1,720,998 research outputs found
Examining the impact of a self-compassion intervention on physical activity behaviour among people with prediabetes: a pilot and feasibility study
No full textPeople with prediabetes have an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Regular physical activity (PA) can reduce their T2D risk. However, people with prediabetes experience barriers to physical activity (i.e., difficult emotions) which makes them less active. These emotions can interfere with the self-regulation of PA. Self-compassion (SC) may help people with prediabetes engage in PA and reduce their T2D risk through its association with adaptive emotional responses and enhanced self-regulatory abilities. No study has examined whether self-compassion training can augment behaviour change training to improve physical activity among people with prediabetes more than behaviour change training plus attention. I took the recommended step of assessing the feasibility and acceptability of this planned intervention to inform the larger trial that aims to determine this research question. Descriptive statistics were reported for most feasibility outcomes whereas transcribed exit-interviews using a thematic analysis addressed the acceptability and remaining feasibility outcomes. Most outcomes met our pre-determined criteria deeming the intervention feasible and acceptable with minor changes; recruitment rate, process time and adherence to home practice were below our criteria and we offer suggestions to improve these inadequacies for the larger efficacy trial. Means of key variables suggest that the measures included will be appropriate for the larger trial. Findings from this study offer support for the planned efficacy trial to be successful.October 202
A Physical Activity Possible Selves Online Intervention: A Focus on Self-regulatory Possible Selves
No full textImagining one’s physical activity (PA) possible self can lead to increased PA (e.g., Murru & Martin Ginis, 2010). This online experiment examined potential benefits of forming a self-regulatory PA possible self, which involves reflection on a PA possible self image and strategies to pursue this self. This intervention was compared to a standard PA possible selves intervention and a control condition in terms of impact on motivational, self-regulatory, and PA outcomes. Insufficiently active participants (n = 247) completed baseline measures, were exposed to the intervention or control procedures, and then completed outcome measures immediately and at two and four-weeks post-intervention. The mediational roles of action/coping planning in the intervention-PA relationships were explored. Results: ANCOVAs showed no differences on motivational or self-regulatory outcomes; action/coping planning were not mediators. The two intervention conditions, combined, led to significantly greater PA over the four weeks post-intervention than did the control condition (p. = .041)
A Physical Activity Possible Selves Online Intervention: A Focus on Self-regulatory Possible Selves
No full textImagining one’s physical activity (PA) possible self can lead to increased PA (e.g., Murru & Martin Ginis, 2010). This online experiment examined potential benefits of forming a self-regulatory PA possible self, which involves reflection on a PA possible self image and strategies to pursue this self. This intervention was compared to a standard PA possible selves intervention and a control condition in terms of impact on motivational, self-regulatory, and PA outcomes. Insufficiently active participants (n = 247) completed baseline measures, were exposed to the intervention or control procedures, and then completed outcome measures immediately and at two and four-weeks post-intervention. The mediational roles of action/coping planning in the intervention-PA relationships were explored. Results: ANCOVAs showed no differences on motivational or self-regulatory outcomes; action/coping planning were not mediators. The two intervention conditions, combined, led to significantly greater PA over the four weeks post-intervention than did the control condition (p. = .041)
Back to the Future: The Role of Possible Selves in Developing a Physical Activity Identity in Newly Retired Individuals
No full textRetirement affords retirees increased time for participation in salutary activities like physical activity. Yet, evidence is mixed as to whether or not retirees use this time to increase their participation in physical activity. Greater knowledge of the factors affecting physical activity participation in retirement is needed. Retirement is also a life transition ripe with opportunity to redefine one's identity and place greater attention on health-enhancing behaviours. Thereupon, this dissertation was rooted in the self literature, as self perceptions such as identity and possible selves may be particularly relevant for understanding physical activity in retired individuals. As a result, the first aim of this dissertation sought to confirm, in a preliminary study (Study 1), the relationship between possible selves, physical activity identity and physical activity in retirees. Through questionnaire data collected concurrently, Study 1 showed that identity and possible selves were related to physical activity (Article 1). Moreover, positive associations were found between possible selves focused on physical activity and physical activity identity. Subsequently, the relationships between these variables were further probed to determine whether exercise identity mediated the relationship between physical activity possible selves and physical activity (Article 2). Questionnaire data collected across three time points (one month apart) showed that identity mediated the relationship between possible selves and behaviour - all related to physical activity. Together, these findings represented an important first step toward designing a relevant intervention for retirees which informed the second aim of this dissertation (Study 2). A possible selves intervention designed to increase physical activity identity and physical activity was tested (Article 3). Changes in these variables were compared across three groups of an experimental design: a repeated possible selves intervention, a one-time possible selves intervention, and a control group. All groups reported marginally higher levels of physical activity and physical activity identity, inconsequential to group assignment. Overall, the present dissertation makes contributions to the self literature especially with regards to new retirees. Nevertheless, limitations are acknowledged and discussed. Finally, future research avenues are presented
An Identity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory Examination of the Role of Identity in Health Behaviour and Behavioural Regulation
Full text linkThe self has been identified as the ?psychological apparatus that allows individuals to think consciously about themselves? (Leary & Price Tangney, 2003, p. 8). Further, the self has been identified as a worthwhile construct of investigation in relation to health behaviour (Contrada & Ashmore, 1999). Two self-related variables that have been useful in the study of health behaviour are identity (e. g. Anderson, Cychosz, & Franke, 1998; Petosa, Suminski & Hortz, 2003; Storer, Cychosz, & Anderson, 1997) and self-efficacy (Maddux, Brawley & Boykin, 1995). Identity Theory posits that individuals regulate their behaviour in a manner that is consistent with their goal identity (Gecas & Burke, 2003). Social Cognitive Theory provides a means of measuring social cognitions that may be important in behavioural regulation relative to identity. Further, self-efficacy beliefs may influence individuals? persistence at aligning their identity and behaviour. Research to date has investigated the link between identity and exercise (e. g. Anderson, Cychosz & Franke, 1998; Petosa, et al. , 2003). Further, researchers are beginning to investigate the link between identity and other health behaviours (e. g. Armitage & Conner, 1999; Kendzierski and Costello, 2004; Storer, Cychosz, & Andersen, 1997). However, research has not utilized the predictive frameworks offered by Identity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory to investigate the relationships between identity, behaviour and behavioural regulation. Study One investigated the role of identity and self-efficacy beliefs in the maintenance of vigorous physical activity. Results were consistent with both Identity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory. Individuals who strongly identified with the runner identity expressed stronger task and self-regulatory efficacy beliefs. They also exercised more frequently and for longer durations than did those who only moderately identified with running. Study Two further explored the relationship between exercise identity, exercise behaviour and the self-regulatory processes involved in behavioural regulation. Identity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory were used as guiding frameworks for this investigation. High and moderate exercise identity groups were compared in term of their affective and cognitive reactions to a hypothetical behavioural challenge to exercise identity. Consistent with Identity Theory, results indicated that participants appeared to be regulating their behaviour in a manner that was consistent with their exercise identity. Specifically, in response to the behavioural challenge to identity, high exercise identity participants, in contrast to their moderate counterparts, showed (a) less positive and (b) greater negative affect about the challenge, (c) higher self-regulatory efficacy for future exercise under the same challenging conditions, (d) stronger intentions for this future exercise, as well as for (e) using self-regulatory strategies to manage the challenging conditions and (f) intending to exercise more frequently under those conditions. Study Three investigated whether identity with healthy eating could also be useful in understanding behaviour and behavioural regulation. Similar to Study Two, extreme healthy-eater identity groups? reactions to a hypothetical behavioural challenge to identity were compared. Results were similar to Study Two. Participants responded in a manner that suggested that they would regulate their future behaviour relative to their healthy-eater identity. In response to the behavioural challenge to identity, individuals who highly identified as healthy-eaters expressed less (a) positive affect, greater (b) negative affect, (c) self-regulatory efficacy for managing their healthy eating in the future challenging weeks, (d) intentions to eat a healthy diet, (e) generated more self-regulatory strategies and had (f) stronger intentions to use those strategies in future weeks under the same challenging conditions than did individuals who moderately identified themselves as healthy-eaters. Further, prospective relationships between healthy-eater identity and social cognitive variables, and healthy eating outcomes were examined. As was found in Study One in the context of exercise, healthy-eater identity and social cognitions predicted healthy eating outcomes. Taken together, the three studies suggest that identity may be important in understanding health behaviours and the regulation of these behaviours. Also, the present findings support the compatible use of Identity Theory and Social Cognitive Theory in the investigation of identity and health behaviour
Back to the Future: The Role of Possible Selves in Developing a Physical Activity Identity in Newly Retired Individuals
No full textRetirement affords retirees increased time for participation in salutary activities like physical activity. Yet, evidence is mixed as to whether or not retirees use this time to increase their participation in physical activity. Greater knowledge of the factors affecting physical activity participation in retirement is needed. Retirement is also a life transition ripe with opportunity to redefine one's identity and place greater attention on health-enhancing behaviours. Thereupon, this dissertation was rooted in the self literature, as self perceptions such as identity and possible selves may be particularly relevant for understanding physical activity in retired individuals. As a result, the first aim of this dissertation sought to confirm, in a preliminary study (Study 1), the relationship between possible selves, physical activity identity and physical activity in retirees. Through questionnaire data collected concurrently, Study 1 showed that identity and possible selves were related to physical activity (Article 1). Moreover, positive associations were found between possible selves focused on physical activity and physical activity identity. Subsequently, the relationships between these variables were further probed to determine whether exercise identity mediated the relationship between physical activity possible selves and physical activity (Article 2). Questionnaire data collected across three time points (one month apart) showed that identity mediated the relationship between possible selves and behaviour - all related to physical activity. Together, these findings represented an important first step toward designing a relevant intervention for retirees which informed the second aim of this dissertation (Study 2). A possible selves intervention designed to increase physical activity identity and physical activity was tested (Article 3). Changes in these variables were compared across three groups of an experimental design: a repeated possible selves intervention, a one-time possible selves intervention, and a control group. All groups reported marginally higher levels of physical activity and physical activity identity, inconsequential to group assignment. Overall, the present dissertation makes contributions to the self literature especially with regards to new retirees. Nevertheless, limitations are acknowledged and discussed. Finally, future research avenues are presented
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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