Self-Description Questionnaire Research Articles

Language exposure and Chinese character handwriting among Hong Kong non-Chinese speaking students: The mediating role of academic self-concept

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between language exposure and Chinese character handwriting (CCW) among 103 non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students in Hong Kong. Specifically, it examined the impact of academic self-concept, including students’ self-perceptions of their Chinese character competence and affect, on the complex learning process of CCW in a multilingual context like Hong Kong. NCS students were invited to complete a writing-to-dictation test, a questionnaire on CCW exposure outside of the classroom, and a self-description questionnaire of academic self-concept. Path analysis was employed to analyse the path models within the constructs. The results revealed that language exposure had both direct and indirect effects on CCW through academic self-concept. Notably, the effect of language exposure on CCW was strongly mediated by competence self-concept but not affect self-concept. This suggests that NCS students evaluate their competence in producing desired outcomes within exposure environments based on their own self-perceptions. Drawing on these empirical findings, the article discusses the educational implications for Chinese as a second language learning and teaching. It emphasizes the significance of tailored instructional methods that can enhance the competence and affective self-concepts of NCS students. By implementing such approaches, students will be better equipped to integrate into diverse multilingual societies.

The Relationship between Trait Emotional Intelligence and Creative Self-Efficacy in Gifted Children: A Cross-Lagged and Cross-Temporal Mediation Analysis.

The present study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between trait emotional intelligence and creative self-efficacy in gifted children and to explore the cross-temporal mediating role of self-concept between these two variables. A total of 177 gifted children aged 10-13 years (M = 11.29, SD = 0.68) were selected from an experimental class of gifted children in a middle school. The results showed that (1) the trait emotional intelligence and creative self-efficacy of gifted children decreased with age and that (2) trait emotional intelligence at time 1 (T1) positively and significantly predicted creative self-efficacy at time 2 (T2). The Self-Description Questionnaire was added at the second follow-up, which revealed that (3) T2 non-academic self-concept fully mediated the relationship between T1 trait emotional intelligence and T2 creative self-efficacy. This study revealed a lasting positive effect of trait emotional intelligence on the development of creative self-efficacy in gifted children. Additionally, trait emotional intelligence was found to indirectly influence creative self-efficacy through non-academic self-concept.

Adolescents on Instagram

For today’s adolescents it is hard to imagine a life without social media although it remains questionable how they affect the users’ subjective well-being. In order to better understand this impact, we examined the relationship of active and passive Instagram use with general self-esteem and explored whether benign and malicious envy and need for relatedness function as mediators of these relationships. Six hundred eleven high school students (76.9% female; age: M = 16.20, SD = 1.12) from the City of Zagreb participated in the online survey. The participants filled an item regarding their frequency of active Instagram use, the Benign and Malicious Envy Scale, the Need for Relatedness subscale (a part of the Basic Psychological Needs Scale) and the General Self-esteem subscale (a part of the Marsh’s Self-Description Questionnaire II). The results indicate the absence of a significant relationship between active Instagram use and general self-esteem. Neither benign nor malicious envy function as mediators of this relationship. However, the need for relatedness mediates the relationship between active Instagram use and general self-esteem: adolescents who engage more frequently in active Instagram use tend to have higher levels of need for relatedness satisfaction, which in turn relates to their higher levels of general self-esteem. The obtained results indicate that, contrary to the public perception, social media can have a positive impact in the life of adolescents, but when making such claims, it is crucial to consider the type of activities behind their usage.

The cost of the perfect body: influence mechanism of internalization of media appearance ideals on eating disorder tendencies in adolescents

BackgroundSome studies have examined the relationship between internalization of media appearance ideals and eating disorders. However, few have discussed the relationship between eating disorder tendencies. To fill this research gap, this study was to explore the influencing mechanisms of internalization of media appearance ideals on adolescents’ eating disorder tendencies in Chinese cultural context.MethodThe Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire, Eating Attitude Test-26, Physical Self-Description Questionnaire, Body Image Depression Questionnaire and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were employed in this study to investigate 1523 adolescents. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0.ResultThe results showed that: (1) internalization of media appearance ideals had a significant positive predictive effect on adolescents’ eating disorder tendencies; (2) internalization of media appearance ideals significantly influenced adolescents’ eating disorder tendencies through the mediating role of body esteem and body image disturbance respectively, and also influenced eating disorder tendencies through the chain mediating of both; and (3) social support played a moderating role between body image disturbance and eating disorder tendency.ConclusionOur findings suggest distinct pathways through which internalization of media appearance ideals may influence adolescents’ eating disorder tendencies. It is suggested that reducing body image disturbance and enhancing social support can help reducing eating disorder tendency.

EXAMINING ACHIEVEMENT GOAL ORIENTATION AND SELFCONCEPT AS PREDICTORS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN MATHEMATICS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Achievement goal orientation and academic self-concept to be considered as adaptive learning behaviours have been a debated in educational psychology research. The study aimed to examine achievement goal orientation, and academic self-concept as predictors of secondary school students’ academic achievement in Mathematics in Anambra State. Four research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted predictive correlational research to provide answers to the research questions and testing of the hypotheses. The population of the study comprised 21204 from which a sample of 750 was drawn. Multi-stage procedure was used to select the sample. Standardized research instruments namely; Achievement Goal Orientation Questionnaire (AGOQ) and Self-Description Questionnaire (SDQ) were used for data collection. Students’ Mathematics Achievement Scores (SMAS) from the state-wide promotion examination were used to represent mathematics achievement. Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine the reliability of the items in the instruments. A reliability index of 0.84, 0.72, 0.86, 0.74 and 0.87, for mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance, performance-approach, performance-avoidance and academic self-concept respectively. The standard multiple regression was used to analyze the collected data. The research question 1 was answered using multiple regression. Research question 2 was answered using unstandardized β. Research question 3 was answered using adjusted R2. Research question 4 was answered using standardized β. The null hypothesis 1 was tested using the Ftest for the regression model. The null hypothesis 2 was tested using a t-test for adjusted R2. The null hypothesis 3 was tested using a t-test for β at a .05 level of significance. Findings showed that students’ achievement goal orientation and academic self-concept scores jointly predicted their academic achievement scores in mathematics. It was indicated that mastery avoidance, and work avoidance, relatively and significantly predicted academic achievement in mathematics, while mastery-approach, performance approach, performance avoidance and academic self-concept do not relatively and significantly predict academic achievement in mathematics. Finally, it was recommended that students should adopt achievement goal orientation and academic self-concept in their learning process since the variable had jointly predicted achievement scores in mathematics.

A115: Revision of the Chinese Version of Physical Self-Description Questionnaire-Short for Middle School Students

Purpose: The Physical Self-Description Questionnaire -Short (PSDQ-S) is one of the world's recognized effective tools for measuring Physical Self-Concept (PSC). However, Latent profile analysis of the physical self-description among Chinese adolescents only supported the 3-dimensional model of PSDQ-S, that is, it could only distinguish the Physical Activity (PA), Appearance, and Body Fat of Chinese children and adolescents, but could not effectively distinguish the 8 dimensions of Coordination, Flexibility, Strength, Endurance, Sport, Global Physical, Health, and Global Esteem. It cannot meet the needs of PSC measurement in the field of sports psychology in China. The purpose of this study was to revise the PSDQ-S for Chinese middle school students, and to test its reliability, validity, and gender measurement equivalence in Chinese middle school students. Methods: A stratified random cluster sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey on the Chinese version of PSDQ-S. 2505 middle school students in grades 7-12 (12-18 years old) were selected from seven administrative geographic regions of North China, Northeast China, East China, Central China, South China, Southwest and Northwest China, among which 1239 were male subjects, with an average age of (15.07±1.93) years, Female subjects were 1266, with an average age of (15.02±2.04) years. SPSS 24.0 and Mplus 8.3 were used for data analysis. Results: Eight common factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis, and the cumulative variance interpretation rate was 79.45%. Confirmatory factor analysis support 8 factor model hypothesis (χ2 / df = 1.846, CFI = 0.939, TLI = 0.929, SRMR = 0.050, RMSEA = 0.061). The 8 dimensions were Physical Activity, Appearance, Body Fat, Flexibility & Coordination, Endurance, Sport, Global Physical and Health. The average variance extraction of each factor of the Chinese version PSDQ-S convergence validity index was greater than 0.50, and the combination reliability was greater than 0.60. The gender equivalence hypothesis was established. Conclusions: The revised Chinese version of PSDQ-S has good reliability, validity, and gender equivalence. It can be used as a measurement tool of PSC of Chinese middle school students.

A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Taekwondo on Physical Self-Concept.

In this meta-analysis we explored whether Taekwondo practice has improved its participants' physical self-concepts. We also tested the mediating influence of factors in past research such as country, participant age, and measurement properties in their associations with these taekwondo effects. We reviewed extensive data collected from Chinese, English and Korean participants in articles listed in Cnki, Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science, KISS, RISS, and DBPIA databases. First, we evaluated the methodological quality of these published articles with Review Manager 5.4 software according to the Cochrane System Evaluation Manual. Then, we used Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.7 software for statistical analysis. We based these analyses on nine research studies containing a total of 1154 participants. We found a significant association between taekwondo activity and an improved body self-concept (ES = .688, p < .001). Subgroup analyses showed a stronger association between these variables in Korea (ES = .90, p < .001) than in China (ES = .34, p < .001), a stronger association for children (ES = 1.04, p < .001) compared to adults (ES = .46, p < .001), and a stronger association with the modified version of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) (ES = .99, p < .001) than with the original PSDQ (ES = .57, p < .001). We concluded that practicing Taekwondo led to improved physical self-concept, especially in a younger population. In addition, the experimental design and measurement methods may influence the apparent link between these variables.

Trajectories of social withdrawal and social anxiety and their relationship with self-esteem before, during, and after the school lockdowns

The closure of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic affected adolescents’ social withdrawal and social anxiety. Yet, self-esteem may have acted as a protective factor during this period. This study aimed to compare the trajectories of social withdrawal and social anxiety before (Year 1), during (Year 2 and 3), and after (Year 4) the closure of schools imposed by the COVID-19-related lockdowns, and to investigate the association of self-esteem with these trajectories. Participants were 844 (50.6% boys) Portuguese adolescents (mean age 12.70 years, SD = 1.14). The Social and Emotional Competencies Evaluation Questionnaire (QACSE) was used to assess social withdrawal and social anxiety, while The Global Self-Esteem scale of the Self-Description Questionnaire II was used to measure self-esteem. Growth curve analysis showed that social withdrawal and social anxiety had more negative trajectories during the year in which the school closures occurred. In addition, adolescents reported higher social withdrawal after the lockdowns than before the pandemic. Higher self-esteem was associated with a more positive trajectory in social withdrawal. Therefore, the results showed the negative of impact of the closure of schools on adolescents’ social anxiety and social withdrawal, and that self-esteem was a protective factor during these challenging and adverse events.

Revisiting the academic self-concept transcultural measurement model: The case of Spain and China.

Modelling academic self-concept through second-order factors or bifactor structures is an important issue with substantive and practical implications; besides, the bifactor model has not been analysed with a Chinese sample and cross-cultural studies in the academic self-concept are scarce. Likewise, latent structure validity evidence using network psychometrics has not been carried out. The aim of this study is twofold: to analyse (1) the internal structure of ASC through the Self-Description Questionnaire II-Short (SDQII-S) in Chinese and Spanish samples using two approaches, structural equation modelling and network psychometrics conducting an exploratory graph analysis; and (2) the measurement invariance of the best model across countries and investigate the cross-cultural differences in ASC. The sample was composed by 651 adolescents. Seven models of ASC were tested. Results supported the multi-dimensional nature of the data as well as the reliability. The best-fitted model for the two subsamples was the three-factor ESEM model, but only the configural invariance of this model was supported across countries. The graph function shows that the school dimension appears more related to the verbal factor in the Spanish subsample and to the math dimension in the Chinese subsample. Likewise, the relationship between verbal and math factors in Spanish students is non-existent, but this connection is more relevant for Chinese students. These two differences may be behind the difficulty in finding invariance using SEM models. It is a question of the construct's nature, less related to analytical phenomena, and deserves deeper discussion.

Promoting mental health in children and adolescents with disabilities through school-based physical activity intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundChildren and adolescents with disabilities had lower levels of physical activity (PA) and mental health than their typically developing peers during the COVID-19 pandemic. ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the effects of school-based PA intervention on quality of life (QoL) and self-concept (SC) in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (IDs), physical disabilities (PDs), and hearing impairments (HIs). MethodsFifty-eight participants with disabilities (Mage = 15.0 ± 2.2 years) were recruited from five Hong Kong special schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. School-based PA intervention included (un)structured PA, teacher training, and parental involvement. PA levels, QoL, and SC were measured by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and Physical Self-Description Questionnaire Short Form, respectively. PROCESS macro, linear mixed model, two-way ANOVAs, and linear regression were used in the data analyses. ResultsThere were positive intervention effects on PA levels (Mean Difference [MD] = 0.33, 95% CI [0.06, 0.60]) and SC (MD = 0.38, 95% CI [0.03, 0.73]) in participants with disabilities; and social QoL (MD = 14.10, 95% CI [0.43, 27.78]) only in participants with IDs. SC improvement significantly mediated the relationship between PA and QoL improvements in participants with disabilities (β = 0.304, R2 = 26%) and males (β = 0.463, R2 = 10%). Contextual factors significantly moderated PA levels and mental health. ConclusionSchool-based PA intervention improved QoL through positive changes in SC in children and adolescents with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies should consider stress, anxiety, and depression to explore the effectiveness of school-based PA intervention in children and adolescents with disabilities.

Self-concept and academic achievement in children with chronic kidney disease.

Within the pediatric population, a positive self-concept is associated with better academic achievement. Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at risk for lower quality of life and academic underachievement. Little is known about self-concept among children with CKD and how self-concept influences academic achievement. The objectives of the present study were to (1) describe patient-reported self-concept among children with CKD and (2) evaluate the relationship between self-concept and academic performance. This cross-sectional study included 23 children, aged 6-16years, with mild to moderate CKD (cause of disease due to congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract) and 26 age-matched comparators. Participants completed the Self-Description Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT-4). Linear regression models were used to evaluate self-concept as a predictor of academic achievement in the CKD cohort. Self-concept ratings were comparable between children with CKD and non-CKD comparators; however, academic achievement trended lower for the CKD patients on measures of arithmetic (estimate = - 0.278, 95% confidence interval (CI) [- 0.530: - 0.026], t(45) = - 1.99, p = 0.053). All of the SDQ domains predicted WRAT-4 arithmetic performance, such that higher scores on the SDQ were associated with higher scores in mathematics. Kidney function did not have an effect on the relationship between self-concept and academic achievement. Despite the presence of a chronic disease, children with CKD endorse a positive self-concept. Positive self-concept may predict academic success in this population.

Construction of a reading literacy test item bank for fourth graders based on item response theory.

Reading literacy is not only central to students' academic success during their school years but also crucial to their personal development in their later life. The development of assessment instruments for reading literacy has been of interest to researchers, educators and educational administrators. The purpose of the present study was to construct and validate a comparable item bank for assessing fourth-grade students' reading literacy. One hundred fifteen reading comprehension items were developed and administered to 2,174 Grade 4 students to construct an item bank. Using the test equating technique and balanced incomplete block design, we divided participants into 10 subgroups, and the 115 items were further assigned into 10 test forms. Item response theory software was used to estimate discrimination, items' threshold parameters, and students' ability parameters. The criterion-related validity was also examined in 135 Grade 4 students who completed the reading literacy test and verbal self-description questionnaire. The final item bank included 99 reading performance indicators to express high achievement. The correlation between the students' reading literacy and the verbal self-description questionnaire was significant and demonstrated the item bank's good criterion-related validity. The item bank developed in this study shows good psychometric characteristics and can be used to assess the reading literacy of fourth graders.

Indicators of integrated care for patients with chronic cardiovascular disease in ambulatory care.

Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) have an increased need for medical care and a high risk of hospitalization. It is necessary to improve the integration between healthcare, long-term care and social care for these individuals, as poor integration limits the full potential of care. This study aims to identify effective indicators of CVD management, including variables that promote the horizontal and vertical integration of planned interventions. Patients with chronic CVD managed by a general practitioner (GP) or a primary care cardiologist will be enrolled in the study. The study will use the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL)-BREF, the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) questionnaire, the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) Short Appraisal Schedule, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Modified Version (HADS-M), a Self-Description Questionnaire, and the authors' self-prepared questionnaire to collect data. The main results will allow for the identification of the variables that influence the effectiveness of healthcare (understood as the synergy of high quality of life, intensification of health behaviors and high satisfaction of needs) for patients with CVD. In addition, an examination of the relationships between quality of life and health behaviors, assessment of needs (health and social), level of religiosity and spirituality, expectations, and variables affecting anxiety and depressive symptoms will allow for the identification of indicators that favor the integration of care both horizontally and vertically. The results of this study will support the development of systems aimed at identifying CVD patients at risk for lower effectiveness of care in integrated care. In addition, the results may help to develop clinical information and decision support systems aimed at designing personalized care models for patients with CVD. They may also help to develop coordinated care plans and patient education programs, and obtain data useful for implementing system changes.

Physical Self-Concept and Physical Activity in Children with Congenital Heart Defects-Can We Point Out Differences to Healthy Children to Promote Physical Activity?

Children with congenital heart defects (CHD) are at high risk for cardiovascular disease in addition to their congenital disease, so it is important to motivate this group of patients to live a physically active lifestyle. A potential influencing determinant of younger children's physical performance is the physical self-concept. The objective of the present study was first to evaluate the correlation between the physical self-concept (PSC) and the participation in physical activities (PA) of a representative group of children with congenital heart disease (CHD), and second to point out differences in comparison to their healthy peer group. Using the database of PA of the S-BAHn-Study we focused on physical self-concept assessed by the German version of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. We compare the obtained data of children with CHD to a representative age-matched sample of 3.385 participants of the Motorik Modul Study. N = 1.198 complete datasets could be included in the analyses. The mean age of patients was 11.6 ± 3.1 years. For the total cohort of patients with CHD and the reference group, PA correlated significantly with a positive PSC (p < 0.001). PA was significantly reduced in all groups of patients despite the severity of their heart defect (p < 0.001). Remarkably, PSC did not differ statistically significantly in patients with simple CHD from the reference collective (p > 0.24). According to this representative survey, there is a clear relation between PA and PSC in the cohort of healthy children and the group of children with CHD throughout the severity of their heart defects. Although PSC did not differ in patients with simple CHD and their healthy peer group, PA was significantly reduced. This gap invites us to reflect on how we could break new ground to promote a physically active lifestyle in children with CHD regardless of the severity of their cardiac defects.

Physical Self-concept in Mexican Adolescent men and women

The purpose of the present study was to compare the profiles of physical self-concept between men and women primary and secondary Mexican school students. A total sample of 1146 participants, 550 women and 596 men, aged 11-16 years participated in this study. A quantitative approach with a descriptive and transversal survey design was used. All the participants completed the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. 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 health, coordination, activity, sports competence, strength, flexibility, endurance and global physical self-concept. However, in the body fat, appearance and global self-esteem subscales statistically significant differences were not found. 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 sex should be taken into account. Keywords: physical self-concept, student´s beliefs; sex differences; self-perception, adolescents.

Body image, mental resilience, spirituality, and mental health in the population of young adults

Recently, significant increase in prevalence of mental disorders has been observed. Health psychology focuses on the strong need of implementing of preventive activities. The aim of the paper was to assess the interaction between personal dispositions such as mental resilience, spirituality, the attitude towards your own body, and mental health among young adults. The study was conducted in 138 students at secondary schools, 18-20 yrs. old in Lesser Poland. In the study there have been used the following measures: Mental Resilience Scale, Self-descriptive Questionnaire, allow to assess spirituality level, Body Image Questionnaire, and Pathological Symptoms Questionnaire, SCL-27. The obtained results indicated that young adults who present the higher level of mental resilience and positive attitude towards their own body, experience less symptoms of mental disorders. Moreover, the positive correlations were observed between mental resilience, spirituality level, and positive attitude towards body in both female and male groups. Young females compared to the examined males were less satisfied with their appearance, experienced enhanced mental symptoms, and worse assessed their competence to cope with daily difficulties.

The Role of Perceived Sports Competence and Sport Anxiety in Determining Self-Talk in Elite Athletes

The purpose of our research was to investigate the role of sport anxiety and perceived sports competence in determining the utilization of self-talk in elite athletes. Fifty six female (X̅age=24.62±3.40) and 65 male (X̅age=24.50±6.50); a total of 121 (X̅age=24.56±5.28) athletes who have at least three years of competitive experience and have previously represented Turkey with the national athlete title at international sports competitions were voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were given a personal information form along with the sports competence subscale of the physical self-description questionnaire which was developed by Marsh Richards, Johnson, Roche and Tremayne (1994) and adapted into Turkish by Marsh, Asci and Marco in 2002; the sport anxiety scale which was developed by Smith, Smoll, Cumming and Grossbard (2006) and adapted into Turkish by Akyol, Altintas, Sezer and Asci in 2016; the self-talk questionnaire which was developed by Zervas, Stavrou and Psychountaki (2007) for the purpose of determining athletes’ self-talk forms and was adapted into Turkish by Engur in 2011. After exploring a normally distributed data, the hierarchical regression analysis was used to determine the role of sports competence and sports anxiety in predicting the athletes' self-talk types. As a result of the research, statistically significant differences in both sports competence and self-talk usage levels were found between groups according to sport type and a statistically significant relationship was found in predicting motivational self-talk for both competition experience and sport type.

Physical Activity as a Means to Improve Subjective Vitality of University Students

ABSTRACTPurpose: This study compared physical self-concept and subjective vitality of police, physical education, and psychology students. Moreover, the study investigated whether students who reported a higher level of physical activity differently rated physical self-concept and subjective vitality and whether physical activity was associated with subjective vitality. Methods: The study sample included 422 university students (249 females) from three state academic institutions: University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies (n = 165), Faculty of Sport and Physical Education (n = 156) and Faculty of Psychology (n = 101). The mean age was 20.85 ± 3.59 years. They completed a physical self-description questionnaire, the subjective vitality scale, and a physical activity questionnaire using the Survey Monkey platform. Multivariate analysis of variance investigated the differences in physical activity, physical self and vitality, while regression analysis investigated the association of physical self and physical activity with subjective vitality. Results: Police students and physical education students reported higher levels of physical activity and perceived higher their own physical self and subjective vitality than psychology students. From the whole sample, students who were sufficiently physically active also scored higher on physical self-concept and subjective vitality. There was a significant association of physical activity level with subjective vitality. Conclusion: Physical activity was directly associated with students’ subjective evaluation of their own health. It can be concluded that students should aim to attain a minimum of 150 min per week of physical activity. Students and faculties should be involved in the attainment of minimal levels of physical activity. This could improve students’ subjective perception of self, along with objective measures of health and wellbeing.

The Associations Among Physical Activity, Quality of Life, and Self-Concept in Children and Adolescents With Disabilities: A Moderated Mediation Model.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine a moderated mediation model of the associations among physical activity (PA), quality of life (QoL), and self-concept (SC) in children and adolescents with physical disabilities (PDs) and intellectual disabilities (IDs).Materials and MethodsA total of 288 children and adolescents with PDs and IDs, aged between 6 and 17 years, were recruited from 16 special schools in Hong Kong. PA, QoL, and SC were measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and Physical Self-Description Questionnaire Short Form, respectively. Mediation (i.e., PA, QoL, and SC) and moderation analyses (i.e., age, sex, and parental education level) were conducted by structural equation modelling (SEM) using the M plus and PROCESS macro for SPSS.ResultsPhysical activity (PA) was positively associated with SC (PDs: β = 0.373; IDs: β = 0.343), and SC significantly mediated the associations between PA and QoL in children and adolescents with PDs (parent proxy-report QoL: β = 0.114; self-report QoL: β = 0.141) and IDs (self-report QoL: β = 0.204). The mediating effects of SC accounted for 16 and 15% of the total effects of PA on QoL (parent proxy-report and self-report) respectively, in participants with PDs, and 8 and 4%, respectively, in those with IDs. Males and participants with higher parental education levels reported stronger associations among PA, QoL, and SC than their counterparts.ConclusionThis study supports mediating and moderating effects on the associations among PA, QoL, and SC in children and adolescents with PDs and IDs. Future researchers should consider PA intervention in mental health services and provide tailor-made PA programmes based on personal and environmental factors for children and adolescents with disabilities.

Physical Self-Concept and Physical Activity Levels between Physical Education Major and Non-Physical Education Major College Students

The study was designed to examine differences in physical self-concept and physical activity between physical education major and non-physical education major college students. Physical self-description and physical activity questionnaires were administered to 161 students. The Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) has 11 factors namely, action, appearance, body fat, coordination, endurance, flexibility, health, sport, strength, global physical, and global esteem. In the main effect, it was found that physical education major and non-physical education major students vary in the levels of their physical self-concept. Physical education majors were found to have higher physical self-concept in terms of action, coordination, endurance, sport, strength, and global esteem. Similarly, the physical education major and non-physical education major students differ in the levels of their physical activity. Among the 11 factors of physical self-concept, sport best predicts the level of physical activity of the students.