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.