A repeated-measures examination of organizational stressors,perceived psychological and physical health,and perceived performance in semi-elite athletes

ABSTRACT

Organizational stressors can undermine the psychological well-being and performance of athletes. Less is known, however, about how these relationships unfold over time and whether organizational stressors can impact upon perceived physical health. The current study, therefore, used a repeated-measures design to examine relationships between organizational stressors with components of perceived psychological (anxiety and depression) and physical (illness symptoms and missed training days via illness) ill-health, and perceived performance at the within-person level. Twenty-three semi-elite female rowers completed monthly measures of study variables for six-months. Multilevel models indicated that selection-related stressors positively predicted symptoms of perceived psychological and physical ill-health, and negatively predicted perceived performance. Conversely, coaching stressors negatively predicted symptoms of perceived psychological ill-health. Logistics and operations stressors positively predicted perceived performance, whereas goals and development stressors negatively predicted perceived performance. These findings demonstrate for the first time that, with a repeated-measures design, organizational stressors can predict components of perceived physical and psychological ill-health, and perceived performance at the within-person level in athletes. From a practical perspective, practitioners should incorporate these findings when diagnosing the need for, developing, and optimally implementing primary and secondary stress management interventions.     

Professional writing assistance: effects on biomedical publishing

The involvement of professional writers in the reporting of scientific research has generated considerable discussion. I reviewed the literature relating to this debate. Some commentators argue that professional writing assistance can inappropriately influence the reporting of research, undermine accountability for the published work, and deceive readers when the professional writer's contribution is not acknowledged. On the other hand, it has been argued that professional writers improve the quality and readability of papers, speed up the publication process, and undertake important educational activities. These arguments are based on anecdote and opinion rather than on evidence from well‐conducted research. Although some recommendations have been proposed, there is no widely accepted published guidance about how writing assistance should be used. The biomedical community should consider implementing initiatives that will facilitate research about professional writing assistance – an outcome that would make for a better‐informed debate.     

Knowledge management for services,operations and manufacturing

Knowledge Management Research & Practice -