Date of Award

1990

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Human Resource Education and Workforce Development

First Advisor

Joe W. Kotrlik

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine: the practices of the LCES clothing program audience and of the general public, if differences exist between factors of the clothing program audience and the general public when controlled for urban or rural status, and if respondent characteristics are significant predictors of clothing practice factors. The research procedure utilized a descriptive design. A questionnaire was mailed to 400 randomly-selected Louisiana homemakers for each of four strata of Extension audience (urban and rural) and general public (urban and rural). Descriptive statistics were used to define the samples. Factor analysis was computed on 41 clothing statements. Analysis of covariance was used to determine if differences existed between the factor scores of the Extension audience and the general public. Correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression were used to develop models of the clothing factors which predicted clothing practices. Financial situation changes for a family have an impact on the clothing practices and strategies to cloth that family. The Extension audience used more economical strategies than did the general public. The strongest prediction models (R$\sp2$ =.15) found were frugality and buying habits. The prediction models for the shopping, elitism, and sewing factors (R$\sp2$ =.10) were second strongest for the clothing factors. The respondent characteristics of Extension agent clothing influence entered all regression analyses of clothing factors except buying habits and lifestyle changes. The variable of place of residence (urban or rural) was not a significant predictor, and race and age were significant predictors in only one factor: buying habits.

Pages

172

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_disstheses.4961

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