Physical self-perceptions and self-esteem in male basketball players with and without disability: a preliminary analysis using the physical self-perception profile

The purposes of this study were threefold. The first aim was to test the reliability and validity of a Portuguese version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPPp) in elite basketball players and determine its sensitivity to assess Self-perceptions in athletes with and without physical disabilities. The second aim was to assess the relationship between variables such as length of sport career, frequency of doing sport and competitive level, and Self-perceptions in the physical domain as well as Global Self-esteem both in athletes with and without disability. The third aim was to assess the relationship between disability-specific variables such as lesion source, type of lesion, time onset of disability and functional classification, and Self-perceptions in the physical domain as well as Global Self-esteem in athletes with disability. The psychometric properties and validity of the PSPPp were evaluated with a sample basketball players with (n = 64) and without disability (n = 69). Cronbach alpha values for subscales ranged from .66 to .79 for the disability group and from.62 to .73 for the group without disability. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a different factorial organization to that reported with the original instrument. The hierarchical organisation of the PSPPp subscales was partially supported by correlation and partial correlation analyses especially in basketball players without disability.