A study on guangzhou adolescents physical self-concept and its relationship with self-esteem

Introduction

Physical self-concept is self-perception and statement of one’s body, whichrepresents the initial part of the self-conscious and acts as a base and important role in self-concept.The purpose of this study was using the Adolescent Physical Self Questionnaire (Zeng Xiang, 2001) to analyse the characteristics of adolescent physical self-concept. In addition, the hypothesized relationship between physical self and self-esteem, which devised by Fox was discussed.

Methods

Using the Adolescent Physical Self Questionnaire (Zeng Xiang, 2001) and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Questionnaire (Rosenberg,M. (1972) to investigation 1200 high school students in Guangzhou. The male subjects were 670, and female subjects were 530. The age of all subjects were 13~18 years.

Results

The two questionnaires had good reliability and validity. The sex effects on appearance, sports competence negative character, and health of Physical self-concept was significant. The grade effects on appearance, sports competence negative character, eyesight and figure of Physical self-concept was significant. The cross effects of sex and grade on Physical self-concept was significant. The relationship between Physical self-concept and self-esteem was significant.

Discussion / Conclusions

1. The most emphasized physical indexes by adolescence are health, height, eyesight, fighre, resistance and eyes in order. There were significant effects on gender and grade in physical self-concept.
there was a U-shaped effect on grade in the physical self-concept development. Physical self-concept declined during preadolescence through to grade 2 in high school, and then increased.
3. Physical self-concept was an important source to self-esteem. Zero-order correlation, partial correlation provided results consistent with the hierarchical structure which suggested by Fox, R.K.. The data showed that physical self-concept has more influence on female, whose self -esteem decide more by the value an individual attaches by her body.

References

[1]. Fox, K.R. & Crobin, C.B. (1989). Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 11, 408-430.
[2]. Marsh, H.W. (1998). Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 20, 237-259.
[3]. Campbell J.D. (2002). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 538-549.
[4]. Zeng Xiang. (2002). Department of Psychology,Southwest Normal University.