ATTRACTION TO PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY IN URBAN SCHOOLCHILDREN - PARENTAL SOCIALIZATION AND GENDER INFLUENCES

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the co ntribution of parental socialization processes and gender to children' s interest in physical activity using Eccles' expectancy-value model o f motivation. An additional purpose was to examine the nature of these relationships among children of a lower socioeconomic level, a sample that has been underrepresented in pediatric exercise research to dare . Fourth- through sixth-grade children (N = 107) from a large metropol itan school district were participants in this study and completed que stionnaires assessing attraction to physical activity, perceived physi cal competence, and perceptions of their parents' physical activity be liefs and behaviors. Multivariate regression analyses revealed a signi ficant relationship between parental socialization processes and child ren's perceived physical competence and attraction to physical activit y. Gender differences were also identified and were primarily related to liking of the exertional characteristics of physical activity and e xercise. These findings are consistent with theory and research regard ing parental and gender-role socialization during childhood.