Effects of Intercollegiate Athletics and Intramural Participation on Self-Esteem and Physical Self-Description: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of intercollegiate athletics and intramural participation on self-esteem and physical self-description. Subjects were given the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale to measure each variable. A total of 52 responses from three different groups of students at a small, private, Christian university: 1) athletes ( n = 14), 2) intramural participants ( n = 20), and 3) students who did not participate in either type of activity ( n = 18)—were collected through the on-campus mail system. Chi square statistics were run using SPSS software, version 21. Results showed statistically significant differences ( p < .05) in two subcategories of the PSDQ: Global Physical Self-Concept and Strength. Although no statistical significance was found in comparing total PSDQ and Rosenberg scores between the different groups, athletes scored higher than intramural participants on both tests, and both active groups scored higher than students who did not participate in either activity. From this study it can be concluded that intercollegiate athletics and intramural activities positively affect self-esteem and physical self-description, at least moderately, in those who participate in them.