Relationship Between Motivational Climate to Body Esteem and Social Physique Anxiety Within College Physical Activity Classes

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of students’ perceptions of the motivational climate in their university exercise class to their body esteem (BE) and social physique anxiety (SPA). Students in physical activity classes at a Midwestern university completed a survey measuring their perceptions of the caring, task- and ego-involving features of the exercise class climate, BE (i.e., weight and appearance), and SPA. Canonical correlation analysis revealed one significant function for males and females. Loadings revealed males’ perceptions of a highly caring and task-involving climate with low emphasis on ego-involving climate features were associated with higher weight and appearance BE and lower SPA. Females were similar except the ego-involving climate did not significantly contribute to the model. Continued research may examine the link between motivational climate and BE, but mounting evidence suggests creating positive exercise environments is associated with participants’ adaptive responses, including BE and SPA.

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College Exercise Class Climates, Physical Self-Concept, and Psychological Well-Being

Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology ◽

10.1123/jcsp.2014-0031 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 299-313 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Theresa C. Brown ◽

Mary D. Fry

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Canonical Correlation ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Concept ◽

Psychological Benefits ◽

Gender Comparison ◽

Midwestern University ◽

Class Climate ◽

Exercise Class ◽

University Undergraduates

This study examined the relationship between college students’ perceptions of the motivational climate (i.e., caring, task- and ego-involving) in physical activity courses to their physical self-concept, hope, and happiness. Midwestern university undergraduates (N = 412), enrolled in group physical activity classes, completed the following measures: class climate, physical self-concept, hope, and happiness. Canonical correlation analysis revealed that students who perceived a caring, task-involving climate were more likely to report high physical self-concept, hope, and happiness. A gender comparison found that while perceptions of the ego-involving climate were significantly higher for males, the ego climate did not significantly contribute to the males’ canonical correlation. In addition, while physical self-concept was positively associated with climate for both genders, males were more likely to experience higher physical self-concept than females. Results suggest positive and supportive exercise environments may not only help individuals reap the physical benefits of exercise but also the psychological benefits.

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An Examination of Euro-American and African-American Differences in Social Physique Anxiety among College Women

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.100.1.96-98 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 100 (1) ◽

pp. 96-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Eleanor H. Jordan ◽

Cassandra P. Smisson ◽

Kevin L. Burke ◽

A. Barry Joyner ◽

Daniel R. Czech

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

United States ◽

African American ◽

College Women ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Social Physique Anxiety ◽

College Age ◽

The Social ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Physical Activity Classes

Many studies have examined sex differences in social physique anxiety; however, few researchers have examined possible perceptual differences in such anxiety based on ethnicity. The present purpose was to examine social physique anxiety among college-age women of Euro-American and African-American descent. Participants ( N = 91) from physical activity classes at a university located in the southeastern United States completed the Social Physique Anxiety Scale. The participants were 67 Euro-Americans and 24 African Americans. An independent t test yielded a significant difference ( p = .01) between groups on Eklund's scale, which supports the hypothesis.

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Relation of Anxiety about Social Physique to Location of Participation in Physical Activity

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1992.74.3c.1075 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 74 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 1075-1078 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Kevin S. Spink

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Nursing Students ◽

Anxiety Scale ◽

Social Physique Anxiety ◽

Anxiety Group ◽

The Social ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of anxiety about social physique to location of participation in physical activity. 37 nursing students completed the Social Physique Anxiety Scale and answered questions relating to the location of the physical activity in which they participated. Women were assigned to either a high- or low-anxiety group based on these scores. An examination of the reported location where participation in physical activity occurred showed that more high than low scorers reported a tendency to exercise privately than publicly; the number was higher than expected. Perhaps high scorers prefer exercise settings that provide less opportunity for their physiques to be evaluated.

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