Search

MAN v FAT Soccer is a sport-based weight-loss program for overweight and obese men that originated in the United Kingdom (i.e., as MAN v FAT Football) and appears to successfully engage men with weight loss. We sought to explore whether the program would work in an Australian context by (a) establishing a foundation for the implementation of the program on a larger scale and (b) determining how large-scale implementation is most feasible. We conducted a nonrandomized, single intervention group feasibility trial of MAN v FAT Soccer in Australia with 418 male participants with a body mass index greater than 27.50 kg/m2. Results indicate that the program is acceptable, with participants reporting positive perceptions of the various components of the program and a high proportion reporting intentions to recommend the program to others (95.9%). Furthermore, preliminary effectiveness results indicate positive changes in weight (4.6% reduction) and physical activity (88.5% increase) and improvements in psychological outcomes such as depression (17.6% decrease), stress (19.0% decrease), and body appreciation (19.1% increase). Our findings provide general support for the feasibility of MAN v FAT Soccer and the notion that leveraging competition and masculinity may help drive men's health behavior change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Family-based lifestyle interventions for children/adolescents with severe levels of obesity are numerous, but evidence indicates programs fail to elicit short- or longer-term weight loss outcomes. Families with lived experience can provide valuable insight as we strive to improve outcomes from programs. Our aim was to explore elements that families desired in a program designed to treat severe levels of obesity in young people. We recruited a cross-sectional sample of 13 families (parents and young people) who had been referred but had not engaged with the state-wide Perth Children’s Hospital, Healthy Weight Service (Perth, Australia), between 2016 and 2018. Utilizing semi-structured interviews and reflexive qualitative thematic analysis, we identified two broad themes, (1) bridging the gap between what to do and how to do it, and (2) peers doing it with you. The first theme reflected parents’ and young people’s feelings that programs ought to teach specialist-designed practical strategies utilizing non-generic information tailored to address the needs of the family, in a collaboratively supportive way, and encourage young people to learn for themselves. The second theme reflected the importance of social connection facilitated by peer support, and intervention programs should be offered in a group format to foster inclusion. Families indicated a willingness to engage in tertiary intervention programs but desired support from specialized health professionals/programs to be tailored to their needs, sensitive to their experiences and challenges and provide useful practical strategies that support the knowledge-to-action process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across 2 studies, the authors explored reactance effects to overexaggerated claims and controlling language in exercise messaging. In Study 1, participants received either a message exaggerating the benefits of an upcoming exercise session or no message. They subsequently undertook a mundane exercise session led by an instructor, which was either need supportive or "realistically controlling." Relative to no-message participants, those who had read the message reported less positive evaluations of the session. These results were observed despite participants in the message condition holding more positive presession expectations, and the effect was apparent even for those who received need-supportive instruction. In Study 2, participants read an advertisement that was written in either autonomy-supportive language or controlling language. Despite reporting comparable expectations, participants who received a controlling-language message reported significantly greater anger and freedom threat—factors commonly linked to contrast effects. These studies highlight the operation of message-driven contrast effects in exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided by the principles of self-determination theory, the purpose of this study was to identify latent profiles representing high school students' motivational regulations for physical education (PE) and to model putative predictors and outcomes of profile membership. A sample of 532 Australian high school students, age 12-16 years (M = 13.83, SD = 1.13), reported their motivation for PE, perceptions of need satisfaction in PE, and effort expended in PE. Latent profile analysis revealed evidence of 3 distinct profiles that were consistent with continuum expectations outlined in self-determination theory (i.e., the moderately autonomous, moderately controlled, and highly autonomous profiles), alongside 2 profiles characterized by levels of introjected regulation that aligned with autonomous motives (i.e., the mixed motivation and amotivated profiles). Analyses also revealed that, on the whole, greater need satisfaction predicted membership of more autonomous profiles and that membership of such profiles was predictive of greater self-reported effort in PE. Analyses revealed evidence of qualitatively distinct motivation profiles that were differentially predicted by students' psychological need satisfaction and predictive of in-class effort. This study is not only the first to use latent profile analysis to explore the role of psychological need satisfaction in predicting PE motivation profiles. It also provides practical information regarding the prevalence and potential outcomes of students' motivation profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the effects of advertisements about a fictitious exercise class-derived using the theoretical constructs of agency and communion-on recipients' perceptions about, and interest in, the class. The final sample consisted of 150 adults (Mage = 44.69, SD = 15.83). Results revealed that participants who received a communal-oriented message reported significantly greater exercise task self-efficacy and more positive affective attitudes relative to those who received an agentic-oriented message. Communal (relative to agentic) messages were also indirectly responsible for greater intentions to attend the class, via more positive self-efficacy beliefs and affective attitudes. These findings were obtained despite the use of another manipulation to orient participants to either agency or communion goals. The results indicate that the primacy of communion over agency for message recipients may extend to exercise settings and may occur irrespective of whether participants are situationally oriented toward agency or communion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social lockdowns associated with COVID-19 have led individuals to increasingly rely on video conferencing and other technology-based interactions to fulfil social needs. The extent to which these interactions, as well as traditional face-to-face interactions, satisfied psychological needs and supported wellbeing during different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic is yet to be elucidated. In this study, university students' social interactions (both technology-based and face-to-face), psychological needs, and wellbeing were assessed at six time points across four months of government-enforced restrictions in Australia. Repeated survey assessment. Basic psychological need satisfaction; general wellbeing. Results demonstrated that, at the within-subjects level, relatedness satisfaction (feeling understood by, cared for, and connected to others) significantly mediated the relationship between technology-based interaction and wellbeing. Autonomy satisfaction (self-initiation and feeling ownership over decisions and behaviours) mediated the relationship between face-to-face interactions and wellbeing at the within-person level. Discussion is centred on the importance of technology-based interactions for needs satisfaction and wellbeing during periods of social isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustained attention has been devoted to studying the factors that support (or thwart) individuals' enjoyment of, interest in, and value judgments regarding their exercise activities. We employed a resistance-inducing (i.e., inoculation theory) messaging technique with the aim of protecting these desirable perceptions in the face of environmental conditions designed to undermine one's positive exercise experiences. Autonomously motivated exercisers (N = 146, Mage = 20.57, SD = 4.02) performed a 25-min, group-based, instructor-led exercise circuit, in which the activities were deliberately monotonous, and during which the confederate instructor acted in a disinterested, unsupportive, and critical manner. Shortly before the session, participants received either a control message containing general information about the exercise class or an inoculation message containing a forewarning about potential challenges to participants' enjoyment/interest/value perceptions during the class, as well as information about how participants might maintain positive perceptions in the face of these challenges. Despite there being no between-conditions differences in presession mood or general exercise motives, inoculated (relative to control) participants reported greater interest/enjoyment in the exercise session and higher perceptions of need support from the instructor. Perceptions of need support mediated the relationship between message condition and interest/enjoyment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two studies involving high school physical education students were conducted to investigate associations between 2 x 2 self-presentation motives and theorized antecedents. In Study 1 (n = 445), using path analysis, we found that positive predictive pathways emerged from fear of negative evaluation, trait agency and communion, self-presentational efficacy, and social self-efficacy to 2 x 2 motives. In Study 2 (n = 301), using cluster analysis, we found that approximately half the cohort was classified into a high motive endorsement cluster and half into a low motive endorsement cluster. The high cluster had significantly higher 2 x 2 motive, fear of negative evaluation, trait agency and communion, and self-efficacy scores. This work represents the first concerted effort to empirically examine proposed antecedents of 2 x 2 motives and serves to inform theorists and practitioners about dispositional and context-specific factors that may align with these motives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Little is known about parents' compensatory health beliefs (CHB) surrounding their children's engagement in physical activity (PA). Our aim was to provide evidence regarding the nature of, and factors underpinning, parents' PA-related compensatory beliefs for their children.Design: A qualitative descriptive approach and thematic content analysis were employed.Setting: Parents were recruited from community sport and PA programmes.Participants: Eighteen parents aged 32-52 years (mean age = 40·8 (sd 5·4) years; six males; twelve females).Results: Analyses indicated that parents compensate through 'passive' or 'active' means. Among parents who compensated, most described their provision of 'treat' foods/drinks and a minority described allowing extended sedentary time to their children. Parents' reasons underpinning these beliefs related to their child's general physical/health status and psychological characteristics, and their own motivation and mood state.Conclusions: These findings provide the first evidence of unhealthy dietary and sedentary behaviour CHB that parents may hold regarding their children's involvement in PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim of advancing the literature on impression management in physical activity settings, we developed a theoretically derived 2 by 2 instrument that was designed to measure different types of context-specific self-presentation motives. Following item generation and expert review (Study 1), the instrument was completed by 206 group exercise class attendees (Study 2) and 463 high school physical education students (Study 3). Our analyses supported the intended factor structure (i.e., reflecting acquisitive-agentic, acquisitive-communal, protective-agentic, and protective-communal motives). We found some support for construct validity, and the self-presentation motives were associated with variables of theoretical and applied interest (e.g., impression motivation and construction, social anxiety, social and achievement goals, efficacy beliefs, engagement). Taken together, the results indicate that the Self-presentation Motives for Physical Activity Questionnaire (SMPAQ) may be useful for measuring various types of self-presentation motives in physical activity settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sprint interval training (SIT) and psychological need-support in exercise on postexercise appetite and energy intake. Forty physically inactive men and women (body mass index, 24.6 ± 4.8 kg·m−2; peak oxygen consumption, 26.6 ± 4.9 mL·kg−1·min−1) were randomised to either a need-support or no-support condition, with each participant completing 2 experimental trials involving 30 min of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT; 60% peak oxygen consumption) and SIT (alternating 15 s at 170% peak oxygen consumption and 60 s at 32% peak oxygen consumption) matched for total work. Perceptions of appetite and appetite-related blood variables were assessed, together with ad libitum energy intake for 3 h following exercise using a laboratory test meal and available snacks. Greater enjoyment, perceived exertion, heart rate, and blood lactate were observed in SIT compared with MICT (all p ≤ 0.006). Ratings of perceived appetite were similar across conditions and trials (p > 0.05); however, active ghrelin was lower following SIT compared with MICT (p < 0.001), and there was a significant condition-by-type interaction for energy intake (p = 0.033), with participants in the support group consuming less energy from foods following SIT (1895 ± 1040 kJ) than MICT (2475 ± 1192 kJ). Findings from this work highlight the need to reconsider traditional exercise guidelines where dietary intake is a concern. Novelty Enjoyment was greater during SIT compared with MICT. Enjoyment and choice were higher among participants provided with psychological need-support. In a need-supportive environment, SIT reduced subsequent energy intake compared with MICT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stress is often associated with the intake of energy‐dense palatable foods. This trial examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an 8‐week worksite‐based relaxation intervention to address psychological stress and unhealthy food intake. Methods: Thirty‐six men and women were exposed to an acute stressor, while physiological and psychological responses were assessed, prior to being offered a test meal. Participants were then randomised to a relaxation intervention (RELAX; face‐to‐face classes and daily home practice of progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness meditation), or a wait‐list control (CON). All measures were repeated after the intervention. Results: Intervention compliance was high (80% ± 19% face‐to‐face; 79% ± 18% home practice), and each session acutely reduced perceived stress (p <.001) and increased relaxation (p <.001). After 8 weeks, trait mindfulness was increased (p =.025), along with reduced tension (p =.013) and increased relaxation (p <.05) post‐acute stressor in the intervention group. There was no effect of the intervention on palatable eating, cravings, or energy intake at a laboratory test meal, with small associated effect sizes (d = 0.01–0.3). Conclusions: The program studied here is feasible and sessions transiently reduce perceived stress and improve mindfulness; however, the program may not influence the physiological response to an acute stressor or appetite and eating variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Given previous research suggests an association between stress and the intake of energy‐dense foods, this study investigated whether poststressor relaxation practice can attenuate stress‐induced eating. Methods: Twenty‐five men and women were exposed to four conditions on separate days: an acute laboratory stressor (S), acute stressor followed by 20 min of relaxation (SR) in the form of Abbreviated Progressive Muscle Relaxation (APMR), relaxation alone (R), and a control condition (C). Physiological and psychological responses to stress and relaxation were assessed, in addition to the subsequent energy intake of high‐energy snacks. Results: Salivary cortisol, blood pressure, heart rate, and perceived stress were transiently elevated postlaboratory stressor (S and SR compared with R and C; p <.05). Meanwhile, perceived relaxation was acutely enhanced after APMR alone (R) compared with S, SR, and C (p <.05) and in SR (immediately after the APMR) compared with S (p <.05). No difference in mean energy intake was observed between conditions (p >.05). Likewise, no differences in perceived appetite or the levels of ghrelin, leptin, and insulin were found between conditions (p >.05). Conclusions: Much variation exists in stress‐induced dietary responses, and APMR either postacute stressor or in isolation does not appear to consistently alter the intake of commonly eaten snacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effect of motivational primes on participants (N = 171) during a cycling task. Relative to participants primed with a controlled motivational orientation, it was hypothesized that participants primed for autonomous motivation would report greater feelings of enjoyment, effort, and choice in relation to the cycling activity and report greater exercise intentions. Members of the autonomous prime group were expected to exercise for longer, at a greater percentage of their heart rate maximum, and report lower levels of perceived exertion than those in the controlled prime condition. It was found that, relative to participants in the controlled prime group, those who received the autonomous prime enjoyed the exercise more, exercised at a greater percentage of heart rate maximum, and reported a lower rating of perceived exertion. Furthermore, participants experiencing the controlled prime exercised for less time and had lower intentions to exercise than did other participants. Results highlight the importance of automatic processes in activating motivation for exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: First‐time mothers commonly experience stress and depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. Maternal self‐efficacy has been shown to be an important protective factor against these experiences; however, research on the dynamic nature of stress, depressive symptoms, and maternal self‐efficacy is limited. The aim of this study was to document changes in these psychological factors among first‐time mothers, and determine how early maternal self‐efficacy perceptions may predict change in stress and depressive symptoms over the first 6 months postpartum. Methods: Sixty first‐time Australian mothers were recruited during their third trimester of pregnancy. Participants completed a baseline survey during the third trimester of pregnancy (M = 32.87 weeks, SD = 2.62 weeks), and subsequently reported stress, depressive symptoms, and maternal self‐efficacy every 3 weeks postpartum for 6 months. Latent growth curve modelling was used to estimate participants' change over time for stress and depressive symptoms. Results: First‐time mothers' stress and depressive symptoms peaked, and maternal self‐efficacy was weakest, at 3 weeks postpartum. Maternal self‐efficacy at 3 weeks postpartum was a significant (negative) predictor of 3‐week levels of, and also (positively) predicted later reductions in, stress. Conclusion: Future interventions aimed at bolstering early maternal self‐efficacy may protect against postpartum stress for first‐time mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives Ego depletion impairs physical and cognitive capacities, but its effects on daily intentions and behavior remain unclear. This study provides insight into relationships between ego depletion, intentions, and exercise, leisure sitting and other non-activity related behaviors. Design The study involved repeated assessment using a daily diary. Method Australian university students (N = 103, 52% female, M age = 22 years) self-reported end-of-day ego depletion, decisional intentions, and behavior for time spent exercising, in leisure-time sitting, doing paid work, sleeping, studying, housework, and the amount of alcohol consumed across seven days. Results When people were more ego depleted at the time of reporting intentions, they intended to exercise for less time the next day than when people were less ego depleted. However, if people were highly ego depleted when reporting exercise intentions for the next day, they were subsequently more likely to reach those intentions. There were no significant effects of ego depletion on intentions or on the likelihood of achieving intentions for any behavior other than exercise. Conclusions Given that the effects of ego depletion on intentions and behavior were seen for exercise but not other daily behaviors, it may be that ego depletion only impacts intentions to engage in physically effortful behavior. Future research is needed to test replicability of the effects. Interventions may consider accounting for ego depletion in efforts to enhance behavioral intentions; however, the findings also highlight the importance of keeping behavior change (as opposed to change in intentions) as the main outcome focus. Highlights • Being ego depleted when making plans for exercise results in more modest plans. • The negative effects of ego depletion on plans does not necessarily impact behavior. • Being ego depleted when making plans does not impact intentions for other behaviors. • It may be that ego depletion reduces only intended time spent in effortful activity. • Behavior change efforts need to focus on behavior as the outcome rather than plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The factors that encourage participation in ‘traditional’ exercise pursuits are relatively well understood; less is known, however, about the psychological motives that encourage female participation in forms of physical activity that are stigmatized. Using pole dancing as an exemplar of such an activity, the aim of this study was to identify females' participation motives for this activity. Design Guided by an interpretivist approach, a qualitative method was adopted to allow a group of female pole dancers to describe their reasons for participation. Method Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 38 recreational through to regularly competitive adult female pole dancers ( M age  = 31.24, SD  = 8.41). Data were content analyzed using inductive thematic principles. Results Stigma-related issues emerged as a driver of participation. Participants also described motives pertaining to themes of relatedness, autonomy, competence, and intrinsic motivation, as well as new stimuli and mental and physical wellbeing. Conclusion Despite the stigma and negative stereotypes associated with participation in activities such as pole dancing, participants described how this perception contributed to a heightened sense of community that, in part, drove continued participation. Accordingly, these findings make a novel contribution to established bodies of literature grounded in stigma and optimal distinctiveness theory. Given the rise in popularity of some female-predominant stigmatized exercise pursuits (e.g., belly dancing, roller derby, lingerie football), research that examines this network of motives in other settings would be valuable in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an accumulating body of evidence to indicate that stress leads to the consumption of unhealthy, energy-dense, palatable food, potentially contributing to the alarming global prevalence of chronic diseases, including obesity. However, comparatively little research has been devoted to addressing how best to remedy this growing problem. We provide an overview of the influence of stress on dietary intake, and then explore the novel, yet simple, possibility that regular elicitation of the relaxation response may effectively reduce stress-induced eating via both physiological neuroendocrine and reward pathways and psychological pathways involving emotion regulation, and habitual coping. If shown to be effective, the regular practice of relaxation may provide a convenient, cost efficient, patient-centered therapeutic practice to assist in the prevention of unhealthy weight gain and other negative consequences of unhealthy food intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benefits of regular exercise for health are well established; however, certain behaviors after exercise, such as unhealthy or excessive food consumption, can counteract some of these benefits. Purpose: To investigate the effect of autonomy support (through the provision of choice) in exercise--relative to a no-choice condition with matched energy expenditure--on appetite and subsequent energy intake. Methods: Fifty-eight men and women (body mass index, 22.9 ± 2.3 kg⋅m-2; peak oxygen consumption, 52.7 ± 6.4 mL⋅kg-1⋅min-1) completed one familiarization session and one experimental trial, in which they were randomized to either a choice or no-choice exercise condition using a between-subjects yoked design. Ad libitum energy intake from a laboratory test meal was assessed after exercise, together with perceptions of mood, perceived choice, enjoyment, and value. Results: Despite similar ratings of perceived appetite across conditions (P > 0.05), energy intake was significantly higher after exercise performed under the no-choice condition (2456 ± 1410 kJ) compared with the choice condition (1668 ± 1215 kJ; P = 0.026; d = 0.60). In particular, the proportion of energy intake from unhealthy foods was significantly greater after exercise in the no-choice condition (1412 ± 1304 kJ) compared with the choice condition (790 ± 861 kJ; P = 0.037, d = 0.56). Participants in the choice condition also reported higher perceptions of choice (P < 0.001), enjoyment (P = 0.008), and value (P = 0.009) relating to the exercise session, whereas there were no between-condition differences in mood (P > 0.05). Conclusions: A lack of choice in exercise is associated with greater energy intake from "unhealthy" foods in recovery. This finding highlights the importance of facilitating an autonomy supportive environment during exercise prescription and instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity theories have almost exclusively focused on conscious regulatory processes such as plans, beliefs, and expected value. The aim of this review was to aggregate the burgeoning evidence showing that physical activity is also partially determined by non-conscious processes (e.g., habits, automatic associations, priming effects). A systematic search was conducted and study characteristics, design, measures, effect size of the principle summary measures, and main conclusions of 52 studies were extracted by two independent coders. The findings support that habitual regulatory processes measured via self-report are directly associated with physical activity beyond conscious processes, and that there is likely interdependency between habit strength and intentions. Response latency measures of automatic associations with physical activity were widely disparate, precluding conclusions about specific effects. A small body of evidence demonstrated a variety of priming effects on physical activity. Overall, it is evident that physical activity is partially regulated by non-conscious processes, but there remain many unanswered questions for this area of research. Future research should refine the conceptualisation and measurement of non-conscious regulatory processes and determine how to harness them to promote physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Research based in self-determination theory has demonstrated the importance of social agents for motivational processes in school-based physical education (PE). To focus more closely on the relational processes that underpin students’ motivation in PE, there have been calls for researchers to explore the specific teacher behaviors that facilitate students’ relatedness in PE. Our aim was to test a higher-order measurement model comprising distinct relatedness-supportive teacher behaviors, and to explore the ways in which students’ perceptions about their teacher directly and/or indirectly predict relatedness need satisfaction and motivation in PE. To test our higher-order model (Study 1), 656 high-school PE students reported the extent to which their teachers engaged in relatedness-supportive behaviors. In Study 2, 570 high-school PE students reported their motivational regulations for PE, as well as the extent to which their teacher engaged in relatedness-supportive behaviors, and satisfied their need for relatedness. We found support for the higher-order relatedness support model, and observed predictive pathways that were consistent with theory. Students reported satisfaction of their need for relatedness when they felt relatedness support from their teachers (β = 0.52, p < 0.001) and relatedness need satisfaction was in turn positively related to intrinsic (β = 0.51, p < 0.001), identified (β = 0.49, p < 0.001), and introjected (β = 0.25, p < 0.001) regulations for PE. These findings demonstrate the importance of relatedness-supportive teaching in PE, and implications of these data are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The factors driving the disparity in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians include socio-economic factors, racism, and history. The current study focused on exploring Indigenous participants’ perspectives of the factors that affect the health behavior of their community members. Participatory action research methodology and a grounded theory approach were utilized. In total, 120 members of two urban West Australian Indigenous communities participated in focus group discussions. There was substantial similarity between the themes that emerged within the discussions held in the two communities. Factors relating to culture, social connections, racism, communication, and personal aspects were particularly salient to health behavior of the participants. Several of the themes including culture, racism, communication, and distrust highlight the tension caused by being a member of a minority cultural group that has been marginalized by the practices and attitudes of the dominant cultural group. Personal choice was sometimes prioritized over health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted two studies with the aim of examining the relations between self-presentation motives and physical activity task performance. In study 1, prior to performing an endurance-based physical activity task, 133 undergraduate participants ( M age = 20.89, SD = 5.21) reported acquisitive-agentic and protective-agentic self-presentation motives alongside task self-efficacy, self-presentational efficacy, and their personal task goals. Using a different endurance-based physical activity task in study 2, we also assessed undergraduate participants' ( n = 150; M age = 20.23, SD = 3.34) dispositional exercise-related self-presentation motivation alongside the variables measured in study 1. Bayesian path analyses revealed indirect relations between agentic self-presentation motives and task performance via participants' personal task goals. Findings also indicated that agentic self-presentation motives may act as intermediaries in indirect pathways linking efficacy beliefs and dispositional exercise-related self-presentation motivation to goal processes and task performance. The results contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between self-presentation motivation and task performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health-related behaviours contribute to the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular imaging can be used to screen asymptomatic individuals for increased risk of CVD to enable earlier interventions to promote health-related behaviours to prevent or reduce CVD risk. Some theories of behaviour and behaviour change assume that engagement in a given behaviour is a function of individual threat appraisals, beliefs regarding the performance of behaviour, self-efficacy for performing the desired behaviour and/or dispositions to act (e.g. behavioural intentions). To date, little is known about the impact of cardiovascular imaging interventions on these constructs. This article summarises evidence related to perceived threat, efficacy beliefs, and behavioural intentions after CVD screening. We identified 10 studies (2 RCTs and 8 non-randomised studies, n = 2498) through a combination of screening citations from published systematic reviews and meta-analyses and searching electronic databases. Of these, 7 measured behavioural intentions and perceived susceptibility and 3 measured efficacy beliefs. Findings showed largely encouraging effects of screening interventions on bolstering self-efficacy beliefs and strengthening behavioural intentions. Imaging results that suggest the presence of coronary or carotid artery disease also increased perceived susceptibility to CVD. However, the review also identified some gaps in the literature, such as a lack of guiding theoretical frameworks and assessments of critical determinants of health-related behaviours. By carefully considering the key issues highlighted in this review, we can make significant strides towards reducing CVD risks and improving population health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Children and adolescents living in families affected by mental illness are at elevated risk of developing mental health problems. A range of interventions have been designed to help these young people; however, the effectiveness of these programs is, in some cases, mixed. Our aim was to understand in detail the support needs and experiences of a group of Australian children and adolescents living in families with mental illness. Methods: Our study is a qualitative in nature. In 2020−2021, we interviewed 25 Australian young people (Mage = 13.60, SD = 2.26, 20 females and 5 males) living with family members affected by mental illness to understand their (the young people's) experiences, and to identify the types of support that these young people considered important or effective. We conducted reflexive thematic analyses of interview data, underpinned by interpretivist assumptions. Results: We identified seven themes within two higher‐order categories reflecting our aims to understand (1) lived experiences within families affected by mental illness (i.e., increased responsibilities, missing out, and stigmatization), and (2) support experiences, needs, and preferences (i.e., respite, shared experiences with like‐minded others, education, and flexibility). Conclusions: Our findings hold substantial practical value by informing services, interventions, and conversations that better support young people living in families affected by mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite hundreds of studies on the effects of expectations on evaluations, few commentaries have focused on summarising the relevance of these findings for physical activity pursuits. Moreover, a parsimonious framework on the nature of these relationships in physical activity is yet to be developed. Such a framework is important given the significance of physical activity evaluations in predicting future physical activity participation. Based on existing models on persuasion, it is premised that the self can be persuaded by one's own expectations about physical activity and that such persuasion can support or refute those expectations. Which of these effects are created, and the extent of one's psychological and physical involvement in the creation of physical activity evaluations, is likely to hinge on motivation and ability to confirm or disconfirm expectations. Evidence from related bodies of literature is presented to support the primary tenets of the model, which is termed the expectation-to-evaluation model, and recommendations for practitioners and future research are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical models and research that aim to identify antecedents of participation in physical activities or sport can measure antecedents of physical activity behaviour through instruments that involve subjective predictions. In this article, we argue that such instruments may not reflect physical activity experiences or behaviour accurately because people are not very good predictors of future states. Additionally, we propose that mispredictions may be predictable because they are 'caused' by tendencies to neglect processes related to hedonic adaptation and competing alternatives. We also suggest that it may be possible to improve measurement of antecedents through methods that focus respondents' attention on factors that cause mispredictions or through experiential sampling methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a scrambled sentence priming protocol, the first aim of this study was to investigate whether differences in novel exercise-related goals existed between participants primed with motivational or non-motivational material (i.e. autonomous, controlled or neutral primes). The second aim was to explore whether an indirect effect was present between priming condition and the goal-related exercise sessions that individuals performed over the week following administration of the prime. No effects were observed across priming conditions with respect to subjective vitality, goal concordance and the frequency with which participants planned to exercise. However, autonomy-primed individuals set goals for their exercise sessions that were significantly longer in intended duration (M = 57.72 min, SD = 37.42) than those set by their counterparts in both the controlled-prime condition (M = 44.12 min, SD = 27.78) and the neutral-prime condition (M = 37.10 min, SD = 20.47). Bootstrapped analyses also revealed a significant indirect relationship between prime and exercise behaviour, with the autonomy prime predicting longer goal-based exercise sessions, via the effect on the duration of participants’ intended exercise sessions. These findings highlight the potential influence that priming autonomous motivation may have on individuals’ exercise aspirations, as well as the way in which primes may indirectly shape exercise engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Highlights: [•] Snack food consumption was higher in controlled, relative to autonomous, learning conditions. [•] Performance was superior in an autonomous (relative to autonomous) learning environment. [•] Snack food consumption did not increase subsequent task performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most attempts to influence intrinsic motivation have focused on contextual support for basic need satisfaction, including the provision of autonomy support, structure, and interpersonal involvement (e.g., Edmunds et al. in Eur J Soc Psychol 38:375-388, ). This study explored the extent to which another factor, expectations for task variety, influenced interest, enjoyment, and locus of causality in a novel exercise setting. Results showed that participants exposed to messages about variety in an exercise class enjoyed the class more, found it more interesting, and perceived greater internal causality than those who received messages about similarity in the class. Moderator analyses indicated that expectations of task variety were particularly conducive for task interest among participants who usually demonstrated lower intrinsic motivation for exercise. Discussion focuses on the relevance of these findings to self-determination theory and on opportunities for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Within supervised rehabilitation programs, Lent and Lopez (2002) proposed that clients and therapists develop a "tripartite" network of efficacy beliefs, comprising their confidence in their own ability, their confidence in the other person's ability, and their estimation of the other person's confidence in them. To date, researchers have yet to explore the potential relational outcomes associated with this model in rehabilitation contexts. Method: In Study 1, we recruited 170 exercise clients (Mage = 63.73, SD = 6.46) who were enrolled in a one-to-one aerobic exercise program with a therapist as a result of a lower-limb musculoskeletal disorder. Clients reported their tripartite efficacy beliefs and perceptions about the quality of their relationship with their therapist, and respective therapists rated each client's engagement in his or her exercise program. In Study 2, we recruited 68 separate exercise clients (Mage = 65-93, SD = 5.80) along with their therapists (n = 68, Mage = 31.89, SD = 4.79) from the same program, to examine whether individuals' efficacy perceptions were related to their own and/or the other person's relationship quality perceptions. Results: In Study 1, each of the tripartite efficacy constructs displayed positive direct effects with respect to clients' relationship quality appraisals, as well as indirect effects in relation to program engagement. Actor-partner interdependence modeling in Study 2 demonstrated that clients and therapists reported more adaptive relationship perceptions when they themselves held strong tripartite efficacy beliefs (i.e., actor effects), and that clients viewed their relationship in a more positive light when their therapist was highly confident in the client's ability (i.e., partner effect). Conclusion: These findings underscore the potential utility of the tripartite efficacy framework in relation to motivational and relational processes within supervised exercise programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Psychological distress and changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) may occur after screening for disease. Reporting outcomes related to potential benefits and harms of screening is a key recommendation in the guidelines for reporting high-quality trials or interventions. However, no reviews have directly investigated outcomes related to psychological distress and/or changes in HRQoL following imaging assessment of cardiovascular risk and communication of cardiovascular findings to asymptomatic adults. A scoping review was conducted to map research on psychological distress and/or HRQoL following screening. Methods and results Six electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Social Work Abstracts, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, CINAHL, and EMBASE) were searched for articles that assessed psychological distress and/or HRQoL following screening. Two investigators independently screened titles and abstracts for all records retrieved using predefined criteria. Studies were conducted among active smokers, military personnel, athletes, post-menopausal women, and high-risk individuals. Seven constructs related to psychological distress and HRQoL appeared across 11 articles (randomized controlled trials, n = 4 and non-randomized studies, n = 7). Worry, depression, perceived stress, anxiety, and quality of life were most prominent. Multiple-item measures of psychological distress (e.g. Taylor Anxiety Score and Beck Depression Inventory) were used in 5/9 (56%) studies. Key findings on psychological distress and/or changes in HRQoL following screening were mixed. Conclusions Findings support the need for multiple-item measures with better psychometric properties to examine the psychological responses to screening results in future studies. Strategies to support individuals during and following vascular screening to maximise potential benefits of screening and minimize harms are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The transition to undergraduate studies consistently aligns with reductions in exercise, as well as psychosocial and physical health. We explored predictive pathways between exercise self-regulatory efficacy (SRE), exercise intentions, and exercise participation with undergraduates in their first semester at college. Guided by efficacy generality principles, we also investigated the way in which students'' college (i.e., study-related) SRE predicted their exercise SRE beliefs. Method: Data were collected from 226 undergraduates (M age =19.11, SD=2.88) over three time points, in order to explore predictive relations between psychosocial and exercise variables whilst minimizing error variance. At time one, students reported their college SRE and baseline exercise SRE, along with ratings of college and exercise importance. A week later, they again reported their exercise SRE, as well as their exercise intentions, and another week later they completed self-report measures of exercise engagement. Results: Structural equation modeling with bootstrapped confidence intervals revealed that exercise SRE positively predicted exercise engagement, both directly and indirectly via an effect on intentions. High college SRE also aligned with high exercise SRE, even when accounting for previous levels of exercise SRE. However, residual-centered latent variable interaction analyses revealed a significant moderator effect, such that college SRE predicted exercise SRE most closely when these two endeavors were viewed as being similarly important to one another. Conclusions: Conceptually, these findings provide novel insight into generality between SRE beliefs, as well as direct and indirect pathways through which undergraduates'' SRE beliefs predict exercise engagement. From a practical standpoint, targeting students'' college SRE may help to buffer against reductions in exercise levels and maladaptive health outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: The resurgence in mainstream personality research over recent decades has provided substantive insight into the way in which dyad members’ traits shape their relational experiences. Surprisingly, researchers are yet to examine these issues within coach–athlete contexts, and the present study sought to explore how Big Five traits predicted relationship commitment and relatedness (i.e., closeness, trust) for members of established coach–athlete dyads. Methods: Ninety one athletes (M age = 20.76, SD = 3.55) and their coaches (n = 91, M age = 37.33, SD = 10.17) reported their own Big Five as well as their relationship commitment and relatedness perceptions. Analyses were conducted using actor–partner interdependence models due to the nonindependence in coach and athlete data. Results: Accounting for demographic variables, analyses revealed that individuals’ relationship perceptions were underpinned by their own and their partners’ traits, as well as the extent to which their respective traits were concordant. In particular, greater dissimilarity between partners’ extraversion and openness was associated with reduced commitment and relatedness for coaches and athletes. Positive actor effects emerged for commitment (i.e., agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion) and relatedness (i.e., agreeableness, extraversion), and partner effects revealed that dyad members reported favorable outcomes when their partner was highly conscientious and/or agreeable. The potential moderating effect of one’s role in the dyad was also examined. Conclusions: Consistent with mainstream relationship settings, the Big Five model may provide important insight into dyadic functioning in coach–athlete contexts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study explored actor and partner effects for Big Five self- and other-ratings (i.e., ratings of the partner’s traits) with respect to relationship commitment. Among a sample of athlete–athlete (i.e., sporting) dyads, actor–partner interdependence model analyses revealed that athletes reported greater commitment to their partnership not only when they rated themselves as highly agreeable, conscientious, or open to experience, but also when they scored their partners favorably on these same traits. Dyad members were also more committed when their partner rated him/herself as highly agreeable and/or conscientious. By modeling actor and partner effects simultaneously for self- as well as other-ratings, these findings provide novel insight into the way that both forms of trait perception align independently with relationship quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study assessed implicit and explicit evaluations of overweight individuals among a sample of fitness center employees (N = 70). Participants completed a general demographics questionnaire and an explicit, self-report Antifat Attitudes Test (AFAT). Participants also completed two Implicit Association Tests (IATs) to measure implicit attitudes toward overweight individuals. In one IAT, participants responded to pictures of overweight and thin individuals in a neutral context. A second IAT required participants to respond to pictures of the same individuals exercising on a treadmill. Consistent with hypotheses, average scores fell below the midpoint on the AFAT subscales, suggesting an absence of a significant explicit bias. The sample exhibited moderately strong implicit weight biases, however, in both the neutral (IAT D = .39) and exercise contexts (IAT D = .39). The findings do not support the premise that implicit biases against overweight individuals vary according to the context in which the judgments are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: This study investigated implicit and explicit components of exerciser self-schema and their role in the prediction of exercise behaviour. In addition, the effect of implicit and explicit exerciser self-schema on intention to exercise was examined. Moderation and mediation effects involving exerciser self-schema, in both its implicit and explicit forms, were investigated. Method: Members of fitness centres and other regular exercisers (N =98, n males =37, n females =65) completed a written questionnaire to measure explicit exerciser self-schema and exercise intentions. An exercise Implicit Association Test (IAT) was also administered to measure implicit exerciser self-schema. Actual exercise occurrence was measured one week and two weeks following the initial testing phase. Results: Correlations indicated that implicit and explicit components of exerciser self-schema were related but distinct constructs. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that high levels of both implicit and explicit exerciser self-schema improved absolute levels of exercise behaviour. Regression analyses examining the possibility that self-schema moderated the intention–behaviour relationship were not significant for implicit or explicit forms of self-schema. Forced entry regression analyses provided evidence for explicit exerciser self-schema being mediated by intention in its relationship with behaviour. Conclusions: It is beneficial to consider both implicit and explicit exerciser self-schema when attempting to understand and predict exercise behaviour. Both implicit and explicit exercise self-schema have a direct effect on behaviour, although explicit self-schema also indirectly influences behaviour via intention to exercise. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The relationship between stress and food consumption is complex and often characterised by substantial between- and within-person variation. From a theoretical and practical perspective, more research is needed to improve our understanding of the factors that influence this relationship. The aim of this study was to identify those factors, and to derive insight into the nature of their effects on the relationship between stress and food consumption. Using semi-structured interviews, 41 adult participants (M ± SD age = 26.7 ± 6.3 yr, BMI = 22.9 ± 3.0 kg/m2) were invited to reflect on their food consumption following stressor exposure, and to elaborate on the factors that influence stress-induced eating behaviour. Reflexive thematic analyses revealed insight into the different ways in which individuals respond to stress in terms of food quantity and choices, and more significantly, highlighted a range of factors that may influence stress-induced eating behaviours. These factors included the intensity and/or nature of the stressor, aspects of prioritisation, rewarding, knowledge of and perceptions about food, normative (e.g., family, friend) influences, automated or habituated behaviours, the availability of food, and selected coping mechanisms. These findings present important directions for researchers seeking to study the variation in stress-induced eating, and may hold substantial practical value by way of informing interventions designed to alleviate unhealthy dietary responses to stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Much of the literature on team identification has focused on assessing outcomes to the construct rather than on motives for its development and maintenance. This article comments on research and theorising in social psychology that can contribute to an understanding of motives for team identification. Design: A review and comment on the application of theories of intergroup bias to the study of team identification. Method: Four modern theories of intergroup bias—social identity theory, optimal distinctiveness theory, uncertainty-identity theory, and terror management theory—are overviewed. Potential applications of these theories to future research on motives for team identification are also offered. Results: It is argued that the four theories share similar tenets with reference to motives for social identity. A programme of research that evaluates these motives in the context of sport team identification is offered. Conclusions: It is hoped that this paper will stimulate research into precursors of team identification and that the findings from such research will help sport teams and governing bodies to promote or control certain types of spectator behaviour. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: This study examined and compared the conscious processing hypothesis and the attentional threshold hypothesis as explanations for choking under pressure. Design: A 2×3 (anxiety level × putting condition) within group design was employed. Methods: Twenty experienced golfers with handicaps ranging from 0 to 12 putted using three explicit knowledge cues, three task-irrelevant knowledge cues, and a single swing thought cue under low and high anxiety to test these opposing hypotheses. Results: Irrespective of anxiety the data revealed that putting performance was generally better in the swing thought condition requiring the mobilisation of less cognitive resources. Under increased cognitive anxiety putting performance deteriorated in the explicit knowledge condition, whereas performance did not deteriorate in the task-irrelevant and swing thought conditions, providing support for the conscious processing hypothesis. Conclusions: These results suggest that the type and/or amount of conscious processing may influence the anxiety–performance relationship. Future research should combine qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a more complete understanding of this relationship. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In 2 studies framed within social identity theory, the authors examined the relationships among cognitive, affective, and evaluative dimensions of team identification. They also sought to determine relationships between team identification and intergroup bias. Factor analyses in both investigations revealed similar findings. Items corresponding to cognitive identification and affective identification loaded on 1 factor. Items intended to measure evaluative identification loaded on 2 factors that depicted self-evaluations and evaluations perceived by others. Consistent with expectations, the cognitive-affective dimension of team identification was the strongest predictor of intergroup bias in both investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides strong support for team identification-psychological health model, but only in terms of social well being and, in particular, loneliness. The model also proposes that identification with distant sport teams and mere fandom will not be related to well-being. In a study involving Australian Rules Football, authors extended previous research by testing the model with persons from a different culture and examining identifications involving a different sport and level of competition. Participants completed a questionnaire packet assessing their levels of fandom, identification with a local Australian Rules Football team, and identification with a favorite team if different from the target team, as well as measures assessing psychological well-being. With respect to social well-being, the results supported the model that personal well-being was not related to identification. And loneliness was positively related to degree of identification with a local sport team, but was not related to mere level of sport fandom.

Despite the advances made in understanding the effects of humiliation, no univocal position regarding its meaning exists. Indeed, so indiscreet is its meaning, the emotion is commonly conflated with other related emotions such as shame, embarrassment, and anger. Employing a scoping review design, this review aimed to scope the empirical literature concerning the meaning of humiliation from the perspective of two definitional parameters: i) status, subsuming the values descriptive and prescriptive, and ii) format, subsuming the values intension and extension. CINAHL, EMBASE, EMCare, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PubMed were searched for eligible studies. In total, twelve studies were synthesized in this review. Vis-à-vis status, seven studies were found to define humiliation prescriptively, and five, descriptively. Vis-à-vis format, seven studies defined humiliation intensionally, and five, extensionally. Accordingly, the meaning of humiliation varies in the literature. If further progress is to be made in humiliation studies, it is vital for researchers to be cognizant of the different meanings ascribed to humiliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online youth-focused health programs often include parent modules—that equip parents with skills to assist their child in improving their health—alongside youth-specific content. BRAVE Self-Help, an evidence-based program designed for children and teenagers with early signs of anxiety, is a popular Australian program that includes six parent modules. Despite its popularity and proven efficacy, BRAVE Self-Help shares the same challenge as many online self-help programs—that of low participant engagement. Using parents registered in BRAVE Self-Help as 'information rich' participants, we explored (a) factors that influenced parent engagement in online health programs, and (b) their recommendations for enhancing parent engagement. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 parents registered in BRAVE Self-Help. Data were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. Social-, family- and program-related factors drove parents' program engagement and recommendations. Social sub-themes related to the benefits of professional and community support in promoting more engagement. Family sub-themes included difficulties with program engagement due to competing priorities, perceptions that condition severity influenced engagement, and feelings that previously-acquired health knowledge reduced motivation to engage. Program sub-themes included perceived usefulness and ease-of-use. Program designers could target support systems, include flexible delivery options, and use iterative design processes to enhance parent engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Western countries, such as Australia and the UK, a significantly greater proportion of men (relative to women) are overweight and obese, yet relatively few weight loss interventions have been developed that sufficiently target men. This lack of male-focused programming may be in part because 'traditional' weight loss programs are unappealing for what is considered a 'hard-to-reach' population. One program that appears to have such appeal for men is the MAN v FAT Football (MVFF) program, based out of the United Kingdom, which is designed for men with a body mass index of (or greater than) 27.5. MVFF encourages men's participation in a community-based weight loss program that incentivizes weight loss through participation in a football league, and since 2016 MVFF has supported the weight loss efforts of several thousand men. Using MVFF as an exemplar, our aim was to derive insight into how men experience a male-only competitive, sport-based weight loss program. We recruited twenty-seven players (Mage = 41.13 , SD = 9.93), and ten coaches (Mage = 31.8, SD = 11.55) from program locations throughout the United Kingdom. Using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, we identified several appraisal aspects of the program that players and coaches considered important, including the appeal of sport, competition on a level playing field, being part of a team, camaraderie, accountability, men sharing issues with other men, gender-sensitized environment, likeminded and similar men, and perceptions that traditional weight loss programs are tailored towards women. Player experiences (i.e., competence and enjoyment) and functional supports in the program (e.g., player handbook, weight loss coach) were reported to drive outcomes of effective weight loss and program retention. Interventions aiming to target men may be more successful working with rather than against formulations of identity such as masculinities, and this can be achieved by tailoring program content (e.g., messaging), settings (e.g., among men sharing similar characteristics such as body-type or goals), and mode of delivery (e.g., through organized sports, and leveraging competition to drive healthy behaviours). • We explored men's experiences of a male-only competitive sport-based weight loss program. • Men highlighted competition, accountability, and camaraderie as driving positive outcomes. • Being around likeminded and similar men makes the program attractive to overweight and obese men. • Sport and competition allows men to offset 'un-masculine' behaviours (e.g., non-drinking). • Highlights the potential of leveraging competition/masculinity to drive healthy behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research grounded in self-determination theory has demonstrated the important role of teachers in shaping students' physical education experiences. Utilizing a cluster-randomized controlled design, this study aimed to examine whether an interpersonally involving training program based on self-determination theory principles could enhance students' in-class experiences. With 18 teachers (males = 8, females = 10, Mage = 32.75, SD = 8.14) and a final sample of 382 students (males = 155, females = 227, Mage = 13.20, SD = 1.66), we implemented linear mixed modeling to investigate the effects on students' (a) perceived relatedness support and (b) enjoyment of physical education, tripartite efficacy beliefs (i.e., self-efficacy, other-efficacy, relation-inferred self-efficacy), self-determined motivation, and amotivation. Relative to those in the control condition, students in the treatment condition reported positive changes in teacher-provided relatedness support, enjoyment, other-efficacy, and peer-focused relation-inferred self-efficacy. These findings demonstrate support for strategies designed to aid physical education teachers' relatedness-supportive instructional behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a teacher training program targeting the use of student-centered learning strategies—compared to a typical-practice, teacher-centered teaching style control—on physical education (PE) outcomes among high school students. Design : This investigation was following the CONSORT guidelines (2010) for a cluster randomized controlled trial. Australian students, aged 12–16 years (N = 554, M = 14.27, SD = 0.69), reported their motivation for PE, perceptions of teacher-derived psychological need satisfaction, in-class effort, and self-efficacy at baseline and follow-up (5 weeks later). Fidelity assessments were made at the mid-point of the intervention, whereby a blinded, trained observer coded teachers' implementation of student-centered learning strategies. Teachers in the intervention arm implemented student-centered strategies to a greater extent than those in the control arm. Linear mixed models revealed that over-time, relative to those in the control arm, students in the intervention arm displayed more positive change in autonomous motivation for PE, as well as in autonomy and relatedness need satisfaction, effort, and PE learning-efficacy. Conceptually, these findings demonstrate that teacher training programs targeting the use of student-centered teaching strategies may be beneficial for promoting desirable motivational outcomes, and provide insight into the mechanisms responsible for these positive in-class effects (e.g., heightened need satisfaction). This study also offers important practical information for educators in terms of how to foster student-centered classroom environments. • Teachers in the intervention arm implemented more student-centered strategies than those in the control arm. • A blinded, trained observer coded teachers' implementation of student-centered learning strategies. • Students in the intervention arm showed more positive change in autonomous motivation for PE, and more learning-efficacy. • These students displayed more autonomy and relatedness need satisfaction, and higher effort. • Teacher training programs for student-centered learning may be beneficial for promoting desirable motivational outcomes. • These programs may explain the mechanisms responsible for heightened autonomy and relatedness satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveMethods and MeasuresResultsConclusionGratitude has consistently been associated with various beneficial health-related outcomes, including subjective wellbeing, positive mental health, and positive physical health. In light of such effects, positive psychology researchers and practitioners have often implemented gratitude interventions in an attempt to build individuals’ orientations toward appreciation and thankfulness. Recent meta-analyses and reviews have revealed, however, that these interventions often have mixed effects on gratitude or other health outcomes. With this issue in mind, we aimed to identify (a) contextual considerations that may impact the effectiveness of these approaches, and (b) recommendations for the optimisation of gratitude interventions.Seventeen mental health professionals or experienced health psychology researchers engaged in semi-structured interviews to address the research questions.Thematic analysis of the data resulted in three contextual themes—cultural considerations, personal characteristics, and life experience—that were discussed as factors likely to influence intervention effectiveness. With respect to recommendations, participants highlighted the importance of encouraging deep engagement in gratitude tasks, consistent repetition of those tasks, and the value of interpersonal expressions of gratitude.Discussion is centred on suggestions for future research on gratitude and on implications for the implementation of gratitude interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on psychological flow is well established, although criticisms remain regarding conceptual and measurement issues associated with the construct. This scoping review maps flow-related research across scientific disciplines, examining the conceptualization, measurement instruments, and outcomes of flow between 2012 and 2019. Across 236 sources that met the review criteria, 108 different flow-related constructs were measured by 141 instruments, and 84 possible antecedents were identified. Despite the varied approaches, a common set of overarching antecedent constructs included "optimal challenge" and "high motivation," and recurring characteristics of the flow experience itself included "absorption," "effort-less control," and "intrinsic reward." Applied studies—albeit inconsistent in approach and largely correlational in nature—predominantly linked flow to "positive development" (i.e., well-being and health), "high functioning," and "further engagement." We contextualize the findings of the review relative to important work on flow that has recently emerged (following the review period)—in doing so, we hope this review offers a contemporary framework that can be used for the study of flow across scientific disciplines. Public Significance Statement: This review scopes flow research across all scientific disciplines and identifies key commonalities and differences in how researchers have conceptualized the psychological state of flow—an optimal experience often referred to as being "in the zone." It addresses inconsistencies and concerns of practical application that characterize some contemporary flow-related models and studies. This review also provides a framework––derived from the findings of the review––for the study of flow antecedents and experiential dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We applied the strength-energy model of self-control to understand the relationship between self-control and young athletes' behavioral responses to taking illegal performance-enhancing substances, or "doping." Measures of trait self-control, attitude and intention toward doping, intention toward, and adherence to, doping-avoidant behaviors, and the prevention of unintended doping behaviors were administered to 410 young Australian athletes. Participants also completed a "lollipop" decision-making protocol that simulated avoidance of unintended doping. Hierarchical linear multiple regression analyses revealed that self-control was negatively associated with doping attitude and intention, and positively associated with the intention and adherence to doping-avoidant behaviors, and refusal to take or eat the unfamiliar candy offered in the "lollipop" protocol. Consistent with the strength-energy model, athletes with low self-control were more likely to have heightened attitude and intention toward doping, and reduced intention, behavioral adherence, and awareness of doping avoidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]