Self-Perceptions and Physical Activity Flashcards
Self-perceptions
How we think and feel about ourselves (ie. abilities, traits, identities).
Strong influence on well-being.
Global (ie. self-esteem, self-concept) and domain specific types (ie. academic self-concept, body image).
-lower self-esteem = domain specific self-perceptions that are negative
Self-esteem
Highest global assessment for ourselves.
-how I feel about who I am
Emotionally-laden = lots of downstream effects
One’s value (ie. self-worth) as a person
-how we value ourselves
Influenced by/influences all aspects of an individual’s life
Self-Concept
Below self-esteem.
Domain-specific assessments of “who I am”.
-based on self-perceptions of abilities, personal characteristics, interactions, etc.
-made across different domains (ie. academic, social, physical).
How we see ourselves in different domains contributes to a global self-concept.
The Self Concept Model
slide 6.
Hierarchy meaning lower levels feed upwards into self-concept and domain specific assessments.
Appearance
How we see ourselves in relation to aesthetic standards we hold ourselves to.
-can be defined by yourself or by society/external factors.
Body Image
Closely linked to physical concept.
-physical self-concept captures judgements about body’s appearance and abilities.
-is multidimensional embodiment of how we see our body, and how we think, feel, and act toward it.
Four dimensions contributing to our self-perceptions of body image…
Perceptual
Cognitive
Affective
Behavioural
Perceptual
The picture we form in our mind of our body.
Cognitive
How we think about and evaluate our body related to appearance and function
Affective
Feelings experienced in relation to our body’s appearance and function.
Behavioural
Things we do to reflect our self-perceptions of our body.
Factors that can influence body image…
Interpersonal experiences
Psychological factors
Behaviours
Physical characteristics
Sociocultural influences
Physical changes
Healthy body image
When body reality matches body ideal
Body image disturbance
When body reality does not match body ideal.
Body Image Disturbances and Mental Health
Anorexia nervosa
Bulimia nervosa
Body dysmorphic disorder
Anorexia Nervosa
Low body weight for developmental stage, intense fear of gaining weight and body image disturbance.
Refusal to maintain 80% of body weight for age and height.
Restricting and binge eating/purging types
Women = absence of grater than or equal to 3 consecutive menstrual cycles.
Associated with addictive and obsessive-compulsive personality (related to high neuroticism).
Engage in high amounts of PA.
On the spectrum of anxiety disorder.
Bulimia Nervosa
Repeated episodes of binge-eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviour to prevent weight gain.
Purging or non-purging types.
-ie. diuretics, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Obsessive pre-occupation with perceived flaw in physical appearance.
Flaw is not/minimally observable to others (flaw based).
Excessive anxiety and concern about appearance.
Engage in obsessive-compulsive activities (ie. excessive dieting, excessive exercise, performance enhancing drugs, etc.)
Treatment for Body Image Disturbances and Mental Health
Most effective treatment plans include cognitive behavioural therapy and medication.
-evidence-based therapeutic approach
-aims to change relationships with thoughts/feelings to enhance mood/functioning.
Body Image Measurements
Need valid and reliable measures for all 4 dimensions.
Perceptual = assess level of accuracy of person’s perceptions of the size of their body or body as a whole.
-use DEXA scans which showed that people’s perceptions of their body is larger than what their body actually is and their ideal body image is smaller than their actual body size.
-body image and perception = can have negative impacts on self-esteem when they don’t match.
Influence of PA on Self-Esteem
Largest impact is when changes/improvement in PA behaviours has greater effect on self-esteem than other factors.
Small, but significant positive influence of PA on self-esteem/self-worth.
-true across a range of diverse populations, including children/adolescents and adults.
Influence does not appear to be as strong as previously believed.
-multidimensionality and hierarchical structure.
Influence of PA on Physical Self-Concept
Considerably less research than self-esteem.
-85% of studies report significant positive correlation (r = 25).
Study on students partaking in CrossFit resistance/aerobic program x2/week.
-Students at risk of mental illness experienced significant improvements.
-demonstrates impact of physical activity on individuals with mental health illness.
Mechanisms of Change
Exercise and Self-Esteem model slide 9 (week 13 notes).
Increasing PA leads to changes in physical self-efficacy, physical competence/physical self-concept, physical acceptance, and ultimately, changes in global self-esteem.
Strategies to use to target factors in this model include…
-self efficacy (ie. mastery expereince, vicarious experiences/learning, and social persuasion/feedback).
-small, achievable goals (intrinsic motivation)
-education on functionality and health over appearance
-dimensions of body image in conversation
Practical Recommendations
Ensure promotional materials are representative of a range of body types and abilities.
Prompt new exercisers to consider potentially meaningful reasons for being PA (ie. the why).
Focus on programming on function, strength, endurance, and enjoyment, rather than appearance.
Provide exercises with feedback on progress (ie. baseline assessments/repeated measures).
