Attitude Toward Physical Activity and Self-Concept of Emotionally Disturbed and Normal Children

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between attitude toward physical activity and self-concept of emotionally disturbed and normal children. The subjects were 470 boys and girls, ranging from 8 to 13 years of age (M= 10.95, SD= 1.91). The sample included 80 emotionally disturbed children from two psychiatric hospitals in Ohio and 390 normal children from a parochial school in Ohio. Data were collected through the Children's Attitude Toward Physical Activity Inventory (CATPA) and the Piers-Harris Self-concept Scale. A significant difference on CATPA occurred between emotionally disturbed and normal children and between boys and girls. A two-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference in self-concept between emotionally disturbed and normal children. The Pearson product-moment correlation revealed low but significant relationships between self-concept and the following subscales of the CATPA: social experience, thrill, and release of tension. The results indicated that normal children had a more positive attitude toward physical activity and self-concept than emotionally disturbed children.Request reprints from Dr.