Purpose: Public perception of health benefits derived from organic foods is often misaligned with scientific evidence. This study aims to examine the factors affecting public perception of scientific information about organic foods.Design/methodology/approach: The authors conducted multinominal and multiple linear regression analyses to examine associations between public perception of scientific information about organic foods and 19 factors using data from a descriptive survey (N = 763).Findings: Perceived benefits of organic foods, trust in scientists, communicator credibility, preexisting beliefs and events related to science (e.g. COVID-19) were significant predictors of public perception of scientific information about organic foods.Theoretical implications: Cognitive dissonance and recreancy theoretical frameworks help describe relationships between beliefs, science, trust and risk. These theories intersect when purchasing credence goods (i.e. organic foods) whose qualities cannot be observed during or after purchase. Hence, public trust of scientific information about perceived health benefits of organic foods may conflict with strongly held beliefs that contradict scientific findings.Practical implications: Scientists can more effectively share research findings after trust is established through the listening, asking and sharing values process. Therefore, by following the path of listening, asking and sharing the endogenous/exogenous factors in this study, scientists and the public can have meaningful conversations about perceived health benefits and nutritional values of organically and conventionally grown foods.Originality/value: Current research on perception factors about organic foods often examined consumers' perceptions and purchase intentions but rarely considered perceptions of scientific information about organic foods. This study examined relationships between public perception of scientific information about organic foods and endogenous/exogenous factors.

Guided by the theory of planned behavior and the science communication learning goals model, we conducted a survey to identify science communication training needs of university scientists (n = 266) at a large US land-grant university. Results indicate that most respondents believed scientists and media relations offices were most responsible for communicating science to the public but only somewhat responsible for their learning of science communication or its outcomes. In addition, respondents who had higher levels of interest and enjoyment in science communication perceived their content knowledge to be higher and reflected on science communication concepts and processes better than respondents with lower levels of interest and enjoyment. We also found that scientists who participated in science communication training during the past three years enjoyed science communication more and were more likely to contribute than scientists who did not participate. Results suggest that communication training should focus on increasing scientists’ positive attitudes toward public engagement and motivating scientists to feel responsible for public engagement. Trainers should encourage scientists to share their communication experiences with colleagues, expose them to science communication resources, and help them recognize their individual role in the science communication process. .

We investigated how to improve PSC at a large, public university with high research activity by examining scientists’ interest and enjoyment in PSC, their perceived aptitude of PSC skills, the channels they use for PSC, their reasons for choosing to participate in PSC, and the tools they need to engage effectively. We conducted a case study and collected data from scientists across five colleges (n = 266). Results suggest that scientists who do not engage in PSC need external support from their institution, and scientists who do engage in PSC continue to engage because they feel intrinsically motivated. Results revealed that communication skills development training is needed to improve scientists’ perceived ability to mitigate science controversies, evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies, and manage science communications projects. We also found that scientists who used social media for PSC enjoy and contribute to PSC more than those who did not use social media. However, PSC contribution varied based on scientists’ ethnicity, years of research experience, faculty title, and college. Female scientists need more help than males do in developing their confidence and increasing their enjoyment in PSC. These results can help provide insight into the PSC environment at universities of similar stature.

School personnel help youth cope with life and school stressors. However, help may depend on each person’s confidence or knowledge of such issues. In 2019 and 2020, more than 13,800 Texas educators participated in Emotional Backpack Project (EBP) training to support youth coping with behavioral and mental health issues. Post-intervention results revealed significant gains in self-perceived understanding of students’ behavioral and mental health issues, improved confidence in approaching students, parents, or other school staff to discuss students’ harmful behaviors, understanding of mindfulness activities, and increased knowledge of trauma informed schools and trauma informed educators. Teachers and other school personnel were less confident in approaching parents or guardians to discuss youth mental health issues than in approaching students, counselors, and other staff. School personnel’s knowledge, perceptions, and confidence to help students cope with behavioral and mental health issues was significantly better after EBP interventions. EBP training should be adopted widely and occur more than once annually.

Beliefs about personhood held by healthcare professionals and care partners influence care outcomes, satisfaction, and the well-being of persons living with dementia (PLWD). This study examined differences in personhood beliefs based on demographic and contextual factors, including the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), using registration data from the Bravo Zulu care partner training program (n = 540). Guided by the Ring Theory of Personhood, eight factors were analyzed: age, sex, race, socioeconomic status, professional discipline, healthcare experience, prior care partner training, and SVI. One-way ANOVA and independent t-tests were used to examine group-level differences, and multiple linear regression was conducted to assess the extent to which these factors predicted personhood beliefs. Race, age (borderline significance) professional discipline, and prior training as a care partner were significant predictors of personhood beliefs. Subscale analyses using ANOVA and t-test showed that beliefs about psychosocial engagement varied by SVI and healthcare experience with small effect size; however, these factors did not significantly predict of overall personhood beliefs in the regression model. Findings underscore the importance of recognizing how background characteristics shape personhood beliefs about PLWD. Promoting self-reflection and expanding culturally responsive training may support person- and relationship-centered care and improve satisfaction in multicultural care settings.

Purpose: When scientific information is unclear about the health benefits of foods, people choose to react in different ways. Using a posttest-only control group design, the authors tested how balanced and nonfactual information available on YouTube influences public perception of organic foods.Design/methodology/approach: The authors randomly assigned participants (N = 640) from a southern US land grant university to watch one video: balanced news, nonfactual news, or control. All participants indicated changes in perception about organic foods immediately after the video. The authors analyzed the data using one-way and two-way ANOVA.Findings: The nonfactual news video had the most influence on public perception of organic foods. Results confirmed that the effect of nonfactual information was more for individuals with preexisting beliefs consistent with the message communicated and individuals exposed to average to high levels of health and diet news.Practical implications: The authors recommend regulatory changes in marketing strategies related to organic foods in the US that encourage balanced information about organic foods rather than promoting credence attributes of organic foods using persuasive information.Originality/value: The authors findings suggest that, when scientific information about the health benefits of foods is unclear, communication activities should aim to increase healthy skepticism considering the audience's preexisting beliefs and frequency of health and diet news exposure.