Self-Concept, Self-Esteem, and Exercise

1. Self-Concept, Self-Esteem,and Exercise 8

3. Self-Concept Defined • The way in which we see or define ourselves • “Who I am.”

4. Self-Concept Model • One’s general (overall) self-concept is an aggregate construct determined by judgments of self-concept in a number of domains • General self-concept consists of two primary categories: • Academic self-concept (primary learning domains) • Nonacademic self-concept

5. Diagram of the Self-Concept Model Source: Shavelson, Hubner, & Stanton (1976).

6. Nonacademic Self-Concept • Physical self-concept • Individual’s judgments of both general physical abilities and physical appearance • Social self-concept • Enhanced by positive interaction with others • Emotional self-concept • Cognitive or emotional states

7. More on theSelf-Concept Model • The base level of the hierarchy is defined by one’s behavior in specific situations • Judgments of physical ability are based on our perceptions of successful and unsuccessful performance in a number of activities engaged in over a period of time

8. Self-Esteem Defined • The evaluative or affective consequence of one’s self-concept • The extent to which one feels positive or negative about one’s self-concept • “How I feel about who I am.” • Synonymous with “self-worth”

9. Importance of Self-Esteem • Happiness • Self-esteem topped the list of needs that bring happiness to people • Motivator for physical activity? • Promoting the self-esteem–enhancing properties of physical activity is a good strategy for improving activity levels.

10. Diagram of the Exercise and Self-Esteem Model Source: Sonstroem & Morgan (1989).

11. Physical Self-Esteem The body appearance, attributes, and abilities provides substantive interface between the individual and the outside world. • Major vehicle for social communication • Used to express status and sexuality • Physical self strongly correlated to across one’s lifespan to global self-esteem

12. More on the Exercise and Self-Esteem Model • Also relevant to self-esteem: • Physical acceptance: The extent to which an individual accepts who he/she is physically • Subjective perception of success: Although objective indicators of improved fitness may not be present, self-concept/self-esteem might improve if one feels that physical competence has improved

13. Measuring Physical Self Esteem/Self-Concept PhysicalSelf-Perception Profile (PSPP) Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ)

14. Measuring Physical Self Esteem/Self-Concept PhysicalSelf-Perception Profile (PSPP) • Valid and reliable across a variety of measures • Substantial amount of reading with complex response format, making it less user-friendly • Shorter • A comprehensive assessment of physical self-concept • Global measures of both physical self-concept and self-esteem • Single-statement items • Longer Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ)

15. Sample Items from the PhysicalSelf-Perception Profile Source: Fox and Corbin (1989).

16. Significanceof Self-Esteem • Promoting the self-esteem–enhancing properties of physical activity might be a viable strategy for improving activity levels in those individuals who view self-esteem as a primary psychological need.

17. Mechanisms of Change • Mastery/self-efficacy theory • Body image/body esteem • Self-schemata • Self-determination

18. Mastery/Self-Efficacy Based on the degree to which a person feels he or she has mastered necessary skills, he/she will report improvements in physical self-efficacy.

19. Body Image/Body Esteem One’s perception of one’s body elicits either pleasing/satisfying or displeasing/dissatisfying feelings.

20. Diagram of Possible Linkage Between Body Image and Self-EsteemFollowing Exercise

21. Self-Schemata—Three Categories of Exercise-Specific Identities • Exerciser schematics • Describe themselves as exercisers and rate this self-identification as crucial to self-image • Nonexerciser schematics • Describe themselves as nonexercisers who consider this (deficient) descriptor to be a significant influence on self-image • Aschematics • Describe themselves as nonexercisers but don’t consider this perception to be important to self-image

22. Diagram of Possible Linkage Between Exercise Schema and Self-EsteemFollowing Chronic Exercise

23. Self-Determination • An individual’s drive to autonomously and successfully perform behaviors important to him/her • Vast potential to influence self-esteem • Completion of an event/goal could lead to enhanced feelings of self-determination because of considerable internal capabilities: • Self-motivation • Discipline • Effort

24. Diagram of Possible Linkage Between Exercise Schema and Self-EsteemFollowing Chronic Exercise

25. The Effects of Exercise on Self-Esteem/Self-Concept

26. Research • Special population including older adults and mental retardation • Mentally and physically healthy youth and adolescents • Children with learning disabilities • Adults with cancer • Clinically depressed • Alcoholics • Injured athletes • Obese

27. Selective Research • Obese male teenagers a 3 week PA program resulted in significant improvement in body weight, cardiovascular fitness, and attitude toward body and self acceptance (Collingwood & Willett, 1971) • African American girls with high levels of self-esteem significantly attended more PA sessions per year (Lemmon et al., 2007) • Researchers involving 320 Chinese children found that their perception of appearance and strength impacted their overall self-concept (Lau, Cheung, & Ransdell, 2008) In short: • 78% of research studies support positive association between exercise and self-esteem (Fox, 2000)

28. Physical Activity and Self-esteem Gruber, 1986; Hodges & McDonald, 1991, Fox, 2000

29. Self-Esteem and Exercise - Largest benefit is associated with weight training and aerobic activities (Fox, 2000) -Exercise programs should last for at least 12 weeks or more (Fox 2000) -Does-response relationship of exercise and self-esteem have not been found about exercise frequency, intensity, and duration. -There is a trend in the data by Spence el al, 2005 that indicates more frequent participation leads to increase in self-esteem.

30. Practical Recommendations • Certain steps can be taken to ensure that the activity engaged in will lead to improvements in self-concept/self-esteem: • Determine why individual is interested in exercise regime; determine what his/her goals are • Conduct baseline health and fitness assessments, to provide feedback about progress • Ensure that exerciser feels a sense of accomplishment and personal control regarding exercise routine • Focus on effort and personal improvement

31. Summary • Exercise generally exerts a positive influence on self-concept/self esteem. • Researcher has yet to document a negative effect of exercise on self-concept/self-esteem • Greatest improvement in self-concept/self-esteem are likely to occur in those populations that have the most to gain from exercise participation. • Influence of exercise on global self-esteem may fall from small to moderate effect size (Spence & Colleagues, 2005)