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Associations Among Physical Exercise, Social Support, and Meaning in Life in College Students: An Actor-Partner
Baole Tao1, Zhenwu Li1, Jie Han1
1College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China.
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Physical exercise boosts meaning in life for college students through both individual efforts and friend support. Social support acts as a crucial link, enhancing psychological well-being in friendships.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Science
- Health Science
Background:
- Physical exercise is linked to positive psychological outcomes in college students.
- The connection between physical activity, social support, and meaning in life within friendships is understudied.
- This research investigates how physical exercise and social support influence meaning in life in friendship dyads.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the actor and partner associations between physical exercise, social support, and meaning in life.
- To understand the mediating role of social support in the relationship between physical exercise and meaning in life.
- To explore intrapersonal and interpersonal pathways linking physical activity to a sense of purpose in college students' friendships.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional dyadic survey involving 415 friendship dyads (830 Chinese college students, aged 17-23).
- Validated measures for physical exercise, perceived social support, and meaning in life were administered.
- Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIMs) were used to analyze dyadic data, including mediation analyses.
Main Results:
- Physical exercise positively correlated with social support at both actor and partner levels.
- Social support was significantly associated with meaning in life for both individuals and their friends.
- Direct effects of physical exercise on meaning in life were observed, with significant indirect effects mediated by social support.
Conclusions:
- Physical exercise enhances meaning in life through both individual (intrapersonal) and relational (interpersonal) pathways within friendships.
- Social support is a critical mediator, connecting physical activity to a greater sense of purpose in life.
- Findings highlight the importance of social connections and physical activity for college students' psychological well-being.
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