Factors associated with self-competence and quality of life in Chinese-American children

Jyu-Lin Chen,Mary Ellen Wilkosz

doi:10.32398/cjhp.v7i2.2015

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine factors associated with self-competence and quality of life in Chinese-American children. A cross-sectional design was used to examine factors associated with Chinese-American children’s self-competence (perception of their own competence) and quality of life. Body mass index was used to measure children’s relative weight. Children completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children, the Pediatric Quality of Life self-report, and the Children's Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist. Parents provided demographic information and reported their level of acculturation. Sixty-five 8- and 10-year-old Chinese-American children (49% boys, 51% girls) and their parents participated in the study. Boys reported higher levels of competence in athletics than girls reported. Multivariate regression models reveal that an increased level of sedentary activity in Chinese American children contributes to low competence levels with respect to physical appearance and decreased quality of life in the social health domain. Increased BMI is related to decreased selfcompetence in physical appearance. Low levels of sedentary activity have a great influence on selfcompetence and quality of life in Chinese American children. The development of culturally appropriate programs that decrease sedentary activity and improve quality of life is critical for health promotion among Chinese Americans.

Highlights

Children’s self-competence is related to their health and health behaviors (Lohaus, Klein-Hessling, Ball, & Wild, 2004; Matheson, Killen, Wang, Varady, & Robinson, 2004; Yarcheski, 2004)
Results of this study indicate that Chinese American boys and girls have similar degree of self-competence and similar levels of physical activity and sedentary activity, except for athletic competence
Our study suggests that increased sedentary time is related to low self-competence in physical appearance and low quality of life in social health in Chinese American children

Summary

Introduction

Children’s self-competence (perception of their own competence) is related to their health and health behaviors (Lohaus, Klein-Hessling, Ball, & Wild, 2004; Matheson, Killen, Wang, Varady, & Robinson, 2004; Yarcheski, 2004). Differences in self-competence between overweight children and children of normal weight have been documented (Hesketh, et al, 2004; Stradmeijer, et al, 2000; YoungHyman, 2003). Overweight children reported significantly lower levels of social acceptance and physical competence than normal-weight children reported (McCullough, Muldoon, & Dempster, 2009). In an Australian study of 2,813 children of elementary school age, obese children reported significantly lower levels of perceived competence in the athletic domain, physical appearance domain, and global selfworth than their normal-weight peers reported (Franklin, Denyer, Steinbeck, Caterson, & Hill, 2006). Results of studies of Chinese children in Taiwan and African American children suggest that being overweight is associated with low levels of self-competence with respect to social acceptance and physical appearance (Chen, 2007; Sung, 2005; Young-Hyman, 2003). Little is known about how overweight status affects self-competence in Chinese American children

Objectives

Results

Conclusion