Abstract:
Objective: The purpose of this research was to examine physical self-concepts in children, adolescents and young adults and to observe gender differences between groups. Physical self-concepts included thoughts and feelings about the body, physical activity and appearance.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with several groups, including children (N=84), adolescents (N=103) and young adults (N=68). Cognitive and affective self-evaluations were elicited through self-report questionnaire.
Results: There was little difference for children in the relationship of physical self-concepts with gender, with only movement self-concepts being slightly higher for boys. There were some differences in adolescent physical self-concepts in relation to gender, with boys yielding higher scores than girls in relation to body image and physical activity. There were only slight differences in physical self-concepts between the sexes for young adults enrolled in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) degrees.
Conclusions: Overall there appeared to be a steady decline in physical self-concepts from childhood to adolescence, particularly for girls, and then an increase in physical self-concepts in young adulthood for those enrolled in PDHPE degrees. The outcomes of this research contribute to understanding how children, adolescents and young adults think and feel about their bodies, physical activity and appearance.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design with several groups, including children (N=84), adolescents (N=103) and young adults (N=68). Cognitive and affective self-evaluations were elicited through self-report questionnaire.
Results: There was little difference for children in the relationship of physical self-concepts with gender, with only movement self-concepts being slightly higher for boys. There were some differences in adolescent physical self-concepts in relation to gender, with boys yielding higher scores than girls in relation to body image and physical activity. There were only slight differences in physical self-concepts between the sexes for young adults enrolled in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) degrees.
Conclusions: Overall there appeared to be a steady decline in physical self-concepts from childhood to adolescence, particularly for girls, and then an increase in physical self-concepts in young adulthood for those enrolled in PDHPE degrees. The outcomes of this research contribute to understanding how children, adolescents and young adults think and feel about their bodies, physical activity and appearance.