Abstract

PAIS-RIBEIRO, José L.  and  RIBEIRO, Luísa. Estudo de validação de uma escala de auto-conceito físico para homens jovens adultos. Aná. Psicológica [online]. 2003, vol.21, n.4, pp.431-439. ISSN 0870-8231.

Self-concept is an important psychological variable for many different outcomes, namely health, wellbeing and quality of life. Physical self-concept is an important part of the general self-concept. The aim of the present study is to develop a questionnaire to assess physical self-concept to be used in the field of health psychology. Health psychology asks for assessment tools that are short and easy to answer. The Physical Self Concept Scale is a self-report scale with nine items and three dimensions. Participants in the validation study include 60 young men, mean age 20.98 years. Half of them are high-level swimmers, and the other half do not exercise. Factorial analyses of the items show three dimensions: Perception of Appreciation by Other People, Perception of Physical Appearance, and Perception of Functionality. Psychometric properties are acceptable, with Cronbach Alfas between .76 and .91. The validation study based on the correlations between this scale and an attitudes scale, on the differences between groups and on the correlation between sub-scales, suggests that the questionnaire can be used in future studies mainly in research and health promotion programmes, or quality of life programmes, with healthy and disease people.

Keywords : Physical self concept; assessment; Health and well-being.

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