Effects of Teasing in Physical Education Classes, Self-efficacy, and Physical Activity on Adolescents’ Self-esteem

• Published in: Psicología educativa (Madrid) Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 185 - 191
• Main Authors: Marco, Jean Carles Parmigiani De, Dias, Duana Torquato, Gonzaga, Isadora, Duek, Viviane Preichardt, Farias, Gelcemar Oliveira, Martins, Cilene Rebolho, Claumann, Gaia Salvador, Pelegrini, Andreia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madrid Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 01-06-2023
• Subjects: Activity level; Adolescents; Body Composition; Body mass index; Body weight; Boys; Classes; Educational attainment; Exercise; Girls; Higher education; Physical activity; Physical education; Physical fitness; Public schools; school harassment; Secondary schools; Self esteem; Self-efficacy; Students; Teasing; Teenagers; Variables; Brazil
• ISSN: 1135-755X; 2174-0526
• DOI: 10.5093/psed2023a13

Objective: To investigate the differences between boys and girls in the present variables, and assess the possible associations between self-esteem and teasing in school physical education classes, self-efficacy, and physical activity among adolescents. Method: The sample included 944 adolescents aged 14 to 19 years (mean =16.52, SD = 1.12, 53.6% male), enrolled in public high schools in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Information was collected on age, body mass index, physical activity level, self-efficacy, teasing experiences in physical education classes, and self-esteem (dependent variable). Self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Results: Adolescents had a mean self-esteem score of 28.71 (out of 40), with boys having higher scores than girls (29.66 vs. 27.61, p < .001). In both sexes, adolescents who reported lower levels of teasing in physical education classes had higher self-esteem. Boys with high self-efficacy and higher levels of physical activity had higher self-esteem scores. Conclusion: Experiencing teasing in school physical education classes was a predictor of self-esteem in adolescents of both sexes, and self-efficacy and physical activity were predictors of self-esteem in boys.