title: Pathways linking perceived athletic competence and parental support at age 9 years to girls' physical activity at age 11 years.
abstract: Girls' perceived athletic competence and parental support of physical activity across the ages of 9 to 11 years were examined as predictors of girls' physical activity at age 11 years. Participants were 174 girls and their mothers and fathers who completed questionnaires when the girls were ages 9 and 11 years. Two alternative temporal pathways linking perceived competence, parental support, and physical activity were assessed using path analysis. Results provided evidence for the child elicitation pathway; higher perceived competence at the age of 9 years predicted higher parental support at age 11 years, which, in turn, predicted higher physical activity among girls. Findings highlight the importance of encouraging parents to make a special effort to support physical activity among girls who do not perceive themselves as being athletically competent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer 12144, USA. kdavison@albany.edu
authors.forename: Kirsten Krahnstoever
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Davison
authors.forename: Danielle Symons
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Downs
authors.forename: Leann L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Birch
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014481:United States