Alvaro Sicilia

• PhD
• University of Almería

The present study examined how individuals who have been clinically diagnosed as obese explain their decision to undergo bariatric surgery and how they deal with the stigmatization that such a decision may entail. A total of 23 participants (15 women and 8 men) who were awaiting bariatric surgery within the Spanish healthcare system, were interview...

Objectification theory posits that puberty is likely to be a critical stage for experiencing body shame. Past research on experiences during puberty has largely focused on the association between pubertal timing (i.e., the onset of the process of physical maturation and sexual development) and physical and/or psychological health problems among ado...

La respuesta afectiva aversiva derivada de considerar que el propio cuerpo podría está siendo negativamente evaluado (i. e., la ansiedad físico-social) se considera un importante antecedente de diversas consecuencias de salud. No obstante, la conexión entre las presiones socioculturales que orientan hacia los ideales corporales occidentales prepond...

In a society that strives for appearance, fitness is increasingly viewed as a means to reach a certain aesthetic ideal, rather than a way to improve health and physical performance. Every day millions of posts appear on social media promoting a visual representation of apparently fit, healthy and 'perfect' bodies. Combining personal accounts, clini...

Purpose: Research has shown that there is a decrease in physical activity levels during early adolescence, especially for girls. Previous studies have shown that the social physique anxiety (SPA) may be a controlling factor influencing exercise motivation and engagement in this behavior; however, the potential role that puberty plays in this decre...

Objective This study examined the utility of a biopsychosocial model to explain both higher body mass index (BMI) and disordered eating. The study was designed to examine the predictors of higher BMI and a number of measures of disordered eating (dietary restraint, drive for muscularity, drive for thinness, binge eating, and compensatory behaviour)...

The Body, Eating, and Exercise Comparison Orientation Measure (BEECOM) has been frequently used within the context of research on eating disorders (ED). Although both long (BEECOM-L) and short (BEECOM-S) versions of the instrument exist, their psychometric properties have not yet been concurrently investigated across different populations in terms...

For decades, the thin body ideal has been the prevailing female standard of beauty, while the mesomorphic body ideal has been the accepted male standard of beauty in Western culture. More recently it has been found that these ideals can be adopted either by both male and female individuals. However, there is scarce research examining a dual body im...

The objective of this research was to analyse the relationship between the perception of the teacher educators' instructional style and the intention to choose teaching as a career, as reported by pre-service teachers. A longitudinal panel study was designed based on Self-Determination Theory. The participants were 429 pre-service teachers. The res...

The present study summarized, compared, and critically appraised the methodological quality of the most used self-report measures assessing problematic exercise (PE) (i.e. CES, CET, EAI, EDQ, EDS, OEQ). A pre-registered systematic review was conducted in accordance with the 2018 COSMIN criteria and PRISMA methodology. Six electronic databases were...

Aims To provide quantitative summarized evidence on gender-related differences in self-reported problematic exercise symptoms (PE). Methods Eligible studies were searched up to December 31, 2021 in the databases MEDLINE, Current Contents Connect, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO, and Dissertations & Theses Global. Studies were considered eligible...

Introduction: Restrained, emotional and intuitive eating were examined in relation to each other and as correlates of participants' weight status, body image and self-esteem. In some past research, restrained and emotional eating have been associated with higher weight status and poorer mental health, while intuitive eating is more frequently link...

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Body-related Self-Conscious Emotions Fitness Instrument (BSE-FIT). A cross-sectional and descriptive design with three samples of endurance exercisers and undergraduates (Ntotal = 955, Mage = 25.28, SDage = 8.92) was used. Results from both exploratory and confirmatory fa...

Research has consistently demonstrated an association between depressive disorders and behavioral addictions. However, the relationship between depression and exercise addiction has rarely been investigated. The present study examined the relationship between self-reported depression and exercise addiction symptoms. A sample of 691 Spanish undergra...

Background and aims Problematic exercise (PE) has mainly been assessed with self-report instruments. However, summarized evidence on the reliability of the scores derived from such instruments has yet to be provided. The present study reports a reliability generalization meta-analysis of six well-known self-report measures of PE (Commitment to Exer...

Eating disorders and body image disturbance are known to result in unhealthy consequences. When attempting to understand the etiology and management of these disorders, sociocultural models of body image disturbance and disordered eating have been predominant. The objective of the present study was to develop and validate the Internalization of Soc...

Backgrounds The range of theoretical conceptualizations of problematic exercise in psychometric assessment instruments makes it difficult to identify the components that define this phenomenon. A better understanding of the underlying components of problematic exercise may contribute to progress toward providing scientific evidence that allows for...

Although a range of risk factors have been identified for disordered eating and weight status, the breadth of risk factors have been rarely considered within a single, comprehensive model. The robustness of these findings across countries also remains an open question. The present study sampled 6272 participants aged 18-30 years from eight countrie...

Objective: The present meta-analysis summarizes existing evidence on the relationship between the internalization of body shape ideals (IBSI) and body dissatisfaction. Method: Pooled effect sizes (r) were computed using a random-effects model. The robustness of the results was examined using influence analyses. Potential predictors of effect het...

Background and aims: The aim of the present systematic review was to identify psychometric tools developed to assess problematic exercise in order to identify and compare their theoretical conceptualisations on which they are based. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the electronic databases Web of Science, Scielo, PsychINF...

The present study aimed to identify profiles of adolescents based upon body and appearance-related self-conscious emotions, and to examine whether these profiles differed from each other in terms of their exercise addiction (EA) symptoms. A sample of 703 Brazilian adolescents (41% girls) completed a self-report questionnaire. The results from a two...

Background: The present study aimed to quantify the relationship between body dissatisfaction and morbid exercise behaviour (MEB). Methods: The electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO, and Dissertations & Theses Global were searched from inception to September 2020. Pooled effect sizes corrected for sampling errors (r+) we...

O objetivo deste artigo é mostrar, através de um único estudo de caso, como a discrepância entre a imagem corporal do magro ideal e o real pode estimular os processos de formação do sujeito neoliberal. O instrumento de coleta de informações foi a entrevista qualitativa, aberta e semiestruturada. Os resultados mostram como a imagem corporal do ideal...

This study assessed the measurement invariance of selected self-report measures of perfectionism, impulsivity, self-esteem and social anxiety in samples of emerging adults from eight different countries. Participants (N = 6272) completed the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, the 5-item Rosenberg Self-E...

This study examined the measurement invariance of three scales that assessed emotional eating, restrained eating, and intuitive eating across eight countries (Australia, and the United States) in order to determine their suitability for cross-country body image research. A total of 6272 young adults took part in this study. Participants completed a...

The aim of this study was to examine the crosscountry invariance of five well-established measures of body weight and shape concern-related attitudes and behaviors (i.e., drive for leanness, drive for muscularity, strategies to increase muscle, strategies to lose weight, and weight and shape concerns). A secondary objective was to examine the effec...

The aim of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of two well-established measures of sociocultural influence and internalization of the thin/low body fat ideal and muscular ideal. Data from 6272 emerging adults (68.9 % female), aged 18-30 years from Australia, and the U.S. were included in this study. Participants completed m...

Positive body image refers to individuals' ability to conceptualize their bodies with love, respect, and appreciation. The study of positive body image is relatively new, and instruments used to investigate this multi-faceted construct have received limited use in non-English speaking countries. Thus, the aim of this investigation is to consider fo...

Based on the theory of planned behaviour and self-determination theory, the objective of the present study was to analyse the relationship between (i) parents’ and peers’ autonomy support, and (ii) exercise intention in adolescents, while also considering the mediating role of attitude, control, subjective norms, and descriptive norms. A total of 4...

Background and aims: This study examined the relationship between self-reported symptoms of morbid exercise behaviour (MEB) and eating disorders (ED) using meta-analytic techniques. Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO and Scopus. Random effects models were used to compute pooled effect sizes estimates (r...

The present study extends previous research by examining the moderating/mediating role of social physique anxiety (SPA) on the relationship between physical appearance comparisons (PAC) and symptoms of disordered eating (DE) in adolescent population. A total of 555 emerging adults (59% women) ranging from 18 to 30 years of age (M = 21.34, SD = 2.80...

Fitness-related self-conscious emotions (SCEs) have been proposed as antecedents of exercise addiction (EA). However, the potential mechanisms underlying such a relationship remain unexplored. The present study examined the relationship between fitness-related SCEs and risk of EA, as well as the mediating role of passion for exercise. A total of 29...

Background: The purpose of the present study is to identify profiles of adolescent exercisers based on exercise addiction symptoms (EA), and to examine differences in several health-related variables potentially related to EA across these profiles. Methods: A sample consisting of 618 adolescents, aged from 13 to 17 years, completed a questionnai...

Objectification theory postulates that the body is constructed as a sexual object and is subject to observation and evaluation in such a way that a person may feel that their body is an object. The purpose of the present study was to adapt and validate the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS) to use with Spanish preadolescents. A total sampl...

Physical appearance comparisons (PAC) and social physique anxiety (SPA) have been independently related to disordered eating (DE). However, the extent to which these variables may be concurrently associated with DE in the adolescent population remains largely unknown. This study was aimed at addressing a twofold objective: firstly, to examine wheth...

Grounded in self-determination theory, the objective of this study was to examine the relationship between goal contents and the beliefs of teaching efficacy in pre-service teachers, considering the mediating role of academic behavioural regulation (autonomous and controlled) at the beginning and end of the Professional Master of Education. The par...

This study examined the relationships between the Big Five personality traits and body‐related self‐conscious emotions in a sex‐balanced sample of Spanish undergraduates (N = 748). After controlling for sex, age, and weight discrepancy, neuroticism (positive for shame and guilt), extraversion (negative for shame and positive for pride), conscientio...

O trabalho tem como objetivo refletir acerca do tema educação inclusiva e as implicações na formação continuada para a docência em contextos educacionais pretensamente inclusivos a partir de referenciais atuais no Brasil e Espanha. A metodologia da pesquisa compreendeu procedimentos de revisão de literatura e análise documental. O estudo consistiu...

This study explored the dynamic relationship between social physique anxiety and depressive symptoms in a sample of young adults over a six-month period. Using a two-wave longitudinal design, data were collected from a sample of 398 undergraduate students (47.70% females, 97.50% white) aged between 18 and 30 years old (M = 20.47, SD = 2.42). Result...

Appearance‐related social anxiety has been identified as a relevant risk factor in the development of eating disorders (ED) and depression in young adults. However, less is known about the role that fitness‐related social anxiety may play on the emergence of these two psychopathological conditions. The present study aimed to examine whether appeara...

Background and aims: Theoretical models of morbid exercise behavior (MEB) suggest that it may emerge as a result of complex interactions between a range of psychosocial factors. However, in spite of fitness-related self-conscious emotions involving such factors, their relationship with the risk of MEB has never been investigated. Consequently, thi...

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Body and Appearance Self-Conscious Emotions Scale in Brazilian adolescents. A sample of 827 adolescents (55% boys) filled out a questionnaire comprising the Body and Appearance Self-Conscious Emotions Scale and instruments assessing social physique anxiety, positive/negative affect, and self-es...

En este libro puede volver al índice pulsando el pie de la página Psicología, salud y educación © del texto: los autores

The objective of this study was to validate an instrument that allows us to overcome some of the limitations found in existing tools aimed at assessing the internalization of sociocultural body ideals. To do this, we used a sample group of 1,130 students aged between 10 and 14 years. The psychometric properties of the Scale for the Internalization...

Estrategias motivacionales para la promoción de la actividad física en niños y adolescentes desde el contexto escolar se presenta como una guía de estrategias para promocionar la práctica de la actividad física desde el ámbito educativo. La propuesta práctica se sustenta en el modelo trans-contextual de la motivación, uno de los modelos teóricos m...

Integrated regulation has been shown as motivational regulation with the highest predictive power on adaptive behaviours in different life domains; however, it has not yet been examined in educational context. The purpose of this study was to incorporate the assessment of integrated regulation to the Academic Motivation Scale in the Brazil Initial...

Novelty has recently been suggested as a potential basic psychological need within self-determination theory. Taking into account the lack of research on this new construct, the purpose of this study was to show the role of novelty satisfaction in physical education, analyzing its relations with some outcomes that are relevant for academic achievem...

From Self-Determination Theory, the present research aimed to analyze the possible motivational differences that the pre-service teachers report at the beginning and end of their initial teacher education program. The participants were 429 pre-service teachers. The analysis of paired-samples t-Student reported a higher score in integrated regulatio...

Background and aims The study explored the mediating role of forms of passion in the relationship between motivational regulations in exercise and exercise addiction (EA). Methods A total of 485 university students (368 males and 117 females; Mage = 20.43, SD = 3.21) completed a questionnaire measuring the frequency and intensity of exercise, moti...

Based on Self-Determination Theory, the primary objective of this work was to compare the factor structure of the different versions proposed (SIMS-16, SIMS-15, SIMS-14 and SIMS-13), as well as to explore the possible sustainability of a new structure for the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS) in the Spanish Physical Education context. The seconda...

Our objective was to test the factorial validity of the different versions (TSES24, TSES-12, and TSES-11) of the Teacher’s Sense of Efficacy Scale in Spanish preservice teachers’. The participants were 358 preservice teachers. The confirmatory factor analysis showed inadequate fit indexes for both TSES-24 and TSES-12 but adequate fit indexes for TS...

This study examined the psychometric properties of a Spanish translation of the Body and Appearance Self-Conscious Emotions Scale (BASES; Castonguay, Sabiston, Crocker, & Mack, 2014) in a sample of university Spanish students. A total of 815 participants enrolled in two public universities located in Almería and Elche, Spain, completed the BASES al...

Background: This paper aims to (1) investigate whether psychological need satisfaction and frustration are distinguishable constructs or part of a single continuum, and (2) to develop and validate the Spanish version of the Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (NSFS). Method: Confi rmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equatio...

The purpose of this study is twofold. First, to adapt and validate a two-factor model of Body Change Inventory to the Spanish context, in order to measure the orientation towards thin body and orientation towards muscular body. The second aim is to analyse the sociocultural stereotypes towards thinness and muscular body according to the sex variabl...

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) in Brazilian adolescents. The sample was comprised of 438 boys (Mage = 15.50, SDage = 1.20) and 402 girls (M = 15.51, SDage = 1.18). Confirmatory factor analyses supported a one-dimensional and partially invariant across-gender and weight status factor structur...

Based on the self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan, 1985, 2000), the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise goal contents on exercise addiction, taking into account the mediating effects of passion for exercise. A total of 384 university students (284 men and 100 women; Mage = 20.31, SD = 3.10) completed a questionnaire tha...

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue validar la versión española del Goal Content Exercise Questionnaire. Un total de 398 estudiantes universitarios (302 hombres y 96 mujeres) participaron en este estudio cumplimentando diferentes instrumentos que evaluaban la satisfacción de las necesidades psicológicas básicas, las regulaciones motivacionales...

p> The objective of this study was to incorporate the integrated regulation assessment into the Academic Motivation Scale within the Spanish initial teacher education context. There were 496 student participants (233 men and 263 women; M _age= 25.70, SD = 4.23) from the Masters in Teaching for Compulsory Secondary Education, Upper Second...

Tem-se como objetivo deste estudo analisar os projetos pedagógicos dos cursos de Licenciatura em Educação Física, de uma Universidade Pública do Brasil, e Formação de Professores em Educação Primária–menção em Educação Física, de uma Universidade Pública da Espanha, procurando evidenciar aspectos importantes das disciplinas acadêmicas e as possívei...

The purpose of this study is twofold. First, to adapt and validate a two-factor model of Body Change Inventory to the Spanish context, in order to measure the orientation towards thin body and orientation towards muscular body. The second aim is to analyse the sociocultural stereotypes towards thinness and muscular body according to the sex variabl...

Numerous studies have focused on investigating how the classroom factors could promote student motivation in order to get their involvement and academic success in the teaching-learning process. Specifically, the literature has identified teacher's behaviour as one of the most influential factors affecting student motivation. This study aimed at ad...

Through an example of structure analysis of the narrative of flow by one elite sportsman, this article attempts to shed some light on this debate in the context of understanding flow experiences as a narrative. A sportsman was invited to (a) think about flow moments; (b) describe these experiences in as much detail as possible; and (c) contextualiz...

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue validar la versión española de la Escala de las Necesidades Psicológicas (EFNP) en el contexto del ejercicio físico. Una muestra de 509 estudiantes universitarios participaron en el estudio, analizando las propiedades psicométricas de la EFNP a través de diferentes análisis. Los resultados ofrecieron apoyo t...

Resumen: Ante la reforma de la educación superior en España para conseguir la convergencia al Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES), las enseñanzas artísticas se sitúan ante un novedoso y doble desafío. Por un lado, se precisa de la estructuración y diseño de un marco de ordenación y funcionamiento que permita el desarrollo de las enseñanzas...

Basado en la teoría de la autodeterminación y en el modelo dual de pasión, el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la influencia de la percepción de satisfacción y frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas en el contexto del ejercicio físico sobre las formas armoniosa (PA) y obsesiva (PO) de la pasión por esta actividad, considerando s...

This study aimed to determine the usefulness of integrating basic psychological needs theory (BPNT) and relational frames theory (RFT) in order to explain the effects of social physique anxiety (SPA) – in the context of exercise – on exercisers’ mental health. A total of 296 recreational cyclists and triathletes (100% males) aged 18 to 60 years old...

El objetivo de este estudio fue validar el Inventario de Adicción al Ejercicio (EAI) en el contexto brasileño. Participaron en el estudio 251 estudiantes universitarios (hombres = 132, mujeres = 119, Medad = 22.34, DT = 4.65). Los resultados mostraron un adecuado ajuste del modelo a los datos: χ2 (9, N = 251) = 17.45, p = 0.04; χ2/gl = 1.94; CFI =...

Research has shown the influence of the motivational elements involved in physical education classes in the development of healthy behaviors by adolescents. However, the available instruments to assess the quality side of motivation postulated by the self-determination theory (SDT) in this field in the Spanish context show several psychometric and...

The purpose of this study was to develop a Motivation Questionnaire to Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle (CM-EVS) for adolescents, an adaptation of the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (TSRQ) to the Spanish context. Two independent studies were carried out, in 858 and 344 post-compulsory secondary education students (aged from 16 to 21) participated...

It has been the objective of this study is to analyze the educational projects of Degree courses in Physical Education, a public university in Brazil, and Teacher Training in Primary-Mention in Physical Education Education, a public university of Spain, seeking to highlight important aspects academic disciplines and the possible relationships (or n...

A obesidade tornou-se uma prioridade para as políticas de saúde pública na Espanha. Com base no aumento da prevalência foi classificada como uma epidemia. Apesar dessas afirmações, as investigações nem sempre parecem tão conclusivas. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar algumas das ‘verdades’ sobre a obesidade: a) que a obesidade está aumentando e é...

Based on both self-determination theory and dualistic model of passion, the main purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the satisfaction and thwarting of basic psychological needs perceived in the context of exercise on the development of harmonious (HP) and obsessive (OP) forms of passion for exercise, considering additionally if...

Obesity has become a top priority for public health policies in Spain. Based on increasing prevalence, it has been classified as an epidemic. Despite these claims, research does not always seem so conclusive. The purpose of this article is to review some of the ‘truths’ about obesity: a) that it is on the rise and is an epidemic in Spain; b) that t...

Purpose: Based on self-determination theory, the purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between social physique anxiety and intention to be physically active, while taking into account the mediating effects of the basic psychological needs and behavioral regulations in exercise. Method: Having obtained parents' prior consent, 390...

A fundamental tenet of self-determination theory is that the satisfaction of three basic, innate psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness is necessary for optimal functioning. The aim of this research was to propose novelty as a basic psychological need in self-determination theory and develop a new measure to assess novelty ne...

Following social comparison theory of Festinger, the social comparison is essential for self-knowledge and self-assessment feature, in addition to the development and personal self-realization. In the field of physical activity, the social comparison can influence in the physical practice commitment. The aim of this study was to adapt the Scale Com...

This study analyzes the personal narrative of flow experiences across three elite sportsmen within their particular sport autobiographical contexts. Using a holistic formal structure analysis to examine the participants’ self-narratives, five major themes emerged: (a) early socialization as the basis of a strong athletic identity, (b) withdrawal fr...

Formative assessment is the process by which teachers provide information to students during the learning process to modify their understanding and self-regulation. An important process within this is shared assessment, which refers to student involvement in the assessment and learning practice, a process of dialogue and collaboration between teach...

The aim of this study was to add the measure of integrated regulation in physical education to the Perceived Locus of Causality Scale (PLOC). Eight hundred and fifty eight first-year post-compulsory secondary school students, mean age 16.72 years, participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable goodness-of-fit indices for...

The aim of this study was to add the measure of integrated regulation in physical education to the Perceived Locus of Causality Scale (PLOC). Eight hundred and fifty eight first-year post-compulsory secondary school students, mean age 16.72 years, participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable goodness-of-fit indices for...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relations between three dimensions of the structured teaching environment (promotion of theoretical knowledge, physical learning, and health improvement) in physical education (PE) and the adoption of health-related behaviors by students. The study adopted a two-occasion longitudinal design based on self-de...

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of autonomous (i.e., autonomy support from parents and peers) and controlling (i.e., social physique anxiety) social factors on future intention to exercise, integrating the distal (i.e., basic psychological needs satisfaction and self-determined motivation) and proximal (i.e., attitudes, perceived b...

El objetivo del artículo es analizar el desarrollo del concepto flow y su evolución epistemológica en el ámbito de la investigación deportiva. Se sugiere que la investigación sobre el flow se ha movido desde un interés inicial por describir estas experiencias, hacia una predilección por medirlo y controlarlo, de cara a predecir y facilitar el rendi...

The aim of this study was to add the measure of integrated regulation in physical education to the Perceived Locus of Causality Scale (PLOC). Eight hundred and fifty eight first-year post-compulsory secondary school students, mean age 16.72 years, participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable goodness-of-fit indices for...

This study analysed the motivational differences between physical education students, athletes, and non-competitive exercisers. Furthermore, the predictive power of perceived motivational climate and types of motivation regarding the autotelic experience propensity in the three contexts was examined. Three different samples were used: 895 physical...

Based on self-determination theory, the objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between the reasons for exercise and its reported weekly frequency in a representative sample of an adult urban population. A total of 918 inhabitants, aged between 16 and 89, participated in this study answering the Spanish version of the Exercise Mo...

Based on self-determination theory, the objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between the reasons for exercise and its reported weekly frequency in a representative sample of an adult urban population. A total of 918 inhabitants, aged between 16 and 89, participated in this study answering the Spanish version of the Exercise Motiv...

The purpose of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the Physical Activity Class Questionnaire (PACSQ) into the physical education (PE) context. The sample consisted of 858 students, aged between 15 to 21 years, and the psychometric properties of the PACSQ were examined through different analyses. The results supported both the first-or...

Este artículo pretende contribuir al debate sobre el cambio en las sociedades occidentales avanzadas, utilizando como elemento de análisis la evolución de la práctica física y deportiva en España. Basado en los datos más recientes sobre hábitos deportivos de los españoles, y en los resultados de distintos estudios sobre centros fitness, este ensayo...