Global Physical Self-concept Research Articles

Concept de soi physique et adolescents présentant une déficience intellectuelle: Effets de l'âge, du sexe et de la catégorie de poids

To study the effects of age, sex, weight, and their interactions on global self-esteem (GSE) and physical self-concept in teenagers with intellectual disability (ID). A sample of 353 teenagers with ID, aged 12 to 18 years, participated in this study. The Very Short Form of the Physical Self-Inventory—for adolescents with ID (PSI-VSF-ID) was used to assess GSE and physical self-perceptions (physical value perceived [PVP], sport skills [SS], physical condition, physical appearance, and strength). Multivariate covariance analyses show: (i) lower GSE and physical self levels (except for PVP) in females, compared with males; (ii) reduced GSE, PVP, SS, and perceived physical appearance (PPA) scores during adolescence; (iii) lower GSE, PVP, and PPA scores in obese adolescents, compared with overweight or normal weight peers; and (iv) lower PPA scores in obese females, compared with other teenagers. The sex and age results are almost identical to those for the general population, according to the literature. However, they are far from the main effect in the weight category.

Multidimensional Physical Self-Concept of Athletes With Physical Disabilities

The purposes of this investigation were first to predict reported PA (physical activity) behavior and self-esteem using a multidimensional physical self-concept model and second to describe perceptions of multidimensional physical self-concept (e.g., strength, endurance, sport competence) among athletes with physical disabilities. Athletes (N = 36, M age = 16.11, SD age = 2.8) completed the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. Participants reported mostly positive perceptions of self-esteem, global physical self-concept, endurance, body fat, sport competence, strength, flexibility, and physical activity (Ms ranging from 3.9 to 5.6 out of 6). Correlations indicated a number of significant relationships among self-esteem and reported PA and various dimensions of physical self-concept. Using physical self-concept, strength, endurance, and flexibility in the first regression equation and sport competence and endurance simultaneously in the second equation, 47 and 31% of the variance was accounted for in self-esteem and reported PA, respectively. The findings support the value of examining multidimensional physical self-concept as different aspects of the physical self appear to have different influences on reported PA engagement versus self-esteem.

Physical Activity, Academic Performance, And Physical Self-description In Adolescent Females

Despite the many health benefits of being physically active nearly a quarter of U.S. adults and adolescents report no participation in leisure-time physical activity. It is recommended that children and adolescents participate in physical activity for at least 60 minutes daily at moderate or vigorous intensity. In addition to potentially enhancing academic performance participation in physical activity may also influence perceptions of physical appearance and global self-esteem which tend to decrease with age in adolescent females. The purposes of this study were to: (a) examine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the percentage of adolescent females from a rural community that meets physical activity recommendations; (b) examine the relationship of body composition physical activity and sedentary behavior on academic performance; and (c) examine the relationship between physical activity and physical self-concept among adolescent females. Thirty adolescent females (mean age = 15.6 ± 1.3 years) wore an Actigraph GT1M accelerometer for seven consecutive days set to measure in 15-second epochs. Age specific cutpoints were used to determine minutes of sedentary behavior and light moderate vigorous and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Participants completed the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) to assess how they perceive themselves physically. Height weight and percent body fat were measured. Grade point averages (GPA) were obtained from school records. Regression analysis was performed to predict GPA from measures of body composition sedentary behavior and MVPA. Measures of physical activity and sedentary behavior were correlated with PSDQ subscale scores with Pearson correlations. Thirty percent of participants (n = 9) were obese (BMI [greater than or equal to] 95th percentile) and another 36% (n = 11) were overweight (BMI between the 85th and 94th percentiles). None of the participants accumulated [greater than or equal to] 60 minutes of MVPA per day. Daily MVPA averaged 9.7 (± 7.1) minutes. Percent fat (r = -.51) minutes of MVPA (r = .34) and time spent in sedentary behavior (r = .32) were significantly correlated (p < .05) with GPA. Together measures of body composition physical activity and sedentary behavior explained 36% of the variance (multiple R = .60) in GPA. The standard error of estimate for predicting GPA was 0.64. Minutes per day spent in light physical activity was negatively correlated (p < .01) with the Self-Esteem (r = -.51) Body Fat (r = -.52) and Global Physical Self-Concept (r = -.48) subscales of the PSDQ. Only the Physical Activity subscale of the PSDQ was significantly correlated with MVPA (r = .36). In conclusion the current sample of adolescent females had a high prevalence of overweight and obesity and was physically inactive. Academic performance was significantly associated with measures of body composition physical activity and sedentary behavior. Time spent in light physical activity was associated with lower self-perceptions of body fat global physical self-concept and self-esteem. Measures of higher intensity physical activity were generally not associated with physical self-perception measures possibly due to the low amount of time spent in MVPA. Interventions to increase physical activity and improve body composition in adolescent girls should be considered not only for their health effects but also for their potential to impact academic performance and psychological profiles.

Puberty and Physical Self-Perceptions of Competitive Female Figure Skaters II

This study considered the interrelationships among biological maturation and its physical correlates, social physique anxiety, and appearance-related physical self-perceptions in 113 adolescent female figure skaters participating in solo (n = 73) or partner contexts (n = 40). Participants were interviewed about their menarcheal status, underwent a battery of anthropometric measurements, and completed the Physical Self Description Questionnaire and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale. Menarcheal status was a stronger correlate of physical self-perceptions than age. A combination of biological and psychological characteristics accounted for 25% of the variance in appearance-related physical self-perceptions. Younger, premenarcheal, ectomorphic skaters reporting lower social physique anxiety were more satisfied with their body fat and sport competence but reported lower self-esteem, global physical self-concept, and appearance scores. Skating context did not predict physical self-perceptions.

Perception of physcial competence, physical appearance and weight control: is there a relationship with DCD

The aim of this study was to determine if physical self-concept (PSS) assessed in sub scales of physical performance, physical appearance and weight control has any relationship with DCD among 10-12 year old black children. A second aim was to determine if DCD among boys and girls has similar influences on their physical self-concept. Children aged 10-12 years (N=212) consisting of 101 black boys and 111 girls were randomly selected from 12 schools in the North West province of South Africa (Thusa Bana Study) and tested with the Children's Physical Self-concept Scale (CPSS) (Stein et al., 1998). Each subject was interviewed individually by asking them to choose from 27 statements those, which are most appropriate to them. The MABC (Henderson & Sugden, 1992) was used to determine moderate and severe cases of DCD. Results obtained using the Statistica for Windows package, indicated that physical self-concept were statistically lower among children classified as cases of DCD (>15th percentile) with regards to global self-concept. Totals obtained for manual dexterity were also lower among the severe and moderate cases of DCD, although only significant on a 10% level between the severe and without DCD groups. With regards to gender, PSS regarding movement competence, physical appearance and global PSS were statistically lower (p<0.05) among girls classified as DCD, while no differences were found in the weight control area between the genders. Low PSS with regard to weight control were found among the underweight girls, and the overweight boys.

A structural equation model of the relationship between body perception and self-esteem: Global physical self-concept as the mediator

Objectives The purposes of this study were to investigate: (1) whether three subscale scores (i.e., body fat, appearance, and strength) and the global physical self-concept and global self-concept scores of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) are applicable to Chinese children; (2) whether there is a gender difference in these relationships; and (3) whether global physical self-concept acts as a mediator of global self-concept. Design A cross sectional study of Chinese children (45% girls, 55% boys) from low to middle class families were randomly recruited. Participants attended grades 3 through 6 at a standard urban primary school in Hong Kong. Children in this study represented a socioeconomically matched population from Hong Kong. Method 320 Chinese children aged 7–12 years were recruited. The PSDQ was used to assess two global dimensions (global physical self-concept and global self-concept) and three specific dimensions (body fat, appearance, and strength) of self-worth. The children's version of the silhouette matching task (SMT) was adopted from Marsh and Roche [Marsh, H. W., & Roche, L. (1996). Predicting self-esteem from perceptions of actual and ideal ratings of body fatness: Is there only one ideal “supermodel”? Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 67, 13–26] to measure children's body perception. Results The factor structure of the modified PSDQ model was applicable in young Chinese children, regardless of their gender. Results of structural equation model (SEM) indicated that the model was acceptable. The structural paths of the model and the mediating effect of global physical self-concept on global self-concept were discussed. Conclusion The present study indicates that the physical self is an increasingly important correlate of self-esteem. It is particularly important relative to perceived self-presentation and social acceptance. Therefore, it is important to consider the impact of the physical self-concept on global self-concept from both cultural and worldwide perspectives.

Physical activity and physical self-concept among sedentary adolescent females: An intervention study

Objectives Physical activity (PA) has been promoted as a means of enhancing self-concept, yet the evidence for this connection is far from compelling. In particular, experimental research investigating this association during adolescence, a period during which many youth struggle to maintain a positive self-image, is noticeably lacking. This study investigates the impact on self-concept of a 9-month PA intervention among sedentary adolescent females. Design This study was a controlled trial, in which measures of self-concept were obtained before, during, and following a 9-month school-based intervention to promote physical activity in sedentary adolescent females. Changes among the intervention group were analyzed relative to changes among a non-random comparison group. Method Intervention participants engaged in supervised activity 4 times/week and received didactic instruction 1 day/week promoting activity outside of school. Self-concept, PA participation, and cardiovascular fitness were assessed before, mid-way through, and after the 9-month intervention. Results The intervention had a significant positive impact on participation in vigorous activity and cardiovascular fitness. The intervention did not significantly influence any of the self-concept dimensions overall. There was, however, a three-way interaction such that there was an increase in global physical self-concept among those intervention participants who increased cardiovascular fitness. Conclusions These findings indicate that a PA intervention among sedentary adolescent females enhanced global physical self-concept for a subset of intervention participants who manifested positive changes in fitness.

Puberty and Physical Self-Perceptions of Competitive Female Figure Skaters

This study considered the interrelationships among biological maturation and its physical correlates, social physique anxiety, and appearance-related physical self-perceptions in 113 adolescent female figure skaters participating in solo (n = 73) or partner contexts (n = 40). Participants were interviewed about their menarcheal status, underwent a battery of anthropometric measurements, and completed the Physical Self Description Questionnaire and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale. Menarcheal status was a stronger correlate of physical self-perceptions than age. A combination of biological and psychological characteristics accounted for 25% of the variance in appearance-related physical self-perceptions. Younger, premenarcheal, ectomorphic skaters reporting lower social physique anxiety were more satisfied with their body fat and sport competence but reported lower self-esteem, global physical self-concept, and appearance scores. Skating context did not predict physical self-perceptions.

Physical self-concept and self-esteem mediate cross-sectional relations of physical activity and sport participation with depression symptoms among adolescent girls.

The authors tested whether physical self-concept and self-esteem would mediate cross-sectional relations of physical activity and sport participation with depression symptoms among 1,250 girls in 12th grade. There was a strong positive relation between global physical self-concept and self-esteem and a moderate inverse relation between self-esteem and depression symptoms. Physical activity and sport participation each had an indirect, positive relation with global physical self-concept that was independent of objective measures of cardiorespiratory fitness and body fatness. These correlational findings provide initial evidence suggesting that physical activity and sport participation might reduce depression risk among adolescent girls by unique, positive influences on physical self-concept that operate independently of fitness, body mass index, and perceptions of sports competence, body fat, and appearance.

Physical activity, global physical self-concept, and adolescent smoking

Previous research supports a possible protective effect for physical activity against adolescent smoking. However, it is not clear whether the effect of physical activity on smoking is direct (e.g., time spent in physical activity) or indirect through another variable. One such variable is global physical self-concept (GPSC). Briefly, GPSC is a general perception of one's physical self, including appearance and physical activity competence. This study tested a structural equation model of the relationship between physical activity and smoking, with direct effects from physical activity to smoking and an indirect effect through GPSC. Participants were 983 12th graders taking part in a study of the biobehavioral predictors of adolescent smoking adoption. Controlling for covariates of adolescent smoking (e.g., peer smoking, alcohol use) and GPSC (e.g., body mass index, perceived physical appearance), physical activity had an indirect effect on smoking through its effects on GPSC, suggesting that the potential beneficial effects of physical activity on adolescent smoking may depend, in part, on GPSC. These results suggest that an adolescent's perception of the physical self may be one important factor to consider in youth smoking interventions. Further research is necessary to evaluate the longitudinal relationship between physical activity, GPSC, and smoking.

Relationship of Perceived Physical Self-Concept and Physical Activity Level and Sex among Young Children

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between level of physical activity and perceived physical self-concept of young children. The sample comprised 364 children from Slovenia, aged 6.4 yr. (SD = 0.3), of which 179 were boys and 185 girls. Parents and teachers reported children's physical activity using the Harro questionnaire. We divided children into Low and High Activity groups based on their mean scores. The children completed Stein's Children's Physical Self-concept Scale, which assesses Global Physical Self-concept and the subdomains of Physical Performance, Physical Appearance, and Weight Control behavior. Two-way analysis of variance with both sex and physical activity levels, and their interaction were used to examine differences in Physical Self-concept. There were significant differences between the Low and High Activity groups on scores for global Physical Self-concept Scale, Physical Performance, and Weight Control, on which children from the High Activity group scored higher; whereas on the subscale Physical Appearance, there were no significant differences. There were no significant sex differences on the Physical Self-concept Scale. The most important conclusion of this research indicates the theoretical assumptions that Physical Activity and perceived Physical Self-concept are related. Direction of the relationship remains unclarified.

Physical Self-Concept and Sports: Do Gender Differences Still Exist?

Gender differences in physical self-concept among elementary- and secondary-school students were investigated. Physical self-concept was measured by the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. The results indicated significantly higher physical self-concept in boys than in girls in eight subdomains, as well as global physical self-concept and self-esteem. Physical self-concept decreased with increasing age, and there was a significant age by gender interaction in the global physical, body fat, appearance, sports competence, and strength dimensions. Physical appearance was the subdomain that most strongly predicted global self-esteem. The present investigation demonstrated gender differences in multifaceted physical self-concept. Gender differences were large in the global physical, endurance, strength, appearance, and body fat-scales. In the health, flexibility, and coordination dimensions, gender differences were smaller.

The association between global self-esteem, physical self-concept and actual vs ideal body size rating in Chinese primary school children.

To investigate whether the discrepancy between actual and ideal body size rating is related to Chinese children's global self-esteem and global physical self-concept. A cross-sectional study of school children who completed questionnaires related to global self-esteem, global physical self-concept, and actual vs ideal body size. A total of 386 Chinese children (44% girls and 56% boys) aged 7-13 y from a primary school in Hong Kong, China. Global self-esteem and physical self-concept were measured using the physical self-descriptive questionnaire. Actual vs ideal body size discrepancy was established using the silhouette matching task. No significant relationship was found between global self-esteem and actual-ideal body size discrepancy of children. Global physical self-concept had a moderate negative correlation (r=-0.12) with the body size discrepancy score and the discrepancy score explained very limited variance (R(2)=0.015; F(1, 296)=4.51; P<0.05) in global physical self-concept. Three body size discrepancy groups (none, positive, and negative) were examined to see if there were any significant differences in global self-esteem, global physical self-concept, and specific dimensions of physical self-concept. A significant overall difference was found between groups for global physical self-concept (F=3.73, P<0.05) and the physical self-concept subscales of physical activity (F=3.25, P<0.05), body fat (F=61.26, P<0.001), and strength (F=5.26, P<0.01). Boys scored significantly higher than girls on global physical self-concept-especially in the sport competence, strength, and endurance subscales. This study revealed that the actual-ideal body size discrepancy rating of Chinese children was not predictive of global physical self-concept and global self-esteem. These findings are contrary to those reported in Western children, which may mean that culture plays a role in the formation of body attitude.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PHYSICAL MEASURES AND PHYSICAL SELF-CONCEPT AMONG AN INCARCERATED ADOLESCENT FEMALE POPULATION

PURPOSE: to explore the relationships among baseline physical measures and perceived physical self-concept measures among incarcerated adolescent females. METHODS: Subjects were 7 females (15.86 ± 1.21 years) who volunteered to participate in a 10-week pilot study examining the effects of a strength training intervention on physical self-concept. Physical measures included height, weight, body fat, bench press, leg press, push-ups, sit-ups, and the sit-reach flexibility test. The Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) was used to determine various aspects of perceived physical self-concept and global self-esteem (Marsh, 1996). The PSDQ consists of 11 subscales: appearance, body fat, coordination, endurance, flexibility, global physical self-concept, global self-esteem, health, physical activity, sports competence, and strength. Pearson correlation coefficients were conducted to determine relationships between physical measures and perceived physical self-concept. RESULTS: Correlations between physical measures and perceived physical self-concept measures were all significantly negative. Body weight was negatively correlated with perceived body fat (r = −0.896, p < 0.01) and perceived strength (r = −0.825, p < 0.05). Bench press strength was negatively correlated with appearance (r = −0.768, p < 0.05) and global self-esteem (r = −0.871, p < 0.05). Leg strength was negatively correlated with appearance (r = −0.982, p < 0.01), coordination (r = −0.777, p < 0.05) and global physical self-concept (r = −0.85, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Findings from this study indicate an inverse relationship between various physical measures of incarcerated adolescent females and their perceived physical self-concept. Higher than expected initial PSDQ scores may indicate a possible over-inflation of physical self-concept and self-esteem amongst incarcerated adolescent females.

PHYSIQUE, PHYSICAL PERCEPTIONS AND SOCIAL PHYSIQUE ANXIETY IN COMPETITIVE, FEMALE FIGURE SKATERS BY LEVEL OF COMPETENCY AND DISCIPLINE.

1244 The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among physique, physical perceptions and social physique anxiety (SPA) in female figure skaters across three levels of competency (recreational, pre-elite, elite) and three disciplines (free skating, dance, pairs). It was hypothesized that the skaters could be physically and psychologically differentiated based on level of competency and disciplinary involvement. The sample included 161 competitive female figure skaters 11.5-22.3 years of age. The Heath-Carter anthropometric protocol was used to estimate somatotype. The Physical Self Description Questionnaire (PSDQ: Marsh, 1996) and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS: Hart et al., 1989) were administered. Partial correlation analysis controlling for age indicate significant low to moderate correlations (0.18-0.54) between specific somatotype components and perceptions of Body Fat, Global Physical Self-concept, and Self Esteem. Results of MANCOVA, controlling for age, indicate significant physique and PSDQ main effects for both level and discipline, while results of ANCOVA for SPA are also significant for level. Recreational skaters, who are more endomorphic than pre-elite and elite skaters, report higher SPA and lower perceptions of Global Physical Self-concept, Appearance, Physical Activity and Endurance. Pair skaters are more ectomorphic than free skaters and dancers, while dancers report higher perceptions of Coordination, Sport Competence, and Strength. The results thus highlight the significant interactions among physique, physical perceptions and social physique anxiety which may have implications for the health and nutritional status of young figure skaters.

Preliminary Development of the Childrenʼs Physical Self-Concept Scale

The development of a healthy eating style and physical fitness regimen in adolescence or adulthood might be contingent on physical self-concept in childhood. Most available measures of physical self-concept are inappropriate for use with 1st and 2nd grade children, so the present study developed, piloted, and partially validated the 27-item Children's Physical Self-Concept Scale (CPSS), which assesses Global physical self-concept and subscales of Physical Performance, Physical Appearance, and Weight Control behaviors in children 6 to 11 years of age. The test exhibits adequate test-retest reliability and internal consistency. A comparison of 316 normal and overweight children indicated that normal-weight children obtained higher Global physical self-concept scores and higher subscale scores. In addition, the CPSS distinguished test groups of diabetic, overweight, and normal-weight children in a contrasted-groups analysis.

Physical Self Description Questionnaire: stability and discriminant validity.

The Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) is a multidimensional, physical self-concept instrument designed to measure 11 scales: Strength, Body Fat, Activity, Endurance/Fitness, Sports Competence, Coordination, Health, Appearance, Flexibility, Global Physical Self-concept, and Global Esteem. High school students completed the PSDQ on four occasions over a 14-month period. Across the 11 PSDQ scales, the internal consistency at each occasion was good (median alpha = .92) and the stability over time varied from median r = .83 for a 3-month period to median r = .69 for the 14-month period. The data were used to demonstrate the application of confirmatory factor-analysis models of multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) data (with occasions as the multiple methods), which supported the discriminant validity of the PSDQ scales. Augmented MTMM models that included two field tests of cardiovascular endurance provided additional support for the construct validity of PSDQ responses and interpretation of the MTMM models. These results contribute to the growing body of support for the construct validity of physical-self-concept responses and illustrate the application of CFA MTMM models.

The Importance of Being Important: Theoretical Models of Relations between Specific and Global Components of Physical Self-Concept

Theoretical models of relations between specific components of physical self-concept, global physical self-concept, and global esteem are evaluated. Self-concept models posit that the effect of a specific domain (e.g., strength, endurance, or appearance) on global components should vary with the importance an individual places on the specific domain, but empirical support for this prediction is weak. Fox (1990) incorporated a related assumption into his hierarchical model of physical self-concept, but did not test this assumption. In empirical tests based on responses to the newly developed Physical Self-Description Questionnaire, relations between specific and global components of physical self-concept did not vary with the perceived importance of the specific component, and unweighted averages of specific components were as highly related to global components as importance weighted averages. These results provide no support for the importance of importance in modifying relations between domain-specific and general components of self-concept.