This study examined how adult romantic attachment (anxiety and avoidance dimensions), global self-esteem, and social and academic self-views relate to one another and how well they predict preference for a specific feedback type (enhancing, verifying, or no feedback) from a potential romantic partner in times of distress. It also investigated the relation between the type of feedback one receives and attraction to the partner who gives that type of feedback. Multiple regression analyses supported some predicted relations between romantic attachment and feedback preference. Neither global self-esteem nor social and academic self-views predicted preference for a particular feedback type, nor did social self-views moderate the relation between attachment and feedback preference. Although global self-esteem was found to moderate the relation between attachment style and feedback preference, the moderation effects were not in the predicted directions. However, academic self-views were found to moderate the relation between attachment and feedback preference. In addition, anxious and avoidant attachment related negatively to global self-esteem, social self-views, and academic self-view. Global self-esteem related positively to both social and academic self-views. Receiving one's preferred feedback predicted attraction to the potential romantic partner who gave that type of feedback. Limitations of the study and direction for future research are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between physical activity levels, physical self-worth, and its sub-domains; (a) skill, (b) body attractiveness, (c) fitness and conditioning, and (d) strength, and overall global self-worth in high school students. One-Hundred and sixty-seven students (male = 66;female = 101) from the western United States, ages 13-18, participated in this study. Each participant completed a minimum of four days of physical activity (PA) data collection and completed the self-worth questionnaire. Pedometers were used to collect PA levels, calculating mean step counts, and the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile (CY-PSPP) was used to determine physical self-worth (PSW) and global self-worth (GSW) scores. Results showed a small but positive relationship between physical self-worth and PA level (r = 0.19, p < 0.01), with no relationship shown between PA level and GSW. Physical activity level was significantly correlated with skill and body attractiveness (p < .02). Quartile analyses of mean step count confirmed a significantly higher PSW in the top three quartiles compared to the bottom quartile. In summary, this study found that PA levels is positively associated with PSW and its two sub-domains of body attractiveness and skill, but PA levels did not show a significant relationship with GSW.

Adolescents often suffer with negative feelings and low self-esteem, leading to an overall negative self-perception. Prior researchers have linked adolescent self-perception, academic performance, and learning disabilities, but more research is required. This quantitative study examined relationships between self-perception of reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics competence. In addition, global self-worth was examined through the Harter-Renick Self-Perception Profile for Learning Disabled Students (HRSPP). Student academic performance as measured by Stanford Achievement Test-10 Total Reading (SATrd) and Total Math (SATmh) scores among adolescents with learning disabilities were also examined. Student records from the Green School were gathered (n = 128), with their perceived intellectual ability, reading, writing, spelling, mathematics competence, and global self-worth (GLOSW) HRSPP subscale scores treated as predictors. Participants' chronological age and specific learning disability (SPLD) served as maturation and selection effect modifiers. SATrd and SATmh were dependent variables in a multiple regression analysis using step-wise data entry. GLOSW emerged as a significant predictor variable, ï?¢ï? = .185, t (2.12) = .036, p < .05 with SATrd as the dependent variable. Thus, the higher the GLOSW HRSSP score was, the higher the SATrd score was as well. No significant predictors of criterion variable SATmh existed. These results could elucidate ways to help students with learning disabilities enhance self-esteem, which may lead to improved academic success and overall positive social change.

It is well established in the literature that children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are more likely to be physically inactive, have unhealthy weight, and report lower perceptions of self-worth than typically developing (TD) children. Physical inactivity, overweight/obesity and low self-worth are important risk factors for many physical and psychological health conditions. The interrelationships among these factors, however, have yet to be explored in children with DCD. There is limited information on change in body composition measures and self-worth over time in children with DCD, the effect of physical activity (PA) on body composition, and whether the combined negative influence of having both DCD and obesity result in poorer conceptions of self-worth. In this dissertation, I present a series of studies that explore the connections among these factors using longitudinal, population-based data on a large cohort of children with and without poor motor coordination. The first study, presented in Chapter 2, describes the results of change in BMI and waist circumference (WC) in children with probable DCD (pDCD) and TD children over a five-year time period, and the effects of sex and PA on this relationship. Chapter 3 describes the results of the relationship between body fat, pDCD, and PA after addressing the measurement- related limitations of the study reported in Chapter 2. Chapter 4 describes the results of self-worth in children with pDCD and overweight/obesity, only pDCD, only overweight/obesity, and the control group at baseline as well as change over time. Collectively, the results show that children with pDCD have a consistently higher BMI, WC, and body fat than TD children. BMI and WC increases over time in children with pDCD; specifically boys with pDCD show a much accelerated increase in these measures. Scores of body composition measures increase with decrease in self-reported and objectively measured PA, but participation in PA does not explain why children with pDCD are more likely to have excess weight gain. Finally, children with both pDCD and overweight/obesity and children with either of these conditions alone report lower self- worth than the control group, and the change in self-worth between groups remains constant over time. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The goal of this study was to examine the contributing factors to depression in young adult males with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD) and controls. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between recalled relational peer victimization, self-perceived social competence, global self-worth, and symptoms of depression in individuals with HFASD compared to normal controls. Depression is one of the most prevalent comorbid conditions in the HFASD population. Individuals with autism are also subjected to high rates of peer victimization. Given that social abilities are impaired in individuals with autism, it was hypothesized that their experiences with victimization by peers, along with their self-perceived social competence and global self-worth, would help explain levels of depression. It was expected that higher levels of peer victimization, lower levels of self-perceived social competence, and lower levels of global self-worth would explain higher levels of depression. Additionally, it was expected that self-perceived social competence would mediate the effect of peer victimization on depression, global self-worth would mediate the effect of peer victimization on depression, and global self-worth would mediate the effect of self-perceived social competence on depression. Variables were measured with self-report questionnaires. Multiple regression and bootstrapping measures of indirect effects were used to examine the presumed effects. Participants included 40 males, ages 18-26; there were 21 control participants and 19 individuals with HFASDs. Individuals with HFASD had significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms, lower levels of self-perceived social competence, lower levels of global self-worth, and a trend towards higher reports of peer victimization. Multiple regression analyses determined that peer victimization, global self-worth, and self-perceived social competence significantly predicted depressive symptoms in the total sample. Also, peer victimization significantly predicted self-perceived social competence and global self-worth. Additionally, self-perceived social competence significantly predicted global self-worth. Tests of indirect effects indicated that global self-worth mediated the effect of peer victimization on depression, self-perceived competence mediated the effect of peer victimization on depression, and global self-worth mediated the effect of self-perceived competence on depression. As a follow-up, this study also examined select HFASD participants' responses about how they defined bullying, as well as their perceived experiences with victimization. / text

Many scholars are interested in the stage of adolescence. This period is marked by immense change in individual’s psychosocial, cognitive and physical development. Intensive psychophysical development suggests certain personality direction, changes in activeness and autonomy, which put adolescents into the contradictory situations, such as growing aspirations differing from reality, difficulties related with identity formation, inadequate self – value. Growing conflicts of adolescents’ and adults’ values, sense of identity, changing status in society make an individual perceive not only surrounding environment, but oneself as a part of it as well. The development of self – perception is the most intense at the stage of adolescence and it includes perception of self – concept, self – worth. Self – worth is one of the components of self – perception, reflecting individual’s view at oneself and depending upon one’s abilities, perceived competence. Adolescent, who is able to perceive oneself as being capable in many important areas, is tend to value oneself and be successful in socializing. Socialization program for children and youth (2004) states, that it is important to develop occupation of youths and improve its quality. Sport is one of the most acceptable activities for adolescents. Involvement in sport activity positively influences adolescents’ self – worth, withdraw them from various addictions, helps to integrate into society. The aim of the study was to evaluate the... [to full text]

This research develops and validates a task-specific parenting self-efficacy measure focussing on the following domains: showing affection and empathy, engaging in play, facilitating routines, establishing discipline strategies, providing appropriate learning and development activities, and promoting communication interaction. Self-efficacy can be described as a person’s belief in his or her ability to successfully complete tasks. Self-efficacy beliefs are among the most consistent predictors of success and performance in many contexts. As a result, self-efficacy has been investigated across a variety of domains. Parenting self-efficacy can be defined as judgement which a parent has regarding his or her ability to successfully complete the tasks related to parenting a child. Increasing parents’ competence in raising and supporting their children throughout life is regarded as one of the cornerstones of adaptive parenting. As improving parenting self-efficacy has been known to have a positive effect on parenting competence it has been incorporated as a component of early childhood intervention programmes in recent years. Numerous self-efficacy instruments are currently being used to measure self-efficacy within the parenting literature. In the development of this particular measure, challenges surrounding the conceptualization and operationalization of parenting self-efficacy have been investigated. The parenting sense of efficacy instrument (P-SEMI) was developed from theoretical frameworks within both parenting and self-efficacy domains. A classification for the definition and development of parenting self-efficacy measures is proposed. The relevant theoretical constructs are operationalized in order to identify their observable indicators (discrete parenting tasks). The main aim of this empirical research is therefore to validate the P-SEMI by establishing the internal consistency reliability, as well as face, content, construct, and differential validity for the measure. The design used is a descriptive survey type design with three phases. Phase 1 established validity in the conceptual domain. The measure was developed and content validity was investigated by a panel of subject matter experts. Phase 2 established validity in the methodological domain. During this phase the measure was administered to two groups of mothers; mothers of children with a disability, and mothers of typically developing children. Seventy-nine mothers participated in this phase of the study. Two additional established measures were used as convergent measures, namely the general self-efficacy scale (which is a global self-efficacy measure) and the parenting sense of competence scale (which is a domain-general measure). Based on the data collected from these participants, content, construct and differential validity was established. Phase 3 established initial validity in the substantive domain. Results indicated that the P-SEMI is a reliable and valid task-specific measure for assessing the level of parenting self-efficacy of mothers of young children. The P-SEMI is moderately correlated to both of the existing self-efficacy measures used as convergent measures. The newly developed task-specific measure was the only measure which was able to differentiate between the levels of parenting self-efficacy. As a result this measure is applicable as a clinical tool to measure parenting self-efficacy, and can be used to conduct further research within the field of parenting self-efficacy. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Centre for Augmentative and Alternative Communication / unrestricted

The main objective of this thesis is to verify the relationship of the contextually specific motivation in sport to a global self-esteem and possible mediation effects of the physical self-perceptions in this relationship. To achieve this objective six individual studies were conducted. First, we focused on the translation of diagnostic instruments: the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS; Pelletier et al., 1995) and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS; Hart, Leary, Rejeski, 1989) into the Czech language. Next, the validity and reliability of the scores obtained by Czech versions of the instruments were examined. Based on the results of the structural equation modeling and using a known-difference evidence validity approach we concluded that both translated instruments may be useful as a valid and reliable diagnostic tools for measuring different kinds of motivation in sport (SMS) and negative physical self-perception (social physical anxiety - SPAS). Using structural equation modeling, we also concluded that different types of motivation in sport (which vary in degree of relative autonomy of the subject) affect specific self-esteem associated with the body, as well as the evaluation of one's self at the global level. Relationship of the sport motivation and the global self-esteem was largely mediated...

Syftet med studien var att studera relationen mellan motionoch global självkänslaoch undersöka om relationen medierasav fysisk förmåga och fysiskt självvärde.Frågeställningen som skapades var följande:Visar relationen mellan motion och global självkänsla på indirekta effekter genom fysisk förmåga och fysiskt självvärde?Frågeställningenundersöktes genomentillämpning av detteoretiska ramverketThe Exercise and Self-esteem model(EXSEM). De två primära mediatorerna i genomförandet av testet var fysisk förmåga (M1)och fysiskt självvärde (M2). Syftet i detta varatt få inblickom mediatorernavisarpåindirekta effekter i relationenmellan motion och global självkänsla bland individer som motionerar.Genom att använda EXSEM som teoretiskt ramverk skapades en medieringsmodell(figur2).I studien deltog 104 individerdär antalet kvinnor var46och antalet män var58.Deltagarna var bosatta i Sverige, där50 styckenav deltagarnarekryterades på tre olika motionsinstitut varav tvåbelägna i Göteborg och ett i Borås. Resterande deltagarerekryterades online viatvå Facebook-grupper. Data för undersökningen samlades invia enkäter därdeltagarna fick skatta sig självaisinrelation till deras motionsutövande. Varje individs motionsutövandemättes genom ett frågeformulär som strukturerades i enlighet med Godin Leisure-Time exercise questionnaire. Global självkänsla mättes genom självrapporteringsinstrumentet Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Slutligen mättes fysiskt självvärde och fysisk förmåga genomsjälvbegrepps-instrumentet Physical Self-Perception Profile.Resultatetvisadeattmotion hade enpositiv statistisksignifikant indirekt effekt på global självkänsla genom mediatorerna fysisk förmåga tillsammans med fysiskt självvärde. / The purpose of the study wastoinvestigate the relation between exercise and global self-esteemand examine whether the relationship is mediated by physical ability and physical self-worth.The hypothesis that was created was the following: Does the relationship between exercise and global self-esteem show indirect effects through physical ability and physical self-worth?.This was implemented bytestingthe Exercise and Self-esteem model (EXSEM). The implementation of the test was to examine the following mediators: Physical ability (M1) and Physical self-esteem (M2), with the aim of finding if the mediators show indirect effects in the relationship between exercise and global self-esteem among individuals who exercise. Using EXSEM as a theoretical framework, a mediation model was created (Figure 2). The study involved 104 individuals where the number of women consisted of 46 and the number of men consisted of 58where all the participants lived in Sweden.There were 50 participants recruited at three different gyms, two of which were located in Gothenburg and one in Borås. The remaining participants were recruited online via two Facebookgroups. The data ofthe survey were collected via questionnaires that the participants had to rate themselves in their relation to their exercise.Each individual's exercise was measured through a questionnaire that was structured in accordance with the Godin Leisure-Time exercise questionnaire. Global self-esteem was measured through the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Finally, physical self-valueand physical ability were measured through the self-concept instrument Physical Self-Perception Profile. The results showed that exercise had a positive statistic significantindirect effect on global self-esteem through the mediators physical abilityalong with physical self-value.

The main objective of this thesis is to verify the relationship of the contextually specific motivation in sport to a global self-esteem and possible mediation effects of the physical self-perceptions in this relationship. To achieve this objective six individual studies were conducted. First, we focused on the translation of diagnostic instruments: the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS; Pelletier et al., 1995) and the Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS; Hart, Leary, Rejeski, 1989) into the Czech language. Next, the validity and reliability of the scores obtained by Czech versions of the instruments were examined. Based on the results of the structural equation modeling and using a known-difference evidence validity approach we concluded that both translated instruments may be useful as a valid and reliable diagnostic tools for measuring different kinds of motivation in sport (SMS) and negative physical self-perception (social physical anxiety - SPAS). Using structural equation modeling, we also concluded that different types of motivation in sport (which vary in degree of relative autonomy of the subject) affect specific self-esteem associated with the body, as well as the evaluation of one's self at the global level. Relationship of the sport motivation and the global self-esteem was largely mediated...