Bekir Erhan Orhan1, Buket Karadağ2, Yuni Astuti3, Aydin Karaçam4, Umut Canli5, Karuppasamy Govindasamy6
1Istanbul Aydin University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Istanbul, Turkiye
2Istanbul Aydın University, Faculty of Education, Istanbul, Türkiye
3Universitas Negeri Padang, Faculty of Sport Science, Sumatera Barat, Indonesia
4Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Balıkesir, Türkiye
5Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Tekirdağ, Türkiye
6Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Department of
Sports, Recreation and Wellness, Rangareddy, Telangana, India
The Influence of Demographic, Educational, and Athletic Factors on Women's Self-Worth in Physical Activity
Sport Mont 2025, 23(1), 99-104 | DOI: 10.26773/smj.250215
Abstract
This study aims to answer whether women's self-worth assessments regarding physical activity vary based on age, marital status, education level, and whether or not they have a sports license. A total of 242 women aged 18-60 residing in Turkiye were selected through simple random sampling. The participants were classified into young adults (18-39 years) and middle-aged adults (40-60 years) based on life stages identified in the literature. Data were gathered using the “Women's Physical Activity Self-Worth Inventory (WPASWI)”, developed by Huberty et al. (2013) and validated in Turkish by Yurtçiçek and Kömürcü (2019), alongside a demographic questionnaire. The findings revealed significant effects of educational attainment and athletic participation on self-worth. Women with higher education scored higher in knowledge (x̄=54.61, SD=9.82) and emotional self-worth (x̄=45.60, SD=8.09) than those with primary education (x̄=47.70, SD=15.57 and x̄=38.23, SD=13.61, respectively; F(2, 239)=7.110, p<.05). Women who held an athlete's license demonstrated greater self-worth (x̄=124.75, SD=13.30) compared to non-athletes (x̄=114.54, SD=23.56; t=3.53, p=.001), with notable differences in knowledge and emotional dimensions but not in the social sub-dimension. These results highlight the role of education and athletic involvement in fostering women's self-worth. Tailored strategies emphasizing personalized and socially inclusive approaches are essential to enhance engagement in physical activity. Promoting regular participation in physical activity remains pivotal to improving well-being and self-worth across diverse demographics.
Keywords
emotional health, social dynamics, educational impact, athletic engagement
View full article
(PDF – 186KB)
References
Aune, D., Sen, A., Prasad, M., Norat, T., Janszky, I., Tonstad, S., Romundstad, P., & Vatten, L. J. (2016). BMI and all cause mortality: systematic review and non-linear dose-response meta-analysis of 230 cohort studies with 3.74 million deaths among 30.3 million participants. BMJ, i2156. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i2156
Broskey, N. T., Martin, C. K., Burton, J. H., Church, T. S., Ravussin, E., & Redman, L. M. (2021). Effect of Aerobic Exercise-induced Weight Loss on the Components of Daily Energy Expenditure. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 53(10), 2164–2172. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000002689
Büyüköztürk, Ş., Çakmak, E. K., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2023). Scientific research methods (34th ed.). Ankara: Pegem Akademi.
Coşkun, R., Altunışık, R., Bayraktaroğlu, S. ve Yıldırım, E. (2020). Sosyal bilimlerde araştırma yöntemleri SPSS uygulamalı (Genişletilmiş 10. Baskı) [Research methods in social sciences SPSS applied (Extended 10th Edition).]. Sakarya Yayıncılık.
Cresswell, J. W. (2012). Education al research (4. bs.). Boston: Pearson.
Cumming, S. P., Harrington, D. M., Davis, M. J., Edwardson, C. L., Gorely, T., Khunti, K., . . . Sherar, L. B. (2020). Maturational timing, physical self-perceptions and physical activity in UK adolescent females: investigation of a mediated effects model. Annals of Human Biology, 47(4), 384–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2020.1784277
Dvorsky, M. R., J. M. Langberg, S. P. Becker, and S. W. Evans. 2019. Trajectories of global self-worth in adolescents with ADHD: Associations with academic, emotional, and social outcomes. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology 48(5):765–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2018.1443460.
Erikson, E. H. (1993). Childhood and society. WW Norton & Company.
Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Lang, A.-G., & Buchner, A. (2007). G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behavior Research Methods, 39(2), 175–191. https://doi.org/10.3758/bf03193146
Gascoigne, E. L., Webster, C. M., Honart, A. W., Wang, P., Smith-Ryan, A., & Manuck, T. A. (2023). Physical activity and pregnancy outcomes: an expert review. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, 5(1), 100758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100758.
Hajihosseni, S. (2015). Can well-beıng program change the body self-concept of adolescent female students? A randomızed controlled. International Journal of Pharmacy & Technology 7(3), 10079–90.
Haugen, T., Säfvenbom, R., & Ommundsen, Y. (2011). Physical activity and global self-worth: The role of physical self-esteem indices and gender. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 4(2), 49–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2011.07.001
Huberty, J., Vener, J., Gao, Y., Matthews, J. L., Ransdell, L., & Elavsky, S. (2013). Developing an instrument to measure physical activity related self-worth in women: Rasch analysis of the Women’s Physical Activity Self-Worth Inventory (WPASWI). Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14(1), 111–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.07.009
Karasar, N. (2012). Bilimsel araştırma yöntemi. Ankara: Nobel Yayın Dağıtım.
Kılıç, Y., & Yıldırım, E. (2020). Investigation of the Physical Activity Self-Worth of Women Who Study in University. World Journal of Education, 10(1), 110. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v10n1p110
Li, B., Yang, Z., Li, Y., Zhang, J., Li, C., & Lv, N. (2024). Exploration beyond osteoarthritis: the association and mechanism of its related comorbidities. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1352671
McAuley, E., Mihalko, S. L., & Bane, S. M. (1997). Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 20(1), 67–83. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1025591214100
McDonald, R. P., & Ho, M.-H. R. (2002). Principles and practice in reporting structural equation analyses. Psychological Methods, 7(1), 64–82. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989x.7.1.64
Mitáš, J., Cerin, E., Reis, R. S., Conway, T. L., Cain, K. L., Adams, M. A. . . . & Sallis, J. F. (2019). Do associations of sex, age and education with transport and leisure-time physical activity differ across 17 cities in 12 countries? International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0894-2
Musich, S., Wang, S. S., Schaeffer, J. A., Kraemer, S., Wicker, E., & Yeh, C. S. (2022). The association of physical activity with loneliness, social isolation, and selected psychological protective factors among older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 47, 87–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.07.006
Olson, R. D., Vaux-Bjerke, A., Quam, J. B., Piercy, K. L., Troiano, R. P., George, S. M., ... & Olscamp, K. (2023). Physical activity guidelines for Americans. NADAR! SWIMMING MAGAZINE-Periódico científico em esportes e fitness aquático-natação, pólo aquático, nado sincronizado, saltos ornamentais, travessias aquáticas.
Orhan, B. E. (2021). Physical activity at every age. In M. C. Koç (Ed.), Holistic health and exercise (pp. 7-24). Efe Akademi Publishing.
Orhan, B. E., Karadağ, B., Astuti, Y., & Aydın, Y. (2024). The Relationship between Enjoyment of Physical Activity and Perceived Barriers to Participating in Physical Activity. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 12(3), 471–482. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2024.120303
Orhan, B. E., Uzunçayır, D., & Karaçam, A. (2023). Understanding The Perspectives of Women on Pilates Through The Use Of Metaphors. International Journal of Disabilities Sports and Health Sciences, 6(3), 287–295. https://doi.org/10.33438/ijdshs.1275378
Ouyang, Y., Wang, K., Zhang, T., Peng, L., Song, G., & Luo, J. (2020). The Influence of Sports Participation on Body Image, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Esteem in College Students. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03039
Piggin, J. (2020). What is physical activity? A holistic definition for teachers, researchers and policy makers. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2, 72. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.00072.
Pop, C. L., & Ciomag, R. V. (2024). Mediating role of self-esteem on university students’ physical activity attitude and frequency. Physical Education of Students, 28(5), 279–285. https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2024.0504
Reddon, H., D. Meyre, & J. Cairney. 2017. Physical activity and global self-worth in a longitudinal study of children. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 49(8); 1606–13. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001275.
Robinson, E., Haynes, A., Sutin, A., & Daly, M. (2020). Self‐perception of overweight and obesity: A review of mental and physical health outcomes. Obesity Science & Practice, 6(5), 552–561. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.424
Robinson, O. C., Demetre, J. D. & Litman, J. A. (2017). Adult life stage and crisis as predictors of curiosity and authenticity: Testing inferences from Erikson’s lifespan theory. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 41(3), 426-431.
Roh, S. Y. (2018). The influence of physical self-perception of female college students participating in Pilates classes on perceived health state and psychological well-being. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 14(2), 192–198. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1836088.044
Schrempft, S., Jackowska, M., Hamer, M., & Steptoe, A. (2019). Associations between social isolation, loneliness, and objective physical activity in older men and women. BMC Public Health, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6424-y
Tubic, T., & Djordjic, V. (2015). Age and gender effects on global self-worth and domain-specific self-perceptions in youth. Zbornik instituta za pedagoska istrazivanja, 47(1), 41–61. https://doi.org/10.2298/zipi1501041t
Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Cmaj, 174(6), 801-809. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.051351
Waxman, A. (2004). WHO’s global strategy on diet, physical activity and health. Scandinavian Journal of Nutrition, 48(2), 58–60. https://doi.org/10.1080/11026480410033539
WHO. (2018). Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. Available from: http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/pa/en/
Yurtçiçek, S., & Kömürcü, N. (2019). A validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the Women’s Physical Activity Self-Worth Inventory (WPASWI). Koç University Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 16(3), 205–209. https://doi.org/10.5222/head.2019.205
Zhang, Y., & Tian, Y. (2022). The Relationship between Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged and Elderly People Controlling for Demographic and Health Status Variables. Sustainability, 14(21), 13986. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142113986
Zhang, Z., & Min, H. J. (2022). Effects of Different Physical Exercises on Physical and Mental Health of Female College Students. Journal of Healthcare Engineering, 2022, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7812005