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Reciprocal association between perceived social support and physical activity participation among college students:
Lingyi Fu1, Yuhuan Xie1, Yang Bai1
1Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Purpose:
This study examined the mediating role of basic psychological needs (BPN) within the reciprocal associations between perceived social support (PSS) and physical activity (PA).
Methods:
This secondary analysis used Spring 2023 ACHA-NCHA data (N = 78,024). Structural equation models tested two pathways: (1) PSS→BPN→PA and (2) PA→BPN→PSS.
Results:
Both models showed a good fit (CFI = [0.984, 0.980], TLI = [0.972, 0.971], RMSEA = [0.023, 0.023], SRMR = [0.013, 0.014]). PSS showed a positive, nonsignificant association with MPA and MST in both directions, with small effect sizes (0.0002-0.006). The exploratory mediation analysis indicated that autonomy exhibited the strongest mediating role (PSS→PA: β = 0.101, p < 0.01; PA→PSS: β = 0.050, p < 0.01). MST showed the strongest indirect reciprocal associations with PSS through BPN, with effect sizes ranging from 0.008 to 0.059.
Conclusion:
BPN modestly mediated the reciprocal associations between PSS and PA. Need-supportive strategies that foster autonomy may help promote both PA and PSS. Longitudinal studies using validated measures and integrated theoretical frameworks are needed.
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