Ying Hwa Kee

College students’ motivation and learning strategies profiles and academic achievement: a self-determination theory approach

The development of effective self-regulated learning strategies is of interest to educationalists. In this paper, we examine inherent individual difference in self-regulated learning based on Motivated Learning for Learning Questionnaire (MLSQ) using the cluster analytic approach and examine cluster difference in terms of self-determination theory related variables. The sample of the study consisted of 238 junior college students from 12 intact classes. Two adaptive clusters and two maladaptive clusters were uncovered based on the MLSQ, with the adaptive clusters showing better academic grades. Results from the one-way MANOVA showed that the four clusters differed significantly in terms of their needs satisfaction, behavioural regulations, enjoyment, effort and value. The findings supported the importance of needs satisfaction in the development of self-regulated learning behaviour.

Relationships between being Traditional and Sense of Gratitude among Taiwanese High School Athletes

This study examined the association of scores on measures of traditionality and gratitude. Briefly defined, traditionality refers to how strongly one endorses the traditional value of submission to authority for harmony and benefits in a collective group. Traditional Taiwanese culture is linked with collectivism, and the society tends to encourage members to respect authority and harmony. As people of a collectivistic view seek to maintain harmony within the group, gratitude and reciprocity of good is expected from members. Nevertheless, traditionality of values differs among group members, as is also true for gratitude. It is not known how scores on traditionality might relate to feelings of gratitude among athletes in the competitive sports setting. 289 Taiwanese high school athletes were administered the Sport-domain Gratitude Questionnaire by Chen and Kee and the Traditionality Scale by Kao and Lu. Data, subjected to structural equation modeling, show that traditionality scores were related to those on gratitude. Implications and limitations were discussed.

Hydrodynamic profile of young swimmers: Changes over a competitive season

The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in the hydrodynamic profile of young swimmers over a competitive season and to compare the variations according to a well‐designed training periodization. Twenty‐five swimmers (13 boys and 12 girls) were evaluated in (a) October (M1); (b) March (M2); and (c) June (M3). Inertial and anthropometrical measures included body mass, swimmers added water mass, height, and trunk transverse surface area. Swimming efficiency was estimated by the speed fluctuation, stroke index, and approximate entropy. Active drag was estimated with the velocity perturbation method and the passive drag with the gliding decay method. Hydrodynamic dimensionless numbers (Froude and Reynolds numbers) and hull velocity (i.e., speed at Froude number = 0.42) were also calculated. No variable presented a significant gender effect. Anthropometrics and inertial parameters plus dimensionless numbers increased over time. Swimming efficiency improved between M1 and M3. There was a trend for both passive and active drag increase from M1 to M2, but being lower at M3 than at M1. Intra‐individual changes between evaluation moments suggest high between‐ and within‐subject variations. Therefore, hydrodynamic changes over a season occur in a non‐linear fashion way, where the interplay between growth and training periodization explain the unique path flow selected by each young swimmer.

When small losses do not loom larger than small gains: Effects of contextual autonomy support and goal contents on behavioural responses to small losses and small gains

Based on the tenets of self-determination theory, the present studies examined the moderating effects of interpersonal contexts or goal conditions that afforded satisfaction of psychological needs on loss aversion effects. We hypothesized that behavioural responses to small losses would be stronger relative to behavioural responses to small gains under goal conditions or interpersonal contexts that did not support psychological needs. We also expected the effect to be minimized under goal conditions or interpersonal contexts that supported psychological needs. This prediction was supported in Study 1 that induced satisfaction of psychological needs via manipulations of interpersonal context and in Study 2 that instigated satisfaction of psychological needs via manipulations of goal contents. In addition, Studies 1 and 2 demonstrated that psychological needs reduced the classic loss aversion effect by increasing behavioural and affective responses to gains and not because psychological needs altered affective or behavioural responses to losses. Results of the present studies support the conclusion that contextual autonomy support and the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic goals proposed by self-determination theory define a boundary condition of the loss aversion hypothesis.

Fear of failure and self-handicapping in college physical education.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between fear of failure and self-handicapping within the context of physical education. Participants were 103 college freshmen enrolled in aerobic dance physical education classes in Taiwan. They completed the Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory and Self-Handicapping Scale for Sport 3 mo. after entering the class. Hierarchical regression indicated that scores on fear of failure predicted self-handicapping scores.

Effect of Brief Mindfulness Induction on University Athletes’ Sleep Quality Following Night Training

Given the need to alleviate sleep problems confronting athletes, the present experiment, conducted as much as possible in a naturalistic fashion that mimics daily life, seeks to examine whether a brief mindfulness induction immediately prior to sleep following night training can improve athletes’ sleep. A sample of university athletes (n = 80) was recruited and 63 of them were eligible to participate in this experiment. They were then randomly assigned into experimental group (n = 32) and control group (n = 31). Following night training and just prior to sleep, those in the experimental group received a self-administered brief 6-min mindfulness induction via a video clip, whereas the control group participants viewed a similar 6-min video devoid of mindfulness induction passively. Questionnaire-based measures of training intensity, pre-sleep arousal, state mindfulness, and sleep diary (i.e., level of rest, sleep duration, and overall sleep quality) were administered. Results showed that brief mindfulness induction reduced pre-sleep arousal, and improved level of rest and overall sleep quality, but not sleep duration. Pre-sleep arousal was also found to be a partial mediator in the relationship between the brief mindfulness induction and reported level of rest during sleep. These findings suggest that the brief mindfulness induction may be an effective approach for decreasing pre-sleep arousal and improving sleep quality after night training among athletes.

Silver lining in winning silver: an exploratory study of supporters’ reactions and coping on the social media towards Lee Chong Wei’s London Olympics defeat

Abstract The experience of loss is prevalent in all sports, but research into the phenomenon is scarce. Comments related to two YouTube videos which featured interviews with Malaysian badminton player Lee Chong Wei after his narrow final defeat to Lin Dan in the 2012 London Olympics were analysed in an exploratory attempt to understand supporters’ reactions and coping with the loss on social media. Content analysis of supporters’ collective reactions suggests that most of Lee’s supporters who posted comments were able to find a ‘silver lining in the cloud’ despite this loss, i.e. signs of coping were prevalent. The following seven categories were identified: (a) providing rationalizations, (b) offering solace, (c) expressing emotion, (d) showing respect, (e) displaying solidarity, (f) injecting humour, and (g) being negative. Insights from this study based on reactions on social media offer a fresh perspective for understanding supporters’ coping strategies in response to sport losses which could serve as a catalyst for future understanding of sport losses in sport psychology.

Motivations for volunteering and its associations with time perspectives and life satisfaction: A latent profile approach

This study aims to examine motivation for volunteering and its association with time perspective and life satisfaction among volunteers (N = 221). Latent profile analysis was used to profile individuals based on their time perspectives and then to compare group differences in life satisfaction and volunteering motivation. Three profiles were identified. Profile 1 (n = 32; 14.5%) was a “balanced time perspective group,” Profile 2 (n = 102; 46.2%) was a “maladaptive group,” and Profile 3 (n = 87; 39.3%) was a “nonchalant group.” Profile 1 showed the highest life satisfaction compared to the two remaining groups. Significant group differences in volunteering motivation between this group and the other two were also reported. These findings suggest that time perspective may be appropriate for understanding motivation for voluntarism and life satisfaction.

Physical inactivity and activity patterns among Taiwanese secondary students

In the present study, we examined the status of physical inactivity and activity patterns among a sample of Taiwanese secondary school, incorporating the cluster analytic approach. The three research goals were (a) to compare gender and age differences in sedentary behaviour patterns, (b) to examine correlations of forms of sedentary behaviour (i.e. computer/Internet, playing video games, doing homework, leisure reading, sitting and talking, listening to music, talking on the telephone, and watching television), and with physical activity participation levels, and (c) to compare whether cluster groups of students with distinct sedentary activity patterns differ in physical activity pattern. A sample of 757 secondary school students aged 12–15 years from 8 Taiwanese schools in southern part of Taiwan took part in the study. The results of cluster analysis revealed five clusters, with distinct patterns of sedentary activities. There was no difference in terms of physical activity participation across these five clusters. The overall results suggest that the link between sedentary behaviour and physical activity is weak, concurring with previous findings.