title: General self-concept and life satisfaction for boys with differing levels of physical coordination: the role of goal orientations and leisure participation.
abstract: Participation in leisure-time activities, self-concept perceptions and individual dispositional goal orientations were examined as mediators of relationships between physical coordination and self-evaluations of life satisfaction and general self-concept for 173 boys aged 10-13 years. Participants completed seven-day activity diaries and 12-month retrospective recall questionnaires recording participation in leisure-time activities. Self-report measures of self-concept, global life satisfaction and dispositional goal orientations were also completed. Results showed that boys with moderate to severe physical coordination difficulties had significantly lower self-concept perceptions of physical ability and appearance, peer and parent relations and general self-concept, as well as lower life satisfaction than boys with medium to high levels of physical coordination. The relationships between boys' physical coordination and their self-perceptions of life satisfaction and general self-concept were significantly influenced by individual self-concept appraisals of physical ability and appearance, peer and parent relations. Adopting task-oriented goals was found to positively change the relationship between physical coordination and both general self-concept and life satisfaction. Team sport participation positively mediated the relationship between physical coordination and life satisfaction. The potential for team sport participation and adoption of task-oriented goals to influence life satisfaction for boys with differing levels of physical coordination was discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia. a.poulsen@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Anne A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.forename: Jenny M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ziviani
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cuskelly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012016:Reference Values; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors