Gender Differences in Physical Self-Descriptions of Adolescents with a History of Motor Learning Difficulties

ABSTRACT

Little of the extensive research on gender differences in adolescent self-perception has addressed differences between boys and girls with coordination difficulties. This study of physical self-perception examined 16 boys and 16 girls ranging in age from 13 to 15 years, who had been identified as poorly coordinated during their primary school years. The Physical Self-Description Questionnaire completed by each participant provided scale scores for Appearance, Body Fat, Strength, Coordination, Endurance, Flexibility, Physical Activity, Sports Competence, Health, Global Physical, and Self-Esteem. As a group, the girls ranked their perceptions of Physical Activity and Endurance significantly lower than the boys did. The gender differences were somewhat different from those found in adolescents drawn from general populations.

Keywords::

• Adolescence
• Gender
• Physical Self-Perception
• Physical Self-Description Questionnaire
• Motor Cooordination