Observational Learning and the Fearful Child: Influence of Peer Models on Swimming Skill Performance and Psychological Responses
- 1 December 1998
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
- Vol. 69 (4), 380-394
- https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.1998.10607712
Abstract
This study examined the role of peer mastery and coping models on children's swimming skills, fear, and self-efficacy. Children (N = 24; M age = 6.2 years), who were identified as fearful of the water, were matched to control, peer-mastery, or peer-coping model conditions. Day 1 included a preintervention assessment, Days 2–4 included exposure to model conditions followed by a 20-min swimming lesson, Day 5 consisted of postintervention assessments, and a follow-up test was conducted 4 days later. Data were analyzed in a series of 3 × 3 (Model Type × Assessment Period) repeated measures analyses of variance on the dependent variables. Results revealed differences between modeling and control groups at postintervention and follow-up, but the small sample size and large within-group variability compromised many statistically significant findings. Calculation of effect sizes indicated moderate-to-large pre- to postintervention differences between control and modeling groups on skill, self-efficacy, and fear of swimming. These findings suggest that a modeling intervention combined with swimming lessons is a more effective behavior change agent for fearful children than swimming lessons alone.Keywords
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