Does Gender Moderate the Direct and Indirect Relationships Between Different Sources of Social Support and Adolescents’ Physical Activity?

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 874-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Chen ◽  
Jun Dai

Background:Using the social cognitive theory, this study aims to examine how gender moderates the direct and indirect relationships of various sources of social support on Chinese adolescents’ physical activity (PA).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. The final data includes 396 students (55.8% are boys) who were randomly selected from 2 middle schools and 4 high schools in Fuzhou city located in southeast China. Family support, peer support, and self-efficacy (SE) were measured using validated questionnaires. Participants’ PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. A bootstrapping method was used to determine and compare the direct and indirect effects of social support on PA across genders.Results:Peer support had no direct effect on PA; rather, peer support indirectly influenced PA through SE. Gender did not moderate this mediating effect. In addition, family support had neither a direct nor an indirect effect on PA via SE, and gender did not moderate these effects.Conclusions:Findings suggest that peer support played a more important role than family support on study participants’ PA indirectly through SE. SE also has a similar indirect effect across genders.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taotao Wang ◽  
Mengyuan Ren ◽  
Ying Shen ◽  
Xiaorou Zhu ◽  
Xing Zhang ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is a risk factor for chronic noncommunicable diseases. Insufficient physical activity has become an important public health problem worldwide. As mobile apps have rapidly developed, physical activity apps have the potential to improve the level of physical activity among populations. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effect of physical activity apps on levels of physical activity among college students. METHODS A Web-based questionnaire was used to survey college students in Beijing from December 27, 2017, to January 5, 2018. According to a previous survey, 43% of college students using physical activity apps and 36% of those who never used such apps achieved the physical activity recommendations. In this study, the sample size was calculated to be 500. The questionnaire consisted of 5 parts: the use of physical activity apps, sports habits, social support, self-efficacy, and social demographic information. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships between the use of physical activity apps, self-efficacy, social support, and level of physical activity. RESULTS Of the 1245 participants, 384 college students (30.8%) used physical activity apps (in the past month). Of these 384 students, 191 (49.7%) gained new friends via the app. College students who were using physical activity apps had a higher level of physical activity and higher scores for social support and self-efficacy (<italic>P</italic>&lt;.001) than those who did not use such apps. The use of physical activity apps significantly affected the mediating effect of physical activity level through social support (beta=.126; <italic>P</italic>&lt;.001) and self-efficacy (beta=.294; <italic>P</italic>&lt;.001). Gender played an important role in app use, self-efficacy, and physical activity in the mediation model: male users spent more time on physical activity and had higher self-efficacy scores (<italic>P</italic>&lt;.001). CONCLUSIONS This study focused on college students in Beijing and found that the use of physical activity apps is associated with higher physical activity levels among these students. This effect is mainly through the mediation effect of social support and self-efficacy, rather than the direct effect of physical activity apps. The use of physical activity apps is associated with a higher social support level and higher self-efficacy score. Furthermore, a high social support level and high self-efficacy score are associated with higher physical activity levels.


Author(s):  
Chengxu Long ◽  
Ruoxi Wang ◽  
Da Feng ◽  
Lu Ji ◽  
Zhanchun Feng ◽  
...  

Background: Due to the household registration system, Chinese elderly migrants have insufficient access to health services and social support. Thus, this study examined the use of health services, the access to social support, and the interaction among the elderly migrating within China. Methods: Data were obtained from the China Migrant Dynamic Monitoring Survey in 2015, adopting probability proportionate to size as the sampling strategy. Structural equation modeling and mediating effect tests were employed to explore the associations. Results: Approximately 45.9% of elderly migrants did not seek health services when needed. The use of outpatient and inpatient services was more common than free essential public health services. The use of health services was negatively associated with migrating duration and migrating for offspring, while it was positively associated with outer social support. The mediating effects of outer social support were discovered on the relationships between the use of health services and independent variables such as migrating duration and migrating for offspring, respectively. Conclusion: Elderly migrants with a longer migrating duration or migrated for offspring seem to obtain less outer social support, resulting in a decreased use of health services. Outer social support was suggested as a key effort to improve the equalization of health services in Chinese elderly migrants.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1201-1214
Author(s):  
Tianqiong Xia ◽  
Yifu Wang ◽  
Qiyi Lin

We evaluated the level of adaptation of city newcomers (CNs) to urban life in China, and their personal well-being, and explored the mediating effect of social support on the relationship between these variables. We used a 2-stage sampling method to recruit 314 participants who completed the Adaptation to Urban Life Scale, Social Support Scale, and Personal Well-Being Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to test full and partial mediation effects. Findings showed that there was a significant correlation between the extent of CNs’ positive adaptation to urban life and their personal well-being. In addition, social support was beneficial for CNs’ personal well-being, and partially mediated the relationship between CNs’ adaptation to urban life and personal well-being. In addition, the adaptation to urban life dimensions of employment prospects, living conditions, and urban environment predicted CNs’ personal well-being. Implications of the findings are discussed, along with directions for future research.


2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya-Wen Hsu ◽  
Chih-Ping Chou ◽  
Selena T. Nguyen-Rodriguez ◽  
Arianna D. McClain ◽  
Britni R. Belcher ◽  
...  

Background:A profound decline in physical activity occurs in puberty. This phenomenon is not well understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine associations between family/friend social support for physical activity, negative meanings of physical activity (NMPA), and internal /external barriers to physical activity with moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary and light behavior (SLB) in youth.Methods:A total of 350 participants from 7 Los Angeles County middle schools participated in the study (62% Latina, 79% females). Hypothesized pathways were examined using structural equation modeling. Psychosocial variables and participation in MVPA and SLB were assessed by self-reported questionnaires.Results:NMPA were related to lower levels of family/friend social support and greater internal/external barriers. Family social support was the only significant indicator of MVPA (β = 0.79). Low family social support was related to higher SLB (β = −0.25).Conclusions:Family social support seems crucial to promote MVPA and reduce SLB in adolescents and might be influenced by child’s feelings about physical activity. Future research should consider the interrelationship between psychosocial correlates of physical activity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 581-593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Silva ◽  
Ryan Lott ◽  
K. A. S. Wickrama ◽  
Jorge Mota ◽  
Greg Welk

Background:If the Youth Physical Activity Promotion (YPAP) model adequately explains youth physical activity (PA) in 2 different cultures and with 2 different sets of instruments, it would suggest that the model has broad utility for youth activity promotion.Methods:Two samples from different countries were used: sample 1—USA, 159 students (n = 83 girls) mean age 11.52 ± 1.40 years; sample 2—Portugal, 203 students (n = 125 girls) mean age 14.99 ± 1.55 years. PA was assessed by accelerometry. The YPAP model was analyzed through structural equation modeling using AMOS (version 17.0).Results:In sample 1, social-support had a direct association on MVPA (β = .58, P < .001), enjoyment (β = .70, P < .05), and self-efficacy (β = –.66, P < .001). Enjoyment significantly predicted MVPA (β = .60, P < .001) and self-efficacy significantly predicted MVPA (β = .55, P < .001). In sample 2, social-support had a direct effect on MVPA (β = .33, P < .05), significantly predicted enjoyment (β = –.43, P < .001), and significantly predicted self-efficacy (β = .63, P < .001). Self-efficacy was a significant predictor of MVPA (β = .14, P < .001) but enjoyment was not.Conclusions:Differences were noted in the nature of the relationships and the relative importance. Self-efficacy and social support had significant effects on MVPA in both samples—despite differences in the way that they were measured and operationalized.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Silva ◽  
Ryan Lott ◽  
Jorge Mota ◽  
Greg Welk

Social support (SS) from parents and peers are key reinforcing factors in the Youth Physical Activity Promotion (YPAP) model. This study aims to identify the relative contribution of parental and peer SS on youth participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Participants included 203 high school students (n = 125 girls; mean age 14.99 ± 1.55 years). MVPA was assessed by accelerometry. SS influences were evaluated using a well-established scale. Structural equation modeling measured (AMOS, Version 19) the relative fit of the YPAP models using both parental and peer SS. Parental SS had significant associations with both predisposing factors, enjoyment (β = .62, p < .01), and self-efficacy (β= .32, p < .01), as well a direct effect on MVPA (β = .30, p < .01). Peer SS had direct effect on MVPA (β = .33, p < .05), also significantly influenced levels of enjoyment (β = .47, p < .01) and self-efficacy (β = .67, p < .01). In both models self-efficacy mediated the influence on MVPA. The direct effects for parents and peers were similar. This demonstrates that both parental and peer social support exert a strong influence on adolescent MVPA.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 957-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanette M. Garcia ◽  
John R. Sirard ◽  
Ross Larsen ◽  
Meg Bruening ◽  
Melanie Wall ◽  
...  

Objective:The purpose of this study was to examine, using structural equation modeling, the associations between nominated friend physical activity (PA), friend social support with individual PA-related psychological factors, and adolescent PA.Methods:Data were obtained from EAT 2010 (Eating and Activity Among Teens), a large cross-sectional study conducted in 20 middle and high schools. The sample consisted of 1951 adolescents (mean age: 14.25 ± 1.96, 54% female, 68% ethnic minorities). PA, parent and friend social support (perceived social support for PA from parents and friends), and psychological measures (PA enjoyment, PA self-efficacy, and PA barriers) were assessed by self-report questionnaires. The SEM analysis consisted of 1 observed variable: friend PA, and 2 latent constructs: psychological factors, perceived social support.Results:The model was a good fit, indicating that there were significant direct effects of both friend PA (P < .01) and psychological factors (P < .0001) on adolescent PA. In addition, psychological factors mediated the association between friend PA and adolescent PA.Conclusion:The results of this model suggest that psychological factors and friend PA are associated with adolescent PA, and that psychological factors may play an important role. Future studies should further examine the association of both friend PA and psychological variables with adolescent PA.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-344
Author(s):  
Marieke J. Born ◽  
Agnes Akkerman

This article studies how the support workers expect from colleagues for strike participation affects their willingness to participate in a strike. We formulate hypotheses on the effects of anticipated social support for participation as well as anticipated social support for nonparticipation. We include the potentially mediating effect of social identification and the social costs of (non-)participation. We test our hypotheses on survey data of 725 Dutch employees collected in 2010. Using structural equation modeling techniques, we find that the support for participation has a stronger positive effect on the willingness to strike than the support for nonparticipation has on the willingness to strike. In addition, our findings suggest that union membership substitutes the effect of social support of colleagues.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyu Fan ◽  
Xinghua Fan

There are tens of millions of children left behind by one or both rural-to-urban migrant parents (left-behind children, LBC) in rural China. Compared to non-left-behind children (NLBC), LBC are disadvantaged in psychological adjustment. Research has shown social support can help LBC grow up healthily, but the plausible mechanisms linking support to adjustment remain unclear. The present study investigated the mediating role of basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS) in the above relationship, as well as whether the predictive pathways of support on adjustment and BPNS were moderated by resilience in a sample of 692 LBC and 264 NLBC. Structural equation modeling indicated social support positively predicted LBC’s psychological adjustment, which was completely mediated by BPNS. In addition, the mediating effect was weaker for LBC with higher levels of resilience, which indicated resilience was a necessary asset for LBC’s growth amid the adversity of low social support.


10.2196/12606 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e12606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taotao Wang ◽  
Mengyuan Ren ◽  
Ying Shen ◽  
Xiaorou Zhu ◽  
Xing Zhang ◽  
...  

Background Physical inactivity is a risk factor for chronic noncommunicable diseases. Insufficient physical activity has become an important public health problem worldwide. As mobile apps have rapidly developed, physical activity apps have the potential to improve the level of physical activity among populations. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of physical activity apps on levels of physical activity among college students. Methods A Web-based questionnaire was used to survey college students in Beijing from December 27, 2017, to January 5, 2018. According to a previous survey, 43% of college students using physical activity apps and 36% of those who never used such apps achieved the physical activity recommendations. In this study, the sample size was calculated to be 500. The questionnaire consisted of 5 parts: the use of physical activity apps, sports habits, social support, self-efficacy, and social demographic information. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships between the use of physical activity apps, self-efficacy, social support, and level of physical activity. Results Of the 1245 participants, 384 college students (30.8%) used physical activity apps (in the past month). Of these 384 students, 191 (49.7%) gained new friends via the app. College students who were using physical activity apps had a higher level of physical activity and higher scores for social support and self-efficacy (P<.001) than those who did not use such apps. The use of physical activity apps significantly affected the mediating effect of physical activity level through social support (beta=.126; P<.001) and self-efficacy (beta=.294; P<.001). Gender played an important role in app use, self-efficacy, and physical activity in the mediation model: male users spent more time on physical activity and had higher self-efficacy scores (P<.001). Conclusions This study focused on college students in Beijing and found that the use of physical activity apps is associated with higher physical activity levels among these students. This effect is mainly through the mediation effect of social support and self-efficacy, rather than the direct effect of physical activity apps. The use of physical activity apps is associated with a higher social support level and higher self-efficacy score. Furthermore, a high social support level and high self-efficacy score are associated with higher physical activity levels.


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