TITLE:
The Effect of Physical Activity and Gender on Well Being and Body Image of Adolescents
AUTHORS:
Eleftheria Petrakaki, Eirini Karakasidou
KEYWORDS:
Physical Activity, Gender, Well Being, Body Image, Adolescents
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.8 No.11,
September
21,
2017
ABSTRACT: The aim of the current study is to investigate the interaction between gender and physical activity with the three variables (subjective happiness, self-esteem and body image). More specifically, we will test if there is a difference between the variables (subjective happiness, self-esteem and body image) and if any gender differences are present. Method: A hundred and eleven (111) adolescent students (58 girls, 53 boys) who ranged in age from 13 to 17 years participated in the study. Because the participants were adolescents, their parents first completed the inform consent for their child’s participation. Then the students completed demographic factors in order to allocate them in exercisers or no-exercisers and sexual orientation and the three questionnaires. A 2 (exercisers, non-exercisers) × 2 (male, female) × 3 (Self Esteem Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale, Social Physique Anxiety Scale) multivariate ANOVA was conducted. Results: The statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between the three variables (Self Esteem Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale and Social Physique Anxiety Scale). Furthermore, it revealed a significant main effect of exercisers on Self Esteem Scale, Subjective Happiness Scale and Social Physique Anxiety Scale but not significant effect of gender on the three variables, as well as a non-significant interaction of group and gender on the three variables. Conclusion: These findings are both in consistency with previous literature that exercise has mental prosperities in adolescents, but also in non-consistency as gender is concerned. As a result, future studies could be conducted in order to investigate further the impact of physical activity and gender in self-esteem, subjective happiness and social physique anxiety.