Physical activity, self-esteem, and self-efficacy relationships in older adults: a randomized controlled trial.
A randomized controlled trial examined the growth and form of multidimensional self-esteem over a 12-month period (6-month exercise intervention and 6-month follow-up) in 174 older adults engaged in either a walking or stretching/toning program. The extent to which changes in physical fitness parameters and physical self-efficacy were related to changes in perceptions of attractive body, strength, physical conditioning, and physical self-worth was also determined. Latent growth curve analyses showed a curvilinear pattern of growth in esteem with significant increases at all levels of self-esteem upon completion of the intervention followed by significant declines at 6 months postintervention in both groups. Frequency of activity and changes in physical fitness, body fat, and self-efficacy were related to improvements in esteem perceptions relative to attractive body, strength, and physical condition. Model fitting procedures suggested that the best fit of the data was to a model in which the influence of changes in efficacy and physical parameters on physical self-worth were mediated by perceptions of attractive body and physical condition.
McAuley
E
E
University of Illinois, Department of Kinesiology, Urbana 61801, USA.
Blissmer
B
B
Katula
J
J
Duncan
T E
TE
Mihalko
S L
SL
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D001823:Body Composition; D001828:Body Image; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D020377:Self Efficacy