Anne E. Cox

Attachment relationships and physical activity motivation of college students

This study was designed to assess the link of attachment relationships with physical activity motivation. Potential mediators of this link were examined in a cross-sectional study targeting college student physical activity motivation and behaviour. Participants completed self-reports of attachment relationships (with mother, father and best friend), self-determined motivation for physical activity, physical activity behaviour and the hypothesised mediator variables of perceived competence, autonomy and relatedness. The results provide support for the mediating role of these variables in the association of father attachment with self-determined motivation. Meaningful variance in self-determined motivation for physical activity and physical activity behaviour was explained. Overall, attachment relationships appear to be relevant, albeit modestly, to physical activity motivation of college students. The findings support continued efforts to integrate attachment and motivational perspectives in the study of college student health behaviour.

Social physique anxiety experiences in physical activity: a comprehensive synthesis of research studies focused on measurement, theory, and predictors and outcomes

Physical activity (PA) settings such as sport, exercise, and physical education are inherently social and evaluative in nature, with much attention directed at how the body looks and performs. As such, these settings foster a host of positive and negative emotional experiences. Social physique anxiety (SPA) is a commonly studied emotion that emanates from, or motivates, PA behaviors. In this synthesis of the 126 identified research papers focused on SPA and related experiences in sport, exercise, and physical education, we summarize the theoretical roots and measurement of SPA, present research evidence on predictors and outcomes of SPA experiences, explore links between SPA and PA behaviors, and offer insight on the future directions of SPA research. Specifically, researchers in sport and exercise psychology are encouraged to broaden the study of SPA to conduct longitudinal and experimental studies, develop quality intervention strategies aimed at reducing SPA experiences, and expand on the theoretical and operational understandings of SPA experiences across the lifespan.

Athletes' Motivation Regulations and Need Satisfaction Across Combinations of Perceived Coaching Behaviors

Cluster analysis was used to identify combinations of perceived coaching behaviors (i.e., autonomy support and four controlling coaching behaviors). Motivation regulations and need satisfaction were tested for differences across profiles. Results revealed 3 profiles of college swimmers (N = 165) based on their responses to measures of study variables. The profiles had relatively more autonomy support or more controlling coaching behaviors or a combination of the 2. The profile with greater autonomy support and lower controlling coaching behaviors reported the most positive motivation experiences. Findings illustrate the independence of these coaching behaviors and offer practical suggestions for college swim coaches.

Validity Evidence for the State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity

ABSTRACT Being attentive to and aware of one’s experiences in the present moment with qualities of acceptance and openness reflects the state of mindfulness. Positive associations exist between state mindfulness and state autonomous motivation for everyday activities. Though this suggests that state mindfulness links with adaptive motivational experiences, no suitable measure of state mindfulness exists that would facilitate the examination of these relationships in a physical activity context. Thus, we revised the State Mindfulness Scale (Tanay & Bernstein, 2013) and provided score validity evidence for the measure in a physical activity context. A bi-factor model reflecting mindfulness of the mind and body as specific factors and a general mindfulness factor was supported. Validity evidence, such as positive relationships with intrinsic motivation, and a negative relationship with body surveillance support score use. The revised scale can facilitate investigations of the role of mindfulness in physical activity settings.

Examining Combinations of Social Physique Anxiety and Motivation Regulations Using Latent Profile Analysis.

ABSTRACT Previous research has used cluster analysis to examine how social physique anxiety (SPA) combines with motivation in physical education. This study utilized a more advanced analytic approach, latent profile analysis (LPA), to identify profiles of SPA and motivation regulations. Students in grades 9–12 (N = 298) completed questionnaires at two time points assessing SPA and motivation regulations, psychological needs, enjoyment, effort, and characteristics of physical education peers. LPA identified four profiles representing Autonomous (13.4%), Average (39.3%), Low Autonomous (25.2%), and Autonomous and Introjected (22.1%). Profiles were replicated at a second time point, and evidence of profile measurement invariance across gender was found. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed profile differences. The model-based analytic approach to identify profiles of SPA and motivation regulations differed from cluster analysis profiles. The profiles were not driven by SPA, rather autonomous motivation is the dominant factor associated with physical education motivational experiences.

Initial Validity Evidence for the State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity With Youth

ABSTRACT Experiencing mindfulness during movement-based interventions (e.g., yoga) may help support adaptive physical activity motivation processes in youth. However, there is currently no measure for assessing state mindfulness with youth within the context of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate a measure of state mindfulness for physical activity in youth. In study one, cognitive interviews with youth (N = 15) ages 8–13 evaluated the State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity item comprehension and preference for developmentally worded modifications. Results suggest that problems with item comprehension were more likely in youth younger than 10. In study two, the State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity, or a modified version, was administered randomly to middle-school students (N = 481). Internal consistency reliability, confirmatory factor analyses, model-based reliability omega, and correlations with theoretically relevant variables combined with the qualitative evidence provided stronger initial support for the use of the original State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity with middle-school students.

A pilot yoga physical education curriculum to promote positive body image

We examined the effects of a pilot yoga-based physical education (PE) curriculum by testing for change in trait body surveillance, physical self-worth, and body appreciation. Further, we examined the relationships among change in body image variables and the role of state mindfulness in predicting state body surveillance during classes. Adolescents participated in 12 weeks of yoga-based (n=20; Mage=16.45, 90% female) or traditional (n=23;Mage=14.52, 57% female) PE. Results showed significant (p=.004), moderate decreases in trait body surveillance and minimal nonsignificant (p=.11) increases in physical self-worth. Change in trait body surveillance was inversely related to change in physical self-worth and body appreciation in yoga participants. Multi-level modeling analyses revealed that more mindful students also surveyed their body less during class. Intentionally structured yoga participation may support positive body image among adolescents.

The Moderating Role of Physical Self-Perceptions in the Relationship Between Maturity Status and Physical Self-Worth

Purpose: We tested the moderating role of physical self-perceptions in the relationship between physical maturity and physical self-worth (PSW). Method: Students in Grades 5 through 8 (N = 241; 57% females; Mage = 12.30 years) completed a questionnaire assessing physical self-perceptions (i.e., perceived sport competence, conditioning, strength, and body attractiveness), PSW, and maturity status. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test interactions between maturity and physical self-perceptions predicting PSW separately for boys and girls. Results: For girls, maturity level and physical self-perceptions explained significant variance, F(5, 131) = 73.44, p < .001, R2 = .74, with interactions explaining a little extra variance, ΔF = 3.42, p = .01, ΔR2 = .03. Perceived attractiveness interacted with maturity status to predict PSW (p = .01), indicating that maturity was positively related to PSW only for girls with higher body attractiveness. Maturity status and physical self-perceptions also significantly predicted PSW in boys, F(5, 98) = 46.52, p < .001, R2 = .70, with interactions explaining a little extra variance, ΔF = 3.16, p = .02, ΔR2 = .04. A statistically significant interaction between perceived strength and maturity (p < .001) indicated that maturity related positively to PSW, but only for boys with higher perceived strength. Conclusions: The maturity–PSW relationship differs by gender and depends partly on physical self-perceptions. This finding reinforces previous findings that illustrate the relative importance of perceived attractiveness and strength for girls and boys, respectively. PSW is an important predictor of physical activity behavior; therefore, it is critical to understand the interplay between these key antecedents.