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Abstract: Problem: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health''s [NIOSH] National Occupational Research Agenda (DHHS Publication No. 96-115) reports that approximately 50% of miners will experience hearing loss by age 50, compared to only 9% of the general population. The present investigation examines three antecedents believed to be associated with miner''s use of hearing protection. Method: A posttest-delayed-posttest-control group field research design was employed to assess antecedents toward wearing hearing protection. Results: Following the initial posttest, miners'' attitudes and subjective norms were antecedents to intentions to wear hearing protection devices. Also, intentions toward wearing hearing protection predicted hearing protection behaviors. Approximately six weeks later, miners'' attitudes and perceived behavioral control were each significant predictors of intentions to wear hearing protection and again, intentions were positively associated with hearing protection behaviors. Impact on Industry: Our results indicate that appeals to normative influences may be the most effective antecedent to employ when persuading coal miners to wear hearing protection. However, messages designed to impact attitudes and perceived behavioral control were also effective. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sensation seeking is central to research on the prevention of risky health behaviors, but current measures of sensation seeking are fairly long, thereby reducing their chances of inclusion in some research projects. Hence, we developed and evaluated two brief indices of sensation seeking, a four-item measure that retains the framework of the Sensation Seeking Scale-Form V (SSS-V) and a shorter two-item measure focusing on the risk-taking elements of sensation seeking. We compared the performance of the new indices with that of two well documented but longer measures of sensation seeking. The evaluation was based on data provided by more than 5000 teens and pre-teens in grades 7 through 11. Psychometric analyses revealed that the internal consistency of the two new measures was very good overall and across grade and sex categories. Additionally, the new indices correlated as expected with a series of risk and protective factors as well as tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use. Both indices performed in ways remarkably similar to the established measures of sensation seeking and should prove useful for future research involving risky health behaviors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The BIS (behavioural inhibition) and BAS (behavioural approach) motivational systems are thought to influence an individual’s proclivity to engage in risky health behaviours. Using a sample of college undergraduates from four universities (N =1014), BIS and BAS subscales (Reward Responsiveness, Drive, and Fun Seeking) were tested against seven health composites including sex, alcohol, drug, and tobacco use, safety, inactivity, and poor diet. Contrary to expectations, Reward Responsiveness (rather than BIS) served as a protective force against engagement in the risky health behaviours. In comparison, the Fun Seeking subscale performed as anticipated, generating strong, positive associations with all but two of the behaviours. The results are discussed in the context of recent theorizing as well as the factor structure of BIS and BAS, given concerns about the latter’s dimensionality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]