Exploration of the Exercise and Self-Esteem Model revised with self-compassion among Hong Kong secondary school students: An Abductive Qualitative Approach

Mini-Oral Presentation A1.9

Authors

  • Ming Yu Claudia Wong Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Pak-Kwong Chung Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Ka Man Leung Education Univeristy of Hong Kong

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.432

Keywords:

Adolescents, Self-Compassion, Physical Activity, Abductive Qualitative Approach, Exercise and Self-Esteem Model

Abstract

Background: This study regards the mental health risks confronting Hong Kong’s youths as a significant issue. However, due to the conservative attitude of Chinese people toward seeking mental health services, participating in physical activity as a self-help instrument in developing a positive self-concept should be promoted. Purpose: Given that, self-compassion was shown to be more precise than global self-esteem in predicting both negative and positive mental well-being compared to self-esteem. The current study thus aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and self-compassion based on Exercise and Self-Esteem Model, by replacing self-esteem with self-compassion. Methods: Using the abductive grounded theory approach, a total of 25 (Mage = 14.84, sd=1.40) students recruited from secondary schools in Hong Kong were involved in the in-depth interviews. Results: The results demonstrated four major categories based on the EXSEM revised with self-compassion (EXSEM-SC): Physical activity, exercise self-efficacy, self-compassion, and body compassion; thus deductively revealed the expected relationship. Moreover, two new categories, personality traits and injuries were determined inductively from the outcomes. Conclusions: This study identified the relationship between physical activity and self-compassion among Hong Kong secondary school students, and further showed the progression towards mental well-being. Future studies should explore the quantitative properties of the model. Funding: N/A.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Wong, M. Y. C., Chung, P.-K., & Leung, K. M. (2021). Exploration of the Exercise and Self-Esteem Model revised with self-compassion among Hong Kong secondary school students: An Abductive Qualitative Approach: Mini-Oral Presentation A1.9. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.432