scores (PCA-APCS) were carried out in order to assess metal pollution, potential bioavailability and source apportionment. Cr and Ni exceeded the Australian Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines at some sampling sites, while Hg was found to be the most enriched metal. Fraction analysis identified increased weak acid soluble Hg and Cd during the sampling period. Source apportionment via PCA-APCS found four sources of metals pollution, namely, marine sediments, shipping, antifouling coatings and a mixed source. These sources need to be considered in any metal pollution control measure within Bramble Bay.

Addressing barriers to help-seeking behaviour through M-mental health services : a social marketing perspective

Although seeking help for mental ill-health is beneficial, the majority of persons afflicted do not access available help services. Young adults (16-24 years old) in particular have the highest prevalence of mental health problems and the lowest rate of help-seeking behaviour. Key barriers to help-seeking for young adults, including cost, privacy concerns, inconvenience, access to health professionals and interpersonal interaction, appear to derive from the face-to-face method of service delivery traditionally used to distribute mental health services. Social marketing employs the principle of value exchange, whereby consumers will choose a behaviour in exchange for receiving valued benefits and/or a reduction in key barriers, to achieve behavioural goals for social good. The appropriation of mobile digital technology to deliver self-help mental health services may reduce the current barriers to help seeking, however, extant literature offers no empirical support for this proposition. Our research addresses this gap by examining the perceptions of young adults regarding M-mental health services. Depth interviews were undertaken with 15 young adults (18-24 years old), who had self-reported mild-moderate stress, anxiety or depression. The data were thematically analysed with the assistance of Nvivo. The findings reveal M-mental health services reduce the barriers to accessing face-to-face help services to a large extent. However, they also present their own barriers to help-seeking that must be considered by social marketers, including negligible cost expectations and service efficacy concerns. Overall, this study highlights the potential of M-mental health services to encourage early intervention and help-seeking behaviour as part of a social marketing strategy to address mental illness in young adults.

Understanding victim behaviour through offender behaviour typologies

Criminology has long sought to define and understand criminal motivations. There has, however, been less attention paid to the motivations involved in “everyday” thought and behaviour that may place someone in harm’s way. This doesn’t mean that victims are somehow motivated to become victims, but they may behave in such a way that victimisation happens as a matter of course. In the parlance of victimity, victim behaviour has often been referred to as either “victim facilitated” or “victim precipitated”. However, while some use these terms to explain the role of victim behaviour in relation to harm or loss, they actually do little to further our knowledge about the cognitive and behavioural milieu in which victimisation occurs. For example, a victim of homicide may precipitate the attack by violently confronting a partner (in retaliation for real or imagined wrongs). Another victim may facilitate domestic violence by not leaving their partner for financial reasons (“cannot afford to go out on my own”). Far from blaming the victim, understanding the motivational nature of victim behaviour can be accomplished by juxtaposing motivations for offender behaviour. This presentation applies offender motivations to victim behaviours, and presents anecdotal and research support for this approach.

Delving deeper into maintenance behaviour

Andreasen (2003) argues that there is a ‘starting change’ bias in the social marketing field as much research is centred on inducing initial behavioural change. However, repeat or maintenance behaviour is often critical to achieving social goals across many domains. For instance, the repeat use of professional therapeutic services is vital for improved mental health, although premature discontinuance of service use is common (Wang, 2007). This study contributes to addressing this gap in the social marketing literature by exploring key drivers of maintenance behaviour, in the form of repeat service use, in mental health. This is in line with Andreasen’s (1994) argument that social marketing is an appropriate approach to addressing mental health challenges.