Social Support and Self-Efficacy as Mediators between Internal Locus of Control and Adolescents’ Physical Activity

Abstract

In China, the physical activity of adolescents is declining nowadays, which may be linked to their health locus of control, social support, and self-efficacy. The current study has investigated the role of health locus of control, social support, and self-efficacy in adolescents’ physical activity. Using convenient sampling, 569 (18–21 years old) adolescents were surveyed. There were 313 (55.01%) females and 256 (44.99%) males. Data were collected through questionnaires on the study variables. The results display that physical activity is directly positively affected by locus of control, self-efficacy, and social support. Both self-efficacy and social support are positively associated with locus of control and physical activity. Further, locus of control also indirectly affects physical activity through self-efficacy and social support. To conclude, we can say that locus of control, self-efficacy, and social support play a significant role in promoting physical activity. The study suggests developing effective future interventions by considering the study variables to increase physical activity.