Cited by 383Motivation and Self-Concept in SportsPhysical Activity and HealthPersonality Traits and Psychology

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Exercise and self-esteem: rationale and model

SONSTROEM, ROBERT J., MORGAN, WILLIAM P.·1989·Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

DOI 10.1249/00005768-198906000-00018

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Abstract

SONSTROEM, R. J. and W. P. MORGAN. Exercise and self-esteem: rationale and model. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 329–337, 1989. Positive emotional and psychological benefits are commonly believed to result from chronic physical exercise. While reviews of research have failed to substantiate this general proposition, they have identified enhanced self-esteem as an empirically supported exercise outcome. Unfortunately, research in this area has tended to be simplistic in self-esteem theory and measurement and has remained incapable of addressing how or why change may occur. This paper summarizes pertinent self-esteem theory and presents an empirically based rationale for self-esteem enhancement through exercise participation. It constructs a model for examining exercise and self-esteem interactions in which components of self-structure are hierarchically organized on a basis of generality. The self-esteem model contains dimensions of competence and self-acceptance, and it is operationally defined.

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Authors: SONSTROEM, R. J., & MORGAN, W. P.
Affiliations: University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
Venue: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published: 1989-06
Volume: 21
Issue: 3
Pages: 329???337
ISSN: 0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1249/00005768-198906000-00018
OpenAlex: W4294570529
Cited by: 383
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 19 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 10
FWCI: 3.72
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
Keywords: physical activity, self-esteem, self-esteem theory, self-structure, competence, self-acceptance, self-esteem measurement

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Exercise and self-esteem: rationale and model

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