- Faculty of Psychology
Department of Social Psychology
Avd Blasco Ibañez 21
46010 Valencia (Spain) - +34 963864577
Isabel Castillo
Universitat de València, Social Psychology, Department Member
Background: Commuting to university represents an opportunity to incorporate physical activity (walking or biking) into students’ daily routines. There are few studies that analyze patterns of transport in university populations. This... more
Background: Commuting to university represents an opportunity to incorporate physical activity (walking
or biking) into students’ daily routines. There are few studies that analyze patterns of transport in university populations. This cross-sectional study estimated energy expenditure from active commuting to university (ACU) and examined sociodemographic differences in findings. Methods: The sample included 518 students with a mean age of 22.4 years (59.7% female) from 2 urban universities in Valencia, Spain. Time spent in each mode of transport to university and sociodemographic factors was assessed by self-report. Results: Nearly 35% of the students reported walking or biking as their main mode of transport. ACU (min/wk) were highest for walkers (168) and cyclists (137) and lowest for motorbike riders (0.0) and car drivers (16). Public transport users, younger students, low socioeconomic status students, and those living ≤ 2 km from the university had higher energy expenditure from active commuting than comparison groups. Biking was highest among those living 2–5 km from the university. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that active commuting and public transit
use generated substantial weekly energy expenditure, contributed to meeting physical activity recommendations,
and may aid in obesity prevention.
or biking) into students’ daily routines. There are few studies that analyze patterns of transport in university populations. This cross-sectional study estimated energy expenditure from active commuting to university (ACU) and examined sociodemographic differences in findings. Methods: The sample included 518 students with a mean age of 22.4 years (59.7% female) from 2 urban universities in Valencia, Spain. Time spent in each mode of transport to university and sociodemographic factors was assessed by self-report. Results: Nearly 35% of the students reported walking or biking as their main mode of transport. ACU (min/wk) were highest for walkers (168) and cyclists (137) and lowest for motorbike riders (0.0) and car drivers (16). Public transport users, younger students, low socioeconomic status students, and those living ≤ 2 km from the university had higher energy expenditure from active commuting than comparison groups. Biking was highest among those living 2–5 km from the university. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that active commuting and public transit
use generated substantial weekly energy expenditure, contributed to meeting physical activity recommendations,
and may aid in obesity prevention.
Research Interests:
Background. The purpose of this research was to translate into Spanish and examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale (CCBS) in male soccer players. CCBS is a questionnaire designed... more
Background. The purpose of this research was to translate into Spanish and examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale (CCBS) in male soccer players. CCBS is a questionnaire designed to assess athletes’ perceptions of sports coaches’ controlling interpersonal style from the perspective of self-determination theory.
Method. Study 1 tested the factorial structure of the translated scale using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and provided evidence of discriminant validity. Study 2 and 3 examined the invariance across time and across competitive level via multi-sample CFA. Reliability analyses were also conducted.
Results. The CFA results revealed that a four-factor model was acceptable, indicating that a controlling interpersonal style is a multidimensional construct represented by four separate and related controlling coaching strategies. Further, results supported the invariance of CCBS factor structure across time and competitive level and provided support for the internal consistency of the scale.
Conclusions. Overall, the CCBS demonstrated adequate internal consistency, as well as good factorial validity. The Spanish version of the CCBS represents a valid and reliable adaptation of the instrument, which can be confidently used to measure soccer players’ perceptions of their coaches’ controlling interpersonal style.
Method. Study 1 tested the factorial structure of the translated scale using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and provided evidence of discriminant validity. Study 2 and 3 examined the invariance across time and across competitive level via multi-sample CFA. Reliability analyses were also conducted.
Results. The CFA results revealed that a four-factor model was acceptable, indicating that a controlling interpersonal style is a multidimensional construct represented by four separate and related controlling coaching strategies. Further, results supported the invariance of CCBS factor structure across time and competitive level and provided support for the internal consistency of the scale.
Conclusions. Overall, the CCBS demonstrated adequate internal consistency, as well as good factorial validity. The Spanish version of the CCBS represents a valid and reliable adaptation of the instrument, which can be confidently used to measure soccer players’ perceptions of their coaches’ controlling interpersonal style.
Research Interests:
The paper presents the psychological profile of skills and its predictive power on sport success in a sample of university taekwondo competitors. To that end, a representative sample of 89 taekwondo athletes (50 men and 39 women) aged... more
The paper presents the psychological profile of skills and its predictive power on sport success in a sample of university taekwondo competitors. To that end, a representative sample of 89 taekwondo athletes (50 men and 39 women) aged between 18 and 34 years (M = 22.2, SD = 3.34) participating
at the Spanish University Taekwondo Championship (2011) was evaluated. The Psychological Inventory of Sports Performance (IPED) was administered. The sport success was measured by the amount of combats won by each athlete during the tournament. Multivariate analysis showed differences in
relation to gender (men reported greater self- confidence, attentional control and negative coping) and whether they received psychological training or not (athletes who received mental training showed higher levels in visualimaginative
control, positive coping and attitudinal control). No differences
were found between experts and non-experts. Positive correlations were found between visual-imaginative control, motivational level, positive coping control, attitudinal control and sport success. Visual-imaginative control (for the total sample and men) and motivational level (for women) predicted sport success. Results and practical implications are discussed.
at the Spanish University Taekwondo Championship (2011) was evaluated. The Psychological Inventory of Sports Performance (IPED) was administered. The sport success was measured by the amount of combats won by each athlete during the tournament. Multivariate analysis showed differences in
relation to gender (men reported greater self- confidence, attentional control and negative coping) and whether they received psychological training or not (athletes who received mental training showed higher levels in visualimaginative
control, positive coping and attitudinal control). No differences
were found between experts and non-experts. Positive correlations were found between visual-imaginative control, motivational level, positive coping control, attitudinal control and sport success. Visual-imaginative control (for the total sample and men) and motivational level (for women) predicted sport success. Results and practical implications are discussed.
Research Interests:
Based on Self Determination Theory in this study we tested the relationship between perceived coach autonomy support, satisfaction of the three basic needs and three outcomes or components define coaching effectiveness in a sample of 159... more
Based on Self Determination Theory in this study we tested
the relationship between perceived coach autonomy support, satisfaction of the three basic needs and three outcomes or components define coaching effectiveness in a sample of 159 elite taekwondo athletes (Mean age = 18.63 ± 4.05 years). Results revealed that perceived coach autonomy support predicted satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Furthermore, the need of autonomy and the need or relatedness were associated with extra effort, effectiveness and satisfaction with their coach leadership, while the need of competence was associated with satisfaction with their coach leadership.
the relationship between perceived coach autonomy support, satisfaction of the three basic needs and three outcomes or components define coaching effectiveness in a sample of 159 elite taekwondo athletes (Mean age = 18.63 ± 4.05 years). Results revealed that perceived coach autonomy support predicted satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Furthermore, the need of autonomy and the need or relatedness were associated with extra effort, effectiveness and satisfaction with their coach leadership, while the need of competence was associated with satisfaction with their coach leadership.
Research Interests:
We present an intervention programme with a female rhythmic gymnastics team (N =7), with members aged 15 to 21 (M = 18, SD = 2) competing in the senior national category. Fourteen psychological group sessions were conducted between... more
We present an intervention programme with a female rhythmic gymnastics team (N =7), with members aged 15 to 21 (M = 18, SD = 2) competing in the senior national category. Fourteen psychological group sessions were conducted between September and December 2011. The motivational climate, approaches to goals, team cohesion, the coach’s leadership style and gymnasts’ psychological skills were assessed before and after the intervention programme. The results showed reductions in an ego-involving climate and ego-orientation and an increase in a task-involving climate.
We found changes in the leadership style of the coach, moving toward an optimal leadership profile. There was a progressive improvement in computer performance scores in official competitions.
We found changes in the leadership style of the coach, moving toward an optimal leadership profile. There was a progressive improvement in computer performance scores in official competitions.
Research Interests:
Objectives: To analyze the effects of an aquatic exercise program on indicators of psychological wellbeing in sedentary women. The study also addresses the influence of social context on the psychological wellbeing of participants.... more
Objectives: To analyze the effects of an aquatic exercise program on indicators of psychological wellbeing in sedentary women. The study also addresses the influence of social context on the psychological wellbeing of participants. Material and methods: 36 women were assigned either to the control group (n = 12) or the experimental group (n = 24). The intervention was performed for 16 weeks with 2 weekly sessions of 60 minutes each. Results: Women who participated in the exercise program reported greater psychological
wellbeing. Also, the perception of a climate of support for the autonomy created by the sports coach and the satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) appeared as psychosocial determinants of psychological wellbeing. Conclusions: The data supported the value of exercise in promoting mental health in women by having a beneficial influence on their psychological wellbeing. It
also showed the importance of motivational climates that foster a sense of physical competence, autonomy and social relationship of the participants as this also helps to promote mental health.
wellbeing. Also, the perception of a climate of support for the autonomy created by the sports coach and the satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) appeared as psychosocial determinants of psychological wellbeing. Conclusions: The data supported the value of exercise in promoting mental health in women by having a beneficial influence on their psychological wellbeing. It
also showed the importance of motivational climates that foster a sense of physical competence, autonomy and social relationship of the participants as this also helps to promote mental health.
Research Interests:
Based on the basic psychological needs theory (BPNT; Deci & Ryan, 2000), in the present study a model with the following sequence was tested: controlling interpersonal coaching style Þ basic psychological need thwarting Þ burnout.... more
Based on the basic psychological needs theory (BPNT; Deci & Ryan, 2000), in the present study a model with the following sequence was tested: controlling interpersonal coaching style Þ basic psychological need thwarting Þ burnout. Participants were 725 young male soccer players from category under 14 years old (Infantil), aged between 11 and 13 (M = 12.6; SD = .54) that completed the questionnaires tapping the variables of interest. Results of structural equation analyses informed that perception of a controlling interpersonal coaching style was a positive predictor of need thwarting for competence, autonomy and relatedness; thwarting for these three needs were positively associated with burnout.