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This study investigated the effects of a self-compassion intervention on negative cognitive states and self-compassion in varsity women athletes. Athletes who self-identified as being self-critical were randomly assigned to a self-compassion intervention (n = 29) or attention control group (n = 22). The self-compassion intervention consisted of a psychoeducation session and writing components completed over a 7-day period. Measures of self-compassion, state self-criticism, state rumination, and concern over mistakes were collected pretreatment, at 1 week posttreatment, and at a 4-week follow-up. A mixed factorial MANOVA with follow-up post hoc tests demonstrated moderate-to-strong effects for the intervention at posttest and follow-up (Wilks's Λ = .566, F (8, 42) = 4.03, p < .01, η2 = .43). The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the self-compassion intervention in managing self-criticism, rumination, and concern over mistakes. Fostering self-compassionate mind frames is a potential coping resource for women athletes dealing with negative events in sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-compassion has demonstrated many psychological benefits (Neff, 2009). In an effort to explore self-compassion as a potential resource for young women athletes, we explored relations among self-compassion, proneness to self-conscious emotions (i.e., shame, guilt-free shame, guilt, shame-free guilt, authentic pride, and hubristic pride), and potentially unhealthy self-evaluative thoughts and behaviors (i.e., social physique anxiety, obligatory exercise, objectified body consciousness, fear of failure, and fear of negative evaluation). Young women athletes (N = 151; Mage = 15.1 years) participated in this study. Self-compassion was negatively related to shame proneness, guilt-free shame proneness, social physique anxiety, objectified body consciousness, fear of failure, and fear of negative evaluation. In support of theoretical propositions, self-compassion explained variance beyond self-esteem on shame proneness, guilt-free shame proneness, shame-free guilt proneness, objectified body consciousness, fear of failure, and fear of negative evaluation. Results suggest that, in addition to self-esteem promotion, self-compassion development may be beneficial in cultivating positive sport experiences for young women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to test a model where body-related self-conscious emotions of shame, guilt, and pride were associated with physical activity regulations and behavior. Adult women (N = 389; M age = 29.82, SD = 15.20 years) completed a questionnaire assessing body-related pride, shame, and guilt, motivational regulations, and leisure-time physical activity. The hypothesized measurement and structural models were deemed adequate, as was a revised model examining shame-free guilt and guilt-free shame. In the revised structural model, body-related pride was positively significantly related to identified and intrinsic regulations. Body-related shame-free guilt was significantly associated with external, introjected, and identified regulations. Body-related guilt-free shame was significantly positively related to external and introjected regulation, and negatively associated with intrinsic regulation. Identified and intrinsic regulations were significantly positively related to physical activity (R2 = .62). These findings highlight the importance of targeting and understanding the realm of body-related self-conscious emotions and the associated links to regulations and physical activity behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To accommodate the need for longitudinal physical activ-ity research, we developed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adults (PAQ-AD). The PAQ-AD is an adult version of the PAQ-C and PAQ-A questionnaires which were developed for older children and adolescents, respectively. Methods: Two studies assessed the convergent validity of the PAQ-AD using a series of self-report tools and direct measurement of physical activity. Results: In the first sample (N = 247), the PAQ-AD was significantly related to a series of self-report tools (r = 0.53 to 0.64). In the second sample (N = 184), the PAQ-AD was significantly related to the self-report tools (r = 0.56 to 0.63), a physical activity recall interview (r = 0.24), and to direct measure-ments of physical activity (r = 0.26 to 0.43). Conclusion: These results provide preliminary validity evidence for the PAQ-AD and suggest the PAQ "family" of questionnaires might be advantageous for longitudinal research assessing physical activity from childhood to adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examined the direction of causal flow between global and specific dimensions of self-concept. Although the multidimensionality of selfconcept has been strongly supported in the literature, the hierarchical nature of self-concept has not been established. With the use of structural equation modeling, the hierarchical nature of self-concept was tested using the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) model both with and without global selfesteem included. Adolescent girls (N = 618) completed the PSPP and Harter's global self-esteem scale during class time in Grade 9 and a year later in Grade 10. When horizontal effects were included in the self-concept models across age, there was little support for either top-down or bottom-up effects. This contrasted with the results found when the analysis was conducted within each time period separately. This research provides further evidence against the hierarchical model of self-concept and highlights the importance of examining the hierarchical nature of self-concept over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assesses the feasibility of the Tritrac-R3D motion sensor over a 7-day period among children in Grades 4–8. Assessment of data downloading software problems; Correlation between Tritrac scores and Caltrac scores; Elaboration of self-report measures obtained.

Examines the convergent validity of the physical activity questionnaire for adolescents. Measurement of physical activity among students; Assessment of the questionnaire based on its reliability and validity; Establishment of criteria for the assessment of its validity.

Assesses the validity of physical activity questionnaire for older children. Analysis on the perceptions of athletic competence; Relationship between health and physical activity; Determination of psychometric characteristics.

The present study examined gender effects in the construct validity of the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP) for college students. Men (n = 89) and women (n = 94) completed the four subdomains scales (sport competence, physical condition, body attractiveness, and strength), the general domain scale of physical self-worth, a global scale of self-esteem (Neemann & Harter, 1986), and the LTEQ physical activity measure (Godin & Shephard, 1985). All self-perception scales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency.: Males had higher levels of physical self-perceptions, and there were gender differences in the mediating effects of physical self-worth in the hierarchical self-esteem model. Only the conditioning scale was related to physical activity for women, whereas all self-perception scales were related to physical activity for men. Correlation and regression analysis indicated all self-perceptions were interrelated in expected strength and direction; however, the subdomain of strength was redundant for both men and women. Consistent with previous work, the subdomain of body appearance was strongly related to physical self-worth for men (r = .74, p [less than] .01) and women (r = .78, p [less than] .01)., Self-esteem has traditionally been considered an indication of mental and social life adjustment and a mediator of behavior (Hatter, 1989; Marsh, 1993). Research has shown that self-esteem is associated with [...]

The body image experiences of young Aboriginal women are very complex and influence health in a variety of ways; subsequently, young Aboriginal women have voiced the need for action. The purpose of our research was to engage in a collaborative, school-based participatory action research (PAR) project in partnership with a local high school to provide young women, primarily young Aboriginal women, with an opportunity to manage their body image experiences in an effective manner. Students, teachers, and staff of Nutana Collegiate in Saskatchewan, Canada participated in this project, which took place from September 2006 to June 2007. The two primary phases of this PAR project were focused on building relationships and collaboratively developing action initiatives. The development and implementation of action at the individual, school, provincial, and national levels was the most significant outcome of this research. Findings suggest that universities and local high schools can and should work together to develop school-based body image programs for young Aboriginal women. As well, and maybe most importantly, this research highlights the strength of using PAR methodologies when engaging young Aboriginal women in body image research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this investigation was (a) to examine the association between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and motives for wellbeing and (b) to examine the potential role of perceived psychological need satisfaction (Deci & Ryan, 2002) in terms of the physical activity-motive for well-being relationship. Adopting a crosssectional design, participants (N = 142; Mage = 65.01 years; SDage = 10.55 years) were individuals diagnosed with osteopenia who completed a self-report survey on a single occasion. Bivariate correlations indicated that LTPA was associated with motives for hedonic (r = .28) and eudaimonic (r = .35) well-being and psychological need satisfaction (r's = .12 to .45). Multiple mediation analysis indicated perceived psychological need satisfaction mediated the LTPA- hedonic/eudaimonic motive relationship. The 95 percent bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap confidence interval demonstrated that perceived competence and autonomy were the unique mediators. Collectively, results of this study support the relationship between physical activity and levels of hedonic/eudaimonic motives and that the satisfaction of basic psychological needs is a plausible mechanism underpinning such motivational orientations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research on how teenage girl athletes cope with social physique anxiety (SPA). Seventy-three such athletes are interviewed on their coping strategies and their evaluation of their effectiveness in situations within their sports in which they felt they encountered SPA. Social support, behavioral avoidance, short-term appareance management and humor were the most frequently reported coping strategies.

There has been a gradual increase in health research that explores the body–related experiences of young Aboriginal women living in urban and reserve settings. However, the voices of rural Canadian Aboriginal women not living on reserves, appear to be absent from this literature. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to better understand the body–related experiences of young Aboriginal women living in rural Canadian communities. Case study was utilized as the strategy of inquiry in which each of two young women (both 15 years of age) represented a case. One–on–one interviews were used to explore the young women's experiences. Four themes emerged: (1) fitting in, (2) rural uniqueness, (3) role models, and (4) body talk. The primary contribution of this study is that it sheds light on the unique body–related experiences of two young women, each living in a rural community where she is the only teenaged Aboriginal woman. Despite some similarities, the young women related very different stories of their experiences in their respective communities. This research also highlights some of the ethical challenges of ensuring that the stories of the young women are adequately represented, while their confidentiality is respected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All participatory action research (PAR) projects are unique, with a wide range of methodological challenges for participants and researchers. This paper highlights the manner in which methodological challenges and considerations were addressed in a recent school-based PAR project with young Aboriginal women in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Specifically, we outline: (a) potential challenges of defining the community in school-based PAR, (b) issues associated with negotiating informed consent, (c) processes of developing and maintaining relationships, and (d) challenges associated with ensuring participant collaboration throughout the research process. The intent is not to offer simple answers to such challenges, but to highlight the manner in which such processes were addressed. This research may provide practical insight for future researchers and community members who have similar goals of engaging young Aboriginal women in PAR to address important health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In North America, hatha yoga is increasingly popular with middle-aged women. Given its heavy focus on acceptance of the body, yoga may represent an ideal activity to be used within the exercise and self-esteem model (Sonstroem & Morgan, 1989). The purpose of this research was to explore potential changes in self-esteem, physical competence, acceptance, self-efficacy, and mindfulness among middle-aged women. Participants were 51 women (mean age 49.3 ± 6.1), who underwent a 12-week yoga intervention (yoga group, n = 21; control group, n = 30). Before and after measures included the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ; Godin & Shephard, 1985), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965), Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP; Fox & Corbin, 1989), Body Esteem Scale (BES; Franzoi & Shields, 1984), Body Image Visual Analog Scale (BIVAS), Yoga Self-Efficacy Scale (YSES; Junkin, 2005), and the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS; Baer & Allen, 2004). Doubly multivariate analyses established significant Group x Time differences; follow-up univariate tests, p < .05, showed significance on PSW F(1, 49) = 12.22, conditioning subscale of PSPP F(1, 49) = 10.65, strength subscale on PSPP F(1, 49) = 13.11, BIVAS F(1, 49) = 11.76, YSE total score F(1, 49) = 9.84, and YSE subscales of forward bends F(1, 49) = 17.84, twists F(1, 49) = 8.18, and seated/supine poses F(1, 49) = 6.21, and observation subscale of KIMS F(1, 49) = 12.16, p < .05. In all cases, the yoga group improved more over time than the control group. Findings found partial support for the use of the EXSEM for middle-aged women participating in hatha yoga; there was general support for a bottom-up flow from exercise to self-efficacy, competence, and acceptance, but no overall change in self-esteem. Future research should further develop appropriate measurement of physical acceptance, the appropriateness of EXSEM for examining hatha yoga, and the benefits of utilizing mixed methodology for exercise interventions. Health behaviors: Addressing the gap in pediatric cancer care Keats, Melanie R., and Nicole Culos-Reed, University of Calgary Adaptive health behaviors, such as regular physical activity (PA), may serve an important role in mitigating many of the adverse effects of the pediatric cancer experience and ultimately improve quality of life (QOL). Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of a theory-based PA intervention for adolescent cancer survivors. Secondary purposes included an examination of the relationship between PA and QOL and the utility of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in understanding PA behavior. Methods: Participants included 10 adolescent cancer survivors (14-19 years). A group PA intervention was administered on a weekly basis over 16 weeks. The first 8 weeks consisted of a 30-min educational session, 45 min of aerobic training, and 15 min of strength and flexibility training. The final 8 weeks included a variety of noncompetitive, sport/fitness activities. The goal of the program was to provide survivors an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills central to a healthy, active lifestyle. All participants completed a fitness test and QOL measures at baseline, mid-program, postintervention, and at 3 and 12 months postintervention. Results: Survivors attended 81.5% of the sessions (no dropout). Physical activity increased from 16.14 MET hr/wk at baseline to 40.78 MET hr/wk mid-program (p = .018). Although PA levels declined over the 1-year follow-up, they remained above baseline values. Ongoing improvements in QOL were noted across the 1-year study. Examining the TPB, intentions, controllability, and self-efficacy appeared to be key correlates of PA behavior.… [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-compassion has recently been introduced to Western psychology literature and is defined as an attitude of kindness and understanding toward oneself, which involves taking a nonjudgmental attitude toward one's imperfections, limitations, and failures (Neff, 2003). Although self-compassion has been conceptualized as a construct that is important to one's overall sense of self, it might be also be relevant to more specific self-perceptions, including one's perception of the body. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of body self-compassion for young adult women who exercise and to discover the essential structure of the women's experiences. An empirical phenomenological methodology (Giorgi, 1997; Giorgi & Giorgi, 2003) was employed; five Canadian women between the ages of 23 and 28 participated in this study. Each woman participated in an individual interview in which they were asked to describe two instances where they experienced body self-compassion. Five essential structures emerged from these interviews: (1) appreciating one's unique body, (2) taking ownership of one's body, (3) engaging in less self-comparison, (4) importance of others, and (5) self-compassion as a dynamic process. A follow-up focus group discussion provided the women with the opportunity to offer feedback on the essential structures. This study is unique in a number of ways. First, this study demonstrates that self-compassion might be conceptualized in terms of specific self-perceptions, in this case, one's perception of the body. Second, the women's stories shed light on the complexity of the self-compassion construct, highlighted by the notion of self-compassion as a dynamic process. Third, the essential structures that emerged in this study suggest that an understanding of self-compassion may promote women's positive attitudes toward their bodies. Further research should test the generalizability of the essential structures that emerged in this study to other populations of women exercisers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present standards of the ideal body for women are becoming increasingly specific, with the ideal female physique being not only thin, but also muscular and toned (Bordo, 1993; Duncan, 1994; Markula, 1995). Women athletes often struggle with attaining the strong, muscular body that is needed to compete successfully in many sports and negotiating the expectation to conform to a lean, toned ideal, void of excessive muscle (Krane et al., 2004). The purpose of this qualitative case study (Stake, 1995) was to explore the meaning of muscularity with adult and adolescent women track and field athletes. Four adult and four adolescent women participated in focus groups and one-on-one interviews exploring issues surrounding the body, including ideals and expectations. The participants also took photographs to represent their perceptions of their own muscularity. Five themes emerged: (1) the many faces of muscularity, (2) muscularity as a process, (3) the blurred line between appearance and performance, (4) the culture of comparison, and (5) the journey toward a self-compassionate muscularity. This study is unique in providing women athletes with the opportunity to share their experiences with their bodies, particularly as they relate to muscularity. The voices of the participants emphasized that muscularity experiences are salient to women athletes, particularly within the track and field environment where comparisons are common. Muscularity was identified by the athletes as a complex and context-specific experience, reflecting the multiple meanings of muscularity. In light of the complexity surrounding muscularity, the athletes acknowledged that there are periods of struggle on the journey toward acceptance of the body. The multiple meanings of muscularity suggest a need for voice-centered approaches to research that attempt to further understand and respect the diverse experiences of women athletes. Supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and a USTEP training grant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helping athletes cope effectively with injury is likely of great interest to many sport stakeholders. Mental toughness is one psychological factor positively associated with resilience and sport performance, though stubborn persistence through injury might not always be conducive to adaptive athlete outcomes. Self-compassion-a balanced, nonjudgmental approach in relating to oneself when experiencing suffering-might help circumvent these pitfalls and complement injury recovery. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between mental toughness and self-compassion in a sport injury context. This study consisted of 2 phases-phase I quantitatively assessed the relationships between mental toughness, self-compassion, and other psychological constructs, while phase II used qualitative interviews to corroborate and inform these findings. In phase I, competitive athletes who were injured at the time of data collection (n = 81) completed mental toughness, self-compassion, coping resources, self-esteem, and self-criticism questionnaires. Self-compassion was positively correlated with mental toughness (r = .48, P < .01), coping resources (r = .54, P < .05), and self-esteem (r = .60, P < .01). Self-compassion and self-criticism were negatively correlated with each other (r = -.52, P < .01). Results from hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that self-compassion was a significant predictor of mental toughness (ΔR2 = .07, P < .01), coping resources (ΔR2 = .10, P < .01), and self-criticism (ΔR2 = .06, P < .01), beyond the effects of self-esteem. Four injured athletes who scored above the median on mental toughness and self-compassion measures were interviewed in phase II. Thematic analysis generated 2 themes: (1) self-compassion grants access to wise mental toughness and (2) mental toughness helps activate self-compassionate actions during injury. These findings are consistent with recent research and suggest that both mental toughness and self-compassion can work together to help athletes cope with sport injury.