High School Sport Participation and Subsequent Psychological Well-Being and Physical Activity: The Mediating Influences of Body Image, Physical Competence, and Instrumentality

Abstract

This study examined the relationship of high school sport participation to psychological well-being and physical activity involvement in college. First semester female undergraduates (n=260) at a large public university in the southern United States reported their high school sport participation and completed a series of questionnaires assessing their current body image, physical competence, instrumentality, psychological well-being, and physical activity levels. Body image, physical competence, and instrumentality mediated the relationships between high school sport involvement and college well-being and level of activity. This model accounted for 46% of the variance in college physical activity and 60% in psychological wellbeing, suggesting that these benefits accrue as a result of changes in how women view themselves and their bodies.

Differences in functional and aesthetic body image between sedentary girls and girls involved in sports and physical activity: Does sport type make a difference?

“…A sense of physical competence has been associated with positive feelings towards the body (Greenleaf, Boyer & Petrie, 2009) and a focus on body function has also been associated with greater body appreciation and intuitive eating (Avalos & Tylka, 2006). In addition, research distinguishing between the aesthetic body and the functional body has found that the functional body is evaluated more positively than the aesthetic body (Author citation deleted; Franzoi, 1995).…”

Embedding a critical inquiry approach across the AC:HPE to support adolescent girls in participating in traditionally masculinised sport

“…While sport can play an integral role in improving self-esteem, independence, leadership qualities, increased academic performance, increased self-worth and empowerment for adolescent girls (Greenleaf et al, 2009;Slater & Tiggemann, 2010;Theberge, 2003), the results of this study identified that schools and the school environment continue to limit opportunities for female participation in TMS. The results of this study show that it is of significant importance for adolescent girls to be in a supportive environment, particularly when participating in a non-gender-conforming sport.…”

“…The benefits of girls' sporting participation during adolescence is well documented (see Camacho-Minano, La Voi & Barr-Anderson, 2011;Greenleaf, Boyer & Petrie, 2009;Messner, 2002), however there are a multitude of barriers for adolescent girls' sporting participation, especially in regards to TMS. Barriers include perceived stereotypes, conforming to gender constructs of femininity, body image, peers, other priorities such as performing well academically and working part-time, time limitations, opportunity and structural barriers in addition to curriculum-based and other school-based barriers (Craike et al, 2009;Mitchell et al, 2015;Slater & Tiggemann, 2010).…”

Psychosocial Mediators of the Fitness–Depression Relationship Within Adolescents

“…First, for adolescents and young adults, being involved in sports and being physically active result not only in higher levels of fitness (e.g., aerobic), but also a greater comfort and competence in what their bodies can do physically (Cuenca-Garcia et al, 2013;Greenleaf et al, 2009;Petrie et al, 2010). Greenleaf et al (2009) found that female undergraduates who had been involved in sports in high school reported higher levels of body satisfaction as college students; this relationship, however, was not direct, but occurred through increases in the women's physical competence and sense of instrumentality. When adolescents view their bodies as highly functional and rate themselves as being able to engage competently in physical activities (e.g., strength and endurance tasks), they will be less focused on their appearance and thus less concerned with others' perceptions/evaluations of their physique and more satisfied, overall, with their body size and shape.…”