Self‐reported and actual use of proactive and reactive classroom management strategies and their relationship with teacher stress and student behaviour

This study investigated the relationship between primary school teachers’ self‐reported and actual use of classroom management strategies, and examined how the use of proactive and reactive strategies is related to teacher stress and student behaviour. The total sample consisted of 97 teachers from primary schools within Melbourne. Teachers completed four questionnaires which gathered information on demographics, disruptive student behaviour, teacher management strategies, and teacher self‐reported stress. In addition, 20 of the 97 teachers were observed in their classrooms while teaching, with teacher behaviour management strategies and student on‐task behaviour recorded. Observation and questionnaire data were then matched. The findings indicated that teacher self‐reports accurately reflect actual practice, that relatively minor forms of student misbehaviours are a common concern for teachers, and that teachers are spending a considerable amount of time on behaviour management issues. The findings also revealed that the use of predominantly reactive management strategies has a significant relationship with elevated teacher stress and decreased student on‐task behaviour. These findings have important implications for teaching practices and student learning.     

Student-Created Curricular and Co-Curricular Pathways Toward Participation in a Diverse Democracy

This study explored the ways in which undergraduate students intentionally navigate complex curricular and co-curricular choices in preparation for engaging in a diverse democracy. Our study examined these choices among students at a university that lacks formal structures to facilitate these choices. Four curricular and co-curricular pathways that exemplify particular forms of the student experience across disciplines emerged and are discussed.     

But what do the numbers really tell us? Arbitrary metrics and effect size reporting in sport psychology research

Many of the measurements used in sport psychology research are arbitrary metrics, and researchers often cannot make the jump from scores on paper-and-pencil tests to what those scores actually mean in terms of real-world behaviors. Effect sizes for behavioral data are often interpretable, but the meaning of a small, medium, or large effect for an arbitrary metric is elusive. We reviewed all the issues in the 2005 volumes of the Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, The Sport Psychologist, and the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology to determine whether the arbitrary metrics used in sport psychology research were interpreted, or calibrated, against real-world variables. Of the 54 studies that used quantitative methods, 25 reported only paper-and-pencil arbitrary metrics with no connections to behavior or other real-world variables. Also, 44 of the 54 studies reported effect sizes, but only 7 studies, using both arbitrary and behavioral metrics, had calculated effect indicators and interpreted them in terms of real-world meaning.     

Family Influences on Adaptive Development in Young Children with Down Syndrome

In this study we investigated the extent to which the family environment predicted differences in trajectories of adaptive development in young children with Down syndrome. The sample was comprised of 54 children with Down syndrome and their families who were studied from infancy through the age of 5 years as part of a longitudinal study of children with disabilities. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to estimate the parameters of hierarchical growth models in domains of adaptive development. Results indicated that growth in communication, daily living skills, and socialization domains were predicted by measures of the family environment (i.e., family cohesion and mother-child interaction) above and beyond that predicted by maternal education. Further, Bayley MDI measures during infancy did not predict changes in adaptive development in any of the domains. The results are discussed in terms of implications for service provision and for expanding theoretical frameworks to include the development of children with disabilities.     

The effects of an increased calorie breakfast consumed prior to simulated match-play in Academy soccer players

Dietary analysis of Academy soccer players highlights that total energy and carbohydrate intakes are less than optimal, especially, on match-days. As UK Academy matches predominantly kick-off at ～11:00?h, breakfast is likely the last pre-exercise meal and thus may provide an intervention opportunity on match-day. Accordingly, the physiological and performance effects of an increased calorie breakfast consumed ～135-min before soccer-specific exercise was investigated. English Premier League Academy soccer players (n?=?7) repeated a 90-min soccer match simulation on two occasions after consumption of habitual (B_hab; ～1100?kJ) or increased (B_inc; ～2100?kJ) energy breakfasts standardised for macronutrient contributions (～60% carbohydrates, ～15% proteins and ～25% fats). Countermovement jump height, sprint velocities (15-m and 30-m), 30-m repeated sprint maintenance, gut fullness, abdominal discomfort and soccer dribbling performances were measured. Blood samples were taken at rest, pre-exercise, half-time and every 15-min during exercise. Although dribbling precision (P?=?.522; 29.9?±?5.5?cm) and success (P?=?.505; 94?±?8%) were unchanged throughout all time-points, mean dribbling speed was faster (4.3?±?5.7%) in B_inc relative to B_hab (P?=?.023; 2.84 vs 2.75?m?s^?1). Greater feelings of gut fullness (67?±?17%, P?=?.001) were observed in B_inc without changes in abdominal discomfort (P?=?.595). All other physical performance measures and blood lactate and glucose concentrations were comparable between trials (all P?>?.05). Findings demonstrate that Academy soccer players were able to increase pre-match energy intake without experiencing abdominal discomfort; thus, likely contributing to the amelioration of energy deficits on match-days. Furthermore, whilst B_inc produced limited benefits to physical performance, increased dribbling speed was identified, which may be of benefit to match-play.     

Children with autism and peer group support: using 'circles of friends'

Philip Whitaker (Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist, Leicestershire Educational Psychology Service with specialist responsibility in autism) and members of the Leicestershire Autism Outreach Team describe the rationale and process of establishing 'circles of friends' to support seven youngsters with autistic spectrum disorders, six of whom were attending mainstream schools.     

Effects of obesity on breast size,thoracic spine structure and function,upper torso musculoskeletal pain and physical activity in women

Purpose:This study investigated the effects of obesity on breast size,thoracic spine structure and function,upper torso musculoskeletal pain and physical activity participation in women living independently in the community.Methods:A total of 378 women were divided into 3 groups(Not Overweight:body mass index(BMI)=22.5±0.2 kg/m^2(mean±SE);Overweight:BMI=27.4±0.3 kg/m^2;Obese:BMI=35.4±0.3 kg/m^2).Outcome variables of breast volume(mL),thoracic flexion torque(N·m),thoracic kyphosis(degrees),upper torso musculoskeletal pain(score) and time spent in physical activity(min) were calculated and compared among the 3 groups,adjusting for between-group differences in age.Results:There was a significant main effect of BMI on all outcome variables.Participants classified as Obese displayed significantly larger breasts,had greater thoracic flexion torques and reported less time participating in physical activity relative to the participants who were classified as Not Overweight and Overweight.Participants in the Obese group also displayed significantly more thoracic kyphosis and reported significantly more upper torso musculoskeletal pain compared to their counterparts who were classified as Not Overweight.Conclusion:This study is the first to demonstrate that increased obesity levels were associated with compromised kyphosis and loading of the thoracic spine,as well as increased symptoms of upper torso musculoskeletal pain and reduced time spent in physical activity in women living in the community.We recommend further research to determine whether evidence-based interventions designed to reduce the flexion torque generated on the thoracic spine can improve these symptoms of upper torso musculoskeletal pain and the ability of women with obesity to participate in physical activity.