Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
(Dis-)Empowering Motivational Climate and Social Physique Anxiety in Physical Education: Is There a Gender
Antonio Granero-Gallegos1, Luis M Salmerón-Hinojosa1, María Carrasco-Poyatos1
1Faculty of Education and Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain.
Background:
Building on Duda's hierarchical approach, this study examined gender differences in students' perceptions of (dis-)empowering motivational climates, self-esteem and social physique anxiety in the physical education context. Furthermore, it analysed the associations of (dis-)empowering climates with these self-presentation-related outcomes among boys and girls.
Methods:
A total of 2438 Spanish Physical Education students (Mage = 16.15 ± 2.01; 50.74% girls) participated in this cross-sectional research. A multi-group structural equation modeling approach was used to answer the research objectives.
Results:
Girls scored significantly higher than boys in negative self-esteem and social physique anxiety. The multi-group structural equation modeling showed slightly higher coefficients among boys for the associations between empowering climate and positive self-esteem and between disempowering climate and negative self-esteem. The negative self-esteem-SPA coefficient was higher among boys, whereas the inverse positive self-esteem-SPA coefficient was higher among girls.
Conclusions:
The main findings underscore the relevance of PE teachers creating empowering climates and avoiding disempowering climates, given their associations with positive self-esteem and social physique anxiety among boys and girls.
Related Concept Videos
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Panic Disorder
Stereotype Threat and Self-fulfilling Prophecies
Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction
