Skill-based Activities Research Articles

Chance- and skill-based dimensions underlying young Australians' gambling activities and their relationships with gambling problems and other factors

Using data from computer-assisted telephone interviews with 1000 18- to 24-year old Australians, the structure underlying participation in 12 gambling activities was investigated. Factor analysis indicated that activities were differentiated into those that are chance-based, involve selecting a winner and involve individuals' skills. Gambling problems, assessed using a four-item factor, were related to participation in the two skill-based activity types. Males participated in these more than females. Age was positively related to participating in activities involving selecting a winner and negatively to those involving individuals' skills. Participation in activities associated with the three factors was differentially related to individual difference factors along with family and peer participation in, and support for, gambling. Together the results indicate that young Australians do not view gambling activities homogeneously and future research should focus on the predictors and outcomes of different types of gambling among this age group.

Predictors of change in participation rates following acquired brain injury: results of a longitudinal study

The purpose of this study was (1) to examine the changes in participation rates over 1 year among children and adolescents after acquired brain injury and (2) to explore the effect of child and family factors on these changes. The participation levels of 136 children and young people (88 males; 48 females; age range 4y 11mo-17y 6mo; mean age 11y 6mo) after acquired brain injury (3≤ Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤15; mean 12.8) were assessed three times: at their return to school, and at 8 and 12 months after returning to school. The Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment measured the participants' diversity and intensity of participation in out-of-school activities. At baseline, information on general family functioning and medical and demographic information was collected as possible predictors. Mixed-effect model analyses of participation scores were performed while controlling for child's age at injury. The severity of the injury explained rates of change across time for participation intensity in recreational, physical, and social activities. Household income influenced changes in the intensity of recreational activities, whereas family functioning predicted changes in the diversity of skill-based activities. Participation is a relevant outcome of recovery that needs to be assessed and monitored post brain injury. Special attention can be directed to severity of injury and family functioning when developing intervention plans.

Play and Be Happy? Leisure Participation and Quality of Life in School-Aged Children with Cerebral Palsy

The objective of this study was to examine the association between leisure participation and quality of life (QoL) in school-age children with cerebral palsy (CP). Leisure participation was assessed using the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) and QoL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the association between CAPE and PedsQL scores, and a multiple linear regression model was used to estimate QoL predictors. Sixty-three children (mean age 9.7 ± 2.1 years; 39 male) in GMFCS levels I–V were included. Intensity of participation in active-physical activities was significantly correlated with both physical (r = 0.34, P = 0.007) and psychosocial well-being (r = 0.31, P = 0.01). Intensity and diversity of participation in skill-based activities were negatively correlated with physical well-being (r = −0.39, P = 0.001, and r = −0.41, P = 0.001, resp.). Diversity and intensity of participation accounted for 32% (P = 0.002) of the variance for physical well-being and 48% (P < 0.001) when age and gross motor functioning were added. Meaningful and adapted leisure activities appropriate to the child's skills and preferences may foster QoL.

Activity Preferences and Participation of School-Age Children Living in Urban and Rural Environments

ABSTRACTIt is important for therapists to be knowledgeable about the impact of the environment on children's participation patterns and activity preferences. This study investigated the activity preference and participation among school-age children living in urban and rural locations. The participation patterns and preferences for activities of 58 typically developing children (32 males and 26 females; response rate of 38.7%) aged 8–12 years were assessed across both urban (n = 24) and rural (n = 34) regions of southwest Victoria, Australia. The participation patterns and preferences for activities were assessed using the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment and Preferences for Activities of Children (CAPE/PAC). An independent samples t-test was used to determine whether significant differences existed for the CAPE/PAC scores for urban and rurally based children as well as boys and girls. Significant differences were found between the scores of children living in urban and rural areas on the following subscales: CAPE Diversity, CAPE Intensity, CAPE Whom, CAPE Where, PAC Physical Preference, and PAC Social Preference. A significant difference for rural and urban groups was found on the following CAPE activity types: Recreation Diversity, Recreation Intensity, Social Diversity, Social Intensity, Self-Improvement Diversity, and Self-Improvement Intensity. Rurally based children were engaged in a broader range of activities and did so more frequently than urban children. Differences in gender were identified with girls preferring to participate in social and skill-based activities and being more likely to participate with friends or people outside their home. However, there were no significant differences in the participation patterns of boys and girls. Physical, social, and structural aspects of the location where a child lives impact the frequency, type of activities, and whom a child participates with most frequently in out-of-school activities. The activity participation of boys and girls in Australia has become quite similar.

Urban Poverty: A Study of Income Patterns and Processes of the Poor Families in Kathmandu

The poor are highly migrate from the surrounding districts of Kathmandu valley and largely dependent on direct cash income from the informal activities. Casual wage labor, petty trade and private and professional services are common livelihood activities. However, availability of income generation activities remains largely irregular and depends on the season, gender, age of person, ethnic and education background. Foreign employment, skill-based activities and petty trade fetch the highest return. It is also found that the level of family income is determined not only by ethnic background; but there are other factors, for example family structure, working hours, nature of work and seasonality. There is a significant impact of education and working hour in household income. Poor are assets of urban economy. We could not neglect them. They are hard working and decent people. But poor policy and attitude makes them highly vulnerable in the urban environment. However, all people living in the squatter or slum are not only poor but some of them are economically well-off, though they have poor accessed of modern banking and financial institutions, in many cases, banking policies discouraged them for providing credit facilities. Key Words: Poverty Pockets; Communities; Urban; Livelihood DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bj.v1i1.5142 Banking Journal Vol.1(1) 2011: 29-45

Participation patterns of children with acquired brain injury

Objective: To describe the participation patterns of children and youth with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and to compare these patterns with typically-developing peers.Methods: One hundred and thirty-five children with ABI completed the Children Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) to measure their participation diversity and intensity in outside-of-school activities (i.e. recreational, physical, social, self-improvement and skill-based activities). Results were compared to 354 typically-developing peers. ANOVA analyses were performed while controlling for age and gender.Results: Similar to typically-developing children, individuals with ABI proportionally participated mostly in social and recreational activities and were less likely to engage in skill-based activities. However, level of intensity and diversity within each activity type was different between the two groups. Children with ABI participated in fewer activities and were less frequently involved in all the CAPE's activity types except for intensity in social activities. These differences, characterized by small-to-medium effect sizes, were not dependent on the child's age and gender.Conclusions: Participation of children with ABI is restricted in comparison to their typically-developing peers even in a sample where minor injury is predominant. Future studies might address additional factors that potentially affect participation, e.g. child's preferences and family function.

Participation and health-related quality of life of Dutch children and adolescents with congenital lower limb deficiencies

To describe participation and health-related quality of life of Dutch children and adolescents with congenital lower limb deficiencies in comparison with typically developing children, and to explore differences between various degrees of limb loss and between parental reports and self-reports on health-related quality of life. Cross-sectional study. Participation was assessed with the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment questionnaire, and health-related quality of life with the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire, both as parental reports and self-reports, for 56 children and adolescents with congenital lower limb deficiencies, aged 8-18 years. Participation and health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with lower limb deficiencies (age range 8-18 years) did not differ from those of the reference group, except that the adolescents with lower limb deficiencies (age range 12-18 years) reported significantly (p < 0.05) less diversity and lower intensity of social and skill-based activities. Degree of limb loss did not affect participation or health-related quality of life. Differences (p < 0.05) between parental reports and self-reports for health-related quality of life were found for the "physical well-being", "moods and emotions" and "self-perception" domains. While parental reports were comparable to the adolescents' self-ratings, parents reported lower health-related quality of life in the "moods and emotions", "self-perception" and "autonomy" domains for their younger children. While the participation and perceived health-related quality of life of Dutch children with lower limb deficiencies do not differ from those among typically developing children, the participation of adolescents with lower limb deficiencies is characterized by less diversity, with less interaction in social and skill-based activities.

How Does Participation of Youth With Spina Bifida Vary by Age?

Youth with disabilities are at risk for decreased participation in community activities. However, little is known about participation at different developmental periods of childhood and adolescence among youth with spina bifida (SB) or whether child, family, and SB-associated factors influence participation. Our cross-sectional study examined participation among youth with SB and assessed how participation differs between youth ages 2-5, 6-12, and 13-18; how participation relates to child (gender) and family (caregiver marital status, education, and employment) characteristics; and how participation relates to SB-related factors (motor level, hydrocephalus, ambulation, medical issues, and bladder/bowel needs). Sixty-three youth ages 2-18years and/or their caregivers completed age-appropriate measures of participation for youth with disabilities. The patients had an average age of 9.52years (SD=5.22), 83% had a shunt, 34% had a motor level of L2 or higher, and 66% L3 or lower. A comparison of youth ages 2-5 (n=19), 6-12 (n=21), and 13-18 (n=23) revealed older youth participated less in recreational, physical, and skill-based activities. Caregiver employment facilitated participation in social activities. Youth who did not have a shunt participated more often in physical and skill-based activities. Youth without recent major medical issues participated more often in physical and social activities. More caregivers reported bladder and bowel needs as barriers to participation for youth ages 6-12 than those ages 2-5 or 13-18. Participation of youth with SB varies by age and across child and caregiver factors and should be understood in a developmental and situational context.

A Meta-analysis of the Effectiveness of Intervention Programs Designed to Support Autonomy

The twofold purpose of the present study was, first, to determine whether training intervention programs designed to help people support the autonomy of others are effective and, second, to identify the set of conditions that allowed these interventions to be most effective. A meta-analysis of the findings from 19 studies with 20 effect sizes showed that the training programs were, overall, effective with a weighted effect size of 0.63. Moderator analyses of the overall effect size showed that the relatively more effective intervention programs were structured in ways that trained multiple elements of autonomy support and were presented in relatively brief (1–3 h) sessions in a laboratory training setting that focused on skill-based activities and utilized multiple types of media to deliver its content. Furthermore, relatively effective intervention programs were offered to teachers (rather than to other professionals), trainees (rather than to experienced professionals), and individuals with an autonomy (rather than a control) causality orientation. Though the small number of included studies warrants caution, results generally affirmed the effectiveness of autonomy-supportive training programs and identified the conditions under which future programs can be designed to be highly effective.

Reexamining the Calculus of Voting

This study applies social cognitive theory to the study of voter turnout, examining the effects of self-efficacy on citizens' decisions of whether or not to vote. Consistent with recent arguments in cognitive psychology (Fenton-O'Creevy, Nicholson, Soane, & Willman, 2003, 2005), I argue that excessive perceptions of self-efficacy lead some citizens to overestimate their vote's impact in close elections and to vote as a consequence of these perceptions. This illusion of control is further engendered by the features of skill-based activities such as choice, personal involvement, stimulus familiarity, and exertion of effort (Langer, 1975) that are inherent in the act of voting. Employing both cross-sectional and panel data, I find that individuals with high levels of self-efficacy are more likely to be moved to vote by perceptions that an election will be close than are citizens with low levels of self-efficacy.

Leisure activity preferences for 6‐ to 12‐year‐old children with cerebral palsy

The objective was to describe leisure activity preferences of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their relationship to participation. Factors associated with greater interest in leisure activities were identified. Fifty-five school-aged children (36 males, 19 females; mean age 9 y 11 mo; range 6 y 1 mo-12 y 11 mo) with CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS]) level I 62%, level II 22%, level III-IV 16%; 33.3% hemiplegia, 29.6% diplegia, 25.9% quadriplegia, 11.2% other) who could complete the Preferences for Activities of Children (PAC) were recruited. Social and recreational activities were most preferred, and self-improvement activities were least preferred. Younger age, higher motivation, and IQ predicted interest in active-physical activities (r(2)=0.39). Negative reaction to failure was associated with less preference for social activities (r(2)=0.16), whereas increased prosocial behaviours were related to greater preference for recreational (r(2)=0.13) and self-improvement activities; the latter is also predicted by older age (r(2)=0.24). Interest in skill-based activities was greater in females and in children who were highly motivated, younger, and had greater motor limitations (r(2)=0.51). The findings suggest that personal factors and functional abilities influence leisure activity preferences. High preference for certain activities was not always associated with involvement in these activities. Determination of preferences is inherent to child-centred practice and should, therefore, be part of the evaluation process. Rehabilitation strategies can minimize barriers to leisure participation, such as fear of failure, low motivation, or environmental obstacles.

Social and Community Participation of Children and Youth With Cerebral Palsy Is Associated With Age and Gross Motor Function Classification

Through social and community participation, children and youth with cerebral palsy (CP) form friendships, gain knowledge, learn skills, express creativity, and determine meaning and purpose in life. The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine whether social and community participation of children and youth with CP differ based on age, sex, and gross motor function, and (2) to identify the types of activities in which social and community participation are highest. A prospective cross-sectional analytic design was used. The participants were a sample of convenience of 291 children (6-12 years of age) and 209 youth (13-21 years of age) with CP (55.4% males, 44.6% females) receiving services from 7 children's hospitals. Participants completed the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) by structured interview. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level was determined by the researchers. Youth did a higher percentage of activities with friends and others and outside the home than children. Children and youth in level I did a higher percentage of activities with friends and others compared with children and youth in levels II and III and in levels IV and V. Children and youth in level I and in levels IV and V did a higher percentage of activities outside the home than children and youth in levels II and III. Differences were not found between females and males. The percentage of activities done with friends and others and outside the home was highest for physical and skill-based activities. Findings cannot be attributed only to GMFCS level. The ability to walk without restrictions is desirable for social and community participation. For children and youth with CP who have limitations in mobility, physical therapists have roles as consultants for accessibility, activity accommodations, and assistive technology and as advocates for inclusive environments.

The effects of plyometric exercise on unilateral balance performance

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of plyometric exercise on unilateral balance performance. Nine healthy adults performed baseline measurements on the dominant limb that consisted of: a 20-s unilateral stability test on a tilt balance board, where a higher stability index represented deterioration in balance performance; isokinetic plantar flexion torque at 0.52 and 3.14 rad · s−1; muscle soreness in the calf region; and resting plantar flexion angle. Plyometric exercise consisted of 200 counter-movement jumps designed to elicit symptoms of muscle damage, after which baseline measurements were repeated at 30 min, 24, 48, and 72 h. Perceived muscle soreness of the calf region increased significantly following the plyometric exercise protocol (F4,32 = 17.24, P < 0.01). Peak torque was significantly reduced after the plyometric exercise protocol (F4,32 = 7.49, P < 0.05), with greater loss of force at the lower angular velocity (F4,32 = 3.46, P < 0.05), while resting plantar flexion angle was not significantly altered compared with baseline values (P > 0.05). The stability index was significantly increased (F4,32 = 3.10, P < 0.05) above baseline (mean 2.3, s = 0.3) at 24 h (3.3, s = 0.4), after which values recovered. These results indicate that there is a latent impairment of balance performance following a bout of plyometric exercise, which has implications for both the use of skill-based activities and for increased injury risk following high-intensity plyometric training.

An Analysis of Human Error in the Analytical Measurement Task in Chemistry

Analytical measurement, the process by which the chemical composition of a substance is determined, is carried out in chemical laboratories throughout the world. It has been recognized for some time that results obtained from different laboratories are not as consistent as would be expected, but until recently little attention has been paid to the human factors and human error aspects of the task. However, analytical measurement is a multistage task that places high manual and cognitive demands on the operator, which are likely to be the source of considerable human error, as it is likely that the reliability of the task could be improved by the application of appropriate cognitive ergonomics. Task demands range from accuracy in manual, skill-based activities to complex, knowledge-based activities. This paper presents a hierarchical task analysis as a methodological framework for looking at the process of analytical measurement, followed by an account of the potential errors that can occur. These errors a...

The Use of a Skill-Based Activity in Therapeutic Induction

This paper describes a hypnotherapeutic intervention for a brain damaged 36-year-old male who has suffered from asthma since infancy and seizure disorder from the age of eight. In early sessions it was discovered that conventional “passive-relaxation” induction techniques seemed to exacerbate certain disturbing somatic experiences, which he refers to as scary feelings. It was found that his performance of a previously learned skilled activity (the playing of the computer game Tetris) permitted the experience of a highly focused but relaxed state that was conducive to therapeutic interaction. This approach to induction bears similarity to “active-alert” procedures but may be more importantly related to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's principle of flow, in that it involves engagement in a subjectively meaningful, skill-based activity.

A Study of the Impact of an Integrated Information Technology on the Time Utilization of Information Workers

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the impact of the implementation of an integrated information technology (IIT) on the time utilization of information workers as mediated by the content of the information work performed. The IIT in this study is a system of personal computers linked together in a network for sharing computing, data, and communication resources. The subjects of the study were two groups of information workers in an academic field setting. One group consisted of knowledge workers whose chief activity was to advise and counsel students. The other group represented lower level information workers who provided support service to an academic department. A two‐dimensional framework was used to classify each of the activities an information worker performs relative to its importance and programmability within the context of the information work. Using work sampling methodology, it was determined that the IIT was associated with the knowledge workers' reallocation of work time to important yet relatively unstructured tasks. The lower level information workers became more efficient in performing highly structured skill‐based activities. However, there was no statistically significant improvement in the effectiveness of the work completed as perceived by the clients of both groups of information workers. The results suggest that when an IIT is implemented, the manner in which newly available time is utilized depends on the nature of the information work performed by the users.