Attitudes toward Physical Activity of Delinquent and Nondelinquent Junior High School Age Girls

It was the purpose of this study to compare altitudes toward physical activity of delinquent (N = 20) and nondelinquent (N = 60) junior high school age girls. Demographic data were secured through the administration of a questionnaire. Attitudes toward physical activity were assessed by the use of the Kenyon Attitudes Toward Physical Activity Inventory (ATPAI). Data were analyzed through the use of univariate and multivariate statistical procedures. Statistically significant (.01 level) differences in attitudes were found on only one of the six domains. The nondelinquent girls scored significantly higher than the delinquent girls on the social scale. That is, nondelinquent girls value physical activity as a social experience — an opportunity to interact with others. Statistically significant differences were not found for the vertigo, aesthetic, catharsis, or ascetic domains. Multiple discriminant function analyses revealed, however, that there were significant (.05 level) overall differences between delinquent and nondelinquent girls in their attitudes toward physical activity. Thus, it was concluded that delinquent and nondelinquent girls differ in their attitudes toward physical activity. The investigators provided speculations as to why these differences existed.