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- All Subjects: Stress
Description
In the past decade, research has demonstrated the relationship between higher levels of self-compassion and lower levels of negative psychological outcomes. More recently, the concept of self-compassion has been explored within the context of various health behaviors. Very few studies have investigated the potential relationship between self-compassion and eating behaviors. Based on literature and the established relationship between negative self-evaluation and abnormal eating behaviors/eating disorders, the current study sought to examine correlations between self-compassion, eating behaviors, and stress in first time college freshmen. The study population consisted of 1478 participants; ages 18-22 years; females = 936 (63%), males = 541 (37%). Participants self-reported measures of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and the Self Compassion Scale (SCS). PSS score, the overall score and individual subscale scores of SCS, and the three subscale scores of the TFEQ (restraint, disinhibiton, hunger) were examined with Pearson correlations. Results of this study indicate significant (p = < .05) differences between males and females in PSS and all three negative SCS subscales. There was a strong and consistent correlation between the eating behavior of disinhibition and all three negative constructs of self-compassion (self-judgment, r = .29; isolation, r = .23; over-identification, r = .28) in females. The eating behavior of restraint was similarly correlated with SCS self-judgment in females (r = .26). More research is needed to understand differences in stress, self-compassion, and eating behaviors between males and females and to better comprehend the weak associations between eating behaviors and the positive psychological constructs of self-compassion (self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness) for males and females. Additionally, future research should focus on the three subscales of disinhibition as they relate to the negative constructs of self-compassion. The preliminary results of this study suggest it would be beneficial, particularly to female college freshmen, to more fully understand the dynamics of the relationship between eating behaviors and self-compassion; this knowledge may help to better structure appropriate coping strategies for the prevention of disordered eating behaviors.
ContributorsJames, Darith (Author) / Sebren, Ann (Thesis advisor) / Swan, Pamela D. (Committee member) / Der Ananian, Cheryl (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2013
Description
Physical inactivity is a continuing public health crisis because of its negative effects on health (e.g. hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes). To combat the rising prevalence of these non-communicable diseases, physical activity (PA) promotion is a public health priority. However, current programs seem to be ineffective in the long-term promotion of PA. Resultingly new, effective interventions are needed. Recent studies have established a link between mindfulness and PA engagement. Based on the current literature, the present study sought to investigate the associations between trait mindfulness, behavioral regulation towards exercise, exercise intention, stress, and self-reported PA. This study also examined whether trait mindfulness was independently associated with meeting weekly, leisure-time, moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA] recommendations in university undergraduate students after controlling for demographic characteristics, past PA experience, exercise intention, stress, and motivation.
The study used a cross-sectional design and participants consisted of 180 undergraduate university students (aged 18 to 24 years). Participants completed a one-time survey that assessed demographic characteristics, trait mindfulness, behavioral regulation toward exercise, exercise intention, perceived stress and PA. Bivariate associations between the variables were assessed with Pearson or Spearman correlations. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine which variables were independently associated with meeting weekly, leisure-time MVPA guidelines. Results of this study found weak positive associations between the mindfulness domain of acceptance and leisure time MVPA ( = .168, p < .05), no associations between mindfulness and transportation PA, and negative associations between mindfulness (MAAS, = –.238, p < .01; acceptance, = –.175, p < .05) and sitting time. Results of logistic regression found that only relative autonomy (OR = 1.085, 95% CI [1.008, 1.168], p = .030) and intention (OR = 2.193, 95% CI [1.533, 3.138], p < .0001) were independently associated with meeting weekly, leisure- time MVPA recommendations. The results of this study show that while there is only a weak direct relationship between trait mindfulness and PA, mindfulness may be related with other factors associated with PA. More research is needed in order to better understand the potential mechanisms behind the results found in this, and past, studies.
The study used a cross-sectional design and participants consisted of 180 undergraduate university students (aged 18 to 24 years). Participants completed a one-time survey that assessed demographic characteristics, trait mindfulness, behavioral regulation toward exercise, exercise intention, perceived stress and PA. Bivariate associations between the variables were assessed with Pearson or Spearman correlations. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine which variables were independently associated with meeting weekly, leisure-time MVPA guidelines. Results of this study found weak positive associations between the mindfulness domain of acceptance and leisure time MVPA ( = .168, p < .05), no associations between mindfulness and transportation PA, and negative associations between mindfulness (MAAS, = –.238, p < .01; acceptance, = –.175, p < .05) and sitting time. Results of logistic regression found that only relative autonomy (OR = 1.085, 95% CI [1.008, 1.168], p = .030) and intention (OR = 2.193, 95% CI [1.533, 3.138], p < .0001) were independently associated with meeting weekly, leisure- time MVPA recommendations. The results of this study show that while there is only a weak direct relationship between trait mindfulness and PA, mindfulness may be related with other factors associated with PA. More research is needed in order to better understand the potential mechanisms behind the results found in this, and past, studies.
ContributorsNapolitano, Vinson (Author) / Der Ananian, Cheryl (Thesis advisor) / Sebren, Ann (Committee member) / Ainsworth, Barbara (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
The health benefits of sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sleep arewell-supported, with established links to decreased cancer risk, cardiometabolic health, all-cause mortality, and psychiatric symptomatology—including stress-related phenomena—for those who engage in 150 min MVPA/week and get at least 7 hours sleep/night. The latter outcome has rapidly become a major public health concern as our nation grapples with the impact of prolonged COVID-19 pandemic stress, which has triggered an onslaught of depression, anxiety, and PTSD throughout the population. Thus, while strategies to decrease stress are desperately needed, many Americans fall short of the very MVPA and sleep recommendations that have been shown to increase their capacity to cope. The purpose of the present study was to explore time-varying associations of MVPA and sleep with momentary perceived stress in adults forced to work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty remote-working adults (86.7% women; mean age 37.5 years, SD = 10.4 years) wore GENEActiv accelerometers on the wrist to capture MVPA and sleep data, and answered four Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMAs) per day regarding perceived stress, for fourteen days straight. Between- and within-person variations in MVPA, sleep quality rating (SQR), total sleep time (TST), and sleep efficiency (SE) were analyzed via multilevel models to determine whether certain changes in these parameters might lead to decreased perceived momentary stress. Between-person models revealed a significant negative effect of SQR on perceived stress levels the next day, beta= -.651, SE= .303, P= .04. Mean MVPA, TST, and SE were not significant inter-individual predictors of momentary stress. However, within persons, higher than normal MVPA (beta= -.005, SE= .002, P= .015), SQR (beta= -.277, SE= .071, P <.001), TST (beta= -.001, SE= .000, P = .004), and SE (beta= -.524, SE= .242, P = .031) were all associated with significant decreases in momentary stress, with individuals experiencing incremental benefits with each additional minute of MVPA and TST. In conclusion, daily fluctuations in MVPA and sleep habits correlate more strongly with momentary stress than do typical levels of these behaviors; this presents an attainable strategy for individuals to enhance their capacity to cope.
ContributorsLyons, Rachel Crosley (Author) / Buman, Matthew P (Thesis advisor) / Der Ananian, Cheryl (Committee member) / McCracken, Kasondra (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021