Perceived competence and physical activity involvement among youths: an examination of Harter's Competence Motivation Theory in Botswana

Abstract

The study examined if the factor structure of the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA) suggested by Harter (1978; 1988) would fit a sample of youths from Botswana and whether perceived competence would predict patterns of involvement in sport and physical activity among the youths. Participants were secondary school youths from urban and rural Botswana (N=903), aged 13-18 years, involved in competitive sports, leisure physical activity, and non-participants. All participants completed a background information questionnaire and the SPPA. Results indicated that the original factor structure did not fit the current sample. A modification of the original model yielded two factors, which were labeled Physical Appearance and Self-worth. Only Self-worth accounted for significant differences on patterns of involvement in sport. Non-participants and recreational sport participants had higher perceptions of Self-worth compared to competitive sport participants. The lack of fit for the SPPA could be explained in terms of method effects or cultural specificity.



Keywords: Self-perception, Cultural extension, Perceived competence, Confirmatory factor analysis


South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol.26(2) 2004:91-103