Physical activity and quality of life in Korean adolescents: the mediating role of physical self-worth and moderating role of gender

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Eungwang Oh (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Diane Gill

Abstract: Physical activity is positively associated with physical self-worth and quality of life in older adults (McAuley et al., 2006), young adults (Joseph et al., 2014) and children and adolescents (Breslin et al., 2017; Ekeland, Heian, & Hagen, 2005). Previous research has further indicated that gender may play an essential role in the relationship between physical activity and physical self-worth (Babic et al., 2014). However, little is known about the underlying factors influencing the relationship between physical activity and quality of life in early adolescents. In this regard, the purpose of the present study was to examine if physical self-worth would mediate the association between physical activity and quality of life. Additionally, the moderating role of gender in the relationship between PA and physical self-worth and between physical self-worth and quality of life was explored. Data from 236 Korean middle school students (boys = 139, 58.9%; girls =97, 41.1%; middle school first grade = 127, 53.8%; middle school third grade = 109, 46.2%) were used for the present study. The participants were asked to complete the PACE+ Adolescent Physical Activity Measure (Prochaska, Sallis, & Long, 2001), the Children and Youth Physical Self-Worth Scale (Whitehead, 1995), the KIDSCREEN-10 (Ravens-Sieberer et al., 2010), and selective subscales of the KIDSCREEN-52 (Ravens-Sieberer et al., 2005). Mediation and moderated mediation models were analyzed utilizing the Hayes’ (2013) PROCESS Macro. Results showed that PA was associated with PSW, which in turn, was further associated with global quality of life and subdimensions of quality of life (e.g., physical, psychological, and emotion and moods quality of life). No significant moderating effect of gender was found. That is, regardless of gender, more physical activity led to higher perceptions of physical self-worth thereby contributing to higher perceptions of quality of life. Implications and directions for future research and physical activity interventions were discussed.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2018
Keywords
Adolescents, Gender, Moderated Mediation, Physical Activity, Physical Self-Worth, Quality of Life
Subjects
Teenagers $z South Korea
Exercise
Self-esteem in adolescence
Gender identity
Quality of life

Email this document to