Features of self-assessment of the physical self-image in applicants for higher education, considering their professional orientation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32540/2071-1476-2025-1-087Keywords:
self-esteem, physical fitness, physical image of “I”, students, applicants for higher educationAbstract
Introduction: This article aims to analyze the key trends, characteristics, and variability of self-perception of physical image among students, taking into account their professional orientation. The research objective is to identify the specific features of self-perception of physical image among students of higher educational institutions with different professional orientations.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out on the basis of three colleges of higher professional education: Ivan Piddubnyi Olympic Professional College; Ivano-Frankivsk Professional College of Physical Education; Kyiv Professional College of Communications. A total of 365 respondents (217 boys and 148 girls) took part in the study. To solve the set tasks we used a complex of methods: theoretical (comparative method of comparison and analysis of domestic and foreign experience on the studied problem); psychological (for the study of self-assessment of physical fitness of respondents we used an adapted version of the questionnaire “Self-assessment of physical development” on the basis of the Australian personal questionnaire “Physical Self-Description Questionnaire” by Marsh H.W.); generally accepted methods of mathematical statistics.
Results: The obtained results of the study indicate significant differences in the perception of their own body and health among college students of different professional orientations and demonstrate gender differences in the self-esteem of applicants. It has been found that young men more often have a high level of self-esteem than girls. It has been found that all assessments of aspects of the physical self-differ statistically significantly (p<0.05) between students studying at different colleges. The greatest differences are observed in such indicators as physical activity and strength. Slightly smaller, but also significant differences are demonstrated by the subjects in terms of general self-esteem, coordination of movements and sports abilities.
Conclusions: Professional orientation is one of the most important determinants of self-esteem of the physical self. Students majoring in physical education and sports demonstrate a higher level of physical self-efficacy, while students of other specialties are influenced by various psychosocial factors.
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