Date of Award

11-2003

Embargo Period

3-15-2018

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Education (Honours) BEd (Hons)

Faculty

Education

School

Education

First Advisor

Dr Peter Beamish

Second Advisor

Malcolm Coulson

ANZSRC / FoR Code

130210 Physical Education and Development Curriculum and Pedagogy, 130106 Secondary Education

Abstract

Physical activity and academic achievement are important and valued aspects of society. The present study investigated the relationship between involvement in competitive sport, self-efficacy beliefs and academic achievement in Seventh-day Adventist secondary school students. Within the study, competitive sport was divided into three aspects, involvement, enjoyment and success. Self-efficacy was investigated at two levels, general, and a more task specific level including academic and Personal Development & Health self-efficacy. Student self-reporting was used in measuring achievement in the subject areas of English, Mathematics and Personal Development and Health.

Data were collected from 619 students in 3 Seventh-day Adventist secondary schools using a 96-item questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to test proposed relationships in a theoretically constructed causal model, linking background, intermediate and outcome variables.

Aspects of competitive sport were found to have direct and indirect influences on levels of self-efficacy as well as academic and PD/H achievement. High general self-efficacy was found to significantly influence more specific levels of self-efficacy and there were strong positive paths existing from academic self-efficacy to academic achievement and PD/H self-efficacy to PD/H achievement.

Pathways within the causal model identified that students who are successful in competitive sport are more likely to achieve highly in Mathematics, English and PD/H. Students who enjoy their involvement in competitive sport exhibit high beliefs of PD/H self-efficacy and achieve highly in PD/H.

Comments

Used by permission: the author

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