Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-7-2022
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Education
First Advisor
Alicia Stapp
Second Advisor
Laura Prior
Third Advisor
Richard Jowers
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Adolescents experience a broad range of physical and emotional changes and begin looking to peers and social media to determine what their bodies should look like through the lens of society. This process of adolescents beginning to visualize themselves is known as body image. These include physical competence, motivation, self-esteem, and confidence through the way the teachers interact with students, develop positive learning spaces, and develop and implement intentional instruction and programs, thus, providing a space where adolescents begin to develop a healthy perception of their own body (Kerner et al., 2017). However, the breadth of literature on body image, what variables in the school setting impact body image, and how they affect adolescents within the classroom (general and physical education) reveal minimal studies in relation to the impact teachers have on how students view themselves. Therefore, this study explored physical education teachers’ experiences with body image and their perceptions and experiences with addressing and/or teaching body image in their classrooms and/or across the school setting through a qualitative approach. Physical education teachers were interviewed and three themes emerged. These were categorized as follows: (a) promoting positive body image through health and physical education initiatives and pedagogy; (b) barriers to teaching body image; and (c) shifting the mindset to body positivity. These findings result in a better understanding of ways in which schools and teachers can promote and encourage body positivity, leading to a more positive view of one’s own body.
Recommended Citation
Noel, Natallie, "An Exploration of Physical Education Teachers’ Perceptions of and Experiences With Body Image" (2022). Honors Theses. 2605.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/2605
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