PATH-ANALYSIS OF A SELF-ESTEEM MODEL ACROSS A COMPETITIVE SWIM SEASON

An adaptation of the previously developed Exercise and Self-Esteem Mod el (Sonstroem &Morgan, 1989) was tested longitudinally with 93 male in terscholastic swimmers from nine high schools who were evaluated at pr e-, mid-, and postseason. Swimmers completed three self-perception sca les that ranged from evaluations of specific swim skills (SKILL) throu gh broader perceived physical competence (PC) to global self-esteem (S E). Performance scores (PERF) were calculated across events by standar dizing swim times to a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. Struct ural modeling analysis across the three time waves indicated an excell ent data fit (chi2 = 25.46, p > .15). The model was able to explain 84 , 83, and 80% of PC, SKILL, and PERF, respectively, at the third testi ng period. Swim improvement tended to be small (median change = 2.9%). Relationships among variables at each testing period and among the sa me variables at different testing periods were large and as hypothesiz ed. Several significant relationships occurred between different varia bles across different testing periods. These were not extinguished whe n social desirability was added to the model. Social desirability fail ed to significantly influence subsequent measures of any model variabl e.