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The literature on the youth sports emphasizes on the varied positive effects of sports participation ranging from being physically healthy to improved academic achievement, higher self esteem and better psychosocial development. The main purpose of the present study was to find out the significant differences in Self Esteem, Life Satisfaction and Positive and Negative Affect among sports persons and non sports persons. To achieve this, a sample of 60 subjects were selected (30 sports person & 30 non sports person). The participants age range was 18-25 years. To assess self-esteem, the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale was used. To measure Life Satisfaction, Satisfaction with Life Scale by Diener, Emmons, Larsen, and Griffin, was used. Lastly Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) by Watson, Clark, and Tellegen, was used. Results were interpreted and found no significant effects of physical or athletic activity on Self-Esteem, Life satisfaction and Positive andNegative affect.
Keywords: sport person, self-esteem, life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect
The period of 20 -35 years is characterized by the period of young adulthood. Establishment of identity, one's personality, choosing career for self and various other social roles are to be performed during this age period (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2000). It is a period of tremendous growth, ability to get acquainted with, distinguish, synchronize and manage the internal processes apart from growth in one's self- consciousness and self-awareness (Wilson, Rodrique, & Taylor, 1997). Entirely, this period is regarded as the most favorable for fostering psychological well-being and developing a hale and hearty lifestyle, including greater preferences for sports participation. It is so because, the muscle power hits the highest point at 25-30 and auditory and visual acuity including manual dexterity which reaches its highest point at age 33 (Louw & Edwards, 1993). Therefore, participation in sports helps one expand his social and psychological development especially during this time frame (Brodsky, 1988; Etnier et al., 1997; Steinberg, Grieve, & Glass, 2001).
Positive outcomes of sports participation has a wide spectrum on differentage groups. A pro social environment for the youth is provided by sports participation that cultivates andencourages indispensable values such as achievement and competitiveness (Evans &Davies, 1986;Fejgin, 1994; Waller, 1961) .Also, it provides a buffer against negative impact of drug abuse and delinquency (Hastad, Segrave, Pangrazi,...