The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Motivation to Participate in Physical Activity

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between perceived social support and motivation to participate in physical activity among university students. The research was conducted with 528 students studying at a state university located in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Data were collected online using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Motivation for Participation in Physical Activity Scale. Correlation analysis and Hayes’ PROCESS Model 4 mediation analysis were employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that perceived social support significantly and positively predicted motivation to participate in physical activity both directly and indirectly through self-efficacy. Self-efficacy plays a partial mediating role in the effect of social support on motivation. In conclusion, it was found that the perception of social support strengthens individuals’ self-efficacy beliefs, thereby enhancing their motivation to participate in physical activity. In line with these results, it is emphasized that future studies should consider perceived social support and self-efficacy together. The results reveal that social support plays a significant role in strengthening individuals' attitudes toward physical activity. Furthermore, perceived social support increases individuals' self-efficacy beliefs, thereby enhancing their motivation to participate in physical activity.

Keywords

• Perceived social support
• physical activity
• self-efficacy
• university students

Algılanan Sosyal Desteğin Fiziksel Aktiviteye Katılım Motivasyonu ile İlişkisinde Öz-Yeterliliğin Aracılık Rolü

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, üniversite öğrencilerinde algılanan sosyal destek ve fiziksel aktiviteye katılım motivasyonu arasındaki ilişkide öz-yeterliğin aracılık rolünün incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma, Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde bulunan bir devlet üniversitesinde öğrenim gören 528 üniversite öğrencisi ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler çevrim içi olarak toplanmıştır. Veri toplamada Çok Boyutlu Algılanan Sosyal Destek Ölçeği, Genel Öz-Yeterlik Ölçeği ve Fiziksel Aktiviteye Katılım Motivasyonu Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde korelasyon ve Hayes’in PROCESS Model 4 aracılık analizi uygulanmıştır. Bulgular, algılanan sosyal desteğin fiziksel aktiviteye katılım motivasyonunu hem doğrudan hem de öz-yeterlik aracılığıyla anlamlı ve pozitif olarak etkilediğini göstermiştir. Öz-yeterlik, sosyal desteğin motivasyon üzerindeki etkisinde kısmi aracılık rolü oynamaktadır. Sonuç olarak, sosyal destek algısının bireylerin öz-yeterlik inançlarını güçlendirerek fiziksel aktiviteye katılım motivasyonunu artırdığı ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu sonuçlar doğrultusunda, ileride yapılacak çalışmalarda sosyal destek ile öz-yeterliğin birlikte ele alınmasının önem taşıdığı vurgulanmıştır. Sonuçlar, sosyal desteğin bireylerin fiziksel aktiviteye yönelik tutumlarını güçlendirmede önemli bir rol oynadığını ortaya koymaktadır. Dahası, algılanan sosyal destek, bireylerin öz yeterlilik inançlarını artırarak fiziksel aktiviteye katılma motivasyonlarını güçlendirmektedir.

Keywords

• Algılanan sosyal destek
• fiziksel aktivite
• öz yeterlilik
• üniversite öğrencileri

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