Psychological and Behavioral Correlates of Early Adolescents’ Physical Literacy

in Journal of Teaching in Physical Education
Dylan O. Blain*,1,2, Thomas Curran*,3, and Martyn Standage*,1
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  • 1 University of Bath
  • | 2 University of Wales Trinity Saint David
  • | 3 London School of Economics and Political Science
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2019-0131
Keywords:
engagement; exercise; physical education; well-being
First Published Online:
26 Apr 2020
In Print:
Volume 40: Issue 1
Page Range:
157–165
Restricted access

Purpose: Physical literacy is understood to be important for adolescents’ behavioral and psychological wellness. Yet, to date, limited empirical data exist to support such reasoning. Addressing this gap, the present study examined relationships between physical literacy and early adolescents’ physical education engagement, leisure-time exercise behavior, and psychological well-being. Methods: The physical literacy level of 187 early adolescents (M age = 12.84, SD = 0.55, girls = 99) was measured using the Canadian Assessment for Physical Literacy. One week later, data pertaining to standardized measures of engagement in physical education, leisure-time exercise behavior, and psychological well-being were collected. Results: Structural equation modeling revealed that physical literacy was positively correlated with physical education engagement, leisure-time exercise, positive affect, and vitality, whereas it was negatively correlated with negative affect. Conclusion: The findings from this work substantiate the contention that physical literacy has manifold benefits for early adolescents’ behavioral and psychological wellness.

Blain and Standage are with the Centre for Motivation and Health Behaviour Change, Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom. Blain is with the Institute of Management and Health, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Carmarthen, United Kingdom. Curran is with the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom.

Blain (d.blain@uwtsd.ac.uk) is corresponding author.

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education

Cover Journal of Teaching in Physical Education

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