Mental toughness and osteoarthritis: Postsurgery improvement in knee pain/functionality in older adults.

PURPOSE: To investigate longitudinally the role of mental toughness (MT) in knee rehabilitation in terms of perceived pain and functionality in a sample of older adults with arthritis who adhered to their postsurgery clinic-based rehabilitation protocols and provide suggestions to rehabilitation psychologists. DESIGN: To strengthen the internal validity of this study, we designed our methods and implementation in a way to minimize bias by utilizing the National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Before-After (Pre-Post) Studies With No Control Group. The data were collected from 92 older-adult patients, who had a diagnosis of osteoarthritis and underwent knee surgery. All patients were diagnosed, underwent surgery, and were evaluated by the same physician. We administered the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) to measure rehabilitation outcomes in terms of pain and functionality and the MT Index (MTI) to measure MT levels three times: 1 day before and 1 and 6 months after the surgery. We used a multilevel growth model to examine the change in the OKS across administrations using MTI scores as a time-varying covariate and sex, age at surgery, and knee as time-invariant covariates. RESULTS: About 62% of the variability in OKS was due to between-patient differences. Of the variability that was attributable to differences within-patient across time, MT accounted for about 38% of the variability. CONCLUSIONS: MT could be another, positive psychology-based tool rehabilitation psychologists use to contribute to health promotion efforts to reduce the incidence of disability of older adults with osteoarthritis who undergo knee replacement surgery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Case report: Cortico-ocular interaction networks in NBA2K.

The sport industry has never seen growth such as eSports'. Using synchronized monitoring of two biological processes on a 25-year-old gamer, we investigated how his brain (via EEG) and eyes (via pupil dilation) interacted dynamically over time as an integrated network during NBA2K playing time. After the spectral decomposition of the different Brain and Eye signals into seven frequency bands, we calculated the bivariate equal-time Pearson's cross-correlation between each pair of EEG/Eye spectral power time series. On average, our results show a reorganization of the cortico-muscular network across three sessions (e.g., new interactions, hemispheric asymmetry). These preliminary findings highlight the potential need for individualized, specific, adaptive, and periodized interventions and encourage the continuation of this line of research for the creation of general theories of networks in eSports gaming. Future studies should recruit larger samples, investigate different games, and explore cross-frequency coordination among other key organ systems.

Validity and Reliability Evidence for Assessments Based in Applied Behavior Analysis: A Systematic Review.

The current article presents the findings from a systematic review of the available reliability and validity evidence supporting the use of criterion-referenced assessments based on the applied behavior analysis framework. We identified 46 studies that reported reliability and/or validity evidence for six assessments, 37 of which presented reliability evidence and 43 presented validity evidence. Additionally, we extracted and summarized information related to participant characteristics (e.g., age, sex, diagnosis), geographic location, and research setting (e.g., residential facility, home). Overall, we found conflicting support for the use of the assessments. When coupled with the reported usage by behavior analysis professionals, our findings suggest a misalignment between the reportedly used assessments and the number of published studies providing validity and/or reliability evidence. We found inconsistent use of measurement-related vocabulary and that many studies could have been strengthened by conducting different statistical analyses. We provide a summary of studies, findings, and offer recommendations for clinical practice and future measurement research.

Mental Toughness Development via Military-Style Training in the NCAA: A Three-Phase, Mixed-Method Study of the Perspectives of Strength and Conditioning Coaches.

Sport cultures transmit values for anticipated conduct. Recent events have resulted in injuries/deaths of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes, usually during off-season football training. Through media reports, strength and conditioning coaches (SCC) have been allegedly involved by incorporating military-style training (MST). Mental toughness (MT) has been associated with hypermasculine subcultures in sports. For the first time, perceptions of collegiate SCCs were chosen to contribute to the development of cultural best practices in sports, via a multiphase mixed-method design (Phase 1, n = 465; Phase 2, n = 72; Phase 3, n = 99). Quantitative and qualitative data were collected aiming to confirm and explore the use of MST in the NCAA, its connection to SCCs, its association with MT development, and the role of the media. MST is uncommon in the NCAA. MST takes place mostly during the off-season in the form of physical, in-scope protocols while football is the most common sport. MST promotes MT. The recent media backlash is considered unfounded. Cultures promoted by SCCs do not indicate conformity of student-athletes to unethical/unhealthy expectations. Future sport psychology research and practice should continue to prioritize culture, cultural identities, and physical and mental well-being.

Monte Carlo Modeling of Contemporary Intelligence Test (IQ) Factor Structure: Implications for IQ Assessment, Interpretation, and Theory.

Researchers continue to debate the constructs measured by commercial ability tests. Factor analytic investigations of these measures have been used to develop and refine widely adopted psychometric theories of intelligence particularly the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) model. Even so, this linkage may be problematic as many of these investigations examine a particular instrument in isolation and CHC model specification across tests and research teams has not been consistent. To address these concerns, the present study used Monte Carlo resampling to investigate the latent structure of four of the most widely used intelligence tests for children and adolescents. The results located the approximate existence of the publisher posited CHC theoretical group factors in the Differential Abilities Scales-Second edition and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children-Second edition but not in the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth edition or the Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities. Instead, the results supported alternative conceptualizations from independent factor analytic research. Additionally, whereas a bifactor model produced superior fit indices in two instruments (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth edition and Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities), a higher order structure was found to be superior in the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children-Second edition and the Differential Abilities Scales-Second edition. Regardless of the model employed, the general factor captured a significant portion of each instrument's variance. Implications for IQ test assessment, interpretation, and theory are discussed.

Can athletes be tough yet compassionate to themselves? Practical implications for NCAA mental health best practice no. 4.

Recent tragic events and data from official NCAA reports suggest student-athletes' well-being is compromised by symptoms of mental health (MH) disorders. Self-compassion (SC) and mental toughness (MT) are two psychological constructs that have been shown effective against stressors associated with sports. The purpose of this study was to investigate SC, MT, and MH in a NCAA environment for the first time and provide practical suggestions for MH best practice No.4. In total, 542 student-athletes participated across Divisions (Mage = 19.84, SD = 1.7). Data were collected through Mental Toughness Index, Self-Compassion Scale, and Mental Health Continuum-Short Form. MT, SC (including mindfulness), and MH were positively correlated. Males scored higher than females on all three scales. No differences were found between divisions. SC partially mediated the MT-MH relationship, but moderation was not significant. Working towards NCAA MH best practice should include training athletes in both MT and SC skills (via mindfulness).

An Examination of Sensitivity to Measurement Error in Rasch Residual-based Fit Statistics.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the sensitivity of commonly used Rasch fit measures to different distributions of error in item responses. Using Monte Carlo methods, we generated 10 different measurement error conditions within the Rasch rating scale model or partial credit model, and we recorded the estimates of INFIT MNSQ, OUTFIT MNSQ, and person separation reliability for each error distribution condition. INFIT MNSQ and OUTFIT MNSQ were not sensitive to error distributions when the distribution was the same across items. When the error distribution varies across items, INFIT MNSQ and OUTFIT MNSQ detected items with higher levels of measurement error as potentially misfitting. The Rasch person separation reliability statistic was sensitive to varying levels of measurement error, as expected. Our findings have implications for the use of fit measures in diagnosing model misfit.

Applying statistics to the gatekeeping of expert evidence: Introducing the Structured Statistical Judgement (SSJ).

Daubert required judges to base their decisions about the admissibility of expert witness testimony in large part on the reliability and validity of empirical observations. Because judges have a wide array of duties and may not be equipped to understand the complexities of statistical analysis, some jurists have recommended that court-appointed experts assist judges in their gatekeeping function. To assist such experts in scrutinizing empirical papers, we propose a Structured Statistical Judgement (SSJ) that takes advantage of advances in the various statistical methods - such as effect sizes that adjust for error - which have allowed researchers to report increasingly more reliable and valid observations. We also include supplementary materials that court-appointed experts can use both as a codebook to operationalize the SSJ and as a quick reference that will aid consultation with judges. An initial application of the SSJ examined all 93 empirical articles published in Psychology, Public Policy, and Law and Law and Human Behavior in 2015 and resulted in excellent interrater reliability (π = 0.83; π = 0.95; π = 0.97), at the same time it indicated that a majority of the articles fail to include the comprehensive and transparent statistical analysis that would be most useful to courts.

Test use and assessment practices of school psychologists in the United States: Findings from the 2017 National Survey.

Although several studies have examined the specific instruments and procedures used by school psychologists when conducting comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations, the last one was published over 20 years ago (viz., Wilson & Reschly, 1996). Given the substantial theoretical and practical advances in assessment since then, the purpose of the current study was to examine the test use and assessment practices of contemporary school psychologists in the United States. Data from the 2017 National Survey of Assessment Practices in School Psychology revealed that test use and assessment practices have evolved significantly. Much of this change consists of the substitution of tests and practices with limited reliability and validity with those with greater psychometric support. Results of this study also indicate that school psychologists regularly conduct multi-method assessments to prevent, identify, monitor, and remediate child and adolescent learning difficulties and other presenting problems in the schools.

Cardiovascular Screening Practices and Attitudes From the NCAA Autonomous "Power" 5 Conferences.

BACKGROUND:: The development of athlete-specific electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation standards, along with recent rates of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes being higher than previously estimated, has heightened the debate in the sports medicine community regarding cardiovascular screening of the college athlete, including whether certain high-risk subsets, such as male basketball athletes, should undergo more intensive screening. HYPOTHESIS:: ECG and/or echocardiography screening in National Collegiate Athletic Association Autonomous 5 Division I (A5DI) schools will be more common than previous reports, and there will be more frequent use of noninvasive cardiac screening for men's basketball players than the general athlete population. STUDY DESIGN:: Cross-sectional, quantitative study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Level 4. METHODS:: The head team physician for each of the 65 schools in the A5DI conferences was contacted to complete an anonymous survey regarding cardiovascular screening practices at their institution. The survey inquired about current screening protocols, whether SCD epidemiology (SCD-E) was considered in establishing those practices, and whether awareness of present epidemiology altered physician attitudes toward screening. RESULTS:: A total of 45 of the 65 team physicians (69%) responded. All schools reported performing history and a physical evaluation. While 17 (38%) perform only history and physical, 26 (58%) also include an ECG, and 12 (27%) include echocardiography for all student-athletes. Specifically for male basketball athletes, 10 (22%) schools perform only history and physical, 32 (71%) include ECG, and 20 (45%) include echocardiography. Additionally, 64% reported using SCD-E in developing their screening protocol. Those that had not considered SCD-E indicated they were unlikely to change their screening protocol when presented with current SCD-E. CONCLUSION:: The majority (62%) of A5DI institutions include ECG and/or echocardiography as part of their cardiovascular screening of all athletes, increasing to 78% when specifically analyzing male basketball athletes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:: A5DI institutions, presumably with greater resources, have largely implemented more intensive cardiovascular screening than just history and physical for all student-athletes and specifically for men's basketball-the athlete group at greatest risk.

Time attitudes predict changes in adolescent self-efficacy: A 24-month latent transition mover-stayer analysis.

Increasingly, the study of temporal psychology is moving away from bivariate analyses towards person-centered analyses, which simultaneously account for scores on past, present and future dimensions. However, longitudinal studies are lacking. This study builds on a developing literature by examining the 24-month relationship between time attitudes and criterion variables. Four latent profiles called Positive, Ambivalent, Moderately Negative, and Negative, were identified. Results showed that time attitude profiles were generally unstable across the first three years of high school. However, those who stayed in the Positive profile developed higher self-efficacy in all domains. Transitioning to the Positive profile was associated with positive outcomes, whereas other transitions among profiles were associated with negative outcomes. There were small-sized, socio-demographic effects such that living in Northern Ireland (compared to Scotland), being male, and not being entitled to a free school meal, were all related to membership of, or transition to, the Positive profile.

Stability of INFIT and OUTFIT Compared to Simulated Estimates in Applied Setting.

Residual-based fit statistics are commonly used as an indication of the extent to which the item response data fit the Rash model. Fit statistic estimates are influenced by sample size and rules-of thumb estimates may result in incorrect conclusions about the extent to which the model fits the data. Estimates obtained in this analysis were compared to 250 simulated data sets to examine the stability of the estimates. All INFIT estimates were within the rule-of-thumb range of 0.7 to 1.3. However, only 82% of the INFIT estimates fell within the 2.5th and 97.5th percentile of the simulated item's INFIT distributions using this 95% confidence-like interval. This is a 18 percentage point difference in items that were classified as acceptable. Fourty-eight percent of OUTFIT estimates fell within the 0.7 to 1.3 rule- of-thumb range. Whereas 34% of OUTFIT estimates fell within the 2.5th and 97.5th percentile of the simulated item's OUTFIT distributions. This is a 13 percentage point difference in items that were classified as acceptable. When using the rule-of- thumb ranges for fit estimates the magnitude of misfit was smaller than with the 95% confidence interval of the simulated distribution. The findings indicate that the use of confidence intervals as critical values for fit statistics leads to different model data fit conclusions than traditional rule of thumb critical values.

Time-restricted feeding in young men performing resistance training: A randomized controlled trial.

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine eight weeks of resistance training (RT) with and without time-restricted feeding (TRF) in order to assess nutrient intake and changes in body composition and muscular strength in young recreationally active males. The TRF programme consisted of consuming all calories within a four-hour period of time for four days per week, but included no limitations on quantities or types of foods consumed. The RT programme was performed three days per week and consisted of alternating upper and lower body workouts. For each exercise, four sets leading to muscular failure between 8 and 12 repetitions were employed. Research visits were conducted at baseline, four, and eight weeks after study commencement. Measurements of total body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and muscle cross-sectional area by ultrasound were obtained. Upper and lower body strength and endurance were assessed, and four-day dietary records were collected. TRF reduced energy intake by ∼650 kcal per day of TRF, but did not affect total body composition within the duration of the study. Cross-sectional area of the biceps brachii and rectus femoris increased in both groups. Effect size data indicate a gain in lean soft tissue in the group that performed RT without TRF (+2.3 kg, d = 0.25). Upper and lower body strength and lower body muscular endurance increased in both groups, but effect sizes demonstrate greater improvements in the TRF group. Overall, TRF reduced energy intake and did not adversely affect lean mass retention or muscular improvements with short-term RT in young males.

Temporal attitudes profile transition among adolescents: A longitudinal examination using mover-stayer latent transition analysis.

[Correction Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported in Vol 29(7) of Psychological Assessment (see record 2016-47183-001). In the article, the affiliation for Michael T. McKay should be Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool. All versions of this article have been corrected.] Over the last 20 years, the study of Temporal Psychology and its relationship with a range of psychosocial indicators has increased exponentially. The present study makes use of recent advances in analytic methods and uses statistical inference via longitudinal examination of latent profiles through Latent Transition Analyses (LTA). The first 2 available waves of data from a longitudinal study in the United Kingdom were used to assess the following: (a) the factor structure of Adolescent Time Inventory-Time Attitudes Scale (ATAS) scores at Waves 1 and 2, (b) the viability of time attitudes profiles based on ATAS scores at both time points, (c) the degree of stability and/or transition between membership of these profiles at +12 months, and (d) the relationship between profiles and scores on 4 distal outcomes, including academic, social and emotional self-efficacy, and sensation seeking. Four latent profiles called Positives, Ambivalents, Negatives, and Negative-Futures were identified and their relationship with the 4 distal outcomes was examined. Results showed that time attitude profiles were unstable across the first year of high school. Furthermore, instability was explained by transitions to more negative profiles, and these transitions were associated with unfavorable outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record

Examining Class Differences in Method Effects Related to Negative Wording: An Example using Rasch Mixture Modeling.

This study presents a mixture Rasch-based approach to investigating method effects associated with negatively worded items to illustrate how responses to this method effect vary depending on group characteristics. Using college students' responses on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (Rosenberg, M., 1989), four latent classes were identified using six personality measures associated with the presence of this method effect. In addition, Rasch-based parameter estimates suggested latent classes differed in their use of the scale, showing that the method effect associated with negatively worded items may be more prominent for subjects possessing selected personality traits than for others. The mixture model approach to investigating method effects provides a way to address systematic methodological variation that is left unaccounted when a heterogeneous population is analyzed as one group.

The Consumption of Energy Drinks Among a Sample of College Students and College Student Athletes.

To assess energy drink (ED) consumption, potential ED correlates, and ED-related motivations among a sample of college students to determine differences based on athlete status (student athlete vs. non-athlete). Six hundred and ninety-two college students completed surveys at a large private university in the United States. Participants completed a paper based questionnaire assessing ED and ED-related variables. Over thirty-six percent (197 non-athletes, 58 student athletes) of participants reported ED consumption in the preceding 30 days. Multivariately, there was no difference in ED consumption based on athlete status. Heavy episodic drinking and prescription stimulant misuse were both correlated with increased ED consumption. ED motivations differed based on the frequency of ED consumption. ED use was common among student athletes and non-athletes in our sample. It is important to be aware of the correlation between heavy episodic drinking, prescription stimulant misuse, and ED consumption among college student populations because of the adverse consequences associated with these behaviors.

Risk factors associated with the timing of hospital readmission in an underserved low socioeconomic population.

OBJECTIVE: Compare risk factors of hospital readmission between 30-, 60- and 90-day readmission groups in a low socioeconomic population. METHODS: Secondary data obtained from the Epic Systems database management system for patients who experienced a 30-, 60- or 90-day hospital readmission between 2006 and 2013. Risk factors analyzed included sex, race/ethnicity, follow-up status, age, BMI, systolic blood pressure, body temperature and pulse rate. Records for 2191 low-income patients (µ age = 44.5 years; 72.5% female; 10.1% African American, 26.2% Hispanic, 63.7% White) from a central Texas acute health and primary care facility. RESULTS: The amount of time that passed between a patent's initial hospital encounter and a follow-up visit had an effect in predicting both 60-day (OR = 1.055) and 90-day (OR = 1.088) hospital readmission. Patient race/ethnicity had an effect in predicting 90-day readmission. Hispanic patients had a lower likelihood of being readmitted after 90 days than being readmitted after 30 days as compared with White, non-Hispanic patients (OR = 0.688). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that risk factors identified at 30 days are similar to those at 60 and 90 days, with the exception of follow-up status and race/ethnicity.

Why Women Sit: Determinants of Leisure Sitting Time for Working Women.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior is associated with negative health consequences independent of physical activity levels. Evidence suggests the work environment promotes sedentary behavior regardless of sector, and that employees with occupations requiring longer sitting times differ only marginally in leisure sitting time from those with more active occupations. Because physical activity opportunities may be limited across many work settings, leisure sedentary time may be more easily replaced with physical activity. Understanding correlates of leisure sedentary behaviors could inform interventions, specifically for women who are among the least active in America. METHODS: Female employees at two universities completed online surveys (n = 156; mean age, 45.12 [SD = 12.5]; mean BMI, 26.7 kg/m(2) [SD = 5.9]; mean work hours/week, 43.7 [SD = 9.4]). Bivariate correlations and two hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine personal and behavioral correlates of weekday and weekend leisure sitting time. FINDINGS: Final regression models revealed that greater weekday leisure sitting time (R(2) = 0.307) was related with being older (p = .006), having fewer children (p = .001), self-reporting poorer health (p = .006), and greater weekend sitting time (p < .001). Greater weekend leisure sitting time (R(2) = 0.261) was related with greater work-related sitting time (p = .020) and greater weekday leisure sitting time (p < .001). Physical activity was not related with weekday or weekend leisure sitting time. CONCLUSIONS: The most prominent correlates of leisure sitting time were other types of sedentary behaviors. This suggests that sedentary time in one segment of life predicts time spent sitting in other areas of life. Future interventions should target decreasing sedentary behaviors during leisure time specifically, in addition to increasing physical activity behavior.

Back to "the Future": Evidence of a Bifactor Solution for Scores on the Consideration of Future Consequences Scale.

Despite its widespread use, disagreement remains regarding the structure of the Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFCS). In particular there is disagreement regarding whether the scale assesses future orientation as a unidimensional or multidimensional (immediate and future) construct. Using 2 samples of high school students in the United Kingdom, 4 models were tested. The totality of results including item loadings, goodness-of-fit indexes, and reliability estimates all supported the bifactor model, suggesting that the 2 hypothesized factors are better understood as grouping or method factors rather than as representative of latent constructs. Accordingly this study supports the unidimensionality of the CFCS and the scoring of all 12 items to produce a global future orientation score. Researchers intending to use the CFCS, and those with existing data, are encouraged to examine a bifactor solution for the scale.

Physical and social environmental characteristics of physical activity for Mexican-origin children: examining differences between school year and summer perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Colonias are substandard residential areas along the U.S.-Mexico border. Families of Mexican-origin living in colonias face health burdens characterized by environmental and socioeconomic hardships. Mexican Americans and low-income families, including colonias children, do not frequently participate in physical activity despite the known link to disease risk reduction. For colonias children, schools are the most commonly reported location for physical activity. School closures and extreme temperatures during summer months create a need to explore seasonal differences in environmental supports and barriers in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of seasonality on perceived environmental barriers, opportunities, and social support for physical activity among colonias children. As a secondary aim, mother-child discordance for each factor was analyzed. METHODS: Promotora-researchers recruited mother-child dyads (n=101 dyads, n=202 participants) from colonias in Hidalgo County, Texas. Mothers and children were separately administered surveys at two time points to capture perceived barriers, opportunities, and social support for physical activity (school-year: February-May; summertime: July-August). Summative scores for each outcome were calculated and three multilevel longitudinal models for continuous outcomes were examined; children were nested within households. Mother-child discordance was measured using Cohen's Kappa statistic. RESULTS: Physical activity barriers and environmental opportunities (household and neighborhood) increased from school-year to summer by 1.16 and 2.83 points respectively (p≤0.01), after adjusting for covariates. Significant predictors of increased barriers included household income of >$900/month and having more household members. Children of mothers with significant others who were employed part-time or full-time saw significant decreases in barriers. Mother-child agreement of barriers, environmental opportunities, and social support across seasons was slight to fair (range: median κ=0.047 to κ=0.262). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a complex relationship between dimensions of economic hardship (employment status, household income, etc…) and perceived opportunities and barriers of children's physical activity engagement during the school-year and summer. In this study, both barriers and opportunities increased from school-year to summer, further demonstrating that interactions among these characteristics need to be better understood and addressed when considering physical activity initiatives for colonias and other Mexican-American children, specifically during summer when school-based physical activity resources are unavailable.