E. Whitney G. Moore

On the Joys of Missing Data

We provide conceptual introductions to missingness mechanisms--missing completely at random, missing at random, and missing not at random--and state-of-the-art methods of handling missing data--full-information maximum likelihood and multiple imputation--followed by a discussion of planned missing designs: Multiform questionnaire protocols, 2-method measurement models, and wave-missing longitudinal designs. We reviewed 80 articles of empirical studies published in the 2012 issues of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology to present a picture of how adequately missing data are currently handled in this field. To illustrate the benefits of using multiple imputation or full-information maximum likelihood and incorporating planned missingness into study designs, we provide example analyses of empirical data gathered using a 3-form planned missing design.

Student Well-Being Interventions: The Effects of Stress Management Techniques and Gratitude Journaling in the Management Education Classroom

Student well-being in the management classroom is of concern to both educators and managers. Well-being is conceptualized here as students’ reduction in stress, enhanced experienced meaning and engagement in the classroom, and, ultimately, heightened satisfaction with life. The authors investigated whether purposeful semester-long classroom interventions could influence these dimensions of student well-being. Specifically, the authors examined the impact of stress management techniques, gratitude journaling, a combination of stress management and journaling, and a control condition on students in four different sections of a required management course. At the end of the semester, students in the both the combined intervention and gratitude journaling treatment conditions showed a heightened level of meaningfulness and engagement in the classroom. The implications of these findings for management education research and practice as well as strengths and limitations of the research are discussed.

Planned missing data designs with small sample sizes: How small is too small?

Utilizing planned missing data (PMD) designs (ex. 3-form surveys) enables researchers to ask participants fewer questions during the data collection process. An important question, however, is just how few participants are needed to effectively employ planned missing data designs in research studies. This article explores this question by using simulated three-form planned missing data to assess analytic model convergence, parameter estimate bias, standard error bias, mean squared error (MSE), and relative efficiency (RE).Three models were examined: a one-time-point, cross-sectional model with 3 constructs; a two-time-point model with 3 constructs at each time point; and a three-time-point, mediation model with 3 constructs over three time points. Both full-information maximum likelihood (FIML) and multiple imputation (MI) were used to handle the missing data. Models were found to meet convergence rate and acceptable bias criteria with FIML at smaller sample sizes than with MI.

Psychometric Properties of the Abbreviated Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to develop an abbreviated version of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire (PMCEQ-A) to provide a more practical instrument for use in applied exercise settings. In the calibration step, two shortened versions’ measurement and latent model values were compared to each other and the original PMCEQ using a three-group CFA invariance testing approach with previously collected exercise setting data (N = 5,427). Based on the model fit and reliability values, the 12-item version performed better than the 17-item version. The resultant 12-item PMCEQ-A’s CFA model estimates were then compared to the PMCEQ’s model values for two different, previously conducted studies of exercise settings (N = 414 and 770). The more parsimonious 12-item PMCEQ-A can be used by exercise psychology researchers to gain insight into members’ perspectives on the motivational climate and may lead to developing effective strategies to enhance members’ experiences and commitment.

National franchise members’ perceptions of the exercise psychosocial environment, ownership, and satisfaction.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between: (a) the motivational climate developed by a national exercise franchise and (b) members’ sense of ownership in and enjoyment of exercise. Members of a national exercise franchise (N = 5,329) were surveyed to learn their views on the motivational climate (autonomy supportive, caring, task-, and ego-involving), exercise class ownership, and class enjoyment. Mean scale scores revealed this national exercise franchise succeeded in developing a high caring (M = 4.60 ± .68), task-involving (M = 4.04 ± .62), and autonomy supportive (M = 5.98 ± 1.00) climate, and low ego-involving (M = 1.79 ± .69) climate. The members also reported high perceptions of ownership (M = 4.21 ± .78) within and enjoyment (M = 6.50 ± .91) of the exercise program. Structural equation modeling (SEM), theory-driven regression analyses supported the hypothesis that the psychosocial environment experienced by members predicted their reported ownership and enjoyment. Specifically, members’ ownership was significantly positively predicted by their perceptions of the environment as task-involving and autonomy supportive, and negatively predicted by their perceptions of the environment as ego-involving. Members’ enjoyment was significantly positively predicted by their perceptions of the environment as caring, task-involving, and autonomy supportive, while negatively predicted by their ego-involving climate perceptions. A large, national fitness organization is capable of promoting their franchisees’ consistent fostering of a highly caring, autonomy supportive, task-involving, and low ego-involving environment. Developing this climate was associated with members reporting a greater sense of ownership and enjoyment of their exercise experience.

A motivational climate intervention and exercise-related outcomes: A longitudinal perspective.

Although researchers have suggested that the social context in exercise settings is linked to individuals’ physical activity motivation and potential exercise-related outcomes, few research designs have examined the nuance of those relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine longitudinally the relationships between the motivational climate of a fitness center and members’ exercise experiences, using an intervention designed from achievement goal perspective theory and self-determination theory. Using a half-longitudinal structural equation model, we modeled members’ perceptions of the motivational climate, basic psychological needs, exercise motivation, and exercise experiences (including commitment to exercise, life satisfaction, and body image) pre- and post-intervention The model revealed significant latent mean differences for post-intervention constructs, with participants experiencing a more positive motivational climate, higher competence and relatedness, intrinsic motivation, commitment, and life satisfaction. The final mediation model demonstrated tenable fit, suggesting that perceptions of climate have significant direct and indirect effects on commitment, life satisfaction, and body image. Our study supports the view that perceptions of the motivational climate as caring and task-involving contribute to an advantageous social context for exercise where basic psychological needs are nurtured; intrinsic motivation is fostered; and individuals experience well-being benefits, including increased life satisfaction. Short and targeted caring and task-involving climate training with fitness center staff may result in members’ perceiving a significant change in the motivational climate. Further randomized controlled studies should confirm these hypotheses.