Structured physical activity (SPA) is one type of physical activity in which preschool aged children participate (e.g., soccer programs). Given that SPA often occurs at community-based locations, such as at a field or hockey rink, primary caregivers, who are often times mothers, must transport their preschool aged children to the scheduled SPA. Although studies have examined social cognitions important to individuals participation in their own scheduled physical activity, no study to date has focused on the social cognitions of mothers that may be related to the transportation of their preschool aged children to SPA. The purpose of this two-study dissertation was to use self-efficacy theory to develop and examine the reliability and validity evidence of measures to assess mothers social cognitions (i.e., self-regulatory efficacy to overcome barriers and to schedule/plan; outcome expectations including likelihood and value) that may be related to transporting their children to SPA. A literature review, focus group elicitation with nine participants (Mean age = 35.25 years; SD = 3.57), and feedback from three expert judges and 10 participants were used to develop items for each of the measures in Study 1. The reliability of the measures was then investigated in Study 1 using data from 31 participants (Mean age= 33.50 years; SD = 5.79) to examine initial internal consistency and then 64 participants (Mean age= 32.87 years; SD = 4.48) to further examine internal consistency and temporal stability. Findings revealed some evidence for the content and construct validity, internal consistency, and temporal stability of the measures. To continue the construct validation of the measures, it was important to continue to examine the reliability evidence of the measures and other aspects of validity, including concurrent and predictive validity. In Study 2, data from 93 participants (Mean age= 34.88 years; SD = 5.04) were used to examine evidence of the criterion-related validity (i.e., concurrent and predictive) of the developed measures. Results revealed convergence of the measures that assessed similar constructs (i.e., self-regulatory efficacy to schedule/plan and to overcome barriers; outcome expectations: likelihood and value). However, evidence of the divergence of the self-regulatory efficacy measures from the outcome expectation measures was less consistent. Results also revealed that the self-regulatory efficacy beliefs and outcome expectations measures were not significant, independent predictors of transportation to SPA. These predictive validity findings as well as the divergence findings may have been due to the type of mothers who participated in the study (i.e., highly experienced in transporting children to SPA). Findings from the present series of studies suggest a need for continued exploration of the measures, including research with a more diverse sample. Collecting further reliability and validity evidence of these measures to compare it with the evidence from the present studies would contribute to the ongoing construct validation of these measures.

Mental health needs of Asian-American youth have been documented as substantial and increasing, but limited research has identified explanatory mechanisms or possible targets of intervention for reducing mental health symptoms. The present study contributed to the limited existing research on self-regulatory abilities as mechanisms that may explain the linkage between Chinese-American parenting styles and adolescent somatization. A community sample of Chinese-American parent-adolescent dyads (N= 104) residing in the greater Houston, TX area were recruited to complete a battery of questionnaires containing measures of adolescent somatization, self-regulatory abilities, and parental psychological control. Correlational and regression analyses were conducted to test hypothesized relationships and models. Parent-reported emotional and cognitive self-regulatory control variables were found to mediate the relationship between utilization of aspects of both parent and adolescent-reported parental psychological control and parent-reported adolescent somatization. Additionally, lower parent-adolescent Asian values agreement level was found to predict higher parent-reported somatic complaint occurrence. Results suggest that multiple aspects of self-regulation serve as mediating mechanisms by which parenting styles may influence adolescent somatic complaint occurrence. Findings have implications for understanding of pathways to somatization (and mental health outcomes overall) in the Asian-American youth population.

Objectives: Psoriasis is a long-term inflammatory condition associated with considerable psychological and social morbidity. There are multiple psoriasis treatment modalities and regimens making medication adherence particularly demanding. The Self-Regulatory Framework has not been widely applied to investigate adherence by people with psoriasis. This thesis reports research into psychological factors associated with medication adherence in psoriasis. Methods: A systematic review of adherence to treatments (Phase 1) was followed by a qualitative investigation of measures of adherence and treatment beliefs (Phase 2). A large-scale multisite quantitative survey of levels and determinants of adherence to systemic psoriasis treatments was carried out by linking new psychological measures with data from a national treatment registry (Phase 3). Finally a mixed-methods investigation into self- regulatory approaches to the understanding of adherence was undertaken (Phase 4). Findings: i) Adherence difficulties are prevalent in psoriasis, however poor methodology quality of previous studies limited conclusions of the systematic review ii) Patients using topical preparations described significant day-to-day variations in medication use as well as complex treatment decision-making processes; however, key behaviours and cognitions were not accurately reflected by corresponding scores of the standardised scales iii) Patients using systemic treatments reported high levels of adherence which were associated with: biologic rather than a traditional systemic; fewer concerns about systemic treatments; and lower PASI and DLQI scores. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviours were also prevalent iv) Effective treatment usage in psoriasis conflicted with the management of the physical and psychological demands of living with psoriasis. For patients using topical preparations, non-adherence was a strategic decision to reduce distress and gain control. Patients using systemic treatments expressed strong beliefs in the necessity of their treatment, yet reported high levels of anxiety and depression. Systemic treatment usage conflicted with the management of illness controllability and psychological adjustment. A more negative illness belief profile and greater appearance concerns accounted for the most variance in both anxiety and depression, even after controlling for disease severity. These findings have major implications for the measurement of adherence and treatment beliefs, as well as researchers’ ability to determine clinical outcomes and treatment response. Conclusions: Psoriasis treatment adherence can be practically challenging as well as emotionally charged. The construct of self-regulatory failure proved to be illuminating and improves understanding of the psychological processes that underpin medicines adherence and other aspects of self- management in people with psoriasis.

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Scale development in psychological studies is an area of intense growth (Clark & Watson, 1995). This report builds upon academic interest in the value of producing viable measurement tools. The purpose of this research project was to evaluate a self-efficacy measurement scale intended to determine individual music students' perceptions of capability. The areas of interest were four self-regulatory skill domains: strategy use, planning, monitoring, and evaluating in two music environments: independent practicing and performance. This report describes the development and analysis of the Self-efficacy for Musical Studies (SEMS) scale. The report includes statistical analysis of the response data from formative evaluation, field testing, and content evidence of validity. The discussion section examines the strengths and weaknesses of the scale and its development decisions. Finally, recommendations for the future development of self-efficacy scales for self-regulatory skills and instruction in the area of music education are suggested. In providing both a preliminary instrument and a measurement evaluation of this instrument, we hope to further academic interest in the usefulness of scale production to enhance music instruction and the value of the relatively untouched connection between the social cognitive concept of self-efficacy, self-regulatory skills, and the study of music.

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<p>Body image is an important component of physical and psychological health. Cash's (2002) cognitive-behavioural model of body image is useful for understanding factors related to body image, such as body composition and leisure time physical activity (LTPA). Changes in body composition and LTPA following spinal cord injury (SCI) may increase the risk of developing an unhealthy body image and may jeopardize the overall health and well-being of people with SCI. Unfortunately, little research had been conducted to explore factors related to body image in the SCI population.</p><p>The object of the current thesis was to examine body image in people with SCI, within the framework of Cash's (2002) model. Specifically, we examined the relationships between appearance and functional satisfaction, LTPA, and body composition in 61 men and women with SCI. Pearson's correlations were calculated to examine the relationship between body composition and body satisfaction. In order to compare body satisfaction between men and women who engaged in some LTPA versus no LTPA, separate 2 (sex) x 2 (LTPA) ANOVAs were calculated for appearance satisfaction and functional satisfaction.</p><p>We hypothesized that body composition would be negatively related to appearance satisfaction and functional satisfaction such that higher body weight, percentage body fat and waist circumference would be associated with lower levels of satisfaction. Further, we hypothesized that after controlling for body composition, participants who engaged in LTPA would have more appearance and functional satisfaction than those who did not.Finally, we hypothesized that body satisfaction would be more strongly related to moderate-intensity LTPA versus mild-intensity LTPA, and resistance-LTPA versus aerobic-LTP A.</p><p>In partial support of our hypothesis, body composition was significantly related to appearance satisfaction for women only. Body composition was not significantly related to functional satisfaction for men or women. The results of the ANOVAs indicate that women were more dissatisfied with their appearance than men. However, contrary to hypothesis, appearance satisfaction did not differ between men or women who engaged in . LTPA versus those who did not. For men and women, those who engaged in mild or moderate intensity LTPA were less satisfied with their physical function than those who did not. Further, participants who engaged in resistance-LTPA were less satisfied with their physical function that those who did not.</p><p>Results are discussed within the framework of Cash's model. Findings suggest that people who engage in LTPA are less satisfied with their bodies than people who do not. This finding was surprising because LTPA has been shown to improve body image in the SCI population (Hicks et al., 2003). However, dissatisfaction with physical appearance or physical function may motivate individuals to engage in LTPA. The theoretical and practical implications of the current thesis are discussed. Prospective research is necessary to further understand the directionality of the relationship between the constructs of Cash's (2002) model, and to test SCI-specific variables as potential mediators and moderators of the relationship between LTPA and body image.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Youth employability in South Africa has become an important focus for career counsellors. This study investigated the relationship between the employability (as measured by the Southern African Employability Inventory) and emotional intelligence (as measured by the Assessing Emotions Scale) of individuals within the school-to-work transition phase. A random sample of 590 Grade 9 and Grade 12 further education and post-school (recently exited) students from a total population of 1349 participated in the study. The research findings indicated that participants’ level of employability is significantly related to their emotional intelligence. Recommendations are postulated for the career counselling of individuals in the school-to-work career transition phase. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)