STRUCTURE OF PHYSICAL SELF-CONCEPT - ELITE ATHLETES AND PHYSICAL-EDUCATION STUDENTS

The Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) was administered to elite athletes and nonelite high school students (N = 1,514). Physica l self-concepts were higher for elite than for nonelite groups, and fo r boys than for girls, but gender differences were smaller for elite a thletes. Responses were also higher for nonsports high school students than for nonelite athletes in an athletically selective school. Confi rmatory factor analysis demonstrated the invariance of factor loadings for the 11 PSDQ scales across the 4 groups, and factor variances and correlations across the 2 elite-athlete groups and the 2 nonelite grou ps. PSDQ factors were more distinct for elite athletes, but relations between global esteem and the PSDQ scales were no higher. Results demo nstrate the appropriateness of the PSDQ and extend understanding of se lf-concept in school settings.