"I can dribble!". On the relationship between children's motor competencies and corresponding self-perceptions.

IntroductionSelf-perception plays an important role in psychological development. School curricula in German-speaking countries emphasize fostering a positive self-perception of physical performance as a goal of physical... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction

Self-perception plays an important role in psychological development. School curricula in German-speaking countries emphasize fostering a positive self-perception of physical performance as a goal of physical education instruction. This article introduces an operationalization of the self-perception of motor competencies (German: Selbstwahrnehmung motorischer Kompetenz; SEMOK).

Methods

In a validation study (N = 310 children; 53% girls; M = 11.26 years, SD = 0.49), we tested the construct and criterion validity of the SEMOK test instrument. We calculated an exploratory structural equation model and a confirmatory factor analysis with eight SEMOK test items.

Results

Both analyses confirmed that the SEMOK test instrument has the same two-factor structure with the factors self-perception of self-movement and self-perception of object movement as that of the MOBAK test instruments for measuring basic motor competencies (German: Motorische Basiskompetenz). The latent correlation between the SEMOK factors and the MOBAK factors was r = .73/.83, with physical self-concept at r = .75 for both. Further, it could be shown that self-perception of motor competencies mediated the influence of basic motor competencies on physical self-concept. The SEMOK factors were correlated with covariates (e.g., gender), learning dispositions (e.g., interest), and behavioral characteristics (e.g., engagement in sports) at a level comparable to the MOBAK factors.

Conclusion

The confirmation of the two-factor structure and the correlations with external criteria provide initial indications for the construct and criterion validity of the SEMOK test instrument and show the close connection between basic motor competencies and their self-perception.

References

Herrmann, C. & Seelig, H. (2017). "I can dribble!". On the relationship between children’s motor competencies and corresponding self-perceptions. German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, 47 (4), 324-334.