Link Between Competitive Sport Participation and Self-Concept in Early Adolescence: A Consideration of Gender and Sport Orientation

• NCJ Number: 225915
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2009 Pages: 29-40
• Author(s): Leanne C. Findlay; Anne Bowker
• Date Published: January 2009
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This examination of the link between participation in competitive sports and self-concept in early adolescence focused on any difference in findings based on gender and “sport-orientation,” i.e., objectives that individuals set within their sports participation, notably competitiveness motive, need to win, and the desire to meet personal standards for oneself.

Abstract

The findings support previous research, which suggests that athletes report higher self-esteem than nonathletes. Athleticism (nonathlete, competitive, elite) was found to be significant in predicting general self-esteem, global physical self-esteem, physical competence, and appearance self-concept, although the elite and competitive groups of athletes were not found to be significantly different except for self-concept regarding physical competence. Thus, participation at some competitive level is related to positive psychological well-being; however, elite competition was only beneficial over and above competitive competition for physical competence. One interaction was found between the intensity required for a sport and gender, suggesting that girls who participate in strenuous activity have higher physical competence, which was not the case for boys. This supports Vealey’s study, which suggests that girls with “masculine” traits, or who participate in masculine (strenuous) activities have higher self-esteem. Sport orientation was found to moderate the relationship between athleticism and general self-esteem; nonathletes who had a greater win orientation or lower competitive orientation were lower in self-esteem. Thus, the fit between the level of competition and self-concept may depend on characteristics of the individual, such as his/her sport orientation. Study participants were 351 adolescents with a mean age of 13.45 (132 boys). Participants were grouped based on sports participation (elite athletes, n=171; competitive athletes, n=71; and nonathletes, n=145). The intensity of the activity (strenuous, moderate, and mild); the level of athleticism (competitive, elite, nonathlete); gender; and sport orientation (win, goal, and competitive) were examined. 4 tables, 2 figures, and 33 references