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This study examined the psychometric properties of the Self-Presentational Efficacy Scale (SPES) developed by Gammage, Hall, and Martin Ginis (2004). University students (196 men and 269 women) completed the SPES and measures of social physique anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and physical activity. Participants also completed the SPES a second time. A series of multivariate data analyses were conducted to examine the SPES's factor structure. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a 3-factor model, with each factor representing a distinct latent variable. Acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability were found. Evidence of concurrent validity with respect to sex and exercise status was demonstrated. Convergent validity was also shown, as relationships to exercise participation and self-presentational anxiety were found. Future research should assess the reliability and validity of the SPES in other samples and the relative and unique contribution of the three factors in predicting exercise-related outcomes. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.)

Increasing dropout rates in senior high school physical education, particularly among females, and unhealthy activity and obesity levels in youth have led to recommendations to assess potential contributing factors in physical education participation. Drawing from gender, body image, and social-cognitive theory, this study investigated relations between body size discrepancy, self-efficacy, test anxiety, and achievement in 316 high school physical education students. Gender differences were noted in body size discrepancy (females reported the desire to have a smaller body). Specifically in females, body size discrepancy predicted test anxiety, which predicted self-efficacy. Self-efficacy predicted achievement in both males and females. The results signal that gender-specific relations among these constructs are important factors to consider in the achievement scores of students in high school physical education. Physical education programs should model curricula and instructional practices that defuse potentially harmful body image discrepancies that seem most poignant in females while engaging all learners to feel competent and safe. (Contains 2 figures and 2 tables.)

The Coaching Behavior Scale for Sport (CBS-S) is an athlete-centered measure of coaching behavior designed specifically for youth sport. Research has supported the psychometric properties and construct validity of the scale, however there has not been a published confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the CBS-S. The current study was designed to confirm the factor structure of the CBS-S, as well as to examine any potential invariance of this factor structure by gender. A sample of 346 youth sport athletes were administered the scale. The sample comprised relatively equal numbers of males (n = 193 male) and females (n = 152) who ranged in age from 13-18 years (M = 15.17, SD = 1.28), and represented the sports of basketball (n = 124), ice hockey (n = 114), and soccer (n = 99). A CFA (heterogeneous kurtosis method) revealed that the model showed an excellent fit to the data (CFI = .985, RMSEA = .044). An analysis of invariance by gender showed that the measurement model did not vary between male and female youth sport participants. These results offer strong support to the factor structure of the measurement model of the CBS-S, and, in context with the previous research, suggest that the scale is a valid and reliable measure for coaching effectiveness in youth sport., The coaching process in sport is in part defined by the outcomes which the athlete participants accrue. Although the most obvious of these outcomes may be team or individual performance, [...]

The emerging field of youth development has been associated with indicators of Positive Youth Development (PYD) known as the 5Cs (competence, confidence, connection, character and caring). The 5Cs model (Lerner [...]

Coaching efficacy refers to the extent to which a coach believes that he or she has the capacity to affect the learning and performance of his or her athletes. The purpose of the current study was to empirically synthesize findings across the extant literature to estimate relationships between the proposed sources of coaching efficacy and each of the dimensions of coaching efficacy. A literature search yielded 20 studies and 278 effect size estimates that met the inclusion criteria. The overall relationship between the proposed sources of coaching efficacy and each dimension of coaching efficacy was positive and ranged from small to medium in size. Coach gender and level coached moderated the overall relationship between the proposed sources of coaching efficacy and each of the dimensions of coaching efficacy. Results from this meta-analysis provided some evidence for both the utility of, and possible revisions to, the conceptual model of coaching efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The confidence coaches have in their abilities is an important and often overlooked attribute within sport. Two alternative conceptualizations of coaching confidence exist: Feltz and colleagues' (1999) coaching efficacy, and Barber's (1998) coaching competence. This study examined the relationship between these two constructs. A canonical correlation analysis showed that there was no statistical difference between coaching efficacy and coaching competence. Examination of gender differences for coaching efficacy showed that females had lower motivation and game strategy efficacy than males. In addition, all factors of coaching efficacy could be predicted by certain sources. These results support and expand the conceptualization of coaching efficacy., Administrators, parents, and athletes sometimes overlook coaches' confidence in their ability to coach. The assumption, especially at the collegiate level, is that coaches are "expelts" in their respective sports and [...]

To assess whether the Group Environment Questionnaire is applicable to athletes in co-acting sports such as track and field, the factor structure of the Group Environment Questionnaire among a heterogeneous sample of 199 co-acting team sport athletes was investigated. A confirmatory factor analysis did not support the hypothesized four-factor model. A subsequent exploratory factor analysis yielded two independent factors that had no interpretable pattern of the four Group Environment Questionnaire factors within them. While this finding requires replication and confirmation, the four-factor model of the Group Environment Questionnaire does not appear to be as valid for co-acting sports as for interacting sports.

Objective: Diet and dietary supplement use are associated with periodontal health while a cause and effect relationship is less clear. Although associations with specific nutrients and supplements suggest a potential benefit to healing of periodontal tissues after periodontal procedures, this study determined if patients undergoing periodontal surgery currently take dietary supplements to gage whether patients may accept use of such supplements as a potential intervention. Materials and methods: Patients who were undergoing implant placement or soft tissue graft surgery completed a questionnaire indicating any dietary supplements they consumed. Patient demographics, such as age, sex, and smoking status, were gathered from patients' charting records. Results: Data on dietary supplement usage were collected from 221 patients. More than half (64.7%) the population surveyed reported using one or more dietary supplements. The most commonly used dietary supplements were vitamin D (31%), multivitamin (28%), and B‐complex (17.2%). Females were more likely to be taking calcium, vitamin B12, and magnesium than males. Adults, aged 51 years and older, were more likely to be taking dietary supplements than their younger counterparts. They were also more likely to be taking four or more supplements than those under the age of 50 years. There was no association between supplement use and sex, but when the number of different supplements being used was assessed, females were more likely than males to be taking four or more different supplements. Conclusions: The majority of the study population is already taking dietary supplements as part of their routine. Based on this study, future studies to determine if supplement usage, potentially at levels higher than current levels of intake, can be used to maintain or promote periodontal health seem highly feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined sources of sport confidence and their relationship to trait sport confidence with master athletes. The study employed 216 athletes from 50 to 96 years of age in track and field, tennis, and swimming, using the Sources of Sport Confidence Questionnaire (SSCQ; Vealey, Hayashi, Garner-Holman, & Giacobbi, 1998). Confirmatory factor analysis failed to replicate the proposed 9-factor structure of the SSCQ. Exploratory factor analyses revealed an 8-factor structure with similar factors to the SSCQ, but with fewer items and the elimination of the situational favorableness factor. Physical/mental preparation and mastery were the highest ranked sources among the athletes. A simultaneous multiple regression analysis indicated that physical/ mental preparation and demonstration of ability were significant predictors of trait sport confidence for master athletes. Our findings suggest that the SSCQ needs more psychometric work if it is to be used with this type of population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dunning–Kruger effect is a robust finding whereby individuals' perceptions of their abilities differ significantly from objective assessments of ability. This effect has been found in a variety of tasks; however, there is a need for more research with respect to real-life competencies. The current study examined the Dunning–Kruger effect in coaches. Ninety-four high school volleyball coaches completed the teaching technique and strategy scales of the Coaching Efficacy Scale and an assessment of coaching ability. The results showed that, when split into quartiles based on ability, coaches in the lowest quartile had significantly higher efficacy than ability (t(24) = 3.61, p <.001), whereas those in the highest quartile had significantly lower efficacy than ability (t(25) = −4.78, p <.001). These results support the generalisability of the Dunning–Kruger effect. Implications with respect to the context of coaching are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral health is an integral part of overall health. Poor oral health can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. The etiology of these diseases could be linked to the individual's inability to eat a healthy diet when their dentition is compromised. While periodontal or implant surgery may be necessary to reconstruct tissue around natural teeth or replace missing teeth, respectively, some individuals avoid such interventions because of their associated fear and anxiety. Thus, while the relationship between poor oral health, compromised nutritional choices and fear and anxiety regarding periodontal procedures is not entirely new, this review provides an up-to-date summary of literature addressing aspects of this complex relationship. This review also identifies potential strategies for clinicians to help their patients overcome their fear and anxiety associated with dental treatment, and allow them to seek the care they need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite having been studied from a variety of different perspectives (e.g., psychological, sociological, anthropological), many researchers have concluded that a valid, holistic and reliable understanding of aggression in sport has yet to be proposed (Gee 2011; Gee 2010; Gee & Sullivan, 2006; Gee & Leith, 2007; Kirker, Tennenbaum & Mattson, 2000; Stephens, 1998). The criticisms pertaining to the sport aggression literature focus primarily on three factors: (1) its descriptive nature, (2) its microanalytical nature (i.e., the examination of a single independent variable), and (3) the omission of a valid behavioral criterion. The purpose of the current investigation was to address these limitations directly by testing the predictive capacity of multiple psychosocial constructs on within-competition aggressive behavior over a competitive season. Participants were 295 youth hockey players and their parents. These athletes competed across multiple competitive levels (AAA, AA, A, AE, and local league) within their respective age brackets. Results indicate that trait aggressiveness was the single strongest predictor of aggressive behavior over a competitive season. However, this relationship was moderated significantly by the level at which the athlete competed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationships between coaching efficacy, experience, and perceived coaching behaviors among Botswana scholastic coaches. It was anticipated that coaching efficacy would significantly predict coaching behaviors after statistically controlling for previous coaching experience. A sample of 118 coaches (104 male, 14 female) completed the Coaching Efficacy Scale (Feltz, Chase, Moritz, & Sullivan, 1999) and the Revised Leadership Scale for Sport (Zhang, Jensen, & Mann, 1997). Previous coaching experience was a significant negative predictor of autocratic coaching behaviors, whereas general coaching efficacy was a significant predictor of training and instruction, positive feedback, social support, situational consideration, and democratic behaviors after controlling for previous experience. These results were comparable to previous North American studies, offering further information relative to the construct of coaching efficacy in a non-North American population. However, notable differences in relationships of coaching efficacy, experience, and perceived coaching behaviors may be attributable to contextual differences in culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study which examined the relationship between coaching efficiency and commitment. Method; Results; Discussion.

The current study provides a comparison between traditional, theoretical-based coaching education courses, and the new, competency based programs. As an indicator of the outcome derived by coaches, we measured the confidence coaches had with respect to their ability to teach technique, devise strategy, motivate their athletes, and build the character of their athletes. Comparisons between 28 coaches in the traditional program and 46 in the newer course showed that both courses increased all aspects of coaching confidence (F (4, 69) = 20.12, p < .001, n² = .54). The newer courses had a more significant impact on coaches' perceptions of their abilities to teach the techniques of their sport (F (1,72) = 2.96, p < .01, n²) = .10). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a rich history of the study of various personality traits in sport psychology. One trait that has not been studied extensively is humor. A measure of humor styles has recently been published by Martin et al. (2003) that has been supported in terms of validity and reliability. The Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) measures humor as a multidimensional trait. It may be aimed at oneself or at others, and may be positive and negative in content. The resultant four factors are termed affiliative humor, aggressive humor, self-enhancing humor, and self-defeating humor. The current study was an investigation into the psychometric properties of the HSQ with a sample of athletes. A sample of 339 athletes (163 male, 176 female) completed the HSQ. The sample was examined for the assumptions of multivariate data analysis (i.e., univariate and multivariate normality, and multicollinearity). This resulted in the data set being reduced to 311 cases. The four factors of HSQ were examined for internal consistency. Three of them provided acceptable values for reliability although one value was slightly below the conventionally accepted level of .70. This data was then subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis through EQS to see if it fit Martin et al.'s model. The results showed poor fit of the model to the data (CFI = .807, RMSEA = .058, SRMR = .079). Standard methods of modification were unlikely to improve the fit to acceptable levels. Given the heterogeneous sample, two analyses of invariance were conducted to see if model would show a better fit depending on gender or type of sport (i.e., team or individual). There was no invariance by either factor. In conclusion, the HSQ does not appear to have acceptable psychometric properties for use in sport psychology. A final exploratory factor analysis was conducted which revealed a 3-factor solution that may prove to be more valid. Future research will have to support the properties of this resultant model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]