Analysis of the physical self-concept and its gender dimensions in adolescents eastern Andalusia
Análisis del autoconcepto físico y sus dimensiones en función del género en adolescentes de Andalucía oriental..
The health promotion schoolchildren, makes terms like physical self-concept are especially taken into account in research and intervention programs at school age. The study presented assessed levels of physical self-concept of a group of teenagers in a comprehensive manner, depending on its dimensions: physical appearance, physical ability, strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and gender in the population aged 12 to 15 years from Jaén (Spain). The sample consists of 296 participants with an average age of 13.03 years and an age range between 12 and 15 years. It was selected as a measuring tool adapted from the questionnaire and Physical Self-concept of Southeland and Marsh. The results indicated that boys scored above the girls in most of the items that showed positive aspects of self-concept. Girls scored over boys in most of the items that showed negative aspects of self-concept. Our results show significant gender differences regarding physical self-concept of teenagers, finding a more negative assessment of the physical self of the girls than in boys and increased interest towards the exercise by them. RESUMENLa promoción de la salud en edad escolar, hace que términos como el autoconcepto físico, sean especialmente tenidos en cuenta en investigaciones y programas de intervención en la edad escolar. El estudio que se presenta evaluó los niveles de autoconcepto físico de un grupo de adolescentes de manera global, en función de sus dimensiones: apariencia física, habilidad física, fuerza, equilibrio, flexibilidad, resistencia y en función del género en la población de 12 a 15 años de Jaén (España).La muestra está compuesta por 296 participantes, con una edad media de 13,03 años y un rango de edad entre 12 y 15 años. Se seleccionó como instrumento de medición una adaptación del Cuestionario de Autoconcepto Físico de Marsh y Southeland. Los resultados indicaron que los chicos puntuaron por encima de las chicas, en la mayoría de los ítems que mostraban aspectos positivos del autoconcepto y las chicas por encima de los chicos, en la mayoría de los ítems que mostraban aspectos negativos del autoconcepto. Nuestros resultados evidencian diferencias significativas por género respecto al autoconcepto físico de los adolescentes, encontrando una valoración más negativa en el autoconcepto físico de las chicas que en los chicos y un mayor interés hacia el ejercicio físico por parte de ellos. Palabras Clave:Autoconcepto Físico, Género, Adolescencia Abstract The health promotion schoolchildren, makes terms like physical self-concept are especially taken into account in research and intervention programs at school age. The study presented assessed levels of physical self-concept of a group of teenagers in a comprehensive manner, depending on its dimensions: physical appearance, physical ability, strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and gender in the population aged 12 to 15 years from Jaén (Spain). The sample consists of 296 participants with an average age of 13.03 years and an age range between 12 and 15 years. It was selected as a measuring tool adapted from the questionnaire and Physical Self-concept of Southeland and Marsh. The results indicated that boys scored above the girls in most of the items that showed positive aspects of self-concept. Girls scored over boys in most of the items that showed negative aspects of self-concept. Our results show significant gender differences regarding physical self-concept of teenagers, finding a more negative assessment of the physical self of the girls than in boys and increased interest towards the exercise by them.KeywordsPhysical self-concept, Gender, Adolescence