CHANGES IN CHILDREN’S SELF-ESTEEM SCORES PRECEEDING AND FOLLOWING AN EXERCISE PERIOD

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of 12 weeks swimming exercise on children’s self-esteem and continuity of self-concept. Participants were a total of 70 children aged 10 to 15, composed of 41 girls (12.0 ± 1.1 yrs) and 29 boys (12.1 ± 0.7 yrs), all beginner swimmers at the Ankara Yenimahalle Swimming Club. The Rosenberg self-esteem scale was used in order to measure the self-esteem levels of children. The subscales of self-esteem and self-concept continuity were used in this research. The scale was administered to the participants twice, before and following a 12 week swimming exercise period. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and t-test were used for data analysis. Results revealed that while there were positive correlations between the pre- and post-evaluation of self-esteem scores (r= 0.66; p<0.01), and there were no significant relationships between the pre- and post-evaluation of self-concept continuity (r=0.11; p>0.05). ANOVA analysis disclosed that there were significant relationships between the pre- and post-test assessments of self-esteem {F(1, 69) = 4.49; p<0.01} and of self-concept continuity {F(1, 69) = 3.19; p<0.05}. Gender differences did not yield any significant relationships. According to these results, it can be said that the 12 weeks swimming exercise period improved children’s self-esteem and continuity of self-concept characteristics.