Socialization and behavioral problems of elementary school pupils with developmental coordination disorder

The present study examined the role of the developmental coordination disorder in 154 children's socialization and the expression of deviant behaviors in the context of Greek primary education. For assessment of their motor coordination, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children of Henderson and Sugden was used. The peer nomination method (sociogram) was used for the estimation of children's social status, and the expression of deviant behaviors was assessed via Conners' Teacher Questionnaire. Analyses showed that developmental coordination disorder was associated with poor socialization and the expression of deviant behaviors. These findings support the development of educational programs to include children with poor motor coordination.     

The development of a physical education state anxiety scale: a preliminary study

The aim of the present study was to develop a measure of state anxiety for school physical education. The Physical Education State Anxiety Scale was designed to assess the basic anxiety dimensions plus the related cognitive processes. High school students (n = 631) completed the scale just prior to a test on two track and field tasks, in order to create a stressful condition. Data from the sample were randoml y split in two and subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, which supported the proposed three-factor structure of Worry, Cognitive Processes, and Somatic Anxiety. Internal consistency coefficients were acceptable. Moderate correlations among the subscale scores supported its construct validity. Results provide preliminary evidence for validity and reliability.     

Achievement in physical education and self-concept of Greek students in grades 5 and 6

This study investigated the relationship between rated achievement in physical education (low, medium, high) and specific domains of self-concept on the Self-Perception Profile for Children of 303 students in Grades 5 and 6 (M age = 10.9 yr., SD = 0.7). Analysis of variance yielded statistically significant differences between achievement groups on all domains of self-concept except Behavioral Conduct. Students with lower rated achievement in physical education had lower scores on self-concept domains.