Using confirmatory factor analyses, we examined method effects on Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965) in a sample of older European adults. Nine hundred forty nine community-dwelling adults 60 years of age or older from 5 European countries completed the RSES as well as measures of depression and life satisfaction. The 2 models that had an acceptable fit with the data included method effects. The method effects were associated with both positively and negatively worded items. Method effects models were invariant across gender and age, but not across countries. Both depression and life satisfaction predicted method effects. Individuals with higher depression scores and lower life satisfaction scores were more likely to endorse negatively phrased items.

Highlights Intrinsic motivation toward physical education was the only significant motivational predictor of adolescents’ objectively measured daily physical activity. Perceived autonomy support from the physical education teacher was indirectly related to objectively measured physical activity. Psychological need satisfaction and intrinsic motivation in physical education mediated the effect of perceived autonomy support on objectively measured physical activity.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physical self-perceptions, moderate to vigorous physical activity and physical fitness in Estonian school children and adolescents aged 11–14 years. The sample consisted of 134 boys and 119 girls. Self-perception of body appearance, physical conditioning, sport/athletic competence, strength and general physical self-worth were measured by the Children’s Physical Self-Perception Profile (C-PSPP). Moderate to vigorous physical activity was assessed using 7-day physical activity recall and physical fitness using 20 meter endurance shuttle run. All C-PSPP scales were significantly moderately related with physical activity and fitness in both boys and girls. Boys’ perceptions of strenght competence, physical condition and general self-worth were higher and they participated more in moderate to vigorous activities compared to girls. Multiple regression analysis results indicated the best predictors of moderate to vigorous physical activity and physical fitness were perceived sport/athletic competence, physical self-worth, and perceived strength competence Our results demonstrate that physical self-perceptions are significant correlates of physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents.

This study examined the relative contributions of sex, social class, socioeconomic status of the family, and exercise behavior of significant others (father, mother, sister, brother, best friend) to the variability of physical activities of 13–15-year-old urban adolescents (N = 475). Physical activity was measured using 7-day physical activity recall. Family income was negatively correlated with physical activity of adolescents. Physical activity of the father, older brother, and best friend was associated with a higher activity level of adolescents (r = 0.24–0.33). Sex and social class of the families accounted for 18% of the variance of the adolescents’ physical activity. When the physical activity of the father, older brother, and best friend were entered into regression analysis, a total of 32% of the variation in adolescents’ physical activity was explained. Physical activity of adolescents is associated with sex, activity levels of significant others, and socioeconomic status of the family.

Aim: To examine: 1) the association between socio‐economic status and adolescent physical activity; 2) to assess links between mothers’ and fathers’ social support and adolescents’ physical activity. Methods: Participants were 326 urban adolescents and their parents. Physical activity was measured using a 7‐d physical activity recall. Socio‐economic status and parents’ social support was assessed using questionnaires. Results: Boys were significantly more active than girls, and fathers’ explicit modelling towards boys was higher compared to girls. In contrast, fathers’ and mothers’ logistic support was significantly higher towards their daughters. Social class and fathers’ and mothers’ social support were significantly related to adolescent self‐reported physical activity. Fathers’ explicit modelling was the strongest predictor of adolescent physical activity, predicting 13.5% of the total variance. Social class, fathers’ logistic support and mothers’ explicit modelling were also significant predictors, accounting for additional 14% of the variance in adolescents’ weekly physical activity. Conclusion: Parental support and social class are positively related to physical activity in Estonian adolescents.