Estudos anteriores sugeriram que as compras de experiências, tais como viagens e shows, deixam as pessoas mais felizes do que compras materiais, como, por exemplo, roupas e eletrônicos. E, por esta razão, sugerem que as pessoas passem a alocar mais a sua renda discricionária em tais tipos de compra. Entretanto, acredita-se que isto não é verdade para todos os indivíduos. O nível de felicidade com cada tipo de compra, provavelmente, varie de acordo com o estado motivacional das pessoas. À luz da teoria de self-regulation, hipotetizase que a felicidade derivada das compras depende da adequação entre as diferentes orientações motivacionais (prevention x promotion) e o tipo de compra (experiência x material). Em um estudo experimental, manipulou-se o tipo de compra e o regulatory focus, e se descobriu que os participantes com promotion focus, realmente, são mais felizes com as compras de experiência, no entanto, os participantes com prevention focus são tão felizes com as compras materiais quanto com as de experiência. Em um segundo estudo experimental, testou-se como os participantes com diferentes estados motivacionais alocam sua renda discricionária de modo a se sentirem mais felizes. Dado os resultados, sugere-se que os participantes com promotion focus são os que devem melhorar sua forma de investir para ficarem mais felizes, estes sim devem seguir a recomendação à experiência. Ainda, quando o trade-off entre os tipos de compra (experiência e material) estava saliente, os participantes com prevention focus, na seqüência, avaliaram as experiências mais favoravelmente do que quando o trade-off não estava saliente. / Experiential consumption - which is made with the primary intention of acquiring a life experience - usually yields greater happiness than material purchases. However, it might not be true for all individuals. The level of happiness in each type of purchase may vary according to one's motivational state. Building on research on subjective well-being and regulatory focus it is being put forward a hypothesis that happiness derived from purchases depends on the fit between self-regulation (individual differences) and the type of purchase (experiential versus material). In the first experimental study, the regulatory focus (prevention vs. promotion) and type of purchase (experiential vs. material) have been manipulated. The data shows that the promotion-focused participants indeed were happier with the experiential purchases than with the material ones. However, the prevention-focused participants were as happy with the material purchases as with the experiential purchases. In the second experimental study, it has been tested how the participants with different regulatory foci allocate their discretionary income as to feel happier. According to the results, its been suggested that in order to spend their income more judisciously, the promotion-focused participants should choose the experiential form of purchase and the prevention-focused participants should continue to invest in both types of purchases. Further, when the trade-off between the material and experiential purchases was made salient, experiences were subsequently evaluated more favorably than when the trade-off was not salient.

Doctor of Philosophy / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Jared R. Anderson / Marriage and relationship education (MRE) is most commonly delivered in a skills-based format that traditionally centers on teaching couples communication skills. Critiques against the current skills-development approach lead to the development and pilot-testing of an alternative self-development curriculum entitled, “Strengthen Yourself, Strengthen Your Relationships.” Guided by Bowen’s (1978) theory of differentiation, the current study randomly assigned forty couples to the self-development (differentiation) curriculum condition or to a relationship assessment plus feedback condition. Repeated measures ANOVA’s, independent samples t-tests, and regressions were used to analyze the data from pre- to post-test (5 weeks), post-test to follow-up (4 weeks), and pre-test to follow-up (9 weeks). Statistical analyses indicate that women responded more favorably to the feedback condition in terms of differentiation, relationship self-regulation, and problem solving, whereas men responded more favorably to the curriculum condition in terms of relationship self-regulation. Feedback about the curriculum was gathered from participants and was received favorably. Implications from the study suggest that both approaches may have unique value for couples receiving relationship education. Future research should further develop and evaluate the self-development approach in MRE.

The overarching aims of this research were to advance knowledge of coach burnout and interventions addressing this syndrome by investigating (a) the associations between burnout, well-being, self-regulation capacity, and perceived stress in coaches, and (b) the perceived impact of a self-regulation intervention implemented with coaches experiencing moderate to high levels of burnout. A sequential mixed methods design was employed to collect quantitative and qualitative data in two separate phases. In Phase 1, an online survey was used to collect cross-sectional quantitative data from a sample of 260 Canadian developmental and elite sport coaches to assess associations between the variables of interest (i.e., burnout, well-being, self-regulation capacity, and perceived stress). Selected based on data from Phase 1, five coaches experiencing moderate to high levels of burnout then participated in a self-regulation intervention in Phase 2, which involved completing a workbook and a reflective journal and participating in a semi-structured intake and outtake interview before and after the intervention, respectively. Four studies were carried out to address the overall aims of this research. Phase 1. The purposes of Study 1 were to identify profiles of psychological functioning within a sample of coaches based on burnout and well-being indices, and investigate whether coaches in these profiles differed in their capacity to self-regulate and their perceptions of stress. Findings of the two-stage cluster analysis revealed that 54% of the coaches were characterized by a “thriving” profile (i.e., relatively low burnout and relatively high well-being), while 14% of the coaches were characterized by a “depleted” profile (i.e., relatively high burnout and relatively low well-being). The remainder of coaches were characterized by an “at-risk” profile (i.e., relatively high burnout and moderate well-being), which suggests that experiencing symptoms of burnout may not necessarily preclude coaches from experiencing well-being. Moreover, thriving coaches reported higher levels of self-regulation capacity and lower levels of perceived stress than coaches in the two more maladaptive profiles. Depleted coaches also reported higher levels of perceived stress than at-risk coaches. These findings speak to the salience of effective self-regulatory capacity and stress management skills in coaches’ adaptive functioning. Finally, depleted coaches worked longer hours and were more likely to be remunerated for their coaching than thriving coaches, demonstrating the importance of monitoring these situational factors to ensure coaches’ optimal functioning. The purpose of Study 2 was to examine the associations between self-regulation capacity, perceived stress, and burnout in coaches, and more specifically, to test the intervening variable effect of perceived stress in the association between coaches’ self-regulatory capacity and their emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Results of the structural equation modeling showed that coaches with greater self-regulatory competencies (i.e., self-control and self-observation) perceived less stress in their lives, and in turn, experienced less emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and greater personal accomplishment (i.e., lower burnout). A direct association between these self-regulatory competencies and coaches’ sense of accomplishment was also found. This indicates that effective self-control and self-monitoring competencies may enable coaches to feel more efficacious in their coaching, regardless of their perceptions of stress. Phase 2. The purpose of Study 3 was to investigate coaches’ subjective experiences of burnout in order to shed light on the complex emotional nature of this syndrome. To this end, idiographic, first-person narrative accounts of the five coaches’ subjective experiences of burnout were provided. The narratives revealed that burnout was highly individualized and characterized by a variety of emotions (e.g., apathy, anger, dejection) linked to the dimensions of burnout. Burnout had negative implications for the coaches’ well-being (e.g., loss of enjoyment) and their coaching practice (e.g., yelling at athletes), and was associated with deficits in the coaches’ self-regulatory capacity (e.g., resistance to healthy eating and exercise). These findings underscore the need for interventions to help coaches effectively manage their personal and professional life and their symptoms of burnout. The purpose of Study 4 was to implement a self-regulation intervention with coaches experiencing moderate to high levels of burnout and examine the perceived impact of this intervention on their self-regulation capacity and experiences of burnout and well-being. A content analysis of the coaches’ outtake interviews and five bi-weekly journals revealed that all five coaches learned to self-regulate more effectively by developing various competencies (e.g., self-monitoring) and strategies (e.g., task delegation) throughout the intervention. Four of the coaches also perceived improvements in their symptoms of burnout (i.e., felt less emotionally drained, more engaged with their work and/or accepting of their athletes, and more effective in their coaching) and their well-being (e.g., experienced more positive emotions, satisfaction with life, and autonomy). Overall, the results of the current research shed light on important personal resources (i.e., self-regulation competencies) that can be strengthened to help coaches prevent or manage burnout and achieve greater well-being. This research also provides data on the first known empirical investigation of an intervention implemented with coaches experiencing burnout. As such, the findings from this dissertation make novel empirical and practical contributions to the literature on coach burnout.

abstract: The primary objective of this study was to develop the Perceived Control of the Attribution Process Scale (PCAPS), a measure of metacognitive beliefs of causality, or a perceived control of the attribution process. The PCAPS included two subscales: perceived control of attributions (PCA), and awareness of the motivational consequences of attributions (AMC). Study 1 (a pilot study) generated scale items, explored suitable measurement formats, and provided initial evidence for the validity of an event-specific version of the scale. Study 2 achieved several outcomes; Study 2a provided strong evidence for the validity and reliability of the PCA and AMC subscales, and showed that they represent separate constructs. Study 2b demonstrated the predictive validity of the scale and provided support for the perceived control of the attribution process model. This study revealed that those who adopt these beliefs are significantly more likely to experience autonomy and well-being. Study 2c revealed that these constructs are influenced by context, yet they lead to adaptive outcomes regardless of this contextual-specificity. These findings suggest that there are individual differences in metacognitive beliefs of causality and that these differences have measurable motivational implications. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Psychology 2014

abstract: Researchers who have previously explored the relation of broad-based temperamental approach constructs, such as surgency/extraversion, exuberance, or behavioral approach sensitivity, to academic competence (AC) in early elementary school have often found conflicting results. Moreover, few researchers have examined the interaction between these approach reactivity constructs and effortful control (EC) in the prediction of AC. The goal of the current study was to examine the fine-tuned relations of different aspects of temperamental approach reactivity in early childhood (42 and 54 months; N=223), such as impulsivity, frustration, and positive affect, as well as EC, to AC during early elementary school (72 and 84 months). Examining the complex relations may clarify the literature using broad-based approach reactivity constructs. Temperament was observed in the laboratory when children were 54 months of age. Mothers and caregivers also reported on children's impulsivity at 42 and 54 months. School-related behavioral adjustment was reported by children, mothers, and teachers, and GPA was reported by teachers at 72 and 84 months. The results of the study indicated that positive affect, EC, and receptive language ability were the only unique direct predictors of school adjustment and/or GPA. Without EC in the model, only positive affect and vocabulary predicted AC. Frustration, positive affect, and impulsivity each interacted with EC to predict AC outcomes, such EC was only related to higher AC for children with high impulsivity or anger, or low positive affect. Additionally, positive affect and impulsivity interacted to predict GPA, such that impulsivity was positively related to GPA for children with high positive affect, but it was negatively, albeit nonsignificantly, associated with GPA for children with low positive affect. These results were found to be similar for boys and girls. Finding are discussed in terms of the developmental importance of early EC for academic competence for children who have high approach reactivity, as well as the interactive effects of dimensions of approach reactivity on academic achievement. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2014

abstract: When consumers fail in their environmental, dieting, or budgeting goals, they may engage in a consumer confession about their goal-inconsistent behavior. This dissertation seeks to understand how confessions about consumer goal transgressions affect subsequent consumer motivation and behaviors. Results from a series of five experiments reveal that after reflecting about a past transgression, Catholics who confess (vs. do not confess) about the focal transgression are more motivated to engage in subsequent goal-consistent consumer behaviors. However, results reveal no such effects for Non-Catholics; Non-Catholics are equally motivated to engage in goal-consistent consumer behaviors regardless of whether or not they confessed. Catholics and Non-Catholics differ on the extent to which they believe that acts of penance are required to make amends and achieve forgiveness after confession. For Catholics, confessing motivates restorative, penance-like behaviors even in the consumer domain. Thus, when Catholics achieve forgiveness through the act of confession itself (vs. a traditional confession requiring penance), they reduce their need to engage in restorative consumer behaviors. Importantly, results find that confession (vs. reflecting only) does not provide a general self-regulatory boost to all participants, but rather that confession is motivating only for Catholics due to their beliefs about penance. Together, results suggest that for consumers with strong penance beliefs, confession can be an effective strategy for getting back on track with their consumption goals. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2015

abstract: Self-control has been shown to predict both health risk and health protective outcomes. Although top-down or “good” self-control is typically examined as a unidimensional construct, research on “poor” self-control suggests that multiple dimensions may be necessary to capture aspects of self-control. The current study sought to create a new brief survey measure of top-down self-control that differentiates between self-control capacity, internal motivation, and external motivation. Items were adapted from the Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS; Tangney, Baumeister, & Boone, 2004) and were administered through two online surveys to 347 undergraduate students enrolled in introductory psychology courses at Arizona State University. The Self-Control Motivation and Capacity Survey (SCMCS) showed strong evidence of validity and reliability. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a 3-factor structure of the scale consistent with the underlying theoretical model. The final 15-item measure demonstrated excellent model fit, chi-square = 89.722 p=.077, CFI = .989, RMSEA = .032, SRMR = .045. Despite several limitations including the cross-sectional nature of most analyses, self-control capacity, internal motivation, and external motivation uniquely related to various self-reported behavioral outcomes, and accounted for additional variance beyond that accounted for by the BSCS. Future studies are needed to establish the stability of multiple dimensions of self-control, and to develop state-like and domain-specific measures of self-control. While more research in this area is needed, the current study demonstrates the importance of studying multiple aspects of top-down self-control, and may ultimately facilitate the tailoring of interventions to the needs of individuals based on unique profiles of self-control capacity and motivation. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2016

abstract: The current study utilized data from two longitudinal samples to test mechanisms in the relation between a polygenic risk score indexing serotonin functioning and alcohol use in adolescence. Specifically, this study tested whether individuals with lower levels of serotonin functioning as indexed by a polygenic risk score were vulnerable to poorer self-regulation, and whether poorer self-regulation subsequently predicted the divergent outcomes of depressive symptoms and aggressive/antisocial behaviors. This study then examined whether depressive symptoms and aggressive/antisocial behaviors conferred risk for later alcohol use in adolescence, and whether polygenic risk and effortful control had direct effects on alcohol use that were not mediated through problem behaviors. Finally, the study examined the potential moderating role of gender in these pathways to alcohol use. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses. Results from an independent genome-wide association study of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the cerebrospinal fluid were used to create serotonin (5-HT) polygenic risk scores, wherein higher scores reflected lower levels of 5-HT functioning. Data from three time points were drawn from each sample, and all paths were prospective. Findings suggested that 5-HT polygenic risk did not predict self-regulatory constructs. However, 5-HT polygenic risk did predict the divergent outcomes of depression and aggression/antisociality, such that higher levels of 5-HT polygenic risk predicted greater levels of depression and aggression/antisociality. Results most clearly supported adolescents’ aggression/antisociality as a mechanism in the relation between 5-HT polygenic risk and later alcohol use. Deficits in self-regulation also predicted depression and aggression/antisociality, and indirectly predicted alcohol use through aggression/antisociality. These pathways to alcohol use might be the most salient for boys with low levels of socioeconomic status. Results are novel contributions to the literature. The previously observed association between serotonin functioning and alcohol use might be due, in part, to the fact that individuals with lower levels of serotonin functioning are predisposed towards developing earlier aggression/antisociality. Results did not support the hypothesis that serotonin functioning predisposes individuals to deficits in self-regulatory abilities. Findings extend previous research by suggesting that serotonin functioning and self-regulation might be transdiagnostic risk factors for many types of psychopathology. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Psychology 2017

L'étude s'intéresse à la bactérie Legionella pneumophila (Lpn) dans les biofilms des affluents du lac du Bourget. Elle confirme le caractère ubiquiste de cette bactérie, principalement sous sa forme non cultivable. Elle met aussi en évidence, le caractère local des facteurs naturels de régulation : seule la température de l'eau intervient dans la majorité des sites. Ce déterminisme local a aussi été mis en évidence avec l'étude du réseau hydrographique aixois qui reçoit à la fois des eaux thermales et celles de la rivière Le Tillet. Les perturbations thermique et chimique liées aux arrivées d'eau chaude sont détectables jusqu'à la partie aval du réseau. L'effet d'enrichissement des apports en Lpn qui leur correspondent reste localisé ce qui peut être la manifestation de processus naturels d'autoépuration. Nos résultats montrent également un comportement différent des organismes du groupe des Pseudomonas et des bactéries apparentées vis-à-vis des caractéristiques physico-chimiques. Des expériences effectuées en réacteurs biologiques ont montré qu'une augmentation de la vitesse ou de la température de l'eau est favorable à la présence de Lpn. Un modèle de transport de charges a été construit à partir duquel une gestion de l'utilisation du jet d'eau situé à proximité de la plage municipale d'Aix-les-Bains pourrait être faite pour tenir compte des périodes durant lesquelles des fragments de biofilms susceptibles de contenir des Lpn sont transportés en masse par le réseau aixois en direction de la plage. / The study concerns the occurrence of the bacteria Legionella pneumophila (Lpn) in biofilms from Lake Bourget tributaries. It confirms the ubiquity of the bacteria in flowing waters, but mainly as viable but non culturable state. It highlights that main environmental control factors are local, at the exception of water temperature which is involved in most studied sites. Local control of biofilms development has also been demonstrated in the study of the Aix-les-Bains hydrological network which receives hot springs water and water from the Tillet river. Thermal and chemical disturbances induced by hot waters entrances could still be detected at the farthest downstream part of the network. Biofilms enrichment in Lpn related to theses incomings kept localized possibly due to self-purification processes. Our results depict different answers of microorganisms like Pseudomonas and related bacteria towards physicochemical characteristics. Two experiments were performed based on biological reactors, showing that increases of water temperature or water flow, both enhance Lpn concentration. An hydrological transport model has been designed to serve the management of a waterspout sited by the Aix-les-Bains beach. It is written especially to address periods where biofilms transport holding high Lpn concentrations should be avoided.

Article 12 of The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child grants each young person the right to express their view, have their opinion considered and have their say in decisions that affect them. Previous research on talent development in sport has however failed to recognise the voice of the young person or regard the participant as an autonomous agent. This study employed phenomenological enquiry to focus on the conditions of lived reality to afford the young person the opportunity to convey their unique experience. The aim of the research was to employ a participatory approach to explore the essence of young people's conscious experience of Talent Development Programmes in sport. My co-collaborators were eight young people aged between 13 and 17, (two females: netball and gymnastics, and six males: rugby 3, discus, angling, and badminton), who all attended the same school and were all members of a Sports National Governing Body Talent Development Programme. Over twelve months each participant utilised their individual preference to communicate depictions of self, drawing upon interview, conversation, Twitter, video, photo and observation of training and performance. Results were presented in the form of individual vignettes generated from researcher and participant interaction and constructed according to hermeneutical interpretation. Young people’s stories reveal the essence of talent development through the experience of uncertainty and endeavour; talent development experience teaches young people to self-present in response to perceived injustice; and individual progress is characterised by self-regulation and the pursuit of personal empowerment. The research demonstrates that when young people are involved in active decision making about their learning and their lives they feel better respected and understood. Academics and practitioners must now accept a responsibility to engage with the unique lived experience of the young person’s reality to find better ways to listen to the young person’s voice to support their talent development experience in sport.