title: A longitudinal assessment of the links between physical activity and physical self-worth in adolescent females.
abstract: A longitudinal framework was used to examine the hypotheses of (1) whether physical activity predicts changes in physical self-worth or (2) whether physical self-worth predicts changes in physical activity in adolescent girls. Participants (n=272) completed measures of physical self-worth and participation in physical activities at three different points spanning a two-year interval. A cross-lagged panel model using structural equation modelling analyses indicated that physical self-worth predicted subsequent physical activity and physical activity in turn predicted subsequent physical self-worth across time. Findings demonstrated a reciprocal relationship between physical self-worth and physical activity during early adolescence. This study supports the use of the reciprocal effects model (REM) in gaining an understanding of the cross-lagged relationships between physical self-worth and participation in physical activities amongst adolescent girls.
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Sport Pedagogy and Coaching Science , University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia.
authors.forename: Lennart
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Raudsepp
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Neissaar
authors.forename: Merike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kull
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012649:Self Concept