Saeed Pahlevan Sharif

Integrating Health Belief Model and Technology Acceptance Model: An Investigation of Health-Related Internet Use

Background Today, people use the Internet to satisfy health-related information and communication needs. In Malaysia, Internet use for health management has become increasingly significant due to the increase in the incidence of chronic diseases, in particular among urban women and their desire to stay healthy. Past studies adopted the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Health Belief Model (HBM) independently to explain Internet use for health-related purposes. Although both the TAM and HBM have their own merits, independently they lack the ability to explain the cognition and the related mechanism in which individuals use the Internet for health purposes. Objective This study aimed to examine the influence of perceived health risk and health consciousness on health-related Internet use based on the HBM. Drawing on the TAM, it also tested the mediating effects of perceived usefulness of the Internet for health information and attitude toward Internet use for health purposes for the relationship between health-related factors, namely perceived health risk and health consciousness on health-related Internet use. Methods Data obtained for the current study were collected using purposive sampling; the sample consisted of women in Malaysia who had Internet access. The partial least squares structural equation modeling method was used to test the research hypotheses developed. Results Perceived health risk (β=.135, t 1999=2.676) and health consciousness (β=.447, t 1999=9.168) had a positive influence on health-related Internet use. Moreover, perceived usefulness of the Internet and attitude toward Internet use for health-related purposes partially mediated the influence of health consciousness on health-related Internet use (β=.025, t 1999=3.234), whereas the effect of perceived health risk on health-related Internet use was fully mediated by perceived usefulness of the Internet and attitude (β=.029, t 1999=3.609). These results suggest the central role of perceived usefulness of the Internet and attitude toward Internet use for health purposes for women who were health conscious and who perceived their health to be at risk. Conclusions The integrated model proposed and tested in this study shows that the HBM, when combined with the TAM, is able to predict Internet use for health purposes. For women who subjectively evaluate their health as vulnerable to diseases and are concerned about their health, cognition beliefs in and positive affective feelings about the Internet come into play in determining the use of health-related Internet use. Furthermore, this study shows that engaging in health-related Internet use is a proactive behavior rather than a reactive behavior, suggesting that TAM dimensions have a significant mediating role in Internet health management.

The crisis of the ‘crisis of representation’ – mapping qualitative tourism research in Southeast Asia

While the quantitative–qualitative dichotomy still permeates academic circles, qualitative research is gaining momentum within the realm of social sciences. Among the scholars who have contributed to legitimize qualitative approaches to research, Denzin and Lincoln [2005. Preface. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The Sage handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed., pp. ix–xix). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2011. Introduction: The discipline and practice of qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The Sage handbook of qualitative research (pp. 1–19). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage] have represented one of the leading voices in the field in the last 30 years. A significant aspect of Denzin and Lincolns scholarly production concerns the historical analysis of qualitative methodologies. More specifically, they identify eight historical periods or ‘moments’ of qualitative research, which heuristically map the development of qualitative studies from the beginning of the twentieth century until the ‘fractured present’. Based on Denzin and Lincolns [2011. Introduction: The discipline and practice of qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The Sage handbook of qualitative research (pp. 1–19). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage] eight moments, this paper employs descriptive statistics to present a critical analysis of the state of qualitative tourism research in Southeast Asia. The results indicate that quantitative approaches are privileged over qualitative methodologies. Moreover, the findings show that Asian qualitative tourism research is mainly driven by positivist and post-positivist paradigms. The results are discussed in relation to the colonial and postcolonial forces that have shaped the political and sociocultural context of Southeast Asian academic circles.

Spiritual well-being and moral distress among Iranian nurses

Background: Moral distress is increasingly recognized as a problem affecting healthcare professionals, especially nurses. If not addressed, it may create job dissatisfaction, withdrawal from the moral dimensions of patient care, or even encourage one to leave the profession. Spiritual well-being is a concept which is considered when dealing with problems and stress relating to a variety of issues. Objective: This research aimed to examine the relationship between spiritual well-being and moral distress among a sample of Iranian nurses and also to study the determinant factors of moral distress and spiritual well-being in nurses. Research design: A cross-sectional, correlational design was employed to collect data from 193 nurses using the Spiritual Well-Being Scale and the Moral Distress Scale-Revised. Ethical considerations: This study was approved by the Regional Committee of Medical Research Ethics. The ethical principles of voluntary participation, anonymity, and confidentiality were considered. Findings: Mean scores of spiritual well-being and moral distress were 94.73 ± 15.89 and 109.56 ± 58.70, respectively. There was no significant correlation between spiritual well-being and moral distress (r = −.053, p = .462). Marital status and job satisfaction were found to be independent predictors of spiritual well-being. However, gender and educational levels were found to be independent predictors for moral distress. Age, working in rotation shifts, and a tendency to leave the current job also became significant after adjusting other factors for moral distress. Discussion and conclusion: This study could not support the relationship between spiritual well-being and moral distress. However, the results showed that moral distress is related to many elements including individual ideals and differences as well as organizational factors. Informing nurses about moral distress and its consequences, establishing periodic consultations, and making some organizational arrangement may play an important role in the identification and management of moral distress and spiritual well-being.

Psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the Templer's Death Anxiety Scale in cancer patients.

ABSTRACT In this study, 398 Iranian cancer patients completed the 15-item Templers Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS). Tests of internal consistency, principal components analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to assess the internal consistency and factorial validity of the Persian TDAS. The construct reliability statistic and average variance extracted were also calculated to measure construct reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Principal components analysis indicated a 3-component solution, which was generally supported in the confirmatory analysis. However, acceptable cutoffs for construct reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity were not fulfilled for the three subscales that were derived from the principal component analysis. This study demonstrated both the advantages and potential limitations of using the TDAS with Persian-speaking cancer patients.

Destination quality and tourists’ behavioural intentions: rural tourist destinations in Malaysia

Purpose – This study aims to examine the direct influence of perceived destination quality on tourists’ behavioural intentions and the indirect effect through satisfaction, in the context of rural tourism destinations in Malaysia. It also aims to investigate how tourists’ socio-demographic characteristics (e.g. previous visits, tourist type, etc.) affected their perceptions on destination quality, satisfaction and behavioural intentions. Design/methodology/approach – Using survey methodology, 334 self-administered questionnaires were distributed by enumerators and completed by tourists at rural Malaysian tourism destinations. The questionnaires contained items on dimensions of interest and socio-demographic characteristics. Findings – A total of eight primary attributes namely, amenities, accessibility and logistics, core tourism experience, hygiene, information, security, value for money and hospitality contributed towards forming the construct, destination quality. Perceived destination quality signific...

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS’ RESOURCE PROVISION CAPABILITY IN PUBLICLY-LISTED COMPANIES IN MALAYSIA

This paper by considering concentrated ownership and corporate culture in Malaysia argues that independent directors in Malaysian publicly listed companies plays a significant role in providing resources that companies need for their operation and their role is more salient during the crisis period. We select 289 samples randomly from publicly listed companies on Bursa Malaysia for the pre-crisis (2007) and the crisis (2008) periods. Hypotheses are tested by using paired sample t test with bootstrapping technique. The results show that when companies faced the global financial crisis, they appointed new independent directors on the board. More specifically, they appointed independent directors who are capable to link the company to the government and expand the companies’ networks with other large companies. Besides, after the crisis, companies did not increase number of independent directors who are bankers, lawyers, or have social connections as accessing to these kinds of resources is not priority in the crisis period.

Tourism research in non-English-speaking academic systems

ABSTRACT While tourism knowledge is expanding, the scholarly production of tourism academicians working outside English-speaking systems still remains partly unexplored. This paper is an attempt to address this gap in knowledge as it aims to compare the scholarly production of English-speaking and non-English-speaking systems. More specifically, this article reviews the published academic work produced in English-speaking and three non-English-speaking systems (France, Iran, and Italy). Overall, our analysis unveils a rather fragmented scenario as the tourism knowledge produced and published in the four systems has been shaped by different power structures. However, the findings also show common patterns, such as the predominant role of business-related studies over socio-cultural approaches to tourism in all the systems.

Islamic Banking Selection Criteria: An Imperical Study in Malaysia

This research studies the level of awareness which Malaysians have in relation to the culture of Islamic banking, their attitude towards Islamic banking, and a ranking of the bank selection criteria. And for each part of the study, it will be studied the difference between Muslim and non-Muslim responses. A sample of 150 Muslim and non-Muslim customers in Klang Valley was surveyed by utilizing a questionnaire containing specific questions relating to the awareness and attitudes of Islamic banking to their ranking of the services required. The results indicate that the majority of the respondents whether Muslims or non-Muslims are aware of Islamic Banking although there is a significant difference among these two groups. Also, by reviewing the attitudes towards Islamic banks, there are many differences in attitudes between Muslims and non-Muslims in Malaysia. And at last, in the context of bank selection criteria, there are many significant differences among Muslims and non-Muslims.

Role of Sex, Socioeconomic Status, and Emotional Support in Predicting Aging Perception Among Older Adults:

Self-perception is found to be a central predictive factor in experiencing successful aging. The aim of this study was to explore the role of sex, socioeconomic status, and emotional support in elders’ aging perception. A cross-sectional design was used with 300 older aged participants recruited from 23 clinics and health centers in Qazvin, Iran. Data were collected included questions to elicit demographic information and Barker’s aging perception questionnaire. Exploratory multiple linear regression showed that the level of emotional support (β: −12.10; 95% CI: [−20.72, −3.48]), socioeconomic status (β: 2.84; 95% CI: [0.25, 5.43]), and women (β: −4.34; 95% CI: [−6.91, −1.77]) were associated with aging perception among elders. Educational level and marital status did not significantly contribute to the variance of AP. Findings revealed that aging perception was related to individual differences as well as social and emotional factors. Researchers, health-care professionals, and elders may benefit from thinking about old age as an inevitable life stage.

Narrative analysis in tourism: a critical review

ABSTRACT Narrative analysis is a methodological approach that has gained popularity in the social sciences in the last 30 years. Yet, this method of inquiry has been relatively neglected by tourism scholars. While some work in tourism employs narrative analysis, there are no studies that explore the specific types of narrative analysis privileged by tourism scholars. Also, little is known about the paradigmatic beliefs that inform narrative analysis in tourism. This paper presents a critical analysis of the studies employing narrative analysis in tourism. More specifically, this work examines all the articles published in tourism and hospitality journals to identify the types, paradigms, and methods privileged by tourism scholars using narrative analysis. Overall, the results reveal that while most of the studies privilege thematic analysis as approach to narrative analysis, a conspicuous number of articles do not refer to any specific methodological approach. Moreover, this work shows that tourism scholars tend to neglect important contextual aspects of narrative work, such as researcher’s reflexivity, narrator’s biographies, interactional terrain, and situational context. The findings of this study are important as they provide guidelines and recommendations that tourism scholars willing to employ narrative analysis in their future research endeavours could take into consideration.