Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / Participation in recreational and formal sports can play a vital role in enhancing adolescents' wellbeing. Research indicates that involvement in different forms of recreation and physical activities offer beneficial effects on the physical and mental health status of individuals. Sports participation has also been associated with lowered obesity, multiple risk behaviours, smoking and substance abuse. In South Africa rural and urban areas are increasingly affected by violence and a range of psychosocial problems such as youth crime, substance abuse and alcohol abuse. The aim of this research project was to explore the perceptions of community leaders of the role of sports participation in dealing with psychosocial problems amongst adolescents in a rural area. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore the perceptions of community leaders. Purposeful sampling was used to select participants according to the criteria set by researcher. The data was collected through the process of 10 indepth, semi-structured interviews with Afrikaans speaking community leaders, male and female from the two rural towns in the Cederberg region namely, Lamberts Bay and Clanwilliam. The semi-structured interview schedule consisted of five open-ended questions. A thematic content analysis was used to interpret the information. The study revealed that community leaders perceived sports participation as a protective factor against psychosocial problems within the community. They discussed sports benefits under three broad themes namely, health benefits, societal benefits and emotional benefits. The study further revealed poor financial resources, transport and poor facilities to be the major constraints for sports participation in their area. Future studies which explore the role of sports participation should include more information from a female's perspective, to enrich and understand the benefits of sports participation amongst females in the community. / South Africa

Text in Afrikaans / The primary aim of this investigation was to compile guidelines to improve the concentration techniques of primary school sport participants. In order to achieve this goal, a theoretical as well as an empirical investigation were conducted. During the literature study, different aspects of concentration were analyzed and the role of the primary school coach was highlighted in each instance. The literature study indicated that the primary school sport participants’ sport experience would benefit, if the primary sport participants would use concentration techniques during their sport participation. During the empirical study (in which 61 primary school sport participants participated), it was indicated that • Most of the primary school sport participants had very little exposure to concentration techniques. • Self talk, as a concentration technique, was used by most of the participants. The Here-and-Now concentration technique was the least used concentration technique by the participants. The literature study as well as the empirical study indicated that there are guidelines that primary school participants can use in order to better their concentration techniques. / Die primêre doel van hierdie ondersoek was om riglyne saam te stel wat laerskoolsportbeoefenaars kan help om beter te konsentreer gedurende hulle sportdeelname. Ten einde hierdie doel te bereik, isʼn teoretiese sowel as ʼn empiriese ondersoek uitgevoer. Tydens die teoretiese ondersoek is verskillende aspekte van konsentrasie ontleed, waarin die rol van die laerskoolafrigter telkens toegelig is. Die teoretiese ondersoek het aangetoon dat die laerskoolsportbeoefenaars se sportbelewenis daarby sou baat indien die laerskoolsportbeoefenaars konsentrasietegnieke gedurende hulle sportdeelname sou gebruik. Volgens die empiriese ondersoek (waaraan 61 proefpersone deelgeneem het) is aangetoon dat: • Die meerderheid laerskoolsportbeoefenaars baie min bloot gestel word aan konsentrasietegnieke. • Selfspraak, as konsentrasietegniek, was die meeste gebruik, terwyl die Hier-en- Nou konsentrasietegniek die minste gebruik is deur die proefpersone. Die teoretiese sowel as die empiriese ondersoek het aangetoon dat daar wel riglyne is wat gevolg kan word om die laerskoolsportbeoefenaars te help om hulle konsentrasietegnieke te verbeter. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Voorligting)

This research study is a qualitative research study which examines the experiences of adolescents in Soshanguve who are participating in sport. The aim of the study is to explore the value of sport participation as a therapeutic tool. The problem statement is how adolescents experience the effects of sport participation. The research study was conducted using ethnomethodology which examines how people make sense of their daily lives. The intention was to focus on how the participants interpreted their everyday activities. The absence of symptoms that one would expect from the participants was viewed as an indicator of therapeutic effects of sport participation. There appeared to be an absence of depressive and anxious symptoms, no substance use and sound academic results. Participants also displayed a generally positive outlook on their futures. The conclusion was that sport participation has some benefits for adolescents. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Background: It is widely recommended that children engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day for health, well-being and development benefits. However, few Hong Kong children are physically active. Environmental factors unique to Hong Kong, such as dense population, highly urbanized, and high level of outdoor air pollution, suggest need to develop indoor PA programs. Active video games (AVGs) may provide an innovative approach to designing such indoor programs. Aim: This thesis sought to identify opportunities for interventions using AVGs to promote PA among children, and to develop and evaluate the effect of an AVG intervention on PA among Hong Kong Chinese children. We also intended to clarify the mechanisms of the intervention. Methods: Three studies were undertaken for the aim of the thesis. First, a systematic review was conducted to evaluate the effects of AVGs on PA and PA-related outcomes (i.e. psychosocial factors and fitness) among healthy children. Secondly, a validation study was conducted that examined the validity and reliability of three scales used to measure PA-related self-efficacy, social support, and enjoyment among Hong Kong Chinese children aged 9-12 years (n=273). Third, a quasi-experimental study was conducted that examined the effects of a school-based AVG intervention on PA, sedentary time, body composition, and psychosocial factors (self-efficacy, social support, and enjoyment) among Hong Kong children aged 9-12 years (n=87). Moderation and mediation effects of psychosocial factors on PA were also tested in the study. Results: In the first study, fifty-four articles were identified in the review. AVG led to light to moderate intensity PA among children. No effect was identified of AVG on PA in the home setting. Structured AVG play (i.e. AVG play of participants organized by teachers or researchers) may improve PA. However, none of the previous school-based AVG interventions have measured habitual PA objectively. In the second study, confirmatory factor analyses supported the one-factor structure of the tested scales. All of the psychosocial factors (self-efficacy, social support from family, social support from friends, and enjoyment) were significantly (p<0.01) associated with self-reported PA (r ranged from 0.23-0.40). All of the scales suggested acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha>0.7) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient>0.7). The third study found that an AVG intervention delivered during after-school hours, approximately twice a week, significantly (p<0.05) increased total PA (counts per minute) and reduced sedentary behavior at week 8. However, this treatment effect was not maintained at 15 weeks when the frequency of AVG play decreased to approximately once a week during weeks 9-15. No significant differences were noted on body mass index z score and percentage body fat, and PA related psychosocial factors. The measured psychosocial factors did not act as mediators or moderators in this intervention. Discussion: AVGs may be useful to promote PA of children when it is structured. Future interventions should consider the frequency of AVG play in order to increase PA. AVG play should occur at least twice a week based on current research. Other components may be necessary to enhance the treatment effects of AVG interventions on PA among children.

The first study (Chapter 3) examined the reliability and validity of the modified Children's Leisure Activities Study Survey (CLASS) questionnaire in assessing physical activity and sedentary behavior of the Hong Kong Chinese children. The modified Chinese questionnaire (CLASS-C) consisted of a checklist of 31 physical activities and 13 sedentary pursuits. The test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was examined in 84 boys and 136 girls aged 9 to 14 years by the comparison of data from the two survey administrations carried out one week apart. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were analyzed to determine consistency in results. A sub-sample of 139 children completed the 7-day accelerometer protocol. The validity of the questionnaire was determined by comparing data from the second administration with the accelerometer estimates of moderate- and/or vigorous-intensity physical activity. Bland-Altman plots were performed to further examine the agreement of the two methods. Acceptable reliability was found in self-reported time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (ICC = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.61-0.77) and in the sedentary behaviors (ICC = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.59-0.77). Self-reported estimate in daily MVPA was moderately correlated with minutes assessed by the accelerometer (girls: r = 0.48, P&lt;0.05; boys: r = 0.27, P>0.05). Bland-Altman plots showed that self-reports of vigorous physical activity were higher than those assessed by the accelerometer. / The second study (Chapter 4) developed an instrument based on the social ecological model to evaluate the socio-environmental correlates of the children's physical activity and sedentary behavior. The instrument consisted of segments that incorporated reports from both the children and their parents. Children were asked about intrapersonal factors and perceived environments at home and in the neighborhood. Corresponding parents reported demographic information (age, education, occupation, income, and weight status), their physical activity and sedentary behavior habits, the control on their child's sedentary behavior, and perception of physical environment in the neighborhood. The questionnaires were administrated in a group of 160 primary schoolchildren aged 10 to 14 years and their parents on two occasions with 8 to 10 days apart. The test-retest reliability of each individual item was determined using percent agreement and kappa statistics for the categorical variables and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the continuous variables. The overall missing rates were 2.5% to 5.6% for children- and parent-reported items. The ICC values for continuous variables in children-reported individual and familial factors ranged from 0.66 to 0.79. For self-reported categorical variables, kappa values ranged from 0.27 to 0.76, and an percent agreement statistics were greater than 80%. Meanwhile, reliability statistics for parent-reported home and environment variables showed acceptable consistency with most of the ICC values greater than 0.70. / The third study (Chapter 5) aimed to investigate the physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns among a sample of 1013 primary 4-6 schoolchildren using the CLASS-C questionnaire. The individual, social and physical environmental correlates of the activity behaviors were investigated through a sub-sample of 303 children, whose habitual activity was objectively assessed by ActiGraph accelerometer, in addition to subjective measures by the CLASS-C questionnaire. The multiple correlates of activity behavior for the children in the sub-sample group were assessed using the environmental correlates questionnaire which was developed in Study II. Cluster analyses were used to group children with similar activity patterns. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to assess the associations of the multiple variables with activity behaviors. Approximately half of the children did not reach the recommended physical activity level and one fifth of them engaged in excessive TV viewing of 2 hr every day. Cluster analysis identifies 5 clusters of children who shared similar patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that participation in school sports team and having higher self-efficacy was positively associated with self-reports in MVPA in boys after controlling age, body mass index (BMI), and parental education. Girls who reported participation in school sports team and perceived the availability of more sports facilities at home self-reported more time spent in MVPA after controlling socio-demographic variables. Perception of parental support on physical activity was positively correlated with accelerometer-assessed MVPA among girls, while it was inversely associated with sedentary behaviors in boys. Residence density was positively associated with boys' sedentary behaviors, while girls whose parents reported more safety concerns on neighborhood environment were more likely to be sedentary. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Huang, Ya Jun. / Adviser: Stephen H. S. Wong. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-06, Section: A, page: 1972. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-175). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

This investigation examined the relationships between parental involvement, peer-initiated climates, and perfectionism to goal orientation as well as children's enjoyment and the intention to continue playing sport in youth sport. Participants were 188 athletes, 100 boys (M = 12.06, SD = 1.06) and 88 girls (M = 12.18, SD = .73). The athletes completed the TEOSQ, Sport MPS, PIAS, and the PeerMCYSQ. Parental support and peer task environment was related to girls' and boy's task orientation. For boys, personal standards, parental pressure, and fewer concerns over mistakes, also were related to task orientation. Ego orientation was related to peer-initiated ego and task climates, for the boys. For the girls, higher personal standard was the only variable related to ego orientation. For enjoyment, task orientation was the strongest predictor for the girls and the only predictor for the boys for enjoyment. The fewer concerns girls had over mistakes the more enjoyment they reported. For girls and boys, intention to continue playing next season was predicted only by enjoyment. However, results were varied when intention to play next year was examined. For boys, no predictors were discovered whereas for girls, higher levels of enjoyment and task orientation, and lower levels of parental support and pressure related to intention.

This study investigated the self-concepts of five, six, and seven year old children after participation in organized and nonorganized play programs. The subjects were sixty boys and girls participating in Little League Tee-Ball programs and sixty boys and girls participating in the City Playground Program in the Fort Worth, Texas, area during the 1979 spring and summer season. The instrument used to measure self-concept was the Purdue Self-Concept Scale, Results indicated that the type of organization has little effect upon the self-concept of the children in this study.

The problem of this study was to investigate the attitudes expressed by parents of six-, even-, eight-, and nine-year-old boys toward competition in the Carroliton Farmers Branch, Texas, Soccer Association during the 1976 Fall soccer season. Scott's Attitude Inventory and an analysis of variance at the .05 level of significance were used for the study. The data obtained from the 193 parents who participated in the study revealed that the parents held a positive attitude toward intensive competition in youth soccer leagues. Additional analysis of data revealed that attitudes of parents of boys six- and seven-years-old did not difsfner significantly from these attitudes held by parents of eight- and nine-yearold boys.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between children's enjoyment and perceived competence in physical education (PE) and the effects these factors may have on physical activity participation outside of school. Fifth through eighth grade (n = 100) school children completed questionnaires pertaining to their enjoyment in PE, perceived competence in PE, and physical activity participation outside of school. Results indicated a positive significant relationship between enjoyment in PE, and perceived competence in PE (p<0.01). Children with higher perceptions of competence in school PE, reported greater physical activity participation outside of the school environment (p<0.002). Enjoyment in PE had no statistical significance in determining physical activity participation outside of school (p>0.05). Understanding the factors which influence physical activity participation can help inform future policies and strategies aimed at providing developmentally appropriate experiences, ultimately providing intrinsic motivation to seek out, and sustain, regular physical activity strategies aimed at providing developmentally appropriate experiences, ultimately providing intrinsic motivation to seek out, and sustain, regular physical activity participation. / by Keith Brazendale. / Vita. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

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