Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate online viewers’ preferences concerning the number and duration of video advertisements to watch during commercial breaks. The goal of the investigations was to assess whether online viewers preferred watching a fewer number of advertisements with longer durations or a greater number of advertisements with shorter durations. Design/methodology/approach Two studies used experimental research designs to assess viewers’ preferences regarding advertisements. These designs used two independent variables and one dependent variable. The first independent variable manipulated the type of choice options given to online viewers (e.g. one 60 s or two 30 s advertisements). The second independent variable manipulated when the choice was given to online viewers (i.e. at the beginning of the viewing experience or in the middle of the experience). The dependent variable measured viewers’ choices concerning their preferred advertisement option. Findings The results across both studies found that participants made choices that minimized total advertisement exposure time when possible. When minimizing total exposure time was not possible, participants made choices that minimized the number of exposures instead. Originality/value These investigations extend the literature on advertisement choice by examining online viewers’ preferences about the format of their advertising experience rather than the content of the persuasive messages themselves. In addition, these investigations provide value by investigating viewers’ responses to stimuli within realistic online simulations rather than abstract hypotheticals.

The objective of the current research was to examine the influence of targeted messages in increasing helping behaviors towards lonely individuals. Previous research on loneliness interventions typically focuses on the lonely individual and working to reduce feelings of loneliness. The current study expands on this research by targeting individuals around lonely others to notice and consider helping those who might be lonely. Five targeted messages, based on Latané and Darley’s (1970) bystander intervention model, were utilized. These messages included a “notice” condition (increasing awareness of lonely others), an “assume responsibility” condition (awareness and responsibility towards helping lonely others), a “decide” condition (awareness, responsibility, and steps to reach out to lonely others), and two control conditions. Participants in the “decide” condition were significantly more likely to report feeling prepared to help lonely others in the future. Those in the “assume responsibility” and “decide” conditions also reported more awareness of lonely individuals during a one-week follow-up. Overall, findings indicate that it might be advantageous to approach reducing loneliness from the perspective of those around lonely individuals. Future research and implications of these findings are discussed.

The current research examined mindfulness and implementation planning as practices that promote interpersonal forgiveness. A unique contribution of this work includes the investigation of motives and techniques that might promote both self-reported and behavioral forgiveness. Young adults ( N = 80; M = 19.2 years) completed a task in which a standardized, interpersonal transgression occurred without the participants’ knowledge. Results indicate that individuals who received training in either a mindfulness practice (i.e., mindful breathing) or implementation planning practice (i.e., developing “if-then” plan statements) reported better overall mood following the standardized transgression. Interestingly, mindful breathing appeared to be the most beneficial practice to enhance positive attitudes toward the forgiveness process and promote self-reported and behavioral forgiveness. Findings are consistent with prior research investigating the effectiveness of mindful breathing and implementation planning following an actual interpersonal transgression. Implications as well as future research directions within the context of forgiveness and relationships are discussed.

Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition that impacts approximately1.2% of people (or about 3.4 million people) in the United States ofAmerica (Zack & Kobau , 2017). Treatment of epilepsy may involve prescribed medications; however, it is important to note that about one third of individuals who have beendiagnosed with epilepsy find no relief from anti epileptic drugs (AED; Tanet al., 2009). When an individual continues to suffer debilitating seizures after beingprescribed two AEDs, this person is considered to have intractable epilepsy(Tang, Poon, & Kwan, 2015). When medications fail to control seizures,individuals are left with few choices and can be in desperate need oftreatment options that are less extreme (and less expensive) than optionsinvolving brain surgery and/or vagal nerve stimulation. More research isneeded to better understand the efficacy of behavioral interventions used to reduce seizures and improve quality of life. The current study sought to expand on prior research with a focus on decreasing seizure frequency and increasing quality of life among people who are diagnosed with intractable epilepsy. We hypothesized that Ashtanga yoga can help to reduce seizure frequency, and we expected to see an increase in quality oflife. Preliminary findings and discussion will be shared.

Excessive and unsafe sun exposure represents a concerning hazard to the health of individuals. Of particular interest are those who are most susceptible to sun exposure, such as outdoor workers. The current study used a 3 × 2 between-subjects design to investigate the effectiveness of messages that varied the extent of personalization (i.e. generic message; occupation targeted message; individual tailored message) and the inclusion of content regarding financial consequences of skin cancer. Participants (N = 304) were recruited from the USA through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and randomly assigned to view a generic message, occupation targeted message, or individual tailored message. Additionally, participants were randomly assigned to view messages in which financial information was either present or not. Participants responded to questions assessing pre- and post-test sun protection behaviors. Individual tailored messaging was as effective as occupation targeted messaging, with both being more effective than generic messaging. This finding indicates that some degree of personalization is necessary when promoting safe-sun practices to outdoor workers, but that tailoring to individuals may not always be necessary. Inclusion of financial content in messaging resulted in greater intentions to practice sun protection behaviors. Results provide insight into effective methods for promoting sun protection.