The purpose of this research was to determine whether adolescents who participate in sport
perform better academically in comparison to their non–participating counterparts. An availability
sample of 210 learners between 14 and 24 years from a secondary school in the Dr Kenneth
Kaunda District took part in this research. The participants were assessed by a Biographical
Questionnaire adapted from Mpshe (1996); an adapted version of The Physical Activity Index of
Sharkey (1979); the General Scholastic and Aptitude Test (GSAT)(Claassen, De Beer, Hugo &
Meyer,1998); The revised two–factor Study Process Questionnaire: R–SPQ–2F of Biggs (1987a,
1987b); The Rosenberg Self–Esteem Scale (RSES), Rosenberg (1965); an adapted version of
The Self–concept and Motivation Questionnaire of Bester (2003), and The Psychological Wellbeing
(PWB) Scales of Ryff (1989).
To obtain an overview of the participants’ academic performance, averages obtained in the
June 2010 examinations in the four compulsory learning areas, i.e. Setswana First Language,
English First Additional Language, Life Orientation and either Mathematics or Mathematical
Literacy, were calculated. A significant relationship between sport participation and academic
performance was yielded by a cross–tabulation with a practical significance of 0.09. Univariate
regression models with academic performance as dependent variable and the following
variables as independent variables were calculated as separate models, namely: IQ, Deep
approach and Surface Approach as dimensions of the R–SPQ–2F, Motivation, Self–esteem and
Psychological well–being. Only self–esteem was found to significantly predict academic
performance. A further analysis using an interaction between sport participation and self–esteem
did not yield a significant finding. It was concluded that it is important that Educational planners
should take cognisance of the literature and research findings of this study. In future studies
bigger samples can be used and the interaction between cognitive, non–cognitive and sociodemographic
variables in the prediction of academic performance can be studied. / Thesis (M.A. (Research Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/4710 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Dipale, Floyd Modikwe |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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