Mediating roles of self-efficacy, body satisfaction, and intrinsic motivation in relationship between social support and physical activity among undergraduates in China

Inadequate physical activity levels among university students have raised health concerns, highlighting the need to identify key determinants for effective interventions. This study explores a model of physical activity promotion based on Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Determination Theory, focusing on social structural factors (social support) as primary drivers and cognitivepsychological factors (self-efficacy, body satisfaction, intrinsic motivation) as mediators. Additionally, it investigates the moderating effects of personal demographics (grade, gender, family economic status) on the relationship between social support and physical activity. A cross-sectional survey of 400 university students (mean age = 20.60, SD = 1.60) was conducted to examine the relationships among variables. Data were collected using various scales, including the Physical Activity Rating Scale and the Multidimensional Social Support Scale. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling were conducted using SPSS and AMOS, with bootstrap methods for mediation analysis and interaction term methods for moderation analysis. Results indicated that out of the 10 paths in the structural model, eight significant paths were as follows: 1) social support with intrinsic motivation (β=0.134, p<0.05); 2) social support with self-efficacy (β=0.625, p<0.001); 3) social support with body satisfaction (β=0.267, p<0.001); 4) self-efficacy with body satisfaction (β=0.366, p<0.001); 5) self-efficacy with intrinsic motivation (β=0.583, p<0.001); 6) self-efficacy with physical activity (β=0.379, p<0.001); 7) body satisfaction with intrinsic motivation (β=0.124, p<0.01); 8) intrinsic motivation with physical activity (β=0.172, p<0.05). The two non-significant paths were social support with physical activity (β=0.021, p>0.05) and body satisfaction with physical activity (β=0.030, p>0.05). Mediation analysis revealed significant mediating effects in the pathways involving self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and their combinations (β=0.010-0.494, p<0.05). Notably, demographics did not moderate the relationship between social support and physical activity. These findings emphasize the importance of social structural factors in promoting physical activity, revealing that internal psychological factors significantly mediate this relationship among Chinese university students. Targeted interventions addressing these psychological factors are crucial for enhancing physical activity levels, highlighting the need for tailored strategies in university settings.

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