The Physical Self Description Questionnaire: Furthering Research Linking Physical Self-Concept, Physical Activity and Physical Education

Abstract

Physical self-concept (PSC) is an important mediator of outcomes in physical education. Recent research has demonstrated that PSC contributes to improving levels of physical activity and skill development associated with physical education classes beyond what can be explained by prior measures of skill and activity. PSC represents a discreet domain within Shavelson, Hubner and Stanton’s (1976) multidimensional, hierarchical model of self-concept. The Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ; Marsh, 1996) was developed to measure PSC through scales measuring nine specific and two global components of PSC. This instrument has proven to be psychometrically robust. Applying advanced methodology in the development of short forms of an established instrument, we demonstrate a new short form of the PSDQ (PSDQ-S), which retains good reliability and a well defined, replicable factor structure. This new instrument, tested with the Australian general community, utilizing a construct validation approach, would be an excellent measure for use in physical education programs.