Self-efficacy, physical competence and self-esteem in basketball participants with and without physical disability

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the hypothetical hierarchical relationship between self-efficacy, physical self and global self-esteem, in groups with and without physical disability as well as gender and condition between groups. A second purpose was to assess the influence of independent variables, such as time and frequency of sport involvement, on self-efficacy, physical competence and global self-esteem for each of the groups studied. Participants were 193 basketball players, 59 male athletes with disability (mean age 32.80 ± 11.64), 80 male athletes without disability (mean age 21.48 ± 4.69), and 54 female athletes without disability (mean age 22.91 ± 3.11), all participating in Portuguese national competitions. Results showed evidence of a hierarchical organization among self-efficacy, physical self-perceptions and global self-esteem. Physical self-worth was also confirmed as a mediator between self-perceptions at the base of the model and feelings in the apex, i.e., between physical self-perceptions and global self-esteem. However, this relationship was found to be a negative one. Strong perceptions of self-efficacy and physical competence seem to generate weaker global feelings of self-confidence and personal satisfaction in everyday life contexts.