Showing papers by "John Mallett published in 2015"

Promoting positive attitudes to breastfeeding: the development and evaluation of a theory‐based intervention with school children involving a cluster randomised controlled trial

Abstract: The objective of this study was to design, implement and evaluate an intervention based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to enhance young peoples' motivations to breastfeed/support a partner to breastfeed. Six semi-structured focus groups were first conducted with 48 13-14-year-olds from two schools in Northern Ireland. The salient beliefs elicited were subsequently used to design a TPB-based questionnaire that was then administered to 2021 13-14-year-old pupils (852 males; 1169 females) from 36 post-primary schools to identify the most important determinants of breastfeeding. The results were used to inform the design and implementation of an intervention package that was subsequently evaluated using a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 44 randomly selected schools across Northern Ireland. Questionnaires were administered to 18 intervention and 26 control schools at baseline and again at 1 and 6 months post-intervention to evaluate its effectiveness. Multi-level modelling was employed to analyse the data. The results revealed significant effects on women's intention to breastfeed, β = 0.208, t(1275) = 2.715, P = 0.007; attitudes, β = 0.223, t(1275) = 4.655, P < 0.001; moral attitudes, β = 0.231, t(1275) = 4.211, P < 0.001; subjective norm, β = 0.118, t(1275) = 2.521, P = 0.012; and knowledge, β = 0.109, d.f. (1275) = 7.843, P < 0.001. However, for men, the results revealed significant effects on only the construct of knowledge, β = 0.104, t(541) = 4.345, P < 0.001.The research has provided evidence to support the need for breastfeeding education in schools and has shown how a theoretical framework may be used to inform the design and evaluation of a health behaviour intervention.

Re-examining the job satisfaction–job performance link: a study among Irish retail employees

Abstract: The job satisfaction–job performance link is a topic which has generated discussion in the psychological literature for decades, and one which remains contentious still. Current research has called for the reinvestigation of this relationship in light of improved understanding of the complex nature of job satisfaction, improved measures and advanced statistical techniques. The current study examines the link between job satisfaction and job performance within a sample of, often overlooked, retail employees (N = 416), whilst drawing out the key facets of job satisfaction acting to predict job performance. Results show a weak, but significant relationship between job satisfaction and job performance r = .24, p < .001. Multiple regression was used, with the model explaining a significant amount of variance in job performance scores: R2 = .228, F(5, 192) = 11.31, p lt; .001. Findings highlight the impact of satisfaction with nature of work, communication and contingent rewards on job performance (β = .42, t(1...

Factors affecting job performance within small indigenous retail businesses operating along the Irish border

Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between workplace stress and work performance, with job satisfaction, motivation and innovation acting as possible mediators of this relationship. The sample comprises of 109 retail employees (22 males, 87 females) aged 18 to 61 years working in small indigenous retail businesses located in cross border counties of Derry (Northern Ireland) and Donegal (Republic of Ireland). MPlus (Muthen and Muthen, 1998-2009) is used to specify a model explaining the relationship between all factors. The results show significant direct effects of workplace stress on job satisfaction, motivation and innovation, with indirect effects evident for workplace stress on job performance. The results provide an interesting backdrop to discussions around employee effectiveness and productivity in indigenous SMEs in the current challenging economic climate.