Practice of physical activity, prosocial behavior and self-concept in adolescents: Connections in school contexts

Abstract

Introduction. The research has two objetives: to establish differences between internal variables (self-concept and pro-sociality) and external variables (frequency of physical activity) that surround adolescents in the school context, according to social conditions (sex, type of physical activity and age); and to propose causality and predictability relationships between the different dimensions of self-concept and prosocial behavior towards the practice of physical activity in a sample of adolescents. Method. This is a descriptive and lineal association study, whose sample is made up of 409 participants of ESO and Bachillerato. A sociodemographic questionnaire has been used, the self-concept questionnaire (AF-5), the scale of pro-sociality in adolescents and adults, and the Cantoblanco scale of socialization difficulties (SOC). Results. The main area where social relations are encouraged in adolescence is friends (42.3%), followed by school (34%), indicating sport as the least favorable environment to foster their social relations (42.1%). The practice of physical activity is positively related to the dimensions of self-concept, except for the emotional, contemplating a relevant influence of the condition of being federated, for such a negative relationship. In addition, the relationship between self-concept and prosocial behaviour is confirmed for a psychosocially adapted response to the increased frequency of physical activity in adolescence. Discussion and Conclusion. The practice of physical activity causes adolescents to have a better perception of their own personal conditions, thus increasing their confidence to establish social relationships with peers and teachers, in the development of attitudes seeking positive social experiences. All this contributes to the increase in the frequency of sports practice, mediated by the understanding and comprehension of their well-being in relation to prosocial behaviors.