William A. Edmonds

The Clinical and Adaptive Features of Young Offenders with Histories of Child-Parent Violence

This study compared the clinical and adaptive features of juvenile offenders (N = 223) who were violent towards their parents (CPV) with those who had no history of violence against their parents (NCPV). These two groups were also examined on demographic data, arrest findings, mental health issues, relationship findings, intellectual abilities, and school performance. Youths in the CPV group were more likely to (a) associate with peers who own guns, (b) affiliate with gang members, (c) belong to a gang, (d) have been psychiatrically hospitalized and medicated, (e) have attempted suicide, (f) come from a non-intact home, and (g) have trouble relating to their parents and other household members. The CPV group also committed a greater number of nondomestic violent offenses, while those in the NCPV group committed a greater number of property offenses. Analyses revealed no significant group differences on the Emotional Symptom Index and Personal Adjustment Composite of the Behavior Assessment System for Children; however, interaction effects were detected by gender and race.

Adaptation to physically and emotionally demanding conditions: the role of deliberate practice

The current study elucidated the reasons for athletic performance differences between individuals who (1) engage in similar workloads, and (2) develop in similar environments. 8 elite and 11 sub‐elite swimmers, with confirming data provided by 17 of their parents and 6 of their coaches, participated in this investigation. Findings revealed that (1) a variety of different practice regimens can result in attaining expertise, and (2) highly analogous developmental experiences may not differentiate between elite and sub‐elite performers. Results provide support for a 4‐factor model of expert athletic development: high effort, supportive environment, facilitative coping strategies, and physical and psychological predispositions. Each is likely required to achieve elite athletic performance, and all must be present in such a manner that they are systematically and idiosyncratically functional.

Emotions, Coping Strategies, and Performance: A Conceptual Framework for Defining Affect-Related Performance Zones

This article presents the crisis theory (Bar Eli & Tenenbaum, 1989) and its related approach for determining individual affect-related performance zones (IAPZ: Kamata, Tenenbaum, & Hanin, 2002). The theory and methodology delineate the uniqueness of each individuals ability to appraise stressful conditions and perceive them as functional or dysfunctional to his performance. In addition, the theory and methodology allow incorporating self-regulatory behaviors and coping strategies used during the encounter with situations, which vary in stress appraisal. The article also describes coping mechanisms used to energize (i.e., activate) and relax persons facing situations that vary in cognitive, physical, and affective demands. In particular, the use of imagery and self-talk as coping strategies in stressful situations are presented in more details. Since performance of military personnel involves substantially stressful circumstances (Wallenius, Larsson, & Johansson, 2004), the article advises how sport psychology theories, methodology, and findings can be used in the military environment.

The Role of Collective Efficacy in Adventure Racing Teams

This study examines the relationship between collective efficacy and performance in a single competition of adventure racing. Adventure racing is a team-based sport that requires the multidisciplinary tasks of trekking, mountain biking, canoeing, and climbing to navigate through a preplanned racecourse. Seventeen teams competing in an adventure race completed measures of prior performance, preparation effort, and a collective efficacy assessing perceptions of their teams functioning in six performance areas. Three in-race measures of collective efficacy and environmental factors-conditions are taken at various checkpoints. A correlational analysis indicates a positive relationship between preparation effort and initial perceptions of collective efficacy. A repeated measures analysis reveals the dynamic nature of collective efficacy and the reciprocal relationship between efficacy and performance. The results are consistent with D. L. Feltz and C. D. Lirggs (1998) examination of collegiate teams and A. Banduras (2000) contention that collective efficacy fosters a sense of motivational investment and an increased sense of staying power.

A comparison of the developmental experiences of elite and sub-elite swimmers: similar developmental histories can lead to differences in performance level

The current study fills a void in the literature that investigates the factors required for elite athlete development. Previous studies have (a) illustrated psychological and physiological differences between elites and non-elites; or (b) described the psychological and physiological developmental experiences of elite performers. The current study augments these research bases by obtaining the recollections of 15 highly accomplished swimmers (i.e. seven elite and eight sub-elite) and compares their developmental experiences. Qualitative results are presented within Blooms (1985) stages of talent development (i.e. The Early, Middle and Late Years) and Hendry and Kloeps (2002) lifespan model of developmental challenges (i.e. Self-Efficacy, Social Resources, Structural Resources, Skills and Biological Dispositions) in order to present these athletes’ idiosyncratic experiences in an organised manner. Similarities and differences among these athletes and between performance groups are presented, some of which are incongruent with current theories that address the developmental requirements of elite athletes. A discussion regarding the implications of these findings, and future research concerns, are then proffered.

Hard Work Beats Talent Until Talent Decides to Work Hard: Coaches' Perspectives Regarding Differentiating Elite and Non-Elite Swimmers

Research addressing elite athletes tends to either identify differences between high-level and low-level performers or the developmental histories of elite athletes. The current study culls input from six individuals who simultaneously coach both elite (e.g., World Record holders) and non-elite (e.g., regional-level) swimmers, and have done so for an extended period of time, thereby filling a void in the literature by providing their opinions and perceptions regarding how athletic performance differences develop. Responses by participants to the open-ended question, “What do you feel contributes to a swimmer achieving top performances (e.g., World Records) vs. excellent performances (e.g., a Top-8 finish at NCAAs)?” were analyzed. Emergent categories (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, lifestyle, training, environment, and a systemic interaction among these) are presented and an interpretation is offered. Additionally, a critique of the methods implemented herein is offered and future research directions are proposed.

Intellectual, behavioral, and personality correlates of violent vs. non-violent juvenile offenders

The overall aim of this study was to examine the relationship between offender status (violent vs. nonviolent) and selected predictor variables from personality, behavioral, and intellectual domains. The two main sub goals were (a) to determine which variables from these domains were most closely associated with offender status, and (b) to construct a stepwise logistic regression model that could help identify which juveniles were more likely to be incarcerated for violent vs. nonviolent offenses. The participants for this investigation were juvenile offenders referred to the Juvenile Court Assessment Center by the Juvenile Justice Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. The court-ordered assessment included the following measures: (a) The Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI), (b) the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC), (c) the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Third Edition (PPVT-III), (d) the Wide Range Achievement Test-Third Edition (WRAT-III), (e) the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT), and (f) records of school achievement. The ten variables that had the strongest association with offender status were entered into the stepwise logistic regression analysis; five of these strategically chosen predictor variables accurately differentiated violent from nonviolent offenders 86.3% of the time. Reading Percentile (β=-.051), PPVT-III (β=-.059), MACI-Inhibition (β=-.033), MACI-Eating Dysfunction (β=.051), and BASC-Sense of Inadequacy (β=-.072). Gender differences were explored.

A Single-Participants Investigation of the Effects of Various Biofeedback-Assisted Breathing Patterns on Heart Rate Variability: A Practitioner's Approach

Abstract The objective of this study was to define specific breathing patterns and examine the effects these patterns have on indicators of heart rate variability. Perceived accounts of ease and comfort in relation to the patterned breathing applications also were assessed. A breathing pattern is the within-cycle respiratory timing or the ratio between the inspiration and expiration of breath, including the pause time at the top of the inspiration and at the bottom of the expiration. The within-participants analysis (N  =  14), including the subjective components, revealed significant differences and illuminated the strength of the effects the varied breathing patterns had on each participant.