Generalizability of the PSDQ and its relationship to physical fitness: The European French connection

Two studies tested the generalizability of support for within- and between-construct validity based on responses to a French translation of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) by high school students. The PSDQ is a multidimensional physical self-concept instrument designed to measure 11 components: health, coordination, physical activity, body fat, sports competence, global physical, appearance, strength, flexibility, endurance, and esteem. In the first study (N = 752), preliminary reliability analysis revealed strong internal consistency and overall stability. Confirmatory factor analysis provided support for structural equivalence with the original instrument. In the second study (N = 288), PSDQ factors were related to 13 external criteria of physical fitness; each was predicted a priori to be most highly correlated with one of the PSDQ scales. Bivariate correlations and CFA models supported both the convergent and discriminant validity of the PSDQ responses. These overall results demonstrated good support for the generalizability of the PSDQ with French adolescents

Construct validation of the Self-Description Questionnaire II with a French sample

This investigation is a French validation of the Self-Description Questionnaire (SDQ) II, an instrument derived from the Marsh and Shavelson model and designed to measure adolescent self-concept. Previous theoretical and methodological considerations in SDQ research provided guidelines for the instrument "within-construct" validity. 480 students completed the questionnaire. Reliability and confirmatory factor analyses were used to demonstrate support for the good psychometric properties, the well-defined 11 facets of the multidimensional self-concept, the two remarkably distinct higher order academic areas, and the weak hierarchical ordering. Third-order HCFA models resulted in a hierarchical general self-concept modestly related to most nonacademic self-concepts and rather weakly to academic self-concepts. The present research strongly supports the multifaceted nature of self-concept, but cannot supply clear evidence for the usefulness of hierarchical representations of adolescent self-concept

Achievement goals and perceived ability predict investment in learning a sport task

International audienceTwo studies examined the predictive value of achievement goals on the investment in learning a sport task. Ss were aged 13-15 yrs and attended schools in northern France. In Study 1, 57 Ss prepared themselves for a sport task with a 5-min period of training. In Study 2, 99 Ss prepared themselves with a 5-min period of training after prior failure. Results of Study 1 show that Ss who were ego-involved with a low perceived ability had a weaker investment in the training situation than Ss ego-involved with a high perceived ability, or Ss task-involved regardless of their perceived ability. Ego-involved Ss used an attributional bias to minimize the effect of effort on performance. Study 2 confirmed these results by underlining the motivational deficits of ego involvement for those with a low perceived ability. Pupils with high ego involvement in a sport task and low perceived ability show motivational deficits which manifest themselves in less time spent on practicing a task. A social-cognitive and expectancy-value perspective appears to be valid for the study of motivational processes in school physical education

Goal orientations and conceptions of the nature of sport ability in children: A social cognitive approach

International audienceTwo studies investigated the links between goal orientations and conceptions of sport ability. In Study 1, 194 English children (aged 11-12 yrs) completed a psychological inventory which included questions on achievement goal choice and perceptions of the nature of sport ability. In Study 2, 304 French children (aged 11-17 yrs) completed questionnaires, including the French version of the Perception of Success Questionnaire and the Conception of the Nature of Athletic Ability Questionnaire. Clear relationships were observed between a social comparison goal and a conception of athletic ability as a "gift" and being "general," and between a task mastery goal and the conception of athletic ability as being incremental and determined by learning. The measuring of the causal links that unite goals and ability conceptions, as well as the likely impact of such conceptions on motivation were developed and discussed

Development of scales to measure perceived physical education class climate: A cross-national project

International audienceUsed social cognitive theory as a base to report the development of class climate scales in French and English for use in physical education classes. Ss were 311 Parisian students aged 13-16 yrs. Psychometric development with the French scale was shown to be satisfactory, including adequate factorial structure assessed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and good internal and test-retest reliability. A parallel English scale (translated version) demonstrated a less adequate fit to the proposed model when using CFA, but shortened scales that assessed just mastery and performance dimensions of climate were shown to predict important motivational measures in a structural equation modeling analysis

Buts d'accomplissement et croyances relatives à la nature de l'habileté motrice

National audienceAccording to Nicholls' intentional approach, any action is a rational product of the subiect's goal. This last not only affects people's behaviours but also their perceptions and the concepts they use. The purpose of this study is precisely toconsider the relations between 304 teenagers' motivational orientations (" towards task mastery " and / or " towards social comparison ") and their "beliefs relating to the nature of motor skill " (i.e., their conceptions concerning possibilities to develop ability through time, its determinants and its relative general nature). In this respect, a questionnaire assessing such beliefs has been elaborated. Correlational analyses and particularly the study of "motivational profiles" have demonstrated a positive relation between the orientation towards social comparison and a stable, general and innate conception of motor skill. By contrast, a positive relation appeared between the orientation towards task mastery, and a specific and improvable conception of motor skill, conceived as determined by learning. As for the simultaneous pursuit of the two goals, it was linked to a more "mixed" conception of motor skill. The reasons of these connections and the motivational effects of such beliefs are discussed.Selon I'approche intentionnelle de Nicholls (1984, 1989), toute action est l'émanation rationnelle du but du sujet. Ce dernier affecte non seulement les conduites des gens mais également leurs perceptions et les concepts qu'ils utilisent. L'objectif de cette étude est précisément d'examiner les relations qui unissent les orientations motivationnelles de 304 adolescents (vers la maîtrise de la tâche " et/ou "vers la comparaison sociale ") et leurs "croyances relatives à la nature de I'habileté motrice" (i.e., leurs conceptions sur les possibilités de déveIopper I'habileté dans le temps, sur ses déterminants et sur sa relative généralité). A cet égard, un questionnaire mesurant de telles croyances a été construit. Les analyses corrélationnelles et surtout l'étude des " profils motivationnels " ont montré une relation positive entre I'orientation vers la comparaison sociale et une conception stable, générale et innéiste de I'habilité motrice. Par contraste, une relation positive est apparue entre I'orientation vers la maîtrise de la tâche et une conception améliorable et spécifique de I'habileté motrice, conçue comme déterminée par I'apprentissage. La poursuite simultanée des deux buts était, quant à elle, associée à une conception plus " mixte " de I'habileté motrice. Les raisons de ces liaisons, de même que les incidences motivationnelles de telles croyances, sont discutées

Personal and situational factors influencing intrinsic interest of adolescent girls in school physical education: A structural equation modelling analysis

International audienceThis study assessed the influence of individual and contextual factors on adolescent girls' interest in school physical education (PE). Specifically, girls (N = 700) were assessed on: (1) perceptions of their PE class climate, using the Perceived Motivational Climate Scale (Cury et al, 1994); (2) dispositional achievement goal orientations, using the French version of the Perception of Success Questionnaire (Durand et al, in press); and (3) the interest and competence subscales from the French version of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (Cury et al, 1994). Structural equation modelling analysis, using LISREL VII, showed an excellent fit with the hypothesized model. Specifically, situational class climate was found to be more important than individual goals in influencing pupil interest in PE. However, perceived competence also influenced interest, as did a mastery goal orientation. Results are discussed in the context of theoretical propositions of goal perspectives theory and practical issues of enhancing adolescent girls' interest in physical education

Evaluation of risk factors for treatment failure in canine patients undergoing photoactivated chromophore for keratitis – corneal cross-linking (PACK-CXL): a retrospective study using additive bayesian network analysis

Abstract Background Infectious keratitis is a common ophthalmic condition in canine patients. Sequelae can include keratomalacia and corneal perforation, a vision threatening outcome. Photoactivated chromophore for keratitis – corneal cross-linking (PACK-CXL) is a non-surgical, adjunctive treatment method for infectious keratitis. The goal of this retrospective, multicenter study was to determine risk factors for treatment failure following PACK-CXL in canine patients suffering from suspected infectious keratitis. Medical records from four veterinary ophthalmology services were reviewed, and information related to patient demographics, ophthalmic findings, the PACK-CXL protocol used, and epithelialization time was collected and analyzed. Due to the potential for intervariable relationships, an additive Bayesian network (ABN) analysis was performed to evaluate these complex relationships. Results Records for 671 eyes (668 dogs) were included in the analysis. Based on the ABN, in the population included here, patients who underwent an accelerated PACK-CXL protocol were less likely to experience treatment failure versus patients treated with a slow protocol. Mutual dependencies between exposure variables were identified by ABN, which would have been overlooked using classical regression. Corneal re-epithelialization time was shortened following PACK-CXL combined with topical medical therapy compared to PACK-CXL alone. Conclusions No risk factors associated with treatment failure were identified in the population included in the present study. Canine patients may benefit from the use of accelerated PACK-CXL protocols, especially when combined with topical antibiotics and anti-collagenolytic therapy. The reasons for this apparent positive impact on treatment outcome remain unclear