Physical Activity Self-Definition Among Adolescents

Self-Concept Profiles of Youth at Risk for Maladaptive Behaviors

Early alcohol use places youth at risk for adverse health, academic, and legal consequences. We examined the content of the total array of self-cognitions in urban youth to determine whether specific self-concept profiles were associated with early drinking, drinking-related self-cognitions, and conduct problems. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional study with 9- to 12-year-old predominantly Black and Hispanic youth (N = 79) who attended urban school and summer youth programs. Measures included an open-ended self-description task and questionnaires to measure presence/absence of a drinking-related self-cognition, alcohol use, and conduct problems. We content analyzed 677 self-descriptors; cluster analysis revealed six unique self-concept profile groups. In a cluster group distinguished by negative self-content, 37% drank alcohol and 42% had a drinking-related self-cognition. Youth in this group also had conduct problems. School nurses are in prime positions to identify and intervene with youth who have at-risk self-concept profiles.

Salidroside alleviates ischemic brain injury in mice with ischemic stroke through regulating BDNK mediated PI3K/Akt pathway

There is evidence suggesting that inhibition of apoptosis plays a critical role in preventing neurons from damage and even death, after brain ischemia/reperfusion, which shows therapeutic potential for clinical treatment of brain injury. In this study, We preformed MCAO model in C57BL/6J wild-type (BDNK+/+) and BDNK knockout (BDNF-/-) mice respectively, and investigated the neuroprotective effect of Salidroside (Sal) and its underlying mechanisms. The results showed that Sal reversed brain infarct size, reduced cerebral edema, decreased the neurological deficit score and diminished TUNEL positive cells significantly. However, BDNK deficiency inhibited the neuroprotective effect of Sal. In addition, Sal increased cell viability, ameliorated neuron cell injury by decreasing LDH activity, and inhibited cell apoptotic rate. Sal suppressed apoptotic signaling via DNA-binding-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effect of Sal on BDNK was mediated by PI3K/Akt pathway, which was proved by the use of PI3K knockout (PI3K-/-) mice and siRNA-PI3K. In summary, these data strongly suggested that Sal could be used as an effective neuroprotective agent to protect against ischemic stroke after cerebral I/R injury through regulating BDNK-mediated PI3K/Akt apoptotic pathway in DNA-binding-dependent and -independent manners.

Demographic, cognitive, affective, and behavioral variables associated with overweight and obesity in low-active girls

This study examined personal, cognitive, affective, and behavioral variables related to body mass index (BMI) among 73 6th and 7th grade girls, and differences between categories of healthy weight, overweight, and obese in the variables. BMI was correlated with barriers to physical activity, enjoyment of physical activity, light physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity, vigorous physical activity, and sedentary time. As compared to obese girls, those who were non-obese perceived greater enjoyment of physical activity, engaged in more light and vigorous physical activity, and had fewer minutes/hour of sedentary time. Findings can inform interventions.

Social support for physical activity of middle school students

OBJECTIVE

To explore gender and age differences in social support and their relationship with physical activity.

DESIGN AND SAMPLE

This cross-sectional study with enhanced reliability due to repeated measures involved 105 boys and 101 girls.

MEASUREMENTS

Information on sources and forms of social support, as well as physical activity, was obtained from students, who completed the same questionnaire twice, 2 weeks apart.

RESULTS

Boys, compared with girls, were more likely to name fathers and less likely to identify sisters. Compared with older boys, older girls were less likely to identify fathers. Older girls were less likely than both younger girls and older boys to name brothers. Students who identified fathers reported more minutes and days of physical activity and had a stronger physical activity self-definition than those who did not name fathers. Students who selected peers and sisters had more minutes of physical activity and a stronger physical activity self-definition, respectively, than those who did not name peers and sisters. Transportation and encouragement were related to physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender differences in social support are not uniform across age groups. Awareness of these differences can inform the development of appropriate physical activity programs.

Dimensions and profiles of the generalized health-related self-concept

OBJECTIVES

We explore the significance of health as a potentially self-relevant category from the perspective of dynamic self-concept theory. Our intention was to describe the dimensional structure of the generalized health-related self-concept, to identify particular prototypes of health-related self-definition, and to see if these prototypes would differ with respect to appraisals of health behaviour and subjective health.

DESIGN

We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study involving 545 college students (23.3% male) at the mean age of 22 years.

METHODS

The self-administered questionnaire assessed a relevant spectrum of health-related cognitions denoting their generalized declarative knowledge about their health (the generalized health-related self-concept). Additionally, participants rated their multiple health behaviour, their perceived health, and their anticipated vulnerability.

RESULTS

A principal components analysis of the health-related cognitions revealed the following five dimensions: health-protective dispositions, health-protective motivation, vulnerability, health-risky habits, and external, avoidant motivation. A two-step cluster analysis of the five components identified six profiles of health-related self-concept: careless/carefree, omnipotents, risk-takers, mentally affected, reluctant-avoidant, and medically fragile. These prototypes could be successfully reclassified (97.6%). The six profiles differed with respect to their health behaviour and subjective health appraisals.

CONCLUSIONS

The dimensional structure represents both resources and deficits with respect to an individual's health-related self-concept. An individual's profile of these dimensions might correspond to a characteristic set of particular health needs and motivations. Successful health communications should follow a complementary strategy of affirming the self-concept.