Prosocial Behaviours, Physical Activity and Personal and Social Responsibility Profiles in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify possible responsibility profiles in adolescent students and their relationship with prosocial variables, empathy, violence and the perception of physical activity undertaken. A sample of 296 students aged 10-17 (M = 12.60; SD = 1.65) from different schools (138 boys and 158 girls) was assessed for personal and social responsibility using the Personal and Social Responsibility Questionnaire, for social skills using the Social Skills Inventory for Adolescents, for empathy using the Spanish version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, for perception of school violence using the Everyday School Violence Questionnaire, and for perceived level of physical activity and physical exercise (Comparative PA Scale and Physician-based Assessment and Counselling for Exercise). The profile analysis identified one profile with "high responsibility" and one profile with "low responsibility". MANOVA provided significantly higher values for prosocial behaviours, empathy and perception of physical activity undertaken in the "high responsibility" profile. Promoting these values could be key to improving the climate of coexistence in schools and promoting a healthy lifestyle.