A Model of Intention to Participate in Parenting Interventions: The Role of Parent Cognitions and Behaviors

A wide range of factors, from perceived child behavior problems to sociocultural factors, have been identified as impacting the engagement of parents in parenting interventions. However, parents’ cognitions and behaviors have not been evaluated sufficiently to understand their role in initial parental engagement. The current study aimed to examine why some parents are more likely to want to participate in parenting programs and how their cognitions and behaviors are related to their intention to participate in future parenting interventions. We tested the hypothesised model of parental factors on intention to participate using structural equation modelling (SEM) in AMOS. This study (N = 6,733) analyzed existing data from the International Parenting Survey (IPS), a web-based tool developed to collect information about parents’ views on family and parenting at a population level in several countries. Results showed that parents’ coercive parenting, parental consistency, positive encouragement, relationship with their child, parental self-efficacy, psychological distress, and help-seeking behaviors were significantly related to their intention to participate in future parenting interventions. The structural model of parents’ cognitions and behaviors explained 16% of the variance in intention to participate. Although the current model explained a small but significant percentage of the variance, it expands existing understanding regarding parental cognitions and behaviors and their relationship to intention. Implications for further research and engagement practice are discussed.     

Examining the dimensional structure and factorial validity of the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory in a sample of male athletes

Objectives

Research examining how emotional intelligence (EI) relates to the performance of athletes has been conducted using various EI measures including the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i; Bar-On, 1997), but no one has investigated the factor structure of the EQ-i in the area of sport psychology. The current study explored the dimensional structure and factorial validity of the EQ-i in a sample of male athletes.

Design

Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine [Bar-On, 1997] and [Bar-On, 2004] model of emotional-social intelligence and the 1-5-15 dimensional structure which underpins the EQ-i.

Method

A total sample of 706 male athletes from various sports and competing at the national age group level through to the professional level of competition completed the EQ-i.

Results

Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that the 1-5-15 dimensional structure was a poor fit for the data. A re-specification of the model representing the best fit for the data was a 1-4-15 dimensional structure. The factorial validity of the individual subscales was also examined at the item level using confirmatory factor analysis. Thirteen of the 15 subscales showed close, reasonably good, or mediocre fit for the data.

Conclusion

Further construct validation of Bar-On’s model and measure is required. Sport psychologists administering the EQ-i in applied practice should consider using the EQ-i subscales rather than referring back to the 1-5-15 dimensional structure.     

Site preference of refractory elements in γ′-Ni3Al alloyed with Ru

The influence of ruthenium (Ru) on the partitioning behavior of W, Re and Cr in γ′-Ni₃Al has been studied using the Dmol3 method based on the density functional theory. The calculated results show that W, Re and Cr have a preference for the Ni site in γ′-Ni₃Al alloyed with Ru. When Ru substitutes the central Ni atom, the site preference for W, Re and Cr varies. Furthermore, an electronic structure analysis of the alloy in terms of the Mulliken population and partial density of states was performed to elucidate the alloying mechanism of Ru in γ′-Ni₃Al. The results show that the strengthening effect of Ru in the alloy arises from a reduction in the binding energy of Ru as well as p-orbital hybridization between Ru and the host atoms.     

Structural Evaluation of the Contemporary Psychological Models of Chronic Pain: Does Fear of Pain Work for All?

The aim of the present study was to test Turk and Okifuji's (2002) model of chronic pain and in particular the moderating role of self-efficacy. We assessed 207 consecutive chronic pain patients (53.1% female) on a range of relevant measures and tested the model using structured equation modelling. The model was supported. These results support Turk and Okifuji's model of chronic pain and suggest that it can account for the relationships between variables in chronic pain patients. In particular, the results support the central role of fear-based avoidance and self-efficacy in chronic pain. Future research should be aimed at testing the alternative contemporary models of chronic pain at different stages of the development and maintenance of chronic pain and over time.