SELF-ESTEEM IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND NON-PHYSICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL COMPARATIVE STUDY

Physical Education

Abstract

Self-esteem is a multidimensional psychological construct with well-established links to mental health, academic persistence, and social functioning. While physical activity is known to benefit self-esteem, comparative research between students formally enrolled in Physical Education (PE) programmes and those in non-physical education disciplines remains limited in Indian higher education contexts. This study compared global and domain-specific self-esteem — covering athletic competence, physical appearance, social acceptance, and scholastic competence — between PE and non-PE postgraduate students, and further examined gender-based differences and interaction effects. A quantitative, cross-sectional comparative design was employed. Sixty postgraduate students from Rajasthan University (30 PE, 30 non-PE; 15 males and 15 females per group; aged 18–25 years) were selected via purposive sampling. Global self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965) and domain-specific self-esteem using four subscales of Harter’s Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPPA; Harter, 2012). Data were analysed using independent samples t-tests and two-way ANOVA at α = 0.05. PE students scored significantly higher on global self-esteem (M = 25.80 vs. 23.60; t = 4.21, p < 0.001, d = 1.09), athletic competence (d = 3.45), physical appearance (d = 1.42), and social acceptance (d = 1.25). Non-PE students scored significantly higher on scholastic competence (M = 21.50 vs. 13.70; d = 5.02). Male students had higher global self-esteem than females (M = 26.00 vs. 23.40; d = 1.39). Two-way ANOVA confirmed significant main effects for both specialisation (η² = 0.25) and gender (η² = 0.32), but no significant interaction (F = 0.32, p = 0.574). Six of seven hypotheses were supported. Findings confirm the domain-specific nature of self-esteem and underscore the value of structured physical education for psychosocial development in higher education.