Environment and Behavior recent issues

Association Between Physical Environment of Secondary Schools and Student Problem Behavior: A National Study, 2000-2003

Kumar, R., O'Malley, P. M., Johnston, L. D. — 2008-07-07

This article examines various aspects of school physical characteristics relating to problem behavior among students. We hypothesize that an attractive physical environment will be associated with less truancy, cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use, whereas a negative physical environment will be associated with higher levels of these behaviors. Analyses use data from nationally representative samples of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students who participated in annual surveys conducted by the Monitoring the Future project from 2000 to 2003. Analyses also use data collected from principals and field interviewers of the same schools. Results based on multilevel logistic and linear regressions indicate that students are sensitive to schools' ambience and that the association of various aspects of the school's physical environment with students' problem behaviors is greater for 10th-grade students than for 8th and 12th-grade students. The implications of these findings for school policies and practices are discussed.

Residence Hall Architecture and Sense of Community: Everything Old Is New Again

Devlin, A. S., Donovan, S., Nicolov, A., Nold, O., Zandan, G. — 2008-07-07

This study of almost 600 students examines the relationship between sense of community and college dormitory architecture on the campus of a small residential liberal arts college in the Northeast. Respondents of all class years completed an online survey that included the Sense of Community Index and the Relationship dimension of the University Residence Environment Scale. Students also rated architectural characteristics about their dorms and provided background information. Results indicate significant differences in sense of community related to dormitory design, in particular a lower sense of community in dorms that are organized around clusters or suites. At the same time, these units in clusters are judged to be more positive in terms of basic architectural components, including thermal comfort, adequacy of bathrooms, and storage. Results are discussed in terms of recommendations to enhance a sense of community through design.

Deriving Interventions on the Basis of Factors Influencing Behavioral Intentions for Waste Recycling, Composting, and Reuse in Cuba

Mosler, H.-J., Tamas, A., Tobias, R., Rodriguez, T. C., Miranda, O. G. — 2008-07-07

In this article the authors study existing waste-disposal intentions and behavior-influencing factors at the household level in Santiago de Cuba. The authors analyze the perceived reputation of the behavior, two different attitude components (sentiment and cost-value ratio), and perceived difficulties. Our focus is to compare three types of waste-disposal behaviors and derive specific interventions. The behaviors most suitable to Cuba are recycling, composting, and reuse. Analysis with structural equation modeling (SEM) reveals relevant differences in factor influence for attitude components and perceived reputation. Recycling and composting are most strongly influenced by affective aspects of attitude, whereas the general attitude toward reuse seems to have a more rational basis. The influence of perceived reputation on recycling is strong, that on composting is moderate, and no influence at all is found for reuse. The authors combine the SEM results with those of the qualitative data analysis of problems and incentives assessed from the participants and suggest behavior-specific interventions.

Does "Main Street" Promote Sense of Community? A Comparison of San Francisco Neighborhoods

Pendola, R., Gen, S. — 2008-07-07

Creating "community" has long been a goal of urban planners. Although such rhetoric abounds in planning circles, what it all means is unclear. In this article, the authors review the community psychology and urban planning literature, defining sense of community within the context of how the built environment might facilitate or impede it. They then present their research, which tests the effects of "main street" on sense of community in four San Francisco neighborhoods. Results indicate that respondents in neighborhoods exhibiting characteristics of a main street town (Bernal Heights and West Portal) have significantly higher sense of community than do respondents from a high-density neighborhood (Nob Hill) and from a more suburban-style city neighborhood (Sunset).

Nonpermanent Residents, Place Attachment, and "Sea Change" Communities

Kelly, G., Hosking, K. — 2008-07-07

Rapid population growth and an increase in the number of nonresident second-home owners are altering the environmental, social, and economic stability of many Australian seaside communities. The impact of the growing proportion of nonpermanent residents in these regions has not yet been subject to much research. This article explores the usefulness of place attachment to provide insight into the actions and behavior of second-home owners. Place attachment, or human-place bonding, has been linked to positive behaviors such as environmental conservation, volunteering, and the reverse of neighbourhood decline. This article examines second-home owners' sense of place attachment in Western Australia's Augusta–Margaret River region. Findings indicate positive relationships between levels of place attachment, the amount of time spent in the region, support of local businesses, and contributions to community through membership in voluntary organizations. The relevance of supporting the place attachment of nonpermanent residents in rapidly developing coastal areas is discussed.

Judging a Book by Its Cover: Medical Building Facades and Judgments of Care

Devlin, A. S. — 2008-04-15

The study examines the relationship between the appearance of medical building exteriors and judgments of the perceived care that would be delivered in and the expected comfort level that would be felt in those facilities. In all, 188 college students viewed 34 slides of the exteriors of medical facilities. Using visual analogue scales, participants rated the perceived quality of care and expected comfort level for each facility and provided brief written comments to explain their ratings. Factor analyses yielded 3 parallel Care and Expected Comfort factors, labeled Traditional House type, Brick Office type, and Large Medical type, and a fourth Expected Comfort factor, labeled Low Budget Emphasis. Respondents rated facilities of the Large Medical type to be highest in both quality of care and expected comfort. Results are discussed in terms of current trends in the architecture of health care facilities and recommendations for practitioners.

Value Orientations to Explain Beliefs Related to Environmental Significant Behavior: How to Measure Egoistic, Altruistic, and Biospheric Value Orientations

de Groot, J. I. M., Steg, L. — 2008-04-15

In environmental literature it is argued that three different value orientations may be relevant for understanding environmental beliefs and intentions: egoistic, altruistic, and biospheric. Until now, the distinction between altruistic and biospheric value orientations has hardly been supported empirically. In this article, three studies are reported aimed to examine whether an egoistic, altruistic, and biospheric value orientation can indeed be distinguished empirically by using an adapted value instrument. Also, it is examined whether these value orientations are differently and uniquely related to general and specific beliefs and behavioral intention. Results provide support for the reliability and validity of the value instrument. All studies replicated the distinction into three value orientations, with sufficient internal consistency. Furthermore, when altruistic and biospheric goals conflict, they seem to provide a distinct basis for proenvironmental intentions. The value instrument could therefore be useful to better understand relationships between values, beliefs, and intentions related to environmentally significant behavior.

Anger and Stress: The Role of Landscape Posters in an Office Setting

Kweon, B.-S., Ulrich, R. S., Walker, V. D., Tassinary, L. G. — 2008-04-15

Anger and stress management have become important issues in the modern workplace. One out of four American workers report themselves to be chronically angry, which has been linked to negative outcomes such as retaliatory behavior, revenge, interpersonal aggression, poor work performance, absenteeism, and increased turnover. We hypothesized that people who work in office environments decorated with aesthetically engaging art posters would experience less stress and anger in response to task-related frustration. Two hundred and ten college students were randomly assigned to different office conditions where abstract and nature paintings were hung on the walls. Participants performed four mild anger-provoking computer tasks and then reported their levels of state anger and stress. Results indicate that different office conditions had a significant influence on state anger and stress for males but not for females. Males experienced less state anger and stress when art posters were present. Through mediation analysis, we found that increased proportions of nature paintings decreased state anger because of decreased levels of stress.

Preferences for Landscape Choice in a Southwestern Desert City

Yabiku, S. T., Casagrande, D. G., Farley-Metzger, E. — 2008-04-15

Through outdoor water consumption, residential landscaping behavior affects public policy and the environment in the American Southwest. We propose a decision framework based on cost, ecological constraints, laws, and individual preferences. Controlling for cost, ecological constraints, and laws, we surveyed residents in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, using computer-generated landscape images to examine the effects of environmental attitudes (measured using Dunlap's New Ecological Paradigm), socialization, aesthetic affect, and demographic variables on landscape preferences. Landscape images varied from low-water xeriscapes to lush designs. Residents preferred high-water-use landscapes over dry landscapes for their own yards, even though they considered desert landscapes to be aesthetically pleasing. Women and long-term residents of the area were significantly more averse to dry landscapes. Stronger environmental attitudes did not lead to preference for xeriscapes but did lead to compromises on the amount of turf grass preferred in lush landscapes. This may contribute to the "oasis" mentality commonly found among area residents.

Objective Versus Perceived Walking Distances to Destinations: Correspondence and Predictive Validity

McCormack, G. R., Cerin, E., Leslie, E., Du Toit, L., Owen, N. — 2008-04-15

Judgments concerning features of environments do not always correspond accurately with objective measures of those same features. Moreover, perceived and objectively assessed environmental attributes, including proximity of destinations, may influence walking behavior in different ways. This study compares perceived and objectively assessed distance to several different destinations and examines whether correspondence between objective and perceived distance is influenced by age, gender, neighborhood walkability, and walking behavior. Distances to most destinations close to home are overestimated, whereas distances to those farther away are underestimated. Perceived and objective distances to certain types of destinations are differentially associated with walking behavior. Perceived environmental attributes do not consistently reflect objectively assessed attributes, and both appear to have differential effects on physical activity behavior.

A Novel Conceptual Framework for Examining Environmental Behavior in Large Organizations: A Case Study of the Cornwall National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom

Tudor, T. L., Barr, S. W., Gilg, A. W. — 2008-04-15

This article is concerned with the development of a conceptual framework of the key antecedents that lead to sustainable environmental behavior amongst employees within a large organizational setting. A range of quantitative and qualitative methods was employed in the study to examine behavior. Using the Cornwall National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom as a case study, the research demonstrated that both organizational and individual/cognitive factors served as key predictors for sustainable waste behavior. However, these factors did not work in isolation but rather, within a dynamic, holistic, intrarelated, and interrelated conceptual framework to ultimately determine individual behavior. The results suggest the need to address both categories of variables when developing policies to achieve greater sustainability in the behavior of employees within large organizations.

Building the Evidence Base for Evidence-Based Design: Editors' Introduction

Zimring, C., Bosch, S. — 2008-02-27

A Review of the Empirical Literature on the Relationships Between Indoor Environment and Stress in Health Care and Office Settings: Problems and Prospects of Sharing Evidence

Rashid, M., Zimring, C. — 2008-02-27

A conceptual framework linking indoor environment and stress is provided. The framework suggests that, in many cases, indoor environments may set forth a process leading to stress by affecting individual and/or workplace needs. The framework also suggests that because any direct causal relation between indoor environment and stress may be difficult to establish, researchers should focus more on the evidence that links indoor environment to individual and/or workplace needs. This review focuses primarily on the evidence that relates indoor environment to individual and/or workplace needs in health care and office settings. It shows a growing body of literature addressing these relationships in both settings. However, because the available evidence is uneven, there is a great need for the sharing of knowledge among researchers of these settings. In this regard, differences in organizational factors, user and workplace needs, and physical settings are some issues that need to be carefully considered.

The Role of Qualitative Methods in Designing Health Care Organizations

Johnson, J. K., Barach, P. — 2008-02-27

Qualitative research methodologies can play an important role in health care design as they can provide contextual data about health care settings—specifically the people, processes, and patterns that make up the daily work of providing health care. Health care is provided in complex environments with intricate webs of relationships, which represent the multiple interactions with people, information, technology, culture, and the physical environment in which the care is provided. One could ask, "Is good design possible without an understanding of the context in which the work occurs?" Qualitative methods can capture the experiential aspects of design and usability; however, certain qualitative methods are better suited to capture the complexity of health care. These include observations, focus groups, and interviews, which are discussed in depth.

Inpatient Unit Flexibility: Design Characteristics of a Successful Flexible Unit

Pati, D., Harvey, T., Cason, C. — 2008-02-27

Flexibility in health care design is typically addressed from an architectural perspective without a systematic understanding of its meaning from the end-user's viewpoint. Moreover, the architectural perspectives have been generally focused on expandability and convertibility. This study explored flexibility needs in adult medical-surgical inpatient care with the objective to understand its meaning from an end-user perspective and identify characteristics of the physical environment that promote or impede stakeholders' requirements. Semistructured interviews were conducted using a qualitative design with 48 stakeholders in nursing and nursing-support services at 6 hospitals across the United States. Data were collected during September–November 2006. Findings suggest that adaptability influences more aspects of unit operations than convertibility or expandability. Furthermore, physical design characteristics affect 9 critical operational issues where flexibility is required, spanning nursing, environmental services, materials management, dietary services, pharmacy, and respiratory therapy.

Impact of Emergency Department Built Environment on Timeliness of Physician Assessment of Patients With Chest Pain

Hall, K. K., Kyriacou, D. N., Handler, J. A., Adams, J. G. — 2008-02-27

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the built environment of an emergency department (ED) on the timeliness of physician assessment of chest pain patients. The main outcome variable was time to initial physician assessment. Potential predictor variables included presence of a solid door, distance of treatment room from work area, staffing team, day of week, and the patient's age, sex, and triage level. After multi-variate adjustment, the only predictors of time to initial assessment greater than 10 minutes were being placed in a room with a door (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.48) and being placed in a room 25 feet or more from the main physician work area (adjusted OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.13-1.67). These findings suggest that the ED built environment can be a barrier for providing timely care for this group of patients and may have implications for future ED architectural designs.

Open-Bay and Single-Family Room Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Caregiver Satisfaction and Stress

Shepley, M. M., Harris, D. D., White, R. — 2008-02-27

The purpose of this study is to explore the implications of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) single-family rooms (SFRs) relative to open-bay arrangements. A recent trend in the design of NICUs has been to increase the number of private patient rooms for neonates and their families. Several factors have contributed to the popularity of SFRs, including compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which mandates the need to provide patient privacy. Surveys of NICU medical staff (N = 75) explored the preferences and experiences of individuals providing care in two facilities, an SFR NICU and a combination unit with open-bay infant stations and SFRs. The results of this study indicate that SFR NICU design may increase staff satisfaction and reduce staff stress.

Undertaking an Art Survey to Compare Patient Versus Student Art Preferences

Nanda, U., Eisen, S. L., Baladandayuthapani, V. — 2008-02-27

There is a growing body of evidence on using art as a positive distraction to improve health outcomes. However, there is little research on art for patient rooms, patients' stated art preferences, and how these compare with the art preferences of those with an art or design background. This article addresses the issue and describes the findings of an art survey containing both best-selling art images and images considered appropriate for health care. Sixty-seven hospital patients, 75 interior design students, and 50 building science/architecture students were surveyed. Images were rated on emotional response (how does this picture make you feel) and selection (would you put this picture in your room). Significant differences across the three populations were found for art preferences along the two rating scales and correspondence between emotional impact and selection of artwork. In addition, level of design exposure and gender were also seen to have an effect.

Group Problem Solving and Anxiety During a Simulated Mountaineering Ascent

Tougne, J., Paty, B., Meynard, D., Martin, J.-M., Letellier, T., Rosnet, E. — 2007-12-11

Eight mountaineers were placed in a hypobaric chamber to simulate oxygen depletion accompanying a mountain ascent. The aim was to examine the evolution of individual and group efficiency in problem solving and anxiety according to simulated altitude. Relationships within the group, state and trait anxiety, and individual and collective performance in problem solving were repeatedly assessed at simulated altitudes of 5000m, 6000m, 7000m, and 8000m. The decrease of individual performance in problem solving, shown to be simultaneous to the increase of state anxiety, had little effect on collective performance in problem solving. These results suggest (a) that the collective success could be due to the emergence of a positive common goal and a positive appraisal of the situation and (b) that the state anxiety could act as a mediator between the variation in altitude and its effects on individual performance. The relevance of these results to real mountaineering expeditions is discussed.

A Collective Interest Model Approach to Explain the Benefit Cost Expectations of Participating in a Collaborative Institution

Weible, C. M. — 2007-12-11

What factors explain stakeholder benefit–cost expectations for participating in a collaborative institution? This article examines this question by applying a version of the collective interest model. The case study includes original data from a mail-in questionnaire and in-person interviews of stakeholders' expectations before the start of a collaborative process to establish marine-protected areas in California. The results provide little support for the traditional variables in the collective interest model with null results for group and personal efficacy. Selective incentives, especially putting in your own time versus company time, are important in explaining stakeholders' benefit–cost expectations. The results show that ally efficacy is an important factor, suggesting that perceptions of allies compared to opponents shape initial expectations for a collaborative process. This article adds to the research on political participation in environmental management by presenting a rare exploration of ex ante beliefs before the start of a collaborative planning institution.

Factors Shaping Local Land Use Decisions: Citizen Planners' Perceptions and Challenges

Kaplan, R., Kaplan, S., Austin, M. E. — 2007-12-11

Local land use decisions are in the hands of thousands of individuals who lack formal training in planning. The study focuses on three domains of experience that might affect how township planning officials view their tasks and perceive the impacts of planning decisions. Interviews and surveys were conducted in two adjacent Michigan counties, which have had substantially different growth patterns. The perception of environmental impacts was found to be strongly related to these county-level experiences. By contrast, the population density of the respondents' township was related to the use of different forms of information and visualization approaches. Experience gained through years of service was related to confidence and clarity with the planning process, though not with the other issues examined. Reliance on these forms of experience, unfortunately, is far too slow and unreliable to address the long-term consequences of land use decisions. We discuss the need for tools that enhance gaining such a bigger picture.

Examining the Relationship Between Physical Vulnerability and Public Perceptions of Global Climate Change in the United States

Brody, S. D., Zahran, S., Vedlitz, A., Grover, H. — 2007-12-11

Although there is a growing body of research examining public perceptions of global climate change, little work has focused on the role of place and proximity in shaping these perceptions. This study extends previous conceptual models explaining risk perception associated with global climate change by adding a spatial dimension. Specifically, Geographic Information Systems and spatial analytical techniques are used to map and measure survey respondents' physical risk associated with expected climate change. Using existing spatial data, multiple measures of climate change vulnerability are analyzed along with demographic, attitudinal, and social contextual variables derived from a representative national survey to predict variation in risk perception. Bivariate correlation and multivariate regression analyses are used to identify and explain the most important indicators shaping individual risk perception. Analysis of the data suggests that the relationship between actual and perceived risk is driven by specific types of physical conditions and experiences.

Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Anxiety and Perceived Fatigue During a One-Man Atlantic Ocean Crossing on a Sport Catamaran

Groslambert, A., Candau, R. B., Millet, G. P. — 2007-12-11

This study is designed to identify the effects of sleep deprivation on state anxiety and perceived fatigue during a one-man Atlantic crossing on a sport catamaran. State anxiety and perceived fatigue were self-reported by the sailor on a daily basis by using a specific questionnaire and were linked by mathematical transfer functions to the sleep deprivation. The results show that state anxiety and perceived fatigue are strongly related with the wind force (r = .57, p < .01; r = .83, p < .001; respectively) and to a lesser extent the cumulative effects of sleep deprivation (r = .68, p < .05; r = .29, p < .05; respectively). In conclusion, despite a mean of 3 hr sleeping per day, the sailor was able to have a perceived fatigue and a state anxiety level, allowing an Atlantic crossing record to be established.

The Childhood Factor: Adult Visits to Green Places and the Significance of Childhood Experience

Thompson, C. W., Aspinall, P., Montarzino, A. — 2007-12-11

This article explores the significance of childhood experience of woodlands and other green or natural places in relation to adult patterns of use and attitudes to such places. It draws on data collected in different parts of Britain. Questionnaires were used to explore the frequency of adults' visits to green places, the frequency with which they reported visiting such places as children, and their attitudes to different attributes of the places they visited. The data show a strong relationship between frequent childhood visits and being prepared to visit woodlands or green spaces alone as an adult. By contrast, not visiting as a child was associated with a very low likelihood of later adult visits. The data also suggest that the physical and the emotional benefits of access to green space are strongly reflected in childhood experience. The significance of these findings for today's children, as they become adults, is discussed.