Introduction: Testicular cancer is one of the most curable malignancies; however, a growing number of men live with the physical and mental health sequelae of the disease and its related treatments. Although supportive care research and programs for this population have expanded, engagement remains low. Sport has been identified as a potential gender-sensitized, community-based platform for delivering supportive care. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of key clinical and community sport personnel perspectives on the feasibility, acceptability, and implementation considerations of a sport-based supportive care intervention for men living with and beyond testicular cancer.Materials and methods: Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with testicular cancer care clinicians (n = 7) and community sport personnel (n = 6). Data were analyzed using an inductive, reflexive thematic analysis to identify key patterns and themes related to supportive care delivery through sport.Results: Three central themes were generated: (i) disrupted trajectories and unmet supportive care needs, (ii) the locker room method, and (iii) knowing when to pass the ball. These themes highlight the complex supportive care needs of young men with testicular cancer, the perceived value of informal peer-based sport environments for fostering engagement, and the importance of clearly defined roles and collaboration between clinical and community sectors.Conclusions: Sport-based supportive care interventions may represent a feasible and acceptable approach for men living with and beyond testicular cancer. Future interventional research should continue to meaningfully involve both clinical and community partners to enhance the relevance, accessibility, and sustainability of supportive care initiatives for this population.

Self-compassion may protect against poor mental health, but its role in adults engaged in competitive sport is less known. This study examined self-compassion and depression symptoms in masters athletes (N = 133, 39.1% female, M-age = 54.3 years, M-VO2max = 45.9 mlkg(-1)min(-1)), exploring training factors as covariates. Participants completed questionnaires and fitness tests. Average self-compassion was high (M = 3.58, SD = 0.55), with 54.9% scoring above a clinical threshold for depression. No significant sex differences were found in self-compassion or depression symptoms. As hypothesized, higher self-compassion was significantly associated with fewer depression symptoms (beta = -2.67, SE = 0.52, p < .001). None of the covariates (sex, age, body mass index, maximal aerobic capacity, training hours, and competitions per year) were significantly linked to depression. The model explained 15% of depression variance. These findings suggest that self-compassion interventions could be a useful strategy to reduce depression symptoms in masters athletes.

PurposeThis study examined: (1) availability of mental health-promoting interventions (MHPIs) in Quebec elementary schools in relation to area-level socioeconomic advantage, prioritization of student mental health, parent and community engagement, school climate; and (2) the extent to which existing MHPIs incorporated evidence-informed implementation practices.DesignCross-sectional.SettingPublic elementary schools across Quebec, Canada (n = 171).SubjectsSchool principals and vice-principals (n = 171 for Objective 1; n = 43 for Objective 2).MeasuresStructured telephone interviews using standardized French or English closed-ended questionnaires.AnalysisDescriptive statistics and unadjusted association analyses.ResultsOnly 42% of schools offered an MHPI in the past year, with socioeconomically disadvantaged schools less likely and schools prioritizing mental health, engaging parents and community partners, and fostering supportive school environments more likely to do so. Most MHPIs incorporated multiple competencies and active learning approaches, were institutionalized, and were adapted to local contexts. Few MHPIs involved co-design with teachers, parents, or students, and only half incorporated staff training or formal evaluation.ConclusionMHPI availability in Quebec elementary schools was socially patterned. While many existing MHPIs demonstrated substantial alignment with evidence-informed implementation practices, important gaps remained in stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and evaluation. Strengthening funding, staff training, and implementation support may improve the reach, quality, and equitable delivery of school-based mental health promotion.

Background: Positive sport experiences for children are essential to establish long-term sport engagement. Coaches play a key role in fostering quality sport experiences for all children. For children with disabilities, caregivers are often closely involved in their sport participation, particularly when additional support is needed, and their perspectives can offer valuable insight into sport program experiences. The purpose of this study was to understand the role coaches have in optimizing the participation experiences of children in recreation-level sport programs. Specifically, this study aimed to explore children’s, caregivers', and coaches' perceptions of the coaching role in recreational sport programs that involve children with and without disabilities. Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with 14 children (seven with disabilities), 15 caregivers, and 12 recreational sport coaches. Interview transcripts were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were generated during the analysis: (a) creating avenues for connection (two subthemes), (b) an environment focused on child empowerment (two subthemes), (c) autonomy-supportive coaching practices (three subthemes), and (d) flexibility and adapting the program to suit everyone (two subthemes). A family-centered coaching approach that prioritizes developing rapport with caregivers to enhance the child’s participation needs is key, especially in sport settings that include children with diverse abilities. Conclusions: Coaches should employ autonomy-supportive coaching, supporting child connections without forcing them, and provide each child with opportunities for challenge and success. Doing so can help to foster quality participation experiences for children during this formative time to contribute to lasting sport involvement.

Self-compassion comprises treating oneself non-judgementally with kindness and understanding during life challenges. Our aim was to identify, from among a diverse set of sociodemographic, lifestyle behavioural, psychological, family/peer social influence, and health indicators, factors associated with low self-compassion in a population-based sample of young adults. Data on 37 factors potentially associated with low self-compassion were drawn from cycle 23 of the ongoing 24-year Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study for 682 participants (Mage 30.5, SD = 1.0, 41

Purpose: We examined associations between device-assessed and parent-reported physical activity with mental health indicators among children and youth with disabilities. Method: Physical activity and mental health data were collected from a larger national surveillance study of physical activity in children and youth with disabilities in Canada. A total of 122 children and youth with disabilities (mean age = 10 y; 80% boys, 57% with developmental disability) wore a Fitbit for 28 days to measure their daily steps. Parents reported the frequency and duration of their child’s leisure-time physical activity during the previous 7 days. Parents also completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (ie, total difficulties score, internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and prosocial behavior) as a measure of mental health symptoms. Results: Significant relationships were observed between parent-reported physical activity and total difficulties as well as internalizing problems but not externalizing problems. Nonsignificant relationships were observed between median daily step counts and mental health indicators. Conclusion: Differential relationships between physical activity and mental health indicators may exist among children and youth with disabilities depending on how physical activity is operationalized (ie, steps vs active minutes) and measured (ie, proxy report vs device assessed). Interventionists seeking to improve mental health outcomes among children and youth with disabilities through physical activity promotion should consider these findings when deciding upon methods to assess physical activity behaviors.

Background: Initiating and maintaining exercise is challenging for women during and post-cancer treatment. Adopting a peer partner model to provide social support to be active may contribute to lasting behaviour change of both partners. Despite this, finding a ‘like peer’ can be challenging. Purpose: To explore women’s reasons for seeking an online exercise partner following a diagnosis with cancer (through www.activematch.ca). We also examined women’s potential socio-demographic and cancer-related differences by reported reasons for wanting an exercise partner. Methods: Individuals creating an Active Match profile completed demographic and physical activity questions ( N =199, M age(SD)=51.9(10.8) years), including an open-ended question regarding their ‘reason for wanting an exercise partner’. An inductive content analysis was completed focusing on the participants’ peer exercise partner preferences. Additional chi-square tests were run to assess whether participants differed based on sociodemographic and cancer-related characteristics and their motivations to be active by category of ‘reason for wanting an exercise partner’ endorsed in the open-ended question. Results: The participants’ reasons for wanting an exercise partner were coded into seven categories, with most participants highlighting the reasons of: motivation (52.3%), social support (48.7%), and accountability and adherence (26.6%). Women <50 years of age were more likely to report accountability and adherence related preferences for a partner. Those reporting endorsing weight loss as their primary reason for becoming active were more likely to be categorized as wanting a peer partner for motivation. Conclusions: While finding a peer partner can be challenging, matching women living with and beyond a cancer diagnosis based on their reason for wanting an exercise partner, as well as their reasons for wanting to be active, may be important to build successful peer exercise partnerships.

IntroductionS’il est vrai que le poids constitue un fort prédicteur de la santé physique et mentale, il n’en demeure pas moins que les facteurs psychosociaux positifs et négatifs en lien avec le corps sont également susceptibles de jouer un rôle important. En outre, tant des fondements théoriques que des données empiriques tendent à indiquer que ces associations peuvent varier en fonction du genre. Nos objectifs étaient, d’une part, d’analyser les associations entre les émotions liées à la conscience de son corps (honte corporelle, fierté corporelle authentique) et la santé physique et mentale chez les jeunes adultes et, d’autre part, de cerner les différences potentielles dans ces associations en fonction du genre. MéthodologieLes données utilisées dans cette étude transversale ont été tirées de l’étude sur la dépendance à la nicotine chez les adolescents (étude NICO) et portaient sur 799 jeunes adultes (âge moyen = 33,6 ans [écart-type = 0,5]; 43,9 % d’hommes). Nous avons estimé les associations entre, d’une part, la honte corporelle et la fierté corporelle authentique (variables d’exposition) et, d’autre part, l’état de santé physique autoévalué et l’état de santé mentale autoévalué (variables de résultat) dans des modèles de régression linéaire tenant compte de l’âge, du niveau de scolarité et de l’indice de masse corporelle, et nous avons étudié les différences potentielles dans ces associations en fonction du genre en effectuant des analyses stratifiées selon le genre. RésultatsChez les femmes, l’état de santé physique autoévalué et l’état de santé mentale autoévalué diminuaient respectivement de 0,37 et de 0,38 pour chaque augmentation d’une unité de la honte corporelle. L’état de santé physique autoévalué et l’état de santé mentale autoévalué augmentaient de respectivement 0,25 et de 0,23 pour chaque augmentation d’une unité de fierté corporelle authentique. Chez les hommes, l’état de santé physique autoévalué et l’état de santé mentale autoévalué diminuaient de respectivement 0,35 et de 0,45 pour chaque augmentation d’une unité de la honte corporelle. L’état de santé physique autoévalué et l’état de santé mentale autoévalué augmentaient de respectivement 0,32 et de 0,21 pour chaque augmentation d’une unité de la fierté corporelle authentique. ConclusionLes interventions qui ciblent le poids sans tenir compte des émotions liées à la conscience du corps sont susceptibles d’omettre un facteur clé de l’état de santé autoévalué.

Introduction: Although body weight has been positioned as a strong predictor of physi-cal and mental health, positive and negative body-related psychosocial factors may also be important. Further, both theoretical tenets and empirical evidence suggest that these associations may differ by gender. Our objectives were to examine the associations between body-related self-conscious emotions (body shame, body authentic pride) and physical and mental health in young adults, and to identify potential differences in these associations by gender. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were drawn from the Nicotine Dependence in Teens (NDIT) study for 799 young adults (M [SD] age = 33.6 y [0.5]; 43.9% male). We estimated the associations between each of body shame and body authentic pride (i.e. the exposures) and both self-rated physical and self-rated mental health (i.e. the outcomes) in linear regression models that controlled for age, education and body mass index, and we examined potential gender differences in these associations by conduct-ing gender-stratified analyses. Results: In females, self-rated health and mental health decreased by 0.37 and 0.38, respectively, with each unit increase in body shame. Self-rated health and mental health increased by 0.25 and 0.23, respectively, for each unit increase in body authentic pride. In males, self-rated health and mental health decreased by 0.35 and 0.45, respectively, with each unit increase in body shame, and increased by 0.32 and 0.21, respectively, with each unit increase in body authentic pride. Conclusion: Interventions that focus on body weight to the exclusion of body-related self-conscious emotions may side-step a key contributor to self-rated health.

Children and adolescents with disabilities (i.e. a condition that requires ongoing medical attention and combined with societal barriers, limits activities of daily living) may be at greater risk of anxiety. Physical activity has been identified as a strategy to reduce symptoms of anxiety and buffer the severity of anxiety-related symptoms in children and adolescents without disabilities. Evidence on the relationship between anxiety and physical activity in children and adolescents with disabilities is limited. The aim of this review was to summarize and describe literature assessing the relationship between anxiety and physical activity in children and adolescents with disabilities. Five databases were searched from inception to search date. Of the initial 20,063 articles identified, eight met the inclusion criteria to be included in data extraction. The included studies ranged in study design. A small inverse relationship between anxiety and physical activity was described in all eight included studies, indicating higher physical activity levels to be associated with lower anxiety. Future research should use consistent operationalizations and reliable/valid measures of anxiety and physical activity and implement prospective studies to further examine the anxiety-physical activity relationship in children and adolescents with disabilities.

School sports programs intentionally created for students with and without disabilities may increase social participation of students with intellectual dis-abilities (IDs). Special Olympics Unified Sports is one program where students with and without ID participate on one team. Guided by a critical realist paradigm, this study explored the perceptions of students with and without ID and coaches of in-school Unified Sports. Interviews were conducted with 21 youths (12 with ID) and 14 coaches. Thematic analysis resulted in four developed themes (identified is outdated language): Inclusion-Is it a "we" ora "they?" Roles and Responsibili-ties, Educational Context for Inclusion, and Buy-In. Findings suggest students with and without ID and coaches value the inclusive nature of Unified Sports. Future research should explore training for coaches on inclusive practices (e.g., language), and optimal methods for consistent training (e.g., use of training manuals) to foster the philosophy of inclusion within school sports.

Objective Flourishing is a mental health indicator that helps students function optimally, which may be important for first-year university students. Physical activity (PA) also contributes to optimal functioning, yet the flourishing and PA relationship has received little attention. The bidirectional relationships between flourishing and meeting moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) guidelines were assessed during the first year of university. Methods: First-year university students completed surveys (September [T1], March [T2]). Reciprocal effects were examined in a cross-lagged path model. Results: Over 40% of the sample was not meeting MVPA guidelines at T1 or T2. Controlling for sex, higher T1 flourishing was associated with higher odds of meeting T2 MVPA guidelines. T1 MVPA did not predict T2 flourishing. Conclusions: The findings provide preliminary evidence that flourishing may support meeting MVPA guidelines for first-year students. Given low rates of meeting guidelines, flourishing and PA could be targeted to foster MVPA, supporting a healthy university transition.

Children and youth with disabilities (CYD) are more likely to experience poor mental health compared to non-disabled peers. Disability type may impact mental health outcomes; however, a more comprehensive understanding of mental health outcomes in CYD with diverse disability types is needed. This study examined the mental health status of CYD. Parents of 473 CYD completed a survey including a measure of mental health indicators. Approximately 72% of the sample had above average total difficulties scores. Boys scored higher than girls on the hyperactivity subscale, and those with comorbid disabilities scored the highest on total difficulties. Overall, the results indicate CYD experience mental health challenges at rates well above population norms. Research exploring interventions that may buffer these effects is warranted.

Testicular cancer survivors report unmet supportive care needs that are associated with poorer physical and mental health, yet engagement in traditional supportive care is low. The Ball's in Your Court intervention was designed to engage testicular cancer survivors in supportive care by leveraging a community-based sport and exercise model. Age-appropriate, gender-sensitized, and disease specific elements were reflected in the intervention design, setting, content, and delivery. The intervention included five weekly health promotion sessions among a group of testicular cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to explore the intervention's (i) feasibility and acceptability, (ii) effects on testicular cancer survivors' perceived health, and (iii) gain feedback for intervention refinement. A total of 10 testicular cancer survivors participated in the pilot and completed questionnaires on demographics, cancer history, perceived health, and physical activity behavior at baseline (pre-intervention) and perceived health and satisfaction with intervention components (post-intervention). Open-ended feedback surveys were collected after each weekly session and researcher field notes were recorded by three members of the study team. One month following the intervention, a focus group was conducted with intervention participants. All participants were satisfied with the intervention. Content analysis of the qualitative data supported intervention acceptability. Visual analysis conducted at the individual level indicated that perceived health either remained stable or improved from pre- to post-intervention. The Ball's in Your Court intervention provides a feasible and acceptable approach for the delivery of supportive care aimed at improving testicular cancer survivors' health and wellness. Recommendations for intervention refinement were provided and require future examination.

This cross-sectional study examined experiential elements facilitating quality sport experiences for youth (ages 12-24 years) in Special Olympics, and the associated influences of sport program and sociodemographic characteristics. A total of 451 athletes involved in the 2019 Special Olympics Youth Games completed a survey assessing elements of quality participation (autonomy, belongingness, challenge, engagement, mastery, and meaning). The t tests investigated whether athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities rated elements differently across Traditional and Unified Sport programs. Regression analyses explored whether sport program and sociodemographic characteristics were predictors of these elements. Youth reported high mean scores across the elements, with no significant differences between athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Traditional or Unified Sport. Athletes with no reported disability rated higher autonomy than those who reported disability (p = .01). Women tended to report greater engagement in sport than men (p = .07). Findings provide theoretical and practical insights into quality sport participation among youth in Special Olympics.