Parents’ and Peers’ Autonomy Support and Exercise Intention for Adolescents: Integrating Social Factors from the Self-Determination Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Abstract

Based on the theory of planned behaviour and self-determination theory, the objective of the present study was to analyse the relationship between (i) parents’ and peers’ autonomy support, and (ii) exercise intention in adolescents, while also considering the mediating role of attitude, control, subjective norms, and descriptive norms. A total of 428 secondary school students, aged between 13 and 19 years old (Mage = 15.30, SD = 1.15), filled in a questionnaire assessing the variables of interest. The relationships between the study variables were examined through a mediation model with bootstrapping technique (20,000 samples) using Mplus v. 7 software. The results showed that the perception of parents’ autonomy support was positively and statistically significant associated with exercise intention; this occurring indirectly through attitude and control both in boys and girls, as well as through subjective norms in the case of girls. Conversely, the perception of peers’ autonomy support was positively and statistically significant associated with exercise intention; this occurring directly both in boys and girls, as well as indirectly through attitude in the case of girls. These findings suggest that, by involving a form of pressure (i.e., subjective/descriptive norms), perceptions of autonomy support may play a more important role than other forms of social influence in predicting exercise intention in adolescents.

Determinants of Telehealth Continuance Intention: A Multi-Perspective Framework

“…A study by Chung et al [ 40 ] on seasonal influenza prevention behaviors showed that perceived autonomy support among staff at a Hong Kong elderly center was positively and significantly associated with autonomous motivation to wear masks and indirectly influenced their intentions to wear masks through mediation of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Sicilia et al [ 48 ] who integrated SDT and TPB to study an adolescent population, also showed that perceived autonomy support influences intention to exercise through attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control.…”

Autonomy-Supportive Classroom Climate in Mixed-Grade Classes in a Japanese Elementary School

“…For example, in a sample of seventh graders, Beiswenger and Grolnick (2010) found that autonomy within friendships influenced autonomous motivation for after-school activities. Sicilia, Águila, Posse, and Alcaraz-Ibáñez (2020) revealed that peers' autonomy support led to higher levels of exercise intention in leisure time. These results suggest that peer autonomy support can motivate children.…”

Neuroeducation, Motivation, and Physical Activity in Students of Physical Education

“…Analyses of the effects of gamification on the motivations and academic performance of university students ( n = 127; experimental group = 62, control group = 65), show that its application in physical education led to an increase in students’ academic performance. The ninth manuscript, by Sicilia et al [ 9 ], analyzed the relationship between parental and peer autonomy support and intention to exercise in adolescents ( n = 428) between 13 and 19 years old, also considering the mediating role of attitude, control, subjective norms, and descriptive norms. The results showed that perceived parental autonomy support was positively and statistically significantly associated with exercise intention.…”