The mechanism of how adolescents' physical self-esteem and psychological resilience influence sports participation: the chain mediating roles of exercise motivation and social support.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to examine how physical self-esteem and psychological resilience influence adolescents' sports participation, with a focus on the mediating roles of exercise motivation and social support. The goal was to clarify the interaction between individual psychological resources and contextual social factors in shaping youth physical activity.

Method

A total of 2,588 adolescents from 15 provinces in China completed validated questionnaires assessing physical self-esteem, psychological resilience, exercise motivation, social support, and sports participation. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test direct and indirect pathways. Multi-group analyses were conducted to examine model invariance across gender, grade level, and residential background.

SUBMITTER: Tang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12462075 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature