Introducing Temporal Theory to the Field of Sport Psychology: Toward a Conceptual Model of Time Perspectives in Athletes' Functioning

Time perspective affects daily time use and daily functioning in individuals with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Results from the multicentric DiAPAson study

Time perspective (TP) influences various aspects of human life. We aimed to explore the associations between TP, daily time use, and levels of functioning among 620 patients (313 residential patients and 307 outpatients) with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSD) recruited from 37 different centres in Italy. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Specific Levels of Functioning (SLOF) were used to assess psychiatric symptoms severity and levels of functioning. Daily time use was assessed using an ad hoc paper and pencil Time Use Survey. The Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) was used to assess TP. Deviation from Balanced Time Perspective (DBTP-r) was used as an indicator of temporal imbalance. Results showed that the amount of time spent on non-productive activities (NPA) was positively predicted by DBTP-r (Exp(β): 1.36; p .003), and negatively predicted by the Past-Positive (Exp(β): 0.80; p .022), Present-Hedonistic (Exp(β): 0.77; p .008), and Future (Exp(β): 0.78; p .012) subscales. DBTP-r significantly negatively predicted SLOF outcomes (p .002), and daily time use, in particular the amount of time spent in NPA and Productive Activities (PA), mediated their association. Results suggested that rehabilitative programs for individuals with SSD should consider fostering a balanced time perspective to reduce inactivity, increase physical activity, and promote healthy daily functioning and autonomy.

Perfectionism Moderates the Effects of Goal-Realızatıon on Post-Competition Mood in Amateur Runners

Perfectionism impacts how athletes evaluate their performance. However, little is known about how perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns interplay with athletes' anticipated and actual performance in predicting mood after the competition. Thus, we conducted a study with amateur runners [n = 152, (72 female, 80 male); Mean±SD age = 34.71 ± 9.57] taking part in a competitive 10-kilometer street run. Perfectionism was measured before the run, while the measurement of mood was taken during the post-competition week. Mood was operationalized in the 3D model of mood, distinguishing between energetic arousal, tense arousal, and hedonic tone. Regression analysis showed that specific patterns of associations between perfectionism and goal-realization explain 17-21% of variance in the dimensions of mood. Higher pleasure after the run was predicted by lower perfectionistic concerns and better conversion of anticipated performance into actual performance. In predicting energy and tension, moderating effects of perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, and conversion rate were observed. Johnson-Neyman technique revealed that only athletes low in perfectionistic concerns were able to benefit from lower tension when they met or exceeded their goals for the run. The higher athletes' perfectionistic strivings and conversion rate the more pronounced effects we observed for affect-energization. Results support the idea of perfectionistic reactivity, where the negative consequences of perfectionism can be observed in a lack of positive reactions to positive events. We also suggest that such a response to meeting or exceeding one's goal may contribute to the development of athlete burnout and hinder the development athlete engagement.

Vigorous, dedicated, and absorbed: Factor structure, reliability, and validity of the polish version of the sport engagement scale

The concept of sport engagement, emerging from the application of major ideas of positive psychology in sport science, has become a valuable conceptual and practical addition to understanding athlete burnout. The present article reports the major results of an attempt to develop a Polish version of the Sport Engagement Scale, a brief metric created to measure athletes’ engagement for both research and practical purposes. Study 1, conducted on a sample of Polish athletes (N = 214) supports the original three-factor structure of engagement comprising the dimensions of Vigor, Dedication, and Absorption. A single-factor model also fit the data well, suggesting that calculating a general engagement factor is also justifiable. The internal consistency of the scale, as well as its associations with athletic burnout, competition anxiety, personality traits, declared sport level, and number of hours spent in training, provide evidence for sufficient concurrent criterion validity and the reliability of the scale for both research and applied purposes. Study 2, conducted on a sample of athletes taking part in a half marathon run (N = 135), provides evidence for the scale’s predictive criterion validity with respect to objective performance: greater engagement, particularly scores in the Vigor subscale, predicted significantly better running performance. In the discussion, we summarize the present findings, commenting on their limitations and highlighting future research paths for the phenomenon of sport engagement.

Differences in the Psychological Profiles of Elite and Non-elite Athletes

One of the main goals of sport psychology is to identify those psychological factors that are relevant for sport performance as well as possibilities of their development. The aim of the study was to determine whether the set of specific psychological characteristics [generalized self-efficacy, time perspective, emotional intelligence (EI), general achievement motivation, and personality dimensions] makes the distinction between athletes based on their (non)-participation in the senior national team, that is, their belonging to the subsample of elite or non-elite athletes depending on this criterion. According to the group centroids it can be said that elite athletes are characterized by a positive high score in self-efficacy, emotionality, present fatalistic time perspective, past positive time perspective, and openness to experience. They are also characterized by low past negative time perspective, emotional competence, and future time perspective. Non-elite athletes have the opposite traits. The results have been discussed in the context of their application in the process of talent selection and development in sport as well as the development of life skills in athletes.

The science of hope

Hope is a contextual term that has different connotations depending on the setting. We analyse the concept of hope with respect to its applicability for oncology. We review studies that present hope as a direct or secondary mediator of outcome. We posit that an individual's level of hope is often determined by innate personality characteristics and environmental factors, but can also be physiologically influenced by immune modulators, neurotransmitters, affective states, and even the underlying disease process of cancer. We argue that hope can be a therapeutic target and review evidence showing the effects of hope-enhancing therapies. Given the potential for hope to alter oncological outcomes in patients with cancer and the opportunity for improvement in quality of life, we suggest further research directions in this area.