LIFE ADJUSTMENT CORRELATES OF PHYSICAL SELF-CONCEPTS

This research tested relationships between physical self-concepts and contemporary measures of life adjustment. University students (119 fem ales, 126 males) completed the Physical Self-Perception Profile assess ing self-concepts of sport competence, physical condition, attractive body, strength, and general physical self-worth. Multiple regression f ound significant associations (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) in hypothesized directions between physical self-concepts and positive affect, negativ e affect, depression, and health complaints in 17 of 20 analyses. Thir teen of these relationships remained significant when controlling for the Bonferroni effect. Hierarchical multiple regression examined the u nique contribution of physical self-perceptions in predicting each adj ustment variable after accounting for the effects of global self-estee m and two measures of social desirability. Physical self-concepts sign ificantly improved associations with life adjustment (P < 0.05 to P < 0.05) in three of the eight analyses across gender and approached sign ificance in three others. These data demonstrate that self-perceptions of physical competence in college students are essentially related to life adjustment, independent of the effects of social desirability an d global self-esteem. These links are mainly with perceptions of sport competence in males and with perceptions of physical condition, attra ctive body, and general physical self-worth in both males and females.