An exploratory study on the relationship between postural deformities and body-image and self-esteem in adolescents: The mediating role of physical activity

This explorative study was designed to examine the association between the intensity in which adolescents engaged in physical activity (PA) and their body-image and general self-esteem. Furthermore, it was aimed at examining the hypothesis that adolescents with postural deformities who engage in PA will perceive their body (in particular) and the self similarly to their healthy counterparts and more positively than adolescents with postural deformities who do not engage in any PA. Two-hundred-and-eighty-six male and female adolescents (12-18 years) of whom 146 were healthy and 140 were diagnosed as suffering from structural and non-structural Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) were administered a body-image (Secord and Jourard, 1953) and the Tennessee self-concept (Fills, 1965) questionnaires. Subjects were also classified with respect to their level of engagement in PA (extensive, moderate, and low). A 2 (postural status) X 2 (Gender) X 3 (PA level) ANOVAs indicated a significant 3-way interaction on body-image, but not on self-esteem. Adolescents with AIS, not engaged in PA, had lower body-image than their peers, particularly males. However, both males and females with AIS perceived their body positively when engaged in moderate or extensive PA. Being an exploratory prospective research, the results do not permit assigning any causal effect to PA on perception of the body and the self. The results support the specificity hypothesis of self-esteem and encourage investigation as to the particular physical activities which are most beneficial for adolescents who suffer from postural deformities.