Anne W. Garcia

Changes in Physical Activity Beliefs and Behaviors of Boys and Girls Across the Transition to Junior High School

PURPOSE This longitudinal study investigated gender-specific changes in physical activity beliefs and behaviors across the elementary to junior high school transition. METHODS Physical activity beliefs and behaviors were measured in a cohort of 132 racially diverse youth during the year prior to and following the transition. Questionnaires assessed variables hypothetically linked to activity. Physical activity was monitored with the Child/Adolescent Activity Log. RESULTS Gender differences in physical activity beliefs emerged. Across the transition, boys reported decreased efficacy, social support, and expectations (norms) to be physically active. Although girls also reported decreased social support for physical activity, they further reported exposure to fewer active role models and were less likely to perceive that the benefits of regular activity out-weighed the barriers following the transition. Gender differences in activity levels were apparent, with girls being less active than boys. Despite changes in physical activity beliefs across the school transition, no significant changes in actual level of activity occurred over this period. Although beliefs were significantly related to behaviors in the domain of physical activity, pretransition activity level was the best predictor of posttransition activity level. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that physical activity beliefs of adolescents change over the school transition. These changes are significantly, but not highly, related to level of physical activity. Future research should explore the influences of activity-related affect and social and physical contexts on physical activity across adolescence.

Sweet Taste Preference in Women Smokers: Comparison With Nonsmokers and Effects of Menstrual Phase and Nicotine Abstinence

Cigarette smokers weigh less than comparably aged nonsmokers, and many gain weight following cessation. Though some evidence suggests that nicotine reduces food intake, with a selective effect on sweet-tasting foods, the issue remains unresolved. In the current study, 64 women (20 smokers, 26 never-smokers, and 18 ex-smokers) were tested for sweet taste preference; 9 of these smokers were studied under conditions of both ad lib smoking and overnight abstinence, in three hormonally verified menstrual phases. 1) Although no overall differences were detected in taste preference among the three groups, significantly more smokers than nonsmokers preferred the higher sucrose concentrations. 2) No significant differences due to menstrual phase were observed. 3) Although preference ratings did not differ significantly between overnight abstinence and ad lib smoking, a subset of smokers who preferred higher sucrose concentrations rated their preference for the solutions significantly higher during the ad lib smoking sessions. Our findings suggest that smoking and nonsmoking women differ with respect to taste preference and that, at least in a subset of female smokers, preference is affected by nicotine abstinence/acute dosing.

Qualitative differences in psychiatric symptoms between high risk groups assessed on a screening test (GHQ-30)

SummaryScores on five subscales derived from the GHQ-30 have been examined in various groups at risk for psychiatric disorder, to determine whether different patterns of symptoms are found. The subscales are based on a factor analysis of a population sample of over 6,000 adults (Huppert et al. 1989) which identified five robust factors corresponding to symptoms of anxiety, feelings of incompetence, depression, difficulty in coping and social dysfunction. Previous studies have identified certain groups of people who are vulnerable to mental illness and are therefore likely to obtain a high score on the GHQ. These include unemployed men, single women with dependent children, and elderly people in poor health. The results show marked differences in symptom patterns among these three at-risk groups. For example, while scores on anxiety and depression subscales were significantly raised in most at-risk groups, young unemployed men did not show significant anxiety whereas elderly men in poor health did not show significant depressive symptoms. However both these groups showed difficulty in coping, unlike older unemployed men or elderly women in poor health. Single women with dependent children reported the highest rate of psychiatric symptoms, particularly anxiety and depression, but had difficulty in coping only if they were also employed. These findings suggest that this method of analysing data from the GHQ-30 has potential value in yielding qualitative as well as quantitative information about psychiatric symptoms.

The relation between self-efficacy and sport performance: Evidence from a sample of youth baseball players

Abstract The relation between self-efficacy and hitting in a baseball batting cage was tested in a sample of 205 youth and adolescents (9 yr. to 17 yr. old males). Hitting performance and self-efficacy were assessed during four opportunities in the cage. Initial efficacy did not predict baseline hitting, and in the three subsequent trials, efficacy also failed to predict hitting. However, in each case, subsequent hitting was predicted by previous hitting performance, and subsequent self-efficacy was predicted by previous efficacy. Finally, subsequent efficacy was predicted by previous hitting performance. Discussion focuses on the relationship between performance and ability efficacy in athletic skill development.