Psychological Need Thwarting in the Sport Context: Assessing the Darker Side of Athletic Experience

Research in self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2002) has shown that satisfac­tion of autonomy, competence, and relatedness needs in sport contexts is associated with enhanced engagement, performance, and well-being. This article outlines the initial development of a multidimensional measure designed to assess psychologi­cal need thwarting, an under-studied area of conceptual and practical importance. Study 1 generated a pool of items designed to tap the negative experiential state that occurs when athletes perceive their needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness to be actively undermined. Study 2 tested the factorial structure of the questionnaire using confirmatory factor analysis. The supported model comprised 3 factors, which represented the hypothesized interrelated dimensions of need thwarting. The model was refined and cross-validated using an independent sample in Study 3. Overall, the psychological need thwarting scale (PNTS) demonstrated good content, factorial, and predictive validity, as well as internal consistency and invariance across gender, sport type, competitive level, and competitive experi­ence. The conceptualization of psychological need thwarting is discussed, and suggestions are made regarding the use of the PNTS in research pertaining to the darker side of sport participation

Self-determination theory and diminished functioning: the role of interpersonal control and psychological need thwarting

Drawing from self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2002), three studies explored the social-environmental conditions that satisfy versus thwart psychological needs and, in turn, impact psychological functioning and well/ill-being. In cross-sectional Studies 1 and 2, structural equation modeling analyses supported latent factor models in which need satisfaction was predicted by athletes’ perceptions of autonomy support and need thwarting was better predicted by perceived coach control. Athletes’ perceptions of need satisfaction predicted positive outcomes associated with sport participation (vitality and positive affect) whereas perceptions of need thwarting more consistently predicted maladaptive outcomes (disordered eating, burnout, depression, negative affect, and physical symptoms). In addition, athletes’ perceptions of psychological need thwarting were significantly associated with perturbed physiological arousal (elevated levels of secretory immunoglobulin A) prior to training. The final study involved the completion of a diary and supported the relations observed in the cross-sectional studies at a daily level. These findings have important implications for the operationalization and measurement of interpersonal styles and psychological needs

O.2.2-8 Delapré Walk Project: are signposted walking routes an effective intervention to increase engagement in urban parks? – Natural experimental study

PurposeInvestigate the effect on visitors' greenspace engagement by retro-fitting wayfinding, to create a looped walking route, within an urban park.Methods 1. An online-survey was distributed (23rd March – 3rd May 2021) to determine public perceptions of wayfinding's role for recreational physical activity within the urban park and explore what information should be included on wayfinding. 2. Automated and manual counts were monitored on footpaths where the new wayfinding was installed at baseline (4th March – 26th August 2021) and follow-up (29th August 2021 – 29th August 2022). A QR code accessed intercept survey was provided on the wayfinding to understand route-user visitation habits. 3. Intercept go-along interviews were conducted on 8th, 14th, 24th September 2022 to explore visitor’s reasoning for using the park and engagement with the wayfinding intervention.ResultsPhase 1: Themes from 266 survey respondents suggested wayfinding could increase visitors’ confidence to explore, perceptions of safety, motivation to walk further, and reduced anxiety. Directional arrows, total distance of the route, consistent colours and fonts, a map of the route, local information of interest, and emergency contact information were the main components that respondents strongly agreed should be included on wayfinding.Phase 2: Manual and automated counts showed no consistent change in daily footfall between baseline and follow-up. However, 23% of route users reported they were following the signs at 12-month follow-up. Intercept survey respondents appeared to be infrequent park users, with the new wayfinding making them feel less anxious about exploring unfamiliar areas, motivating them to walk further than originally planned, and helping them ‘take notice’ of the landscape.Phase 3: Interviewees (n=28) valued the detachment from the urban environment that the park provided, which gave positive experiences to wellbeing, mental health, and social connections. Wayfinding was valued by irregular park users to help them confidently explore the park.ConclusionsRetro-fitting wayfinding in an urban park helps irregular users engage in the greenspace and wayfinding design needs to integrate with the natural environment to keep contrast with urban environments. The project illustrated the value of qualitative methods within natural experimental studies to capture intervention impacts

The Impact of Language Translation on the Internal Structure of a Rating Scale: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in Spanish

The purpose of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire SDQ a 25-item behavioral screener with the English version Participants included in this study were 363 English-speaking parents and 334 Spanish-speaking parents of preschool age children ages 3-5 who took part in the Children s Hospital of Orange County University of California Irvine Initiative for the Development of Attention and Readiness CUIDAR program from 2004-2008 This study used data from the CUIDAR program to explore mean rating differences between the English and Spanish versions of the SDQ along with coefficient alpha as an indicator of reliability at the scale and composite level and factor analytic evidence of score validity Mean ratings of the scales and the Total Difficulties scale were very similar across language forms Reliability coefficients indicated alphas were higher for scores derived from the English forms compared to the Spanish forms at the scale and composite levels although neither form produced scores with adequate reliability at the scale level Finally the Five First Order Factor Model was the best-fitting and most valid representation of all 25 items of the SDQ regardless of the language of the for

Interactive instructional television (IITV) classroom system design: an application and cost comparative analysis.

This study identified conditions under which IITV might be an appropriate choice of technology for delivering instruction in the K-12 environment; presented an analysis of different IITV classroom system design applications and corresponding transmission systems; and provided estimates of the typical costs associated with the creation, as well as ongoing usage, of such systems. Three instruments, developed based on literature review and validated through expert review and external feedback, were used to collect data relevant to the research questions. Study participants consisted of the Superintendents and IITV Coordinators in three Manitoba school divisions which utilize IITV. The findings indicate that, first, IITV is chosen as an instructional technology primarily as a mechanism for ensuring that rural students receive the same educational opportunities as do their urban counterparts. A by-product of this is the assurance that rural school districts survive. Second, each IITV system design has its own set defining characteristics. However, underlying these unique attributes some common elements are found which are fundamental to the delivery of two-way audio and video interactive instructional television. Data analyzed in relation to a total of 81 design considerations revealed that of this total, 24 design considerations are common across all three designs, while 57 design considerations are uncommon. Third, costs to remodel a standard classroom into a basic IITV classroom system are minimal; and costs to remodel a standard classroom into intermediate and deluxe IITV classroom systems at approximately 3 1/2 times and 5 times, respectively, the cost required to remodel a standard classroom into a basic IITV classroom system. It costs 1 1/2 times as much to equip an intermediate IITV classroom system as it does to equip a basic IITV classroom system; and more than 2 times as much to equip a deluxe IITV classroom system as it does to equip a basic IITV classroom system. It costs almost 3 times as much to establish a multi-point transmission system for an intermediate IITV classroom system as it does to establish one for a basic IITV classroom system; and that establishing a leased fiber optic system costs approximately 1/6th of the cost to establish a multi-point transmission system for an intermediate system. However, the ongoing lease cost of fiber is 20 times that of the costs associated with the ongoing usage of microwave. Two limitations of this study were: it did not conduct a comparative analysis of the costs for specific services associated with microwave transmission system design, construction and installation and costing information was not obtained for a purchased fiber optic system

Shining new light on mammalian diving physiology using wearable near-infrared spectroscopy

Investigation of marine mammal dive-by-dive blood distribution and oxygenation has been limited by a lack of non-invasive technology for use in freely diving animals. Here, we developed a non-invasive near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device to measure relative changes in blood volume and haemoglobin oxygenation continuously in the blubber and brain of voluntarily diving harbour seals. Our results show that seals routinely exhibit preparatory peripheral vasoconstriction accompanied by increased cerebral blood volume approximately 15 s before submersion. These anticipatory adjustments confirm that blood redistribution in seals is under some degree of cognitive control that precedes the mammalian dive response. Seals also routinely increase cerebral oxygenation at a consistent time during each dive, despite a lack of access to ambient air. We suggest that this frequent and reproducible reoxygenation pattern, without access to ambient air, is underpinned by previously unrecognised changes in cerebral drainage. The ability to track blood volume and oxygenation in different tissues using NIRS will facilitate a more accurate understanding of physiological plasticity in diving animals in an increasingly disturbed and exploited environment