Effect of Situational Interest and Social Support on College Students’ Physical Activity Motivation: A Mixed Methods Analysis

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><.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><.001) and self-efficacy (beta=.294; <italic>P</italic><.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><.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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Motivational Interventions Effects on Physical Activity Motivation in College Students

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000402899.14932.1a ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 43 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 75

Author(s):

Matthew D. Wogksch ◽

Jeremiah Weinstock ◽

Garret Ash ◽

Linda Pescatello

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

College Students ◽

Motivational Interventions ◽

Physical Activity Motivation

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College Students' Psychological Capital, Social Support, Bmi And Physical Activity

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000762708.12995.ff ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (8S) ◽

pp. 306-306

Author(s):

Di Lu ◽

Zhonghui He ◽

Senlin Chen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

College Students ◽

Psychological Capital ◽

Capital Social

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The Association Among Social Support, Self-Efficacy, Use of Mobile Apps, and Physical Activity: Structural Equation Models With Mediating Effects

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/12606 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. e12606 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Taotao Wang ◽

Mengyuan Ren ◽

Ying Shen ◽

Xiaorou Zhu ◽

Xing Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

College Students ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Mobile Apps ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Support Level ◽

Physical Activity Levels

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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Vigorous physical activity among college students: Using the health belief model to assess involvement and social support

Archives of Exercise in Health and Disease ◽

10.5628/aehd.v4i2.153 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 267-279 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

K. A. King ◽

R. A. Vidourek ◽

L. English ◽

A. L. Merianos

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

College Students ◽

Health Belief Model ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Health Belief ◽

Belief Model ◽

The Health Belief Model

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Seeking Just Us: A Mixed Methods Investigation of Racism-Specific Support Among Black College Students

Journal of Black Psychology ◽

10.1177/00957984211034961 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 009579842110349

Author(s):

Christopher K. Marshburn ◽

Belinda Campos

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

College Students ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Well Being ◽

Black College ◽

Black College Students ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Emotional Closeness ◽

Specific Support

Social support is theorized to protect health against the negative effects of stress. However, findings are mixed regarding whether social support protects Black people’s psychological well-being against racism. The current mixed methods study examined racism-specific support (RSS)—social support in response to racism—in same- (Black/Black) and cross-race (Black/non-Black) friendships. We investigated whether 31 Black college students ( M age = 19.7, SD = 1.70; 74% women) had (1) racial preferences (same-vs. cross-race) for whom they sought RSS, and (2) whether perceptions of RSS’s helpfulness differed when provided by cross-race friends. Participants completed measures of emotional closeness to same- and cross-race friends and participated in focus group interviews discussing racism and RSS. Results found participants reported more emotional closeness to Black friends and non-Black friends of color relative to White friends. As predicted, 65% of participants preferred RSS from Black (vs. non-Black) friends. Participants’ qualitative responses ( n = 21–24) revealed Black (vs. non-Black) friends were perceived to better understand racism. These findings suggest RSS from Black friends, specifically, might benefit Black college students’ psychological well-being.

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Fatigue in adults with primary antiphospholipid syndrome: findings from a mixed-methods study

Lupus ◽

10.1177/0961203320928421 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (8) ◽

pp. 924-933

Author(s):

Lindsay M Bearne ◽

Julie Bieles ◽

Sofia Georgopoulou ◽

Josie Andrews ◽

Amy Tully ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Antiphospholipid Syndrome ◽

Perceived Social Support ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome ◽

Management Interventions

Objective This study aimed to explore the experience and impact of fatigue in adults with primary antiphospholipid syndrome (pAPS). Methods This sequential, explanatory mixed-methods study enrolled adults with a six-month or more history of pAPS. Consenting participants completed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue subscale (FS), Multi-Dimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQMETS). Relationships between FS and other variables were explored with multiple linear regression. Interviews were conducted with a subgroup of participants, and the data were analysed thematically. Results A total of 103 participants were recruited ( Mage = 50.3 years; standard deviation = 10.1 years; 18 males). Of these, 62% reported severe fatigue. Greater fatigue was associated with lower mood, physical inactivity, poorer sleep quality and lower perceived social support. The best-fit model explained 56% of the variance in FS (adjusted R2 = 0.560, F(3, 74) = 33.65, p > 0.001) and included PHQ9 and IPAQMETS as significant predictors, and PSQI as a non-significant predictor. Twenty participants completed interviews. Three key themes were identified: characteristics of fatigue, impact on life and coping strategies. Conclusion Fatigue was a common symptom of pAPS and challenging to manage. Other factors, particularly mood and physical activity, influenced fatigue. Evidence-based self-management interventions are needed.

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Associação entre intenção para prática de atividade física, apoio social e atividade física

Brazilian Journal of Kinanthropometry and Human Performance ◽

10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n6p667 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 667

Author(s):

Hermes Koller de Paiva ◽

Edina Maria de Camargo ◽

Alexandre Augusto de Paula da Silva ◽

Rodrigo Siqueira Reis

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Support ◽

College Students ◽

Physical Education ◽

Poisson Regression ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Moderating Effect ◽

Moderating Effects ◽

Undergraduate Program ◽

Support Family

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n6p667 Intrapersonal and interpersonal aspects have been widely correlated to variations on the physical activity (PA) levels. The aim of this study was to examine the moderating effect of intention for PA practice on the association between social support and leisure PA levels in a sample of college students from Curitiba, Brazil. A questionnaire was administered in a sample of 349 college students from a Physical Education undergraduate program. The variables intention to PA practice, social support (family and friends) and leisure-time PA were obtained through interviews. Poisson regression was used to test the moderating effect of intention to PA practice on the association between social support and leisure-time PA levels. The intention for PA practice showed no moderating effects on leisure PA. Social support from friends was associated with achieving recommended PA levels (≥150min/week), regardless of intention for PA practice (PR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.09-1.93). In this study, moderating effect of intention for PA practice on the association between social support and leisure-time PA has not been found.

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