title: Longitudinal changes in physical self-perceptions and associations with physical activity during adolescence.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine adolescents' physical self-perceptions and their associations with physical activity using a longitudinal perspective. Utilizing data from the Physical Activity in Scottish Schoolchildren (PASS) study, changes in exercise self-efficacy, perceived competence, global self-esteem and physical self-worth were assessed among a sample of 641 Scottish adolescents from age 11-15 years. Girls reported lower levels of perceived competence, self-esteem and physical self-worth than boys at each age. Furthermore, girls' physical self-perceptions decreased markedly over time. Among boys, only perceived competence decreased, while global self-esteem increased. Baseline physical activity was a significant predictor of later activity levels for both genders. Findings demonstrate the importance of physical self-perceptions in relation to physical activity behavior among adolescents. Among older boys, high perceived competence increased the odds of being active by 3.8 times. Among older girls, high exercise self-efficacy increased the odds of being active by 5.2 times. There is a need for early interventions which promote increased physical literacy and confidence, particularly among girls.
authors.affiliation: Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit (CAHRU), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ, UK.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Inchley
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Candace
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Currie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011594:Psychometrics; D012606:Scotland; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors