Perceived Physical Self-Concept in University Students Comparisons by Gender

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the profiles of physical self-concept between men and women mexican university students. A total sample of 789 participants, 399 women and 390 men, aged 18-36 years participated in this study. A quantitative approach with a descriptive and transversal survey design was used. All the participants completed the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire of A. Goni, Ruiz de Azua, and Rodriguez [12]. The results of the one-way multivariate analysis of variance, followed by the one-way univariate analyses of variance, showed that compared with the women, the men obtained higher scores on the subscales physical ability, physical fitness, physical attractiveness, strength, general physical self-concept, and global self-concept. Because of the differences between men and women in their perception of physical self-concept found, these findings suggest that in order to design any intervention for improving the perceived physical self-concept of the students, the variable gender should be taken into account.