| he physical and psychological benefits associated with physical activity have led health and physical educators to advocate an active lifestyle for individuals of all ages. Unfortunately, as youth enter the adolescent years a sharp decline in organized sport participation and physical education enrollment occurs. Research in developmental and sport psychology has shown that peer relationships are especially salient during the teenage years. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine a model of peer influence on physical self-worth, affective responses toward physical activity, and physical activity motivation. This model was grounded in Harter's (1978, 1981a, 1986, 1987) theoretical perspective on motivation and was designed to extend the literature by: (a) examining both peer acceptance and friendship aspects of peer relationships, (b) taking a context-specific approach to the study of peer relationships, and (c) assessing motivation in both cognitive and behavioral terms. The model proposed that peer relationships would predict physical activity motivation through effects upon affect and physical self-worth. Physical maturity was also included in the model because of its potential to influence adolescent physical self-perceptions. Female and male adolescents... |
