Kathleen A. Martin

Correlates of satisfaction with body function and body appearance in middle- and older aged adults: The activity counseling trial (ACT)

Abstract This study examined the dimensional structure and correlates of body satisfaction among middle-aged and older adult men (n = 471) and women (n = 383) who were participants in the Activity Counseling Trial. Correlates were grouped as (1) fitness parameters, (2) demographic characteristics, and (3) components of subjective well-being. Factor analyses demonstrated that body function and body appearance were independent components of satisfaction in this population. Body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness were directly related to satisfaction with body appearance; however, satisfaction with body function was most strongly related in expected directions to measures of subjective well-being. Age was positively related to both measures of body satisfaction, whereas data on race revealed that blacks were more satisfied with their body appearance and function than whites. The observed relationships for body satisfaction suggest that older adults may value body function more than body appearance. Furthermore, the associations of race and age with body satisfaction have important implications for intervention research.

An Exploratory Investigation of the Relationship between Proxy Efficacy, Self-efficacy and Exercise Attendance:

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between perceptions of self-efficacy, proxy efficacy, and exercise class attendance of participants involved in a 10-week structured group fitness program. At week 3, 127 females completed measures of self-efficacy and proxy efficacy and their class attendance was monitored for the subsequent four weeks. Self-efficacy was assessed through measures of exercise, scheduling, and barrier self-efficacy. Proxy efficacy was assessed through a measure of fitness instructor efficacy defined as participants’ confidence in their fitness instructors’ communication, teaching, and motivating capabilities. Results revealed positive correlations between self-efficacy variables and proxy efficacy. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that among those who were classified as exercise initiates (n = 33), self-efficacy and proxy efficacy accounted for 34 percent of the variance in exercise class attendance with the latter variable explaining a unique 12 percent. Consistent with theorizing, these preliminary findings indicate that for instructor-led, group physical activities such as aerobics classes, proxy efficacy perceptions are related to self-efficacy and may also be an important predictor of exercise behavior.

Who Will Adhere? Key Issues in the Study and Prediction of Adherence in Randomized Controlled Trials

Adherence determinants and key adherence research issues are discussed for three types of randomized controlled trials: pharmacological, dietary, and physical activity. This article highlights theoretical and methodological limitations that have hampered the ability to identify patients at risk for poor treatment compliance. Control Clin Trials 2000;21:195S-199S

Perceived importance and satisfaction with physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis

This investigation examined the determinants of satisfaction with physical function for participants in an Observational Arthritis Study in Seniors (OASIS). The sample consisted of 480 men (51%) and women (49%) over the age of 65 years who had difficulty performing activities of daily living due to knee pain. As part of baseline testing for OASIS, participants completed a measure that assessed satisfaction with function for six physical activities. After controlling for relevant covariates, scores on the satisfaction index were regressed on seven conceptually relevant predictor variables. The results revealed that satisfaction with physical function is a distinct construct from level of function, irrespective of whether the latter variable is measured objectively or subjectively. When entered into a hierarchical regression model, 6-minute walk test data accounted for 11% of the variance in satisfaction scores, whereas perceived difficulty accounted for an additional 22%. Moreover, a significant interaction term between importance and perceived difficulty revealed that patients who rated the activities as important and who had high levels of perceived difficulty had the lowest satisfaction scores. Discussion focuses on the determinants of satisfaction with physical function with emphasis on the interaction between perceived difficulty and importance.

Would You Drink after a Stranger? The Influence of Self-Presentational Motives on Willingness to Take a Health Risk

This experiment examined the influence of self-presentational motives on a potentially unhealthy behavior—drinking from a stranger’s water bottle. In a 2 × 2 factorial design, participants’ (N = 48) social image-concern (low/high) was manipulated, and half of the participants also received a verbal challenge to drink from the bottle (challenged/not challenged). Participants in the high image-concern condition drank significantly more water (M = 50.8 ml) from the stranger’s bottle than did participants in the low image-concern condition (M = 30.1 ml), p < .05. Also, participants who were challenged drank more (M = 53.7 ml) than those who were not challenged (M = 27.2 ml), p < .05. Discussion focuses on the utility of a self-presentational approach for understanding health risk behavior.

Re-Examination of the Factor Structure and Composition of the Self-Presentation in Exercise Questionnaire (SPEQ)

The purpose of the present study was to re-examine the factorial integrity of the 11-item two factor Self-Presentation in Exercise Questionnaire (SPEQ; Conroy, Motl, & Hall, 2000). Initial attempts to confirm the factor structure and composition in a Canadian university sample were unsuccessful. Subsequent scale reconstitution yielded an 8-item model, which retained the two original factors labeled impression motivation and impression construction. Cross-validation of the reconstituted model in both a Canadian and a New Zealand sample produced an adequate approximation of the data, but conceptual problems with both the impression construction and impression motivation subscales were identified. Specifically, the SPEQ items tended to focus too much on physical appearance as both a self-presentational motive and behavior. Several items also confounded these two constructs. Thus, although the SPEQ represents an important first step in investigating the role of self-presentation in exercise behavior, further work must continue in order to develop a psychometrically sound instrument.

Clinician Practice Patterns: Linking to Community Resources for Childhood Aggression:

Creating links to community resources for childhood aggression is one component of office-based violence prevention. Evidence is lacking regarding the effect of training clinicians to make these referrals and families’ responses to them. Clinicians who received training (n=47) and parents (1093) were queried on the provision of referrals immediately after the visit. Fewer than half of clinicians (45%) reported making a community referral. A third of providers (37%) noted difficulty in identifying local resources. Training clinicians to utilize community resources for childhood aggression does not often result in creating community links for this purpose.

Up and running: Interventions in exercise psychology

Exercise psychology is a relatively new field which seeks to understand the psychological and social factors which influence physical activity participation and physical fitness, with a view to preventing attrition and promoting greater exercise adherence. Over 21 per cent of Irish adults currently take no exercise at all (Departments of Health and Education, 1996) and it is estimated that 50 per cent of people who are actually motivated to begin an exercise programme drop out within the first six months (Dishman, 1988). Body image represents a significant area for research in exercise psychology as the perceptions and feelings we have about our bodies often influence the selection of physical activities or they can cause us to avoid particular activities or exercise situations. Two exercise intervention studies which focus on body image outcomes are described in this article. The first study involved six obese children who were assigned personal trainers for an eight week programme of physical activity a...

Development of Interprofessional Clinical Research Collaboration in Gerontology

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe the opportunities and challenges in the development of a research group established to investigate and disseminate knowledge related to aging, mobility and participation. Various aspects of the research group are described, including the purpose, membership, structure, funding, communication, decision-making and a research model developed to inform research activities. Some current research and educational activities are outlined. Insights and recommendations are provided about strategies used to facilitate the development of this group, including commitment and perseverance; joint projects; designated physical space and funding for infrastructure; regular meetings, educational sessions and retreats; and an opportunity for peer support.