Fathers, Family and Physical Activity: A Study on African American Girls
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Tara B. Blackshear (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
- Advisor
- Thomas J. Martinek
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine family structure, father involvement and physical activity participation among African American adolescent girls. 40 African American adolescent girls volunteered to complete demographic, father involvement and physical activity questionnaires. The predictor variables were family structure (two-parent vs. single-parent and brothers vs. no brothers), overall father involvement and physical activity father involvement. The dependent variable was physical activity participation. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to determine if significant group differences existed. The comparison of means revealed girls from two-parent families (M=43.49) had higher physical activity levels than their single parent peers (M=36.91); however, the one-way ANOVA results indicated these differences were not significant, F(1,38)=.92, p=.34). The comparison of means and ANOVA comparing brother groups and overall father involvement groups indicated no significant differences, F(1,38)=.01, p=.93); F(1,38)=.21, p=.58). The comparison ANOVA between high physical activity father involvement (M=44.39) and low physical activity father involvement (M=30.49) groups indicated significant differences in physical activity participation, F(1,38)=3.92, p<.05). Multiple regression analysis was performed using father involvement predictors (overall, expressive, instrumental, mentoring/advising and physical activity father involvement) to determine which has the largest relationship to physical activity participation among African American adolescent girls. Physical activity and expressive father involvement had the largest, significant relationships with correlation coefficients (r=.37, p<.05; r=.34, p<.05, respectively). Expressive father involvement was the best predictor but non-significant (p=.10). Other father involvement dimensions had weak relationships and were non-significant in the regression model. Findings suggest active physical activity involvement (playing with or coaching girls) demonstrated by fathers and father-figures may lead to increased physical activity levels among African American adolescent girls.
Fathers, Family and Physical Activity: A Study on African American Girls
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Created on 12/1/2008
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Dissertation
- Language: English
- Date: 2008
- Keywords
- African American Girls, Family Structure, Father Involvement, Physical Activity
- Subjects
- African American fathers $x Family relationships.
- African American girls $x Family relationships $x Health aspects.
- Physical fitness for children.
- Exercise for children.