Reciprocal association between perceived social support and physical activity participation among college students: the mediating role of basic psychological needs.

Authors

Lingyi Fu, Yuhuan Xie, Yang Bai, Ryan Burns

Published in

Journal of American college health : J of ACH. Pages 1-10. Oct 20, 2026. Epub Oct 20, 2026.

Abstract

This study examined the mediating role of basic psychological needs (BPN) within the reciprocal associations between perceived social support (PSS) and physical activity (PA).
This secondary analysis used Spring 2023 ACHA-NCHA data (N = 78,024). Structural equation models tested two pathways: (1) PSS→BPN→PA and (2) PA→BPN→PSS.
Both models showed a good fit (CFI = [0.984, 0.980], TLI = [0.972, 0.971], RMSEA = [0.023, 0.023], SRMR = [0.013, 0.014]). PSS showed a positive, nonsignificant association with MPA and MST in both directions, with small effect sizes (0.0002-0.006). The exploratory mediation analysis indicated that autonomy exhibited the strongest mediating role (PSS→PA: β = 0.101, p < 0.01; PA→PSS: β = 0.050, p < 0.01). MST showed the strongest indirect reciprocal associations with PSS through BPN, with effect sizes ranging from 0.008 to 0.059.
BPN modestly mediated the reciprocal associations between PSS and PA. Need-supportive strategies that foster autonomy may help promote both PA and PSS. Longitudinal studies using validated measures and integrated theoretical frameworks are needed.

PMID:
42900576
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 21 Oct 2026.

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