Abstract:

Physical self worth is an important part of human development. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between physical self worth, athletic engagement and goal orientation in Greek female athletes. In the present study participated Greek female athletes, current and former, participating in team and individual sports, (N=258). Self reported questionnaires were completed examining physical self worth from Physical Self-Perception Profile, athletic engagement (confidence, dedication-commitment and vigor) and goal orientation (task, ego orientations). Separate linear regressions analyses were contacted in order to examine whether physical self worth was predicted by athletic engagement (confidence, dedication-commitment and vigor) and by goal orientations. Results showed that athletes had similar physical self worth whether they were current athletes either they were former athletes, but athletes in individual sport had higher physical self worth than athletes in team sports. Physical self worth was predicted by confidence and commitment, but commitment decreased the probability of physical self worth. On the other hand, ego orientation also predicted physical self worth. It seems that sport is a context that influences physical self worth in female Greek athletes and interventions must be addressed in order to enhance positive physical self worth.

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