scholarly journals Promoting Personal Growth in Young People Experiencing Homelessness Through an Outdoors-Based Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 157-192
Author(s):  
Benjamin John Parry ◽  
Janice L. Thompson ◽  
Mark J. G. Holland ◽  
Jennifer Cumming
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Balanced Development ◽  
Life Skills Program

Outdoors-based youth development programs demonstrate the efficacy to improve indicators of personal growth and mental health in a range of disadvantaged young people. However, the most marginalized young people in society, who stand to benefit the most from such initiatives, remain underrepresented in the research. My Strengths Training for Life (MST4Life) is a positive youth development (PYD) intervention for young people experiencing homelessness that incorporates a life skills program and an outdoor adventure education (OAE) course. The current study presents a qualitative investigation of the OAE course to understand its role in promoting positive changes for participants. Reflexive thematic analysis led to the development of inductively driven themes which were conceptualized based on relevant theories (e.g., relational developmental systems) and models (e.g., 5 Cs of PYD). Findings highlight the benefits of a preceding life skills program to psychologically prepare participants to thrive in the unfamiliar setting of the outdoors and related challenges. During the course, adaptive developmental regulations supported participants’ basic psychological needs and fostered personal growth. Improvements in social competence was a common theme across participants and played a pivotal role in facilitating balanced development across the 5 Cs. In addition, experiences during the course promoted indicators of mental health and intentions to make positive lifestyle changes. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to making outdoors-based youth development courses more accessible for marginalized young people, as well as how OAE and PYD programs can add value to the youth homeless sector.

scholarly journals Examining the Role of Life Skills in Mediating the Relationship between the Basic Psychological Needs and Subjective Well-Being of Taekwondo Student-Athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11538
Author(s):  
Jun-Su Bae ◽  
Eun-Hyung Cho ◽  
Tae-Hee Lim
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Life Skills Development

Various theories in the field of positive youth development (PYD) through sport argue that student athletes’ satisfaction with basic psychological needs, life skills development, and well-being are closely related to each other. This study identified the structural relationship among three basic psychological needs, life skills, and subjective well-being. Korean Taekwondo student athletes (N = 302, Mage = 17.67, range = 17–19) completed a survey evaluating basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), life skills (teamwork, goal setting, social skills, time management, and leadership), and subjective well-being (life satisfaction, positive/negative affect). Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, correlation, and the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The model’s goodness of fit was ?2/df = 2.78, TLI = 0.90, CFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.077 (95% CI = 0.70, 0.80), and SRMR = 0.085. The three basic psychological needs were positively related to life skills and subjective well-being. In addition, life skills had a mediation effect between the three basic psychological needs and subjective well-being. The interpretation of the results indicated that life skills development and well-being depend on basic psychological needs. Thus, coaches should encourage a PYD climate to satisfy their athletes’ psychological needs.

scholarly journals Psychological Needs Satisfaction, Self-Rated Health and the Mediating Role of Exercise Among Testicular Cancer Survivors

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 155798832110126
Author(s):  
Anika R. Petrella ◽  
Catherine M. Sabiston ◽  
Madison F. Vani ◽  
Andrew Matthew ◽  
Daniel Santa Mina
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Testicular Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Exercise Behavior ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Needs Satisfaction ◽  
Testicular Cancer Survivors

Exploring tenets of basic psychological needs theory, the objective of this study was to examine the association between psychological needs satisfaction, exercise behavior, and physical and mental health among testicular cancer survivors. The present study investigated whether psychological needs satisfaction was directly associated with increased self-rated health, and if this relationship was mediated by engagement in exercise. Testicular cancer survivors ( N = 135; Mage = 32.45; SD = 7.63) self-reported current psychological needs satisfaction, exercise behavior, and perceived global physical and mental health during routine oncology visits. Associations were examined using path analysis. Psychological needs satisfaction was a positive correlate of both self-rated physical and mental health in this sample, and exercise mediated the association between needs satisfaction and self-rated physical health. This study supports the assumptions underpinning basic psychological needs theory in this unique clinical population. Based on the findings, exercise engagement represents one mechanism associated with perceived health after cancer. Supportive care interventions should aim to enhance satisfaction of psychological needs and investigate exercise as a mechanism underpinning the relationship between needs satisfaction and perceived health in testicular cancer survivors.

scholarly journals Acculturation Stress, Satisfaction, and Frustration of Basic Psychological Needs and Mental Health of Chinese Migrant Children: Perspective from Basic Psychological Needs Theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4751
Author(s):  
Qiang Ren ◽  
Shan Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Migrant Children ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Acculturation Stress ◽  
Children’S Depression ◽  
Needs Theory

Acculturation stress is prevalent among migrant populations. The current study examines whether acculturation stress influences migrant children’s mental health through the mediators of the satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. A sample of 484 migrant children is obtained in Kunming, China using a multi-stage cluster random sampling. Data are analyzed through structural equation modeling in Mplus 8.0. Results indicate that acculturation stress has a direct impact on children’s depression but no significant direct effect on children’s happiness. Acculturation stress also has indirect effects on depression and happiness via the mediators of need satisfaction and frustration. Acculturation stress is negatively associated with need satisfaction and positively associated with need frustration, which is further significantly predictive of children’s happiness and depression. Overall, this study validates the basic psychological needs theory in the context of China’s internal migration. Findings contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the relationship between acculturation stress and psychological outcomes and provide practical implications for future interventions.

Social Physique Anxiety, Mental Health, and Exercise: Analyzing the Role of Basic Psychological Needs and Psychological Inflexibility

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Alcaraz-Ibáñez ◽  
Álvaro Sicilia ◽  
Rafael Burgueño
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Social Factor ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Social Physique Anxiety ◽  
Psychological Inflexibility ◽  
Relational Frames ◽  
Perceived Satisfaction

AbstractThis study aimed to determine the usefulness of integrating basic psychological needs theory (BPNT) and relational frames theory (RFT) in order to explain the effects of social physique anxiety (SPA) – in the context of exercise – on exercisers’ mental health. A total of 296 recreational cyclists and triathletes (100% males) aged 18 to 60 years old (Mage= 35.65,SD= 9.49) completed a multi-section questionnaire assessing the target variables. Two models of structural equations with multiple mediators were tested using 5000 bootstrap samples. While the BPNT-based model explained 20% of variance in satisfaction with life (SWL) and 25% of variance in mental health (MH), the model that also incorporated RFT explained 43% of variance in both of those variables. Results showed that SPA negatively impacted exercisers’ mental health via two different mechanisms: a) through a decrease in perceived satisfaction of basic psychological needs (β = –.05,p= .045 for SWL; β = –.07,p= .002 for MH); b) through an increase in psychological inflexibility, generated directly by SPA (β = –.24,p< .001 for SWL; β = –.20,p< .001 for MH) and also mediated by basic psychological need thwarting (β = –.09,p< .001 for SWL; β = –.08,p= .002 for MH). Results supported integrating the two theories, elucidating the processes by which a controlling social factor like SPA can affect the potential benefits of exercise.

Perceived Health Care Climate of Older People Attending an Exercise Program: Validation of the German Short Version of the Health Care Climate Questionnaire

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Heissel ◽  
Anou Pietrek ◽  
Michael A. Rapp ◽  
Stephan Heinzel ◽  
Geoffrey Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Need Satisfaction ◽  
Basic Need

The role of perceived need support from exercise professionals in improving mental health was examined in a sample of older adults, thereby validating the short Health Care Climate Questionnaire. A total of 491 older people (M = 72.68 years; SD = 5.47) attending a health exercise program participated in this study. Cronbach’s alpha was found to be high (α = .90). Satisfaction with the exercise professional correlated moderately with the short Health Care Climate Questionnaire mean value (r = .38; p < .01). The mediator analyses yielded support for the self-determination theory process model in older adults by showing both basic need satisfaction and frustration as mediating variables between perceived autonomy support and depressive symptoms. The short Health Care Climate Questionnaire is an economical instrument for assessing basic need satisfaction provided by the exercise therapist from the participant’s perspective. Furthermore, this cross-sectional study supported the link from coaching style to the satisfaction/frustration of basic psychological needs, which in turn, predicted mental health. Analyses of criterion validity suggest a revision of the construct by integrating need frustration.

A Family Thing: Positive Youth Development Outcomes of a Sport-Based Life Skills Program

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla J. Hodge ◽  
Michael A. Kanters ◽  
Tanya Forneris ◽  
Jason N. Bocarro ◽  
Rob Sayre-McCord
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Positive Youth Development ◽  
Life Skills ◽  
Development Outcomes ◽  
Life Skills Program

scholarly journals Understanding and Enhancing Chinese TEFL Teachers’ Motivation for Continuing Professional Development Through the Lens of Self-Determination Theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Yang
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
English Language ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Social Recognition ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Contextual Support

Teachers’ continuing professional development (CPD) is a dynamic process that coordinates teachers’ external behavior and internal states. Most teachers participate in varied forms of CPD activities either voluntarily or contractually. The more motivated teachers are to engage in CPD, the more likely they achieve professional and personal growth. Against this backdrop, the current study, adopting the framework of self-determination theory (SDT), sought to investigate the types and levels of Chinese college TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language, hereafter TEFL) teachers’ motivation toward CPD. The questionnaire survey was administered to 402 academics who taught the English language in diverse universities in China. The quantitative analysis showed that teachers exhibited stronger identified regulation and intrinsic motivation than external regulation. Specifically, the exploratory factor analysis identified five motivational orientations: inner-directed academic improvement and cognitive interest, academic self-fulfillment and obligation, academic and social responsibility, social recognition and promotion, lacking the intention for CPD, which corresponded to the SDT motivation continuum. To triangulate, further interviews were conducted with 12 TEFL teachers. The findings of the qualitative analysis—the thematic analysis through Nvivo (Version 12) on the open-ended question and the interviews, revealed that teachers’ struggles in CPD were mainly concerned with the school-related, CPD-related, and teacher-related problems. Moreover, a big gap between teachers’ needs and contextual support was found to be bridged. Based on the findings, this study proposed that social conditions should support teachers’ basic psychological needs in order to sustain and enhance TEFL teachers’ motivation for CPD.

scholarly journals The Ratio of Social Activity and Satisfaction of Basic Psychological Needs, Subjective Well-being and Social Frustration of Young People

2020 ◽  
pp. 176-195
Author(s):  
R.M. Shamionov ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Young People ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Basic Needs ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Subjective Well Being

The study of the ratio of meeting the basic needs, subjective well-being, social frustration and commitment to various forms of activity will help to understand the internal regulation of young people’s social behavior. Such scientific knowledge is necessary to expand the opportunities for social self-determination of young people and risk management of social activity. The purpose is to study the ratio of meeting the basic needs, characteristics of subjective well-being (life satisfaction and happiness experience), social frustration and social activity of young people, to identify direct and indirect effects using structural equation modeling. 305 people took part in the study. We used the questionnaire aimed at evaluating the inclusion in various social activity types, and the Basic Needs Satisfaction in General Scale (Johnston, Finney, 2010), the Life Satisfaction Scale (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, Griffin, 1985), the Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky, Lepper, 1999), and the Social Frustration Scale (Wasserman, 2004). We have established that meeting the basic needs, life satisfaction, and happiness are associated with commitment to various forms of social activity. The highest level of determination (in terms of the number of correlations and the closeness of connections) was found in relation to leisure, educational and developmental, religious (positive) and radical protest (negative) activity. At the same time, satisfaction of the need for competence is the most im-portant in motivating different forms of activity. Civil, socio-economic, and educational-developmental activities are associated with social satisfaction in various areas (the content of their work, life prospects, services and medical services, leisure activities, etc.), and social frustration is associated positively with protest, radical protest, and only in one case (dissatis-faction with security), with subcultural activity. Satisfaction of basic needs accounts for 2 to 15% of variations in commitment to various forms of social activity, and life satisfaction accounts for about 22% of variations in social activity.

For the love of reading: Recreational reading reduces psychological distress in college students and autonomous motivation is the key

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelby L. Levine
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Recreational Reading ◽  
School Year

Objective: Reading is often cited as beneficial for one’s mental health, but the research on this topic is limited. The goal of the present research was to examine whether recreational reading is beneficial for mental health during college, and to determine what motivates recreational reading. Participants: Participants were 231 university students from a large Canadian University.Methods: A longitudinal design was employed and students completed online surveys on recreational reading, motivation, psychological distress and need frustration at the beginning and end of the academic year. Results: Recreational reading was associated with reduced psychological distress over the school year. Recreational reading seemed to buffer against the frustration of one’s basic psychological needs which led to improved mental health over the school year. Students who were more autonomously motivated reported reading more books recreationally. Conclusion: Recreational reading is a simple and cost-effective tool to help college students cope with mental health problems.

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