This study examined 235 American high-school football coaches' attitudes toward sport psychology (SP) consultation, intentions to use SP, and actual use of SP services. The coaches' attitudinal data fit the a priori hypothesized four factor model (i.e., stigma tolerance, confidence in SP consultation, personal openness, and cultural preferences). Of the coaches surveyed, 13% reported being familiar with the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) certification for SP consultants, 3% had used SP services, and 62% did not intend to use SP services within the next six months. Past coaching experience, age, and education level influenced their stigma tolerance, confidence, and personal openness of using SP services. American high-school football coaches who were confident in SP outcomes and open to suggestions were more likely to consider using SP services.
Physical activity is critical in healthy weight loss, yet there is still much to be learned about psychosocial mechanisms of physical activity behavior change in weight loss. A sequential mixed methods approach was used to assess the physical and psychosocial impact of a 12-week cognitive—behavioral weight management program and explore factors associated with weight loss. Quantitative data (N = 55) revealed program completion rate and mean percentage weight loss that compare favorably with other interventions, and differential psychosocial impacts on those losing more weight. Telephone interviews (n = 11) revealed four potential mechanisms for these differential impacts: (a) fostering accountability, (b) balancing perceived effort and success, (c) redefining ‘‘success,’’ and (d) developing cognitive flexibility.
The screening tool used in this study may assist in identifying patients who are at risk for poor adherence and provide valuable information to enhance provider-patient relationships and foster patient adherence. However, it is recommended that more research be conducted to further understand the impact of variables on patient adherence and that the screening tool be enhanced to increase its predictive ability.
Undergraduate ( n = 561) and graduate ( n = 104) students at a large mid-Atlantic university were surveyed to determine their usage patterns and beliefs about the climate of a newly constructed student recreation center (SRC) on their campus. Analyses attempted to identify differences between those students who used the facility ( n = 547) and those who did not ( n = 118) in relation to gender, age, year on campus, stage of change for exercise, and motivational orientation. Results revealed that SRC users were at higher stages along the transtheoretical model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983) and were significantly more likely to have participated in high school athletics than non-users. Non-users were significantly more likely to live off-campus, smoke, and be female than SRC users. The discussion offers suggestions for enticing non-users to exercise and use the facility, and feel more comfortable while doing so.
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