Adolescent Sports Behavior and Social Networks: The Role of Social Efficacy and Self-Presentation in Sports Behavior

Abstract

Social networks are a complex system that members communicate, create new connections or destroy existing connections, and further deliver major impacts on each member’s life. Given the spread of the Internet and increased academic pressure, sedentary and prescreen behaviors are very common among adolescents; meanwhile, sports behaviors are gradually decreasing. This situation has had an adverse effect on health. This paper used a questionnaire survey to investigate the influence of social networks on adolescent sports behavior, including the intermediary role of social efficacy and moderating effect of self-presentation. The questionnaire survey was conducted on 568 students from 6 high schools in Shaanxi, Henan, and Shandong Provinces. After this, factor analysis and weighted least squares method were used for the empirical test. Based on theoretical and empirical analysis, this paper found the following: (1) Social networks of adolescents have obvious positive predictive effects on their sports behavior. A single online social network and an offline social network, instrumental network, emotional network, and mixed network have obvious positive predictive effects on adolescent sports behaviors. However, under the influence of multiple types of social networks, an offline social network has a negative predictive effect, while a mixed network has effects that are not as obvious. (2) Social efficacy plays an intermediary role in the relationship between social network and adolescent sports behavior. (3) The moderating effect of self-presentation is not significant.

From appearance comparison to fitness intention: mediating roles of appearance-based exercise motivation and perceived behavioral control

“…On the other hand, perceived behavioral control has a positive effect on fitness intention. It is not different from Banerjee and Ho (2019) and Lee et al.’s (2020)Lee et al. 2020 findings.…”

“…, 2019a, b), etc. A study has confirmed that individual's cognition can influence behavioral choice (Lei et al , 2020). People generally participate in physical activities to meet the needs of physical interests, mental health, challenges.…”

“…To further explore fitness-related behaviors, scholars have focused their attention on fitness-related intentions, including the intention to use fitness wearable devices (Talukder et al, 2019), the intention to consume in fitness centers (Chang et al, 2019a, b), etc. A study has confirmed that individual's cognition can influence behavioral choice (Lei et al, 2020). People generally participate in physical activities to meet the needs of physical interests, mental health, challenges.…”