Structure of Physical Self-Concept: Elite Athletes and Physical Education Students

The Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) was administered to elite athletes and nonelite high school students ( N = 1, 514). Physical self-concepts were higher for elite than for nonelite groups, and for boys than for girls, but gender differences were smaller for elite athletes. Responses were also higher for nonsports high school students than for nonelite athletes in an athletically selective school. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the invariance of factor loadings for the 11 PSDQ scales across the 4 groups, and factor variances and correlations across the 2 elite-athlete groups and the 2 nonelite groups. PSDQ factors were more distinct for elite athletes, but relations between global esteem and the PSDQ scales were no higher. Results demonstrate the appropriateness of the PSDQ and extend understanding of self-concept in school settings.