Self-concept and body image of Turkish high school male athletes and nonathletes

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the differences in self-concept and body image satisfaction and the relation between self-concept and body image among 174 Turkish high school male athletes and 174 nonathletes. The subjects were randomly selected from public high schools which represent middle socioeconomic status in Ankara. The Harter Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents and Berscheid, Walster, and Bohrnstedt's Body Image Questionnaire were administered to all participants. Significant differences were found in social acceptance, athletic competence, and physical appearance subscales of self-concept (p < .05), as well as in mean body image satisfaction among both groups (p < .05). There were also significant correlations between subscales of self-concept and body image for athletes and nonathletes.