Application of the trans-contextual model to predict change in leisure time physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: This study tested effects of changes in the psychological constructs of the trans-contextual model (TCM) on changes in adolescents' outside of school moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) measured using self-report and accelerometer-based device. DESIGN: A three-wave longitudinal design was used. High school students (N = 331) completed measures of all the TCM constructs at Time1 and at Time2, five weeks apart. Self-reported PA behaviour was measured also at Time3, five weeks after Time2. PA was measured using accelerometer-based devices for seven days following Time1 and Time3 for a census week. RESULTS: A structural equation model using residual change scores revealed that perceived autonomy support from physical education (PE) teachers positively predicted autonomous motivation in PE. Autonomous motivation in PE positively predicted autonomous motivation in leisure time. Leisure-time autonomous motivation was positively and indirectly related to intention, mediated by attitude and perceived behavioural control. Intention positively predicted self-reported PA, and mediated the effect of autonomous motivation on self-reported PA. There were no effects on outside of school PA measured by accelerometer-based device. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide qualified support for the TCM in the prediction of change in adolescents' leisure-time autonomous motivation, intention, and self-reported PA, but not change in PA measured by accelerometer-based device.

The Roles of Grit and Motivation in Predicting Children's Leisure-Time Physical Activity: One-Year Effects.

In this study, we tested two alternative models for investigating the ability of dimensions of personal grit (consistency of interest and perseverance of effort) and autonomous motivation to predict the leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) over a one-year period of 256 youth (aged 11-15 years at the beginning of the study). Specifically, we compared a model in which dimensions of grit were assumed to predict LTPA through autonomous motivation with a model in which autonomous motivation was assumed to predict LTPA through dimensions of grit. We tested the two models using variance-based structural equation modelling with Warp PLS v7.0 software. Both models showed a good fit with the data and equally explained 41% of the variance in LTPA over this one-year time period. However, the model based on the total effect of autonomous motivation (ß = 0.448, p < 0.001, ES = 0.229) on LTPA through the dimensions of grit was stronger than the model based on the total effect of perseverance of effort (ß = 0.356, p < 0.001, ES = 0.126) on LTPA through autonomous motivation, and the total effect of consistency of interest was not significant (ß = -0.029, p > 0.05, ES = 0.003). Our findings underscore the relatively greater importance of the interplay between autonomous motivation and perseverance of effort, versus consistency of interest, in predicting LTPA among youth over a one-year period.

Motivational processes in physical education and objectively measured physical activity among adolescents.

PURPOSE: Grounded in self-determination theory (SDT), the present study tested how students' perceptions of autonomy support from physical education teachers predicts objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of adolescents. According to SDT, it was expected that psychological needs and autonomous and controlled forms of motivation would mediate these relationships. METHODS: Students (n = 397) aged from 11 to 15 years in 17 different schools filled in questionnaires regarding SDT variables. In addition, objective MVPA was measured using an accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X; ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL, USA) for 7 days. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the hypothesized relationships among the study variables. RESULTS: The theory-based model showed a good fit with the data: χ2 = 642.464, df = 257; comparative fit index = 0.932; non-normed fit index = 0.921; root mean square error of approximation = 0.062; root mean square error of approximation 90% confidence interval: 0.054-0.067. As hypothesized, there was a significant and positive direct relationship between autonomy support and need satisfaction (ß = 0.81, p = 0.001). In turn, need satisfaction positively predicted intrinsic motivation (ß = 0.86, p = 0.001). Intrinsic motivation was positively related to MVPA (ß = 0.29, p = 0.009). A significant indirect effect (ß = 0.20, p = 0.004) supported the mediating role of psychological need satisfaction and intrinsic motivation in the relationship between perceived autonomy support and objectively measured MVPA. CONCLUSION: The findings of the current study support the applicability of the SDT-based model in explaining the antecedents of objectively measured MVPA of adolescents. To enhance adolescents' daily MVPA, special focus should be put on increasing their intrinsic motivation toward physical education.

Detrimental Effect of Perceived Controlling Behavior from Physical Education Teachers on Students' Leisure-Time Physical Activity Intentions and Behavior: An Application of the Trans-Contextual Model.

In the present study, a trans-contextual model was applied to examine the relations between students' perceptions of controlling behavior from teachers, frustration over their basic psychological needs, autonomous motivation toward physical activity in a physical education context, autonomous motivation toward physical activity in an out-of-school context, beliefs and intentions toward future physical activity, and actual participation in physical activity outside of school. We adopted a three-wave prospective study design in which 234 students aged 11-19 years first completed measures of perceived controlling behavior from teachers, frustration over their basic psychological needs, and autonomous motivation toward physical activity in physical education. One week later, their autonomous motivation, beliefs, and intentions toward physical activity outside of school were measured. Students' self-reported engagement in physical activity outside of school was assessed another five weeks later. Results of the path analysis revealed a significant and negative indirect effect of perceived controlling behavior from physical education teachers on students' intention toward physical activity outside of school via the proposed motivational sequence of the trans-contextual model. There was also a significant and negative indirect effect of perceived controlling behavior from physical education teachers on students' self-reported engagement in physical activity outside of school, mediated by the frustration over their need for competence in physical education. Findings emphasize the importance of decreasing controlling behaviors from teachers in a physical education context so as not to inhibit students' physical activity behavior in an out-of-school context.

Brief report: Problematic social media use and sleep disturbances are longitudinally associated with depressive symptoms in adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Problematic social media use and sleep disturbances are independently related with mental health. However, evidence of combined effects of changes in problematic social media use and sleep disturbances on changes in depressive symptoms in adolescents is limited. The aim of this study was to examine complex longitudinal associations between problematic social media use, sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms during middle adolescence. METHODS: A 2-year longitudinal study was conducted consisting of three waves, each separated by 1 year. The participants were 249 Estonian adolescents (46,6% female) aged 15.3 ±â€¯0.3 years (M ±â€¯SD) who completed self-report measures of problematic social media use, sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The findings revealed that initial level in both problematic social media use and sleep disturbances both significantly predicted change in depressive symptoms. Moreover, the increases in problematic social media use and sleep disturbances were both associated with an increase in depressive symptoms, irrespective of gender. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings add strength to the evidence supporting longitudinal associations between problematic social media use and depressive symptoms and sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms in middle adolescence.

Perceived Controlling Behaviors of Physical Education Teachers and Objectively Measured Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Adolescents.

The facilitative role of perceived autonomy support from physical education (PE) teachers on adolescents' leisure-time physical activity (PA) has been supported. This study aimed to examine the mechanism by which perceived controlling behaviors from PE teachers relate to adolescents' objectively measured leisure-time PA. In a three-wave prospective study, a total of 159 students (64 boys) aged 11 to 19 years old (Mage = 14.94 years; SD = 2.11) completed measures of perceived controlling behavior, frustration of the basic psychological needs, and motivational regulations in PE. One week later, motivational regulations towards leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were assessed. Five weeks later, MVPA was measured using accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X) during seven consecutive days. Structural equation modeling analysis indicated that perceived controlling behavior predicted students' frustration of basic psychological needs in PE. The competence need frustration in PE had a negative direct effect on objectively measured MVPA. A significant indirect effect supported the mediating role of competence frustration in PE in the relation between perceived controlling behavior from PE teachers and MVPA in adolescents. Findings suggest that future interventions striving to promote adolescents' PA engagement in their leisure-time should focus on decreasing controlling behaviors from teachers in PE that may manipulate the teacher-student relation.

Longitudinal associations between problematic social media use and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls.

The primary aim of the current study was to examine longitudinal relation between problematic social media use (PSMU) and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls. Adolescent girls (n = 397) were assessed in three time points across two years. PSMU and depressive symptoms were subjectively assessed at three waves spaced 2 years apart. Latent growth models were used to test whether changes in PSMU were related to changes in depressive symptoms, and whether baseline PSMU predicted changes in depressive symptoms and vice versa. Results revealed baseline PSMU was positively associated with baseline depressive symptoms (ß = 0.29, p < 0.01), and changes in PSMU were related to changes in depressive symptoms (ß = 0.22, p < 0.05). In addition, baseline depressive symptoms were predictive of changes in PSMU (ß = 0.23, p < 0.05), but baseline PSMU did not predict changes in depressive symptoms. These findings provide evidence of positive associations between increasing PSMU and depressive symptoms and suggest that interventions should target reduction of PSMU to prevent adolescents' mental health problems.

Longitudinal Associations Between Sedentary Behavior and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescent Girls Followed 6 Years.

BACKGROUND: To examine longitudinal associations between sedentary behavior and depressive symptoms among adolescent girls. METHODS: A 6-year longitudinal study was conducted consisting of 3 waves, each separated by 3 years. Participants' (n = 249, mean age 12.1 y at baseline) sedentary behaviors were registered using ecological momentary assessment and girls completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Structural equation modeling of cross-lagged panel models was used to test longitudinal and bidirectional associations. RESULTS: The findings showed that the autoregressive effects were stable for sedentary behavior and depressive symptoms. The cross-lagged effects indicated that the depressive symptoms positively predicted sedentary behavior from early to late adolescence. However, sedentary behavior did not predict depressive symptoms across adolescence. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows 1-directional long-term effect of depressive symptoms on sedentary behavior in adolescent girls. Future research on longitudinal relationships between sedentary behavior and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents are needed.

Brief report: Longitudinal associations between physical activity, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) and sleep disturbances (SD) are related with depressive symptoms in adults. However, evidence that PA and SD are prospectively associated with depression is mixed. The aim of this study was to examine longitudinal and bidirectional associations between PA, SD and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls. METHODS: A 2-year longitudinal study was conducted consisting of three waves, each separated by 1 year. The participants were 173 Estonian adolescent girls aged 14.3 ±â€¯0.4 years (M±SD) who individually completed self-report measures of PA, SD and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Latent growth modelling indicated that the increase in depressive symptoms was associated with an increase in SD and a decrease in PA. Baseline levels of depressive symptoms were predictive of changes in PA and SD, but not the other way around. Moreover, initial SD predicted decrease in PA. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of depressive symptoms at baseline were associated with lower PA and higher SD after two years but not vice versa in adolescent girls.

Complex Yearlong Associations Between Mental Toughness and Sport-Specific Practice Among Adolescent Estonian Volleyball Players.

This study tested the reciprocal associations between mental toughness (MT) and sport-specific practice (SSP) among 163 adolescent Estonian volleyball players who completed self-reported measures of MT and SSP within a 2-year, three-wave longitudinal research design. Higher MT was associated with higher SSP hours at baseline, and changes in MT and SSP were also significantly interrelated across data from both males and females. These findings have implications for the importance of SSP to increase MT, though future research should replicate this study with other participant samples.

Perfectionistic Strivings, Motivation and Engagement in Sport-Specific Activities Among Adolescent Team Athletes.

The present study sought to extend existing literature by examining the longitudinal relationships between perfectionistic strivings, autonomous motivation, and engagement in sport-specific activities among youth athletes in three team sports. Participants were 172 team sports athletes (mean age = 15.2 years, SD = 0.5; males = 94, females = 78) who completed measures of perfectionistic strivings and autonomous motivation at the start and end of a competitive season. Players also completed a training diary during the season. Cross-lagged path analysis, found a reciprocal and positive relationship between autonomous motivation and engagement in sport-specific activities. In addition, higher perfectionistic strivings at the start of a competitive season were positively associated with engagement in sport-specific activities at the end of season and not the reverse. Autonomous motivation mediated this relationship between perfectionistic strivings and sport-specific activities engagement. Thus, this study supports the reciprocal association between motivation and engagement in sport-specific activities and unidirectional relations between perfectionistic strivings and sport-specific activities engagement among youth team sports athletes.

Longitudinal Associations Between Sedentary Behavior of Adolescent Girls, Their Mothers, and Best Friends.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the prospective relationship and changes in sedentary behavior between adolescent girls, their mothers and best friends over time. METHOD: The results are based on 122 girls aged 11-12 years at baseline measurement, their mothers and best friends who completed ecological momentary assessment diary for the assessment of sedentary behavior. All measurements were taken at 3 time points separated by one year. We used structural equation modeling to examine associations among sedentary behavior of adolescent girls, their mothers and best friends. RESULTS: A linear growth model for adolescent girls' and their best friends' sedentary behavior fit the data well, revealing an overall significant increase in sedentary behavior across time. Initial levels of mothers' and best friends' sedentary behavior were positively related with sedentary behavior of adolescent girls. The changes of adolescent girls' and best friends' sedentary behavior across 3 years were positively related. Cross-lagged panel analysis demonstrated significant reciprocal effects between adolescent girls' and best friends' sedentary behavior. Mothers' sedentary behavior at baseline predicted daughters' sedentary behavior at 1-year follow-up and vice versa. CONCLUSION: From early to midadolescence, changes in adolescent girls' sedentary behavior were associated with changes in best friends' sedentary behavior. These findings suggest reciprocal associations between sedentary behavior of adolescent girls and their best friends.

Longitudinal Association Between Objectively Measured Walking and Depressive Symptoms Among Estonian Older Adults.

Although an inverse correlation between physical activity and depressive symptoms among older adults has been found in research, this relation has seldom been examined prospectively. Accordingly, the current study examined the reciprocal relations between physical activity and depressive symptoms in Estonian older adults over a 2-year period. A three-wave longitudinal model was tested using cross-lagged analysis for 195 individuals aged over 70 years (mean = 72.1, SD = 2.1; 145 females). Results indicated that a cross-lagged model in which depressive symptoms predicted walking at subsequent time points (higher depressive symptoms were related to fewer walking steps), and walking predicted depressive symptoms at subsequent time points (higher walking steps were related to lower depressive symptoms) was most parsimonious and provided acceptable model fit. These results suggest that reduced physical activity may be a long-term consequence of depressive symptoms in older adults.

Brief report: Longitudinal associations between sedentary behaviours and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls.

The purpose of this study was to examine longitudinal associations between sedentary behaviours (SB) and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls. Participants (n = 341) completed the self-report ecological momentary assessments diary for the measurement of sedentary behaviours and completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D) at three time points during a 4-year period. The association between SB and depressive symptoms over time was examined with latent growth models. Both depressive symptoms and SB increased over time. Baseline levels of depressive symptoms were predictive of change in SB, but initial levels of SB did not predict changes in depressive symptoms. These prospective associations remained controlling for age, home electronic equipment and socioeconomic status.

Bidirectional association between sedentary behaviour and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls.

This study examined longitudinal and bidirectional association between sedentary behaviour (SB) and depressive symptoms (DS) in adolescent girls. Participants (n = 253) completed measures of SB and DS at three time points spanning a four-year interval. DS were obtained using the modified Centre for Epidemiological Depression Scale (CES-D). Weekday and weekend SB was assessed using a questionnaire. In the latent growth model, both SB and DS increased and the change in SB was positively associated with change in DS (ß = 0.24). Higher levels of SB at baseline were associated with larger increases in DS over time (ß = 0.23), and higher baseline levels of DS were associated with smaller increases in SB over time (ß = -0.17). These findings suggest persistent longitudinal and bidirectional associations between SB and DS and encourage the design of interventions that limit sedentary time as a possible means of reducing adolescent depression.

A longitudinal assessment of the links between physical activity and physical self-worth in adolescent females.

A longitudinal framework was used to examine the hypotheses of (1) whether physical activity predicts changes in physical self-worth or (2) whether physical self-worth predicts changes in physical activity in adolescent girls. Participants (n=272) completed measures of physical self-worth and participation in physical activities at three different points spanning a two-year interval. A cross-lagged panel model using structural equation modelling analyses indicated that physical self-worth predicted subsequent physical activity and physical activity in turn predicted subsequent physical self-worth across time. Findings demonstrated a reciprocal relationship between physical self-worth and physical activity during early adolescence. This study supports the use of the reciprocal effects model (REM) in gaining an understanding of the cross-lagged relationships between physical self-worth and participation in physical activities amongst adolescent girls.

Brief report: Relationships between physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls.

This study examined the relationships between changes in physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls. Participants were 277 urban adolescent girls. Physical activity was measured using the 3-Day Physical Activity Recall and depressive symptoms were assessed using questionnaire. Data were collected on three occasions over a 3-year period. The results of latent growth modelling indicated that initial level and change in physical activity was inversely associated with initial status and change in depressive symptoms The associations were independent of body mass index. Our results encourage the design of interventions that reduce depressive symptoms and increase physical activity of early adolescent girls.