Sources of acute sport stress scale for sports officials: Rasch calibration

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to develop and calibrate the Sources of Acute Stress Scale for Sports Officials (SASS-SO) using the Rasch model.Design and methodThis was a cross-sectional, self-reported study. Of the 3300 participants with valid (no missing) data, 90.1% were males, ranging in age from 19.6 to 57.8 yrs., and serving as sports officials from 3 to 24 yrs. The officials represented high school, collegiate, and professional athletic associations representing 13 sports throughout the United States.ResultsUsing the Rasch model, the level of sources of stress item difficulty and individual's level of acute stress were estimated. Model-data fit was determined by Infit and Outfit statistics (≥0.5 and ≤1.5). A rating scale was also evaluated for proper functioning. With the exception of two items, the model fit the data well. Infit and Outfit measures were within the appropriate range supported the unidimensional structure of the SASS-SO. The two most severe sources of acute stress were “I made an incorrect call” and “I was out of position.” The two least severe sources of acute stress items were “I received verbal abuse from players” and “My supervisor/evaluator was present.”ConclusionsThe probability thresholds and item response ordering showed that the rating scale functioned well. Although item parameters had slightly inappropriate coverage, the ability parameters were reasonably varied. The results of this study support the use of the SASS-SO in assessing sources of acute stress among sports officials.     

A cultural adaptation of motivational interviewing to address heavy drinking among Hispanics

Although the need for cultural adaptations is often noted in addiction research, there are few templates to guide the process. The rationale for a social contextual framework to culturally adapt motivational interviewing for an immigrant heavy drinking Latino population in the U.S. Northeast is presented. The aim of the pilot study was to obtain data on acceptability of this approach. Participant responses to the adaptation were examined qualitatively and quantitatively in a preliminary study. Participants recruited from the community met criteria for risky drinking (men, ≥5 drinks/occasion or ≥14 drinks/week; women, ≥4 drinks/occasion or ≥7 drinks/week). Participants (n = 25) who completed baseline assessments and a culturally adapted brief motivational interview (CAMI) were asked to complete a qualitative exit interview to give feedback on their interview experience. Participants reported being highly engaged with treatment (M = 3.58 on a scale of 1-4, SD = .50), and felt very satisfied with treatment (M = 3.58 on a scale of 1-4, SD = .93). Nearly all (95%) reported that understanding their culture was important to understanding their drinking behavior. Results support the acceptability and relevance of this adaptation from participants' perspectives.     

Family Involvement in Residential Treatment: Staff, Parent, and Adolescent Perspectives

We conducted interviews with staff members, parents, and adolescents at a residential treatment center to examine the frequency, nature, and satisfaction with contact between parents and adolescents and parents and staff. We also assessed perceived barriers to family involvement and possible solutions for improving this involvement. Results indicated that there is more contact between parents and adolescents than in previous studies. In addition, contact between parents and staff occurred frequently, although there were discrepancies regarding their reasons for the contact. Most parents and adolescents reported that the amount of contact was adequate, but the majority of staff members perceived there to be not enough contact. Adolescents reported that there was not enough contact with secondary sources of support, most often other family members. Barriers to family involvement included transportation, parent responsibilities and personal problems, and legal issues. In addition, parents reported that strained family relationships and problematic adolescent behavior interfered with their involvement. The need for residential treatment centers to broaden services to include parents as well as members of the larger support network is discussed.     

Acoustic parameters of infant-directed singing in mothers with depressive symptoms

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between mothers’ depressive symptoms and the acoustic parameters of infant-directed (ID) singing. Participants included 80 mothers and their 3- to 9-month-old infants. A digital recording was made of each mother's voice while singing to her infant. Extraction and analyses of vocal data revealed a main effect of tempo, meaning that as mothers reported more depressive symptoms, they tended to sing faster to their infants. Additionally, an interaction effect indicated that mothers with depressive symptoms were more likely to sing with tonal key clarity to their male infants. These findings suggest that as mothers experience depressive symptoms, their ID singing may lack the sensitivity and emotional expression that infants need for affect regulation. An intervention that combines interaction coaching and ID singing may help mothers with depressive symptoms to engage in sensitive and emotionally synchronized interactions with their infants.