Athletic participation and self-esteem in eighth grade students

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the difference between the self-esteem of competitive student athletes in comparison to the self-esteem of students who do not participate in competitive athletics. The self esteem of the students was measured using a self-esteem inventory. In addition to measuring self-esteem, the study also asked the students to provide demographics including sports(s) they participate in weekly, either through school, or within the community; the level of competition they feel they demonstrate when participating in their sport(s); and the degree of success they experience in their sport(s). The survey was administered during the fall semester of the 2004-2005 school to eighth grade students. The school that participated in this study was a middle school located in the upper Midwest. Previous research has shown that individuals who participate in sports also have high levels of self-esteem that non-participants. This finding has been supported by the current study. The results of this study also indicated that students who consider themselves to be successful in the sport they participate in have significantly higher levels of self-esteem than those competitive athletes who consider themselves to be unsuccessful in their sport. In addition, the hours per week that a student spends participating in an athletic activity does not significantly change their level of self-esteem.