Perception of Physical Self-efficacy and Body Image among Omani Basic School Children

Salim Alzubaidi, Abdulqawi; Mahdi Kazem, Ali

doi:10.18576/ijlms/010102

Perception of Physical Self-efficacy and Body Image among Omani Basic School Children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Psychology, College of Education Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

10.18576/ijlms/010102

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the perception of physical self-efficacy and body image amongst children in basic schools in Oman. Gender and grade level differences in perceptions of these two variables were also investigated. The sample comprised 359, children in the age range 12-18 years, M=15.01, SD=1.77), drawn randomly from two basic schools in Muscat Educational District in Muscat. The number of boys being 169 and the number of girls 190. Two questionnaires were administered: one on body image and the other on the perceived self-efficacy. These questionnaires have adequate reliability and validity. The results indicate significant correlation between perceived physical self-efficacy and body image for the whole sample and for boys and girls separately. No gender differences in the body image were found, but there was a difference in the perceived physical efficacy favoring boys. The results also indicate that for boys, age is positively correlated with body image and perceived physical self-efficacy; while for girls there was no significant correlation. The significance of the results was discussed in terms of objective of the study. Recommendation for future research was put forward.

Keywords