Motivational Coaching: Its Efficacy as an Obesity Intervention and a Profile of Professional Coaches

Abstract The primary purpose of this dissertation was to examine Motivational Interviewing (MI) using Co-Active life coaching (CALC) skills as an intervention for individuals struggling with obesity. The secondary purpose was to investigate the characteristics of the interventionists, the Certified Professional Co-Active Coaches (CPCCs). Study 1 quantitatively assessed the immediate and six-month-post intervention impact of receiving six-months of MI, administered via CALC skills, on weight and waist circumference and psycho-social outcomes of eight women struggling with obesity. Study 2 qualitatively assessed participants’ and the volunteer CPCC’s experience of the intervention. The purpose of Study 3 was to develop a comprehensive, applied coaching profile using a global sample of CPCCs (n=390). To expand on the characteristics of CPCCs, Study 4 explored the reasons CPCCs enjoyed their work as coaches. In Study 1, weight decreased for all participants by the end of the intervention. At six-months follow-up, four participants continued to decrease or maintain their weight-loss. Post-intervention, participant effect sizes for the psycho-social outcomes indicated clinically significant improvements. In study 2, participants attributed a variety of insights, and esteem and coping improvements to the intervention. The CPCC identified the most frequently used and influential strategies during sessions and suggestions for future interventionists. Study 3’s results revealed that all participating CPCCs came from pre-existing professional backgrounds, the majority had a college degree or equivalent, and half were part-time coaches. Online referral services were not deemed useful; CPCCs did not attend the annual ICF conference; and they did not use research in their practices. Study 4’s findings were that witnessing clients change their lives, the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment from coaching, the collaborative relationship with clients, the autonomy and flexibility of the profession, and the gratification received from using their skill set were the main reasons CPCCs enjoyed coaching. MI via CALC skills was effective in aiding individuals fighting obesity. The profile of CPCCs provided baseline information needed to forward research that evaluates coaching services and in turn, contributes to the growing body of information needed to advance the professional field of coaching. Keywords: Co-Active life coaching, Motivational Interviewing, Obesity, Life coaches, Behaviour chang

CO-ACTIVE LIFE COACHING AS A TREATMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH OBESITY

Purpose: To assess the impact of one-on-one Co-Active Professional Life Coaching on the body composition, self-esteem, self-efficacy, physical activity, and functional health status of adults with obesity [body mass index (BMI) values greater than 30]. Methods: This one-group, pre-test post-test study targeted a sample of 20 men and women aged 35-55 who had a BMI equal to or greater than 30. Participants engaged in six to eight 35-minute telephone sessions with a Certified Profession Co-Active Coach (CPCC). During these sessions, the participant called the CPCC and together they explored what changes the subject wanted to make in his/her life, and how to make the desired changes reality. The researcher recorded height and weight measurements to calculate BMI, waist circumference and administered the Short Form 36-item Functional Health Status Scale, the adapted Godin Leisure Time Activity questionnaire, the International Physical Activity questionnaire, a series of self-efficacy questionnaires, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale at baseline and at the end of the 8-week treatment. Paired t-tests were used to analyze the data. Results: Significant decreases in waist circumference and significant increases in selfesteem and functional health status were experienced by participants in this study. No significant changes in body mass index (BMI), self-efficacy, or physical activity occurred. Qualitatively, participants reported in the exit interview that they started to increase the amount of physical activity in which they engaged on a daily basis. At the end of the coaching treatment, participants reported they were feeling more optimistic about making healthier choices, and started engaging in healthful actions. Participants also judged themselves more gently and experienced greater self-acceptance. iii Discussion: Co-Active life coaching was associated with a decrease in waist circumference, and an increase in self-esteem and functional health status. rThese findings are important because waist circumference is directly associated with all-cause mortality in middle aged adults and increased self-esteem and functional health status are inversely related with weight loss. Participants at the end of the treatment felt that they now had the tools necessary to maintain daily physical activity and proper nutrition

Impact of elasticity on the piezoresponse of adjacent ferroelectric domains investigated by scanning force microscopy

As a consequence of elasticity, mechanical deformations of crystals occur on a length scale comparable to their thickness. This is exemplified by applying a homogeneous electric field to a multi-domain ferroelectric crystal: as one domain is expanding the adjacent ones are contracting, leading to clamping at the domain boundaries. The piezomechanically driven surface corrugation of micron-sized domain patterns in thick crystals using large-area top electrodes is thus drastically suppressed, barely accessible by means of piezoresponse force microscopy

Materials Contrast in Piezoresponse Force Microscopy

Piezoresponse Force Microscopy contrast in transversally isotropic material corresponding to the case of c+ - c- domains in tetragonal ferroelectrics is analyzed using Green's function theory by Felten et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 96, 563 (2004)]. A simplified expression for PFM signal as a linear combination of relevant piezoelectric constant are obtained. This analysis is extended to piezoelectric material of arbitrary symmetry with weak elastic and dielectric anisotropies. This result provides a framework for interpretation of PFM signals for systems with unknown or poorly known local elastic and dielectric properties, including nanocrystalline materials, ferroelectric polymers, and biopolymers.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, accepted to Appl. Phys. Lett. (without Appendices), algebraic errors were correcte

Quantum Flexoelectricity in Low Dimensional Systems

Symmetry breaking at surfaces and interfaces and the capability to support large strain gradients in nanoscale systems enable new forms of electromechanical coupling. Here we introduce the concept of quantum flexoelectricity, a phenomenon that is manifested when the mechanical deformation of non-polar quantum systems results in the emergence of net dipole moments and hence linear electromechanical coupling proportional to local curvature. The concept is illustrated in carbon systems, including polyacetylene and nano graphitic ribbons. Using density functional theory calculations for systems made of up to 400 atoms, we determine the flexoelectric coefficients to be of the order of ~ 0.1 e, in agreement with the prediction of linear theory. The implications of quantum flexoelectricity on electromechanical device applications, and physics of carbon based materials are discussed.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

Ipl1/Aurora B kinase coordinates synaptonemal complex disassembly with cell cycle progression and crossover formation in budding yeast meiosis

Several protein kinases collaborate to orchestrate and integrate cellular and chromosomal events at the G2/M transition in both mitotic and meiotic cells. During the G2/M transition in meiosis, this includes the completion of crossover recombination, spindle formation, and synaptonemal complex (SC) breakdown. We identified Ipl1/Aurora B kinase as the main regulator of SC disassembly. Mutants lacking Ipl1 or its kinase activity assemble SCs with normal timing, but fail to dissociate the central element component Zip1, as well as its binding partner, Smt3/SUMO, from chromosomes in a timely fashion. Moreover, lack of Ipl1 activity causes delayed SC disassembly in a cdc5 as well as a CDC5-inducible ndt80 mutant. Crossover levels in the ipl1 mutant are similar to those observed in wild type, indicating that full SC disassembly is not a prerequisite for joint molecule resolution and subsequent crossover formation. Moreover, expression of meiosis I and meiosis II-specific B-type cyclins occur normally in ipl1 mutants, despite delayed formation of anaphase I spindles. These observations suggest that Ipl1 coordinates changes to meiotic chromosome structure with resolution of crossovers and cell cycle progression at the end of meiotic prophase

Magnetodielectric coupling in Mn3O4

We have investigated the dielectric anomalies associated with spin ordering transitions in the tetragonal spinel Mn$_3$O$_4$, using thermodynamic, magnetic, and dielectric measurements. We find that two of the three magnetic ordering transitions in Mn$_3$O$_4$ lead to decreases in the temperature dependent dielectric constant at zero applied field. Applying a magnetic field to the polycrystalline sample leaves these two dielectric anomalies practically unchanged, but leads to an increase in the dielectric constant at the intermediate spin-ordering transition. We discuss possible origins for this magnetodielectric behavior in terms of spin-phonon coupling. Band structure calculations suggest that in its ferrimagnetic state, Mn$_3$O$_4$ corresponds to a semiconductor with no orbital degeneracy due to strong Jahn-Teller distortion.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Contrast Mechanisms for the Detection of Ferroelectric Domains with Scanning Force Microscopy

We present a full analysis of the contrast mechanisms for the detection of ferroelectric domains on all faces of bulk single crystals using scanning force microscopy exemplified on hexagonally poled lithium niobate. The domain contrast can be attributed to three different mechanisms: i) the thickness change of the sample due to an out-of-plane piezoelectric response (standard piezoresponse force microscopy), ii) the lateral displacement of the sample surface due to an in-plane piezoresponse, and iii) the electrostatic tip-sample interaction at the domain boundaries caused by surface charges on the crystallographic y- and z-faces. A careful analysis of the movement of the cantilever with respect to its orientation relative to the crystallographic axes of the sample allows a clear attribution of the observed domain contrast to the driving forces respectively.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figure