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Formation is an important stage of partnership development. Purpose: To describe the systematic approach to process evaluation of a Turning Point initiative in central Oklahoma during the formation stage. The nine-month collaborative effort aimed to develop an action plan to promote health. Methods: A sound planning framework was used in the design of a systematic approach to process evaluation. Mixed (qualitative and quantitative) methodology was used, including stakeholder interviews, surveys, and attendance logs. Results: Reach to the meetings ranged from 38% to 70%. "Collaboration membership" was statistically significantly associated with high attendance at the meetings. Strengths of the collaborative process included stakeholder diversity, a strong organizational structure and the use of a democratic collaborative process. Discussion: Building effective collaborative skills among the stakeholders early in the planning phase can be instrumental in promoting participation during the formation stage. In addition, emphasis should be given in strengthening/supporting of the coalition processes, coalition structures, leadership and staff. Translation to Health Education Practice: Process evaluation is a valuable tool for the continuous monitoring of the quality of the collaborative process during the formation stage, and therefore, minimum process evaluation measures should be incorporated at the early stages of the partnership development. (Contains 1 figure and 3 tables.)

Background: Young adults are adopting wearables ahead of research. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of trackers through Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). Methods: SCT-guided individual interviews were conducted with young adults (n = 57). Typical case sampling was used to recruit college students (n = 35) and straight-to-work (STW) young adults (n = 22) for in-person/online interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo. Results: There were few differences between the two groups. Most reported little knowledge of the benefits/risks associated with their health behavior (eg, physical activity) but high expectations of how devices would assist them in developing/maintaining behavior. Self-regulatory aspects were seen as benefits. Many reported not setting goals other than those set by their device. Most reported increased self-efficacy and viewed their device as positive, nonjudgmental social support. Discussion: Young adult device use can be health directed or health related. Utilizing devices and SCT-based education may increase young adults' knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-regulation while managing expectations. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health Educators should focus on increasing health knowledge, managing expectations, and setting goals. Building on the increased self-efficacy and social support that young adults reported as part of their wearable activity tracker use could provide a solid foundation for Health Education efforts. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI)http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars

Background: Youth assets protect adolescents from tobacco use, but their influence in young adulthood is unknown. Purpose: To determine the prospective influence of assets possessed in young adulthood with tobacco use the following year. Methods: Data from waves 4 and 5 from the Youth Asset Study (n = 450, ages 18-22 at wave 5) were used. Logistic regression was used to prospectively examine associations between 10 wave 4 assets with wave 5 tobacco use by gender. Results: Parental monitoring was significantly associated with wave 5 tobacco use in the youngest group of males (odds ratio [OR] = 10.00). The non-parental adult role model (OR = 2.57) and general self-confidence (OR = 2.41) assets were significantly associated with wave 5 tobacco use in females. Family communication (OR = 5.77) was significantly associated with wave 5 tobacco use for the oldest females, and positive peer role models (OR = 2.83) only for females in 2-parent homes. Discussion: Youth assets continue to positively influence health behavior decisions in emerging adulthood, but males and females also benefit from different assets. Translation to Health Education Practice: Understanding how youth assets impact tobacco use in young adults could lead to more effective tobacco use prevention programs and indicate where future efforts should be focused.

Background: African Americans have one of the lowest smoking rates as teens yet have one of the highest smoking rates as adults. Approximately 40% of African Americans who have ever smoked started smoking between the ages of 18 and 21. Purpose: This study aimed to identify why African American young adults began smoking in young adulthood and what personal, social, and environmental influences promoted the transition to regular smoking. Methods: Twelve focus groups were conducted with African American young adults (n = 99) between the ages of 18 and 29 who began smoking regularly after the age of 18. Results: Participants did not smoke while they were younger because of strong maternal antismoking messages, out of respect for elders, or because they smoked marijuana instead. Factors influencing smoking initiation were perceived smoking social norms, changing parental messages about smoking, believing that smoking was an adult coping strategy, and extending a marijuana high. Discussion: African American young adult smokers described multiple levels of influences on smoking initiation and the transition to regular smoking. Translation to Health Education Practice: Recommendations include continuing strong parental messages against smoking, preparing youth for the transition to young adulthood, targeting normative smoking beliefs, and delinking smoking from marijuana use.