Perfectionism and affect as determinants of self-perceived motor competence in primary school children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the primary school students’ perception of their motor competence in the area of Physical Education, with respect to the affective domain and improvement. The sample consisted of 428 primary school students aged between 8 and 12 years (M=10.43; SD=0.837) (Castilla La Mancha, Spain). Perceived motor competence (PMC) was measured by the Perception of Competence Questionnaire (POC); perfectionism was measured by the three subscales of the Child Perfectionism Questionnaire, and, finally, affectivity was assessed by the PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) questionnaire. Positive correlations were obtained between all the dimensions of the PMC and self-improvement (p<.05). Significant gender differences were found in the PMC dimension Peers and Self-Experience, with higher scores in males (p<.05). Differences were also found in the PMC dimension Peers as a function of weight status, being lower in the overweight group (p<.05). Age was related to self-experience being higher the older one was (p<.05). A model was generated that explained 23.7% of PMC with the total dimension of self-improvement and weight status. Three distinct profiles, called high, medium and low self-improvement, were detected. These groups in turn showed an analogy in perceived motor competence, high, medium and low, the result also obtained in the regression analysis (p<.05). These results extend the relationship between perceived motor competence and self-improvement in primary school children and are potentially of interest to the fields of education and psychology.