Investigating the Interpersonal Dynamics Between Coaches and Athletes Based on Fundamental Principles of Attachment

Grounded in Bowlby’s (1969/1982, 1988) attachment theory, this study aimed to explore (a) the pervasiveness of the three main functions of attachment within the context of the coach-athlete relationship, (b) the associations of athletes’ attachment styles with such important variables as satisfaction with the relationship and satisfaction with the sport, and (c) the process by which athletes’ attachment styles and satisfaction with sport are associated. Data were collected through self-report measures of attachment functions and styles as well as relationship satisfaction and sport satisfaction from 309 student athletes (males = 150, females = 159) whose age ranged from 18 to 28 years (Mage = 19.9, SD = 1.58 years). Athletes’ mean scores indicated that the coach was viewed as an attachment figure fulfilling all three functions of secure base, safe haven, and proximity maintenance. Bivariate correlations indicated that athletes’ avoidant and anxious styles of attachment with the coach were negatively correlated with both relationship satisfaction and sport satisfaction. Mediational regression analysis revealed that athletes’ satisfaction with the coach-athlete relationship may be a process that links athletes’ attachment styles with levels of satisfaction with sport. The findings from this study highlight the potential theoretical and practical utility of attachment theory in studying relationships within the sport context

Attachment Styles Within the Coach-Athlete Dyad: Preliminary Investigation and Assessment Development

The present preliminary study aimed to develop and examine the psychometric properties of a new sport-specific self-report instrument designed to assess athletes’ and coaches’ attachment styles. The development and initial validation comprised three main phases. In Phase 1, a pool of items was generated based on pre-existing self-report attachment instruments, modified to reflect a coach and an athlete’s style of attachment. In Phase 2, the content validity of the items was assessed by a panel of experts. A final scale was developed and administered to 405 coaches and 298 athletes (N = 703 participants). In Phase 3, confirmatory factor analysis of the obtained data was conducted to determine the final items of the Coach-Athlete Attachment Scale (CAAS). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed acceptable goodness of fit indexes for a 3-first order factor model as well as a 2-first order factor model for both the athlete and the coach data, respectively. A secure attachment style positively predicted relationship satisfaction, while an insecure attachment style was a negative predictor of relationship satisfaction. The CAAS revealed initial psychometric properties of content, factorial, and predictive validity, as well as reliability

An attachment theory perspective in the examination of relational processes associated with coach-athlete dyads

The aim of the current study was to examine actor and partner effects of (a) athletes' and coaches' attachment styles (avoidant and anxious) on the quality of the coach-athlete relationship, and (b) athletes' and coaches' quality of the coach-athlete relationship on relationship satisfaction employing the actor-partner interdependence model (Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006). Coaches (N = 107) and athletes (N = 107) completed a questionnaire related to attachment styles, relationship quality, and relationship satisfaction. Structural equation model analyses revealed (a) actor effects for coaches' and athletes' avoidant attachment styles on their own perception of relationship quality and coaches' and athletes' perception of relationship quality on their own perception of relationship satisfaction, and (b) partner effects for athletes' avoidant attachment style on coaches' perceptions of relationship quality and for coaches' perceptions of relationship quality on athletes' perceptions of relationship satisfaction. The findings highlight that attachments styles can help us understand the processes involved in the formation and maintenance of quality relational bonds between coaches and athletes

What is Beauty?

Non-fiction by Marthella Louise Davis

Research for better aid: an evaluation of DFAT’s investments

Assesses the degree to which the investment by the Australian aid program into research has been appropriate, effective and efficient, and provides recommendations for improving DFAT’s future management of research investment. Foreword Explores how research investment can be best managed to ensure DFAT supports aid innovation and high-quality aid program and policy decision-making. The evaluation focuses on whether the management of DFAT’s considerable development research investment has been appropriate, effective and efficient. Employing a multi-dimensional evaluation method, it draws on the experiences of DFAT staff and stakeholders, as well as the available expenditure data, in arriving at a set of well-supported findings and recommendations. The report makes several important points about the need for DFAT to have a clear sense about why and how it funds research. The department’s managers and officers need especially to be conscious of the effectiveness and efficiency risks implicit in their highly devolved form of research investment management. These risks will be reduced if robust knowledge management systems and a strong culture of research use are embedded in the department. The experience of other aid donors indicates that achieving this will be a significant challenge. The evaluation also makes a finding with clear implications for the way the department engages with research institutions in partner countries. It shows that, while the department’s research funding to Australian institutions increased significantly from 2005 to 2013, the level of direct funding to partner country institutions did not increase to the same extent and was, indeed, flat over the last five years of that period. There are clear benefits to be had in building research capacity in those institutions, either directly or through partnerships with Australian and international researchers. Given Australia’s ongoing investment in the Pacific, this may be a region in which future research funding can be focused.   &nbsp

A Comparison of Preservice Teachers\u27 Responses to Bullying Scenarios

This nonexperimental study was conducted to determine differences that exist between PreK to 4th grade preservice teachers\u27 beliefs about the severity of bullying, their empathy with victims of bullying, beliefs about their ability to cope with bullying in the classroom, and their ability to intervene in bullying issues. Bandura\u27s self-efficacy theory and Ajzen\u27s theory of planned behavior provided the study\u27s theoretical base and demonstrated a connection between participants perceived ability to cope with bullying behavior and willingness to intervene. The participants (N = 112) were students in a 2-year community college PreK to 4th grade education transfer degree program. Data were collected from self-reported student surveys. Current research in the field of bullying showed a correlation between preservice teachers\u27 self-efficacy and their willingness to act in a bullying situation. This study was undertaken to extend that research to preservice teachers at the community college level. Repeated measures of analyses of variance were conducted to evaluate the significance of the survey responses. Participants did not express a high level of confidence in coping with the bullying scenarios presented (p \u3c.001), but did report a high likelihood of intervention for all types of bullying (p \u3c.001). The lack of confidence in coping with bullying scenarios was related to lower self-efficacy to manage bullying situations and indicated the need for increased preparation. Implications for positive social change included benefits to school districts as well as other community college and university teacher education programs because of increased awareness and preparation for preservice teachers. This preparation will promote proactive behavior on the part of the preservice teacher to prevent bullying behavior and the resulting physical, emotional, and psychological damage to children

Social work education as preparation for working with individuals with disabilities

The purpose of this study is to explore the question of whether or not graduate schools in social work have adequately prepared social workers to deal with the changing needs of individuals with disabilities

The Rule Of Nutrition In The Incidence Of Infectious Diseases And Dietary Treatment During The Febrile Periods

A general interest in the causes of the absence of school children at IlooMale, Focus, during a questionnaire program served as a motivation for the study undertaken, This Interest was created when the writer was asked to assist with the quostinnairos that wore designed to check on the need for a hot lunch program under the supervision of the Aycock School. At that time, the principal reported that approximately fifteen percent of the children enrolled in the school wore absent due to some i/pe of infection. As a result, some of the questionnaires had to be taken to the various Isomers for execution. Prom observations the writer has begun to -wonder whether or not malnutrition was one of the factors that added to the susceptibility of the children to infections. th© observations were given emphasis when the data wore tabulated and the results showed that there wore definite signs of malnutrition among many of the school children. SMs served to stimulate other questions in the mind of the writer that could only be satisfied through a thorough investigation. This problem was approached from a nutritional standpoint sine© nutrition was the primary interest of the \u27Investigator, however, also felt that other factors related to the health and sanitation conditions of the community wore also responsible for the infections. In view of this fact, questions concerning the preventive measures such as inoculations against various diseases, health examinations* and a safe milk and water supply were included in the questionnaire form

The Synthesis, Characterization and Reactions of 1,2-dihydro-2-thiono, 3,1-Benzoxazin-4-one and its Isomer the 3,1-benzothiazine-2 (1H), 4-dione

This 52 page thesis investigates the reactions of thioisatoic anhydride with sodium hydroxide, ammonia, a series of diprotic amines and methyl iodide

Social work education as preparation for working with individuals with disabilities

The purpose of this study is to explore the question of whether or not graduate schools in social work have adequately prepared social workers to deal with the changing needs of individuals with disabilities