The role of self-control in sports participation and health among junior high school students: a case study in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v76.118562Keywords:
Self-control, Sports participation, Adolescent health, Physical activity, Junior high school studentsAbstract
Introduction: Self-control helps adolescents regulate impulses, manage emotions, and stay goal-directed. It becomes vital in adolescence as academic, social, and behavioral demands increase. Higher self-control supports healthier habits, including regular physical activity, but evidence on its links with sports participation and health outcomes among junior high school students in developing settings like Indonesia remains limited.
Objective: To examine how self-control relates to sports participation and physical and mental health among Indonesian junior high school students.
Methodology: This quantitative descriptive study involved 1,305 JHS students selected through stratified random sampling from 12 provinces. Self-control was measured with the Self-Control Scale (SCS) and grouped into high, moderate, and low categories. Sports participation frequency and health indicators (physical fitness/health, mental health, stress) were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed descriptively.
Results: Most students had moderate self-control (93.0%); 5.8% were high. Students with high self-control were more active, with 60% exercising at least four days per week, while low self-control students reported much lower participation. Higher self-control also corresponded to better mental health, lower stress, and higher fitness.
Discussion: Findings are consistent with studies showing self-regulation supports physical activity. Regional and gender differences suggest contextual and social influences on adolescents’ self-control across diverse Indonesian contexts.
Conclusion: Self-control contributes to sports participation and healthier outcomes. School-based programs that build self-regulation may promote more active lifestyles.
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