Exploring the relationship between body esteem and sports motivation in a sample of university students: A cross-sectional study

Estrada-Araoz E.G.; Farfán-Latorre M.; Lavilla-Condori W.G.; Cruz-Laricano E.O.; Avendaño-Cruz C.E. · Retos (2025) · DOI: 10.47197/retos.v65.111585

Resumen

Introduction: in recent years, body self-esteem has gained significant relevance due to its impact on mental health and quality of life. Objective: to determine whether there is a relationship between body self-esteem and sports motivation in Peruvian university students from the Nursing degree program. Methodology: a quantitative, non-experimental, correlational, and cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 225 students selected through probabilistic sampling, who were administered the Body Self-Esteem Scale and the Sports Motivation Scale, both instruments with adequate psychometric properties. Results: statistically significant differences were observed in sports motivation, with men scoring higher compared to women. Likewise, students aged 26 to 35 reported higher scores in both body self-esteem and sports motivation, with differences also being statistically significant. Additionally, Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) for both variables was determined to be 0.228 (p < 0.05). Finally, the dimensions of body satisfaction and body image also showed direct and significant correlations with sports motivation, with coefficients of 0.216 and 0.235, respectively (p < 0.05). Discussion: various studies support the main findings, showing that higher body self-esteem is associated with stronger sports motivation (Camacho & Almagro, 2024; Urrutia et al., 2024; Klimenko et al., 2022). Conclusions: there is a direct and significant relationship between body self-esteem and sports motivation in Peruvian university students from the Nursing degree program.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios