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The Relationship Between Psychosocial Correlates and Bulimic Symptomatology in Retired Female Athletes​
Researchers: Stephanie Barrett, M.S., Trent A. Petrie, PhD
-Supported by a Grant from the National Collegiate Athletic Association
During the 2015-2016 school year, retired female collegiate athletes were drawn from 26 Division I level university/collegiate athletic departments. Each former athlete completed a series of questionnaires designed to assess various aspects of their current psychosocial functioning, specifically sociocultural pressures regarding body image, internalization of messages related to body image, personal body satisfaction, perceptions of dietary restraint and mood state, and experiences of bulimic symptomatology. Data were analyzed to retest a previously supported model (see Anderson, Petrie, & Neumann, 2011) of psychosocial correlates and bulimic symptomatology in actively competitive athletes. Structural equation modeling revealed excellent model fit to the data and significant pathways between all latent variables with one exception: unlike the model supported by Anderson and colleagues (2011), the relationship between negative affect and bulimic symptomatology was not significant. These findings suggest a unique impact of the sport retirement process on the relationships between former collegiate athletes and their body image and eating disorder symptoms, which warrants further exploration.
Barrett, S. L. & Petrie, T. A. (2020). Female athletes in retirement: A test of a psychosocial model of bulimic symptomatology. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, (Ahead of Print). https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2020-0023.

Body Satisfaction in Early Adolescent Female Athletes: Biopsychosocial and Physical Correlates​
Researchers: Jenna Tomalski, M.S., Trent Petrie, Ph.D., Scott Martin, Ph.D., and Christy Greenleaf, Ph.D.
-Supported by a grant from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education
-Data for this project were obtained from the 2008-2013 FITNESSGRAM study
During the 2011-2012 academic year, 6th to 8th grade females who participated in athletics at their schools participated in this study. Each athlete completed self-report questionnaires to assess their body satisfaction, as well as sociocultural and psychological factors. Physical factors (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular strength and flexibility, and body composition) were collected objectively through the FITNESSGRAM testing. Data were analyzed to determine how the biopsychosocial factors influenced athletes' body satisfaction. We found that the psychological, sociocultural and physical predictors significantly accounted for athletes' body satisfaction. Specifically, these findings suggest that early adolescent female athletes who had a lower BMI, made fewer appearance comparisons, were teased less often, had higher self-esteem, had stronger self-concepts regarding endurance, and more support from friends reported more satisfaction with their bodies.

The Relationship of Sport Involvement and Gender to Physical Fitness, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Concept in Middle School Students
Researchers: Kristina Clevinger, M.S., Trent Petrie, Ph.D., Scott Martin, Ph.D., and Christy Greenleaf, Ph.D.
-Supported by a grant from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education
-Data for this project were obtained from the 2008-2013 FITNESSGRAM study
During the 2011-2012 academic year, 6th grade students enrolled in physical education at their schools participated in this study. Each student completed questionnaires to assess their level of sport involvement, physical activity self-efficacy, and physical self-concept. During PE, students completed FITNESSGRAM testing which provided measurements of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular strength and flexibility, and body composition. Data was analyzed to examine the interaction between sport involvement and gender in relation to the psychological and physical outcomes. Analyses demonstrated no sport by gender interactions for any outcome; sport involvement, however, was related significantly to improvements in CRF, muscular strength, physical activity self-efficacy, and physical self-concept. Our findings suggest that sport involvement, above what may be attained through standardized, school-based, PE experiences, does uniquely provide physical and psychological benefits for early adolescents.

Project S.H.A.P.E. UP: Physical Fitness, Physical Activity, Psychological Health, and Academic Performance of Adolescents
Investigators: Trent A. Petrie, Ph.D., Scott Martin, Ph.D., Christy Greenleaf, Ph.D., and Priscilla Connors, Ph.D.
- Supported by a Grant from the National Association of Sport and Physical Education
- In Association With: Denton Independent School District (DISD)
- 2011-2012 represents 4th year of this longitudinal project
The Texas legislature passed a law (SB 530) requiring mandatory annual fitness testing (using the FITNESSGRAM) within the public schools for grades 3-12. The preliminary results from 2007-2008 showed that fewer than 25% of middle school girls and 20% of middle school boys achieved the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) on all six tests (Texas Education Association, 2008). These data indicate that lack of physical activity and fitness are real concerns for students in Texas, a problem that becomes progressively worse as students matriculate through high school. Although the state is collecting and reporting aggregate data, these data are limited because they only address fitness status. Since 2008, our research team is collaborating with the school districts on a longitudinal study to examine the interaction of physical fitness, psychological health and well-being, nutrition, and academic performance among middle school boys and girls. Physical activity and fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, etc.), psychological health (positive mood states, etc.), food choices and nutrition (e.g., fruits, vegetables, and dairy products), and family and social environment influence academic performance, school attendance, negative school incidents, and negative health outcomes. Determining the key factors thought to impact these physical and mental health outcomes is important to develop appropriate interventions for adolescence, the critical period of life between puberty and adulthood.

Physical and Psychological Health of Male Collegiate Athletes
Researchers: Trent A. Petrie, Ph.D. and Justine Chatterton, M.A.
- Supported by a Grant from the National Collegiate Athletic Association
During the 2010-2011 school year, male collegiate athletes were drawn from Division I, II, and III level university/college athletic departments. Each athlete completed a series of questionnaires designed to assess important aspects of their current physical and psychological functioning, particularly as it related to body image, eating behaviors, and pressures within their sport training environments. Data was analyzed to determine: (a) the prevalence of body image concerns and eating disorder behaviors, and (b) the relationship of psychological factors in increasing male athletes' risk of experiencing an eating disorder. Upon completion, aggregate findings and recommendations were made to the NCAA.

A test of an etiological model: The development of disordered eating in division-I university female gymnasts and swimmers/divers
Investigators: Carly M. Anderson, M.S. & Trent Petrie, Ph.D.
- Supported by a grant from the National Collegiate Athletic Association
The purpose of this study was twofold. First, to determine the prevalence of eating disorders and pathogenic weight control behaviors. Second, to examine the extent to which psychosocial factors influence the development of body image concerns and ultimately disordered eating. Participants were over 400 female collegiate gymnasts and swimmers/divers who were drawn from 26 different universities across the U.S. Findings revealed that the athletes experience more subclinical than clinical eating disorders, though the rates for both were substantially lower than those who were asymptomatic. In addition, the athletes primarily controlled their weight through extra exercise and physical conditioning, as opposed to more pathogenic forms of weight loss (e.g., vomiting). In terms of the factors that influence body image concerns and disordered eating, weight and body pressures experienced in the sport environment played an important role. Athletes who experienced such pressures and who internalized general sociocultural ideals about women's bodies reported high levels of body dissatisfaction and ultimately higher levels of disordered eating behaviors. Findings and recommendations were summarized and provided to the NCAA and all participating universities. Click here to download the summary of findings.

Physical fitness and its relation to mood, body image self-concept, social pressures and internalization, teasing and weight bias in children.
Investigators: Trent A. Petrie, Ph.D., Scott Martin, Ph.D., Christy Greenleaf, Ph.D., and Jordan Hamson, Ph.D.
- Funding Agency: Association for Applied Sport Psychology
Overview: The purpose of this project was to examine the relationship between current levels of physical fitness and a wide-range of psychosocial health factors. During summer 2007, staff from the Center for Sport Psychology conducted fitness testing (using the FITNESSGRAM) with children ages 8-15 who were attending a summer activity program at the Plano Sport Authority in Plano, TX. Fitness testing was done as part of the PSA's Fit for Fun summer program and provided children and their parents with current measures of aerobic fitness, flexibility, strength, and body composition. Campers ages 11-15 also completed a series of questionnaires designed to measure the psychosocial factors of interest. This study will provide us with data to examine the interaction between children's levels of involvement in physical activity, nutritional status, and fitness, and how those are related to their self-concept, body image, and current mood state. In addition, we will examine how social pressures and teasing they may have experienced relate to their willingness to be physically active and whether that moderates the potential negative effects on self-concept and body image.