Race and Gender Differences in the Sources of Students’ Self‐schemata for Sport and Physical Activities

The most recent United States Surgeon General's report underscores the need for increased levels of regular physical activity in the US population in general, and in minorities and women in particular. Insight into variations in participation patterns in particular sports and physical activities may provide insight into the differing activity levels in women and minorities. Resent research, utilizing self‐schemata conceptual framework, indicates that particular physical activities are viewed as self‐defining for race and gender groups. This study investigated the sources of self‐schemata and whether these sources vary by race and gender. Questionnaire data and subsequent factor analyses revealed four stable factors: TV/modeling, expectations, parental influence, and effort. Multivariate analyses of these factors revealed gender and racial differences. Understanding the dynamics of self‐schemata development and the influences of race and gender holds potential for improving general health, teacher education programs and pedagogical practices for meaningful intervention.