Perceptions of Peer Relationships and Physical Activity Participation in Early Adolescence

Abstract

This study tested a model describing the relationships among perceptions of peer relationships, physical self-worth, affective responses toward physical activity, and physical activity motivation. The model was grounded in Harter’s (1978,1981a, 1986,1987) theoretical perspective, proposing that perceptions of peer relationships (i.e., friendship, peer acceptance) would predict physical activity motivation via affect and physical self-worth. Adolescents (N = 418, ages 12–15 years) completed a battery of questionnaires that assessed the study variables. Results of structural equation modeling analyses supported the overall model and most of the hypothesized direct and indirect relationships among variables for both female and male samples. Examination of alternative models suggested that some expected relationships might have been suppressed by a high correlation between the friendship and peer-acceptance constructs. However, alternative models also showed that these constructs independently contribute to predicting motivational variables. The results illustrate the importance of peer relationships to adolescent physical activity motivation.

Sport Participation and Loneliness in Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Competence

“…It is possible that sport participation constitutes the endpoint rather than the antecedent in this model. Smith's (1999) work, for example, supported a model whereby peer relationship variables (including perceived social acceptance/competence) predict physical activity motivation and behavior by way of affect. A perceived social competence -> loneliness -> sport participation pathway is analogous to this conceptual chain of events.…”

Predicting young athletes' motivational indices as a function of their perceptions of the coach- and peer-created climate

“…Our finding pertaining to the overall peer task-involving climate factor is consistent with previous developmental and sports psychology research on peer relationships. For example, Smith (1999) found that greater peer social acceptance and positive peer interactions were related to high levels of physical self-worth. Furthermore, Eisenberg (1997) highlighted the importance of peer influence by showing that the correlation between peer approval and self-esteem enhancement increases developmentally.…”

Psychosocial Aspects of Youth Disability Sport

“…Research in the sport domain has been limited and has typically focused on peer acceptance, status, and popularity (Chase & Dummer, 1992;Evans & Roberts, 1987), with less research on friendship (Smith, 1999;Weiss & Smith, 1999). However, this limited research indicates that competence in sport is linked to social status, popularity, and peer acceptance (Brustad, 1993;Chase & Dummer, 1992;Evans & Roberts, 1987;Weiss & Duncan, 1992), and friendship is related to positive affect (e.g., enjoyment) in physical activity (Smith, 1999).…”