Cary M. Springer

Physical Discipline and Socioemotional Adjustment Among Jamaican Adolescents

The study examined the relationship between physical punishment and socioemotional well-being in a sample of Jamaican adolescents. The data indicated that the overwhelming majority of adolescent respondents experienced physical punishment within their families. Physical punishment was significantly associated with adverse psychological and behavioral consequences, in that adolescents reporting being victims of physical punishment also indicated a greater propensity to developmental adjustment problems than their non-victimized peers. However, unlike findings from research emanating from more industrialized cultures, sociodemographic factors were not associated with the incidence of physical punishment. Gender showed statistical significance on all socioemotional dimensions and with behavior problems but not with physical punishment. Implications for policy decisions to reduce children’s exposure to violence within that particular cultural context are discussed.

Use of Videoconferencing for Lactation Consultation: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey of Mothers’ Acceptance in the United States

Background: Suboptimal breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates are a public health concern. Therefore, there is a need for identifying effective tools for use in interventions targeting specific barriers to optimal breastfeeding outcomes. Research aim: This study aimed to assess the relationship between acceptance of remote lactation consultation using videoconferencing and (a) maternal demographic factors, (b) technology acceptance subscales, (c) maternal learning style preferences, and (d) other potentially explanatory maternal factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, online study. English-speaking mothers of at least 18 years of age, with an infant age 4 months or younger, and who reported initiating breastfeeding were eligible to participate. Mothers were recruited from 27 randomly selected states. One hundred one mothers completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 71%. The main outcome was acceptance of videoconferencing use for lactation consultation. Results: No significant differences were found in acceptance by maternal demographic factors or learning style preferences. Acceptance was significantly related to perceived ease of use (r = .680, p < .001), perceived usefulness/extrinsic motivation (r = .774, p < .001), intrinsic motivation (r = .689, p < .001), desire for control of privacy (r = –.293, p < .01), and mother’s perception of the infant father’s/maternal partner’s acceptance of videoconferencing for lactation consultation (r = .432, p < .001). Only perceived usefulness/extrinsic motivation and maternal age remained in the final regression model (R2 = .616, p < .001). Although perceived usefulness/extrinsic motivation was positively associated with acceptance, maternal age was inversely related. Conclusion: This sample of mothers indicated general acceptance of videoconferencing for lactation consultation, with younger mothers and those perceiving it to be more useful demonstrating greater acceptance.

Relations between speech production, speech perception, and spelling in children with complex communication needs: a preliminary examination

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the influence of speech production and speech perception upon spelling abilities in children with complex communication needs (CCN). Methods: Eight children (3 females, 5 males) with cerebral palsy, who did and did not use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), were recruited to participate. The participants ranged in age from 5 years, 8 months to 11 years, 5 months (M = 8 years, 3 months). The children were assessed using clinical tests of speech production (or intelligibility), standardized tests of spelling and receptive vocabulary, and two experimental tasks focusing on spelling generation and spelling identification using pseudo-words matched on phonotactic probability. Results: Using Spearmans correlation, significant relationships were found between the number of pseudo-words spelled and identified correctly. Further examination using a Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks test revealed a significant difference between list presentation type for the percentage of correctly spelled pseudo-words during the spelling generation task, but not for percentage of correctly identified words in the spelling identification task. A significantly greater percentage of consonant and vowel sounds were produced during the spelling generation task when individual sounds of the words were provided; however, there was no difference in performance during the identification task. Conclusions: Results suggest that speech perception has a strong influence than speech production in the development of spelling skills for children with CCN who do and do not use AAC. Further research is required on how to best teach spelling while taking advantage of perceptual abilities.

Effects of television on enjoyment of exercise in college students

Purpose: Determine the effects of television viewing on enjoyment of exercise in college students. Methods: Forty-three college students (Mean ± SD; age = 19 ± 2 y, body mass index (BMI) = 23.7 ± 3.2 kg/m2) completed two 30-minute cycling exercise sessions at a moderate exercise intensity (40% peak oxygen consumption), in randomised order. Experimental session required participants to view a nature series programme (TV), while in the control session they did not watch television (No-TV). Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and Feeling Scale (FS) were measured at 10, 20 and 30 minutes of exercise. The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale was administered following each session. Enjoyment of exercise was analysed with a paired samples t-test. Additional analyses were conducted to assess the influence of potential physiological and psychological mediators of exercise enjoyment. Correlational analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between mean FS values and enjoyment of exercise for each visit. Repeated measures ANOVAs (condition x time) were performed on RPE. Results: Enjoyment of exercise was higher for TV (87 ± 19) vs. No-TV (79 ± 1 6) (p = .016) and was positively correlated with intrinsic motivation (r = 0.347) (p < .05). Mean FS values were correlated with enjoyment for both conditions (p < .05). No differences in RPE between sessions were observed (p = .127). Conclusion: Watching television during exercise may positively enhance the overall experience and promote enjoyment of exercise.

Validity of Self-Reported Pedometer Steps per Day in College Students.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article was to examine the validity of self-reported pedometer steps/day. Forty-seven participants were provided a New Lifestyles NL-2000 (NL-2000; Lees Summit, MO, USA) pedometer and a physical activity (PA) diary for 3 weeks, but not informed of the data-storing capabilities. For weeks 2 and 3, each participant was given a step goal of 3,000 steps/day above week 1 average. A 2 × 3 repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences between reported steps/day. Bland–Altman plots assessed the mean bias and limits of agreement between reporting methods. Mean self-reported and NL-2000 steps/day were 9,264 ± 3,555 and 8,971 ± 3,590 steps/day (n = 26, p > .05). Mean biases were 216 ± 1,753 (week 1), –506 ± 1,355 (week 2), and –590 ± 1,360 (week 3) steps/day. Negative mean bias values indicate higher self-reported steps/day. Mean steps/day were similar between recording methods, but large differences were observed among individuals, suggesting self-reported steps/day may be valid for PA research at the population level, but not the individual level.