Children's and Adolescents' Developing Perceptions of Gender Inequality

Two studies examined children's and adolescents' developing perceptions of gender inequality. The first study examined perceptions of inequality among 272 early, middle, and late adolescents, focusing on the spheres of politics, business, and the home. Results indicated an age‐related increase in perceptions of male dominance. Men were seen to have more power and status in politics than in business whereas relative equality was seen to exist in the home. The second study included 96 child and adolescent participants aged 7–15 and once again found an increase in general perceptions of male dominance with age. Results suggest that young children are less explicitly aware of gender inequality than might be assumed given their extensive knowledge of power‐loaded gender‐role stereotypes.     

MoveU? Assessing a Social Marketing Campaign to Promote Physical Activity

Abstract

Objective: MoveU is a social marketing initiative aimed at increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among undergraduate students. Using the Hierarchy of Effects model (HOEM), this study identified awareness of MoveU and examined associations between awareness, outcome expectations, self-efficacy, intentions, and MVPA. Participants: Students (N = 2,784) from a Canadian university in March 2013. Methods: A secondary analysis of the National College Health Assessment–II survey and measures specific to the MoveU campaign. The main associations were examined in a path analysis. Results: MoveU awareness (36.4%) was lower than other well-established university health campaigns. Younger students, females, and individuals living on campus were more likely to be aware of MoveU. The HOEM was supported, and improvements in model fit were evident, with additional direct relationships between outcome expectancy and intention, and between self-efficacy and MVPA. Conclusions: The intended population was aware of the campaign. The HOEM was useful in the development and evaluation of the MoveU campaign. Longitudinal studies are needed to further test the efficacy of the HOEM in the social marketing of physical activity.