Resumen de Women, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life: self-concept as a Mediator

Tamara Gonzalo Silvestre, Silvia Ubillos Landa

• The objectives of this research are: (a) analyze the incremental validity of physical activity�s (PA) influence on perceived quality of life (PQL); (b) determine if PA�s predictive power is mediated by self-concept; and (c) study if results vary according to a unidimensional or multidimensional approach to self-concept measurement. The sample comprised 160 women from Burgos, Spain aged 18 to 45 years old. Non-probability sampling was used. Two three-step hierarchical regression analyses were applied to forecast PQL. The hedonic quality-of-life indicators, self-concept, self-esteem, and PA were included as independent variables. The first regression analysis included global self-concept as predictor variable, while the second included its five dimensions. Two mediation analyses were conducted to see if PA�s ability to predict PQL was mediated by global and physical self-concept. Results from the first regression shows that self-concept, satisfaction with life, and PA were significant predictors. PA slightly but significantly increased explained variance in PQL (2.1%). In the second regression, substituting global self-concept with its five constituent factors, only the physical dimension and satisfaction with life predicted PQL, while PA ceased to be a significant predictor. Mediation analysis revealed that only physical self-concept mediates the relationship between PA and PQL (z = 1.97, p < .050), and not global self-concept. Physical self-concept was the strongest predictor and approximately 32.45 % of PA�s effect on PQL was mediated by it. This study�s findings support a multidimensional view of self-concept, and represent a more accurate image of the relationship between PQL, PA, and self-conc