A study on the relationship between physical exercise and feelings of inferiority among college students: the chain mediating effect of social support and emotional regulation ability
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the impact of physical exercise on feelings of inferiority among college students, focusing on the mediating roles of social support and emotional regulation ability. The research investigates both direct and indirect pathways to understand how physical exercise e...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1521510/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1841553913582452736 |
|---|---|
| author | Bo Peng Weisong Chen Hongshen Wang Ting Yu Mingmin Kong |
| author_facet | Bo Peng Weisong Chen Hongshen Wang Ting Yu Mingmin Kong |
| author_sort | Bo Peng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the impact of physical exercise on feelings of inferiority among college students, focusing on the mediating roles of social support and emotional regulation ability. The research investigates both direct and indirect pathways to understand how physical exercise enhances psychological resilience and mitigates negative self-perceptions.MethodsA sample of 2,036 college students from 15 provinces in China was surveyed using validated scales for physical exercise, feelings of inferiority, social support, and emotional regulation ability. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test hypothesized pathways, including direct effects and chain mediation effects. Gender invariance was assessed through multi-group analysis to ensure consistency across male and female participants.ResultsPhysical exercise significantly reduces feelings of inferiority, both directly and indirectly. Social support and emotional regulation ability independently mediate this relationship, with social support further enhancing emotional regulation in a sequential chain mediation effect. Gender invariance testing confirmed that these relationships are consistent for male and female students. Key findings indicate that physical exercise fosters social connections and strengthens emotional regulation, collectively promoting psychological resilience and reducing feelings of inferiority.ConclusionThe findings emphasize the critical role of physical exercise in enhancing mental health among college students through social and emotional pathways. Holistic intervention programs incorporating physical activities with social interaction and emotional skill-building can effectively alleviate feelings of inferiority. These insights provide actionable recommendations for educational institutions to promote mental health and foster inclusive, supportive campus environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-afa515f068a84b10bf56ebe172ff2335 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-afa515f068a84b10bf56ebe172ff23352025-01-09T06:11:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-01-011510.3389/fpsyg.2024.15215101521510A study on the relationship between physical exercise and feelings of inferiority among college students: the chain mediating effect of social support and emotional regulation abilityBo Peng0Weisong Chen1Hongshen Wang2Ting Yu3Mingmin Kong4Sports Training Academy, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaSports Training Academy, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaSports Training Academy, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaJing Shan Primary School, Chongqing, ChinaSports Training Academy, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, Sichuan, ChinaObjectiveThis study aims to explore the impact of physical exercise on feelings of inferiority among college students, focusing on the mediating roles of social support and emotional regulation ability. The research investigates both direct and indirect pathways to understand how physical exercise enhances psychological resilience and mitigates negative self-perceptions.MethodsA sample of 2,036 college students from 15 provinces in China was surveyed using validated scales for physical exercise, feelings of inferiority, social support, and emotional regulation ability. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test hypothesized pathways, including direct effects and chain mediation effects. Gender invariance was assessed through multi-group analysis to ensure consistency across male and female participants.ResultsPhysical exercise significantly reduces feelings of inferiority, both directly and indirectly. Social support and emotional regulation ability independently mediate this relationship, with social support further enhancing emotional regulation in a sequential chain mediation effect. Gender invariance testing confirmed that these relationships are consistent for male and female students. Key findings indicate that physical exercise fosters social connections and strengthens emotional regulation, collectively promoting psychological resilience and reducing feelings of inferiority.ConclusionThe findings emphasize the critical role of physical exercise in enhancing mental health among college students through social and emotional pathways. Holistic intervention programs incorporating physical activities with social interaction and emotional skill-building can effectively alleviate feelings of inferiority. These insights provide actionable recommendations for educational institutions to promote mental health and foster inclusive, supportive campus environments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1521510/fullphysical exercisefeelings of inferioritysocial supportemotional regulation abilitycollege studentsstructural equation model |
| spellingShingle | Bo Peng Weisong Chen Hongshen Wang Ting Yu Mingmin Kong A study on the relationship between physical exercise and feelings of inferiority among college students: the chain mediating effect of social support and emotional regulation ability Frontiers in Psychology physical exercise feelings of inferiority social support emotional regulation ability college students structural equation model |
| title | A study on the relationship between physical exercise and feelings of inferiority among college students: the chain mediating effect of social support and emotional regulation ability |
| title_full | A study on the relationship between physical exercise and feelings of inferiority among college students: the chain mediating effect of social support and emotional regulation ability |
| title_fullStr | A study on the relationship between physical exercise and feelings of inferiority among college students: the chain mediating effect of social support and emotional regulation ability |
| title_full_unstemmed | A study on the relationship between physical exercise and feelings of inferiority among college students: the chain mediating effect of social support and emotional regulation ability |
| title_short | A study on the relationship between physical exercise and feelings of inferiority among college students: the chain mediating effect of social support and emotional regulation ability |
| title_sort | study on the relationship between physical exercise and feelings of inferiority among college students the chain mediating effect of social support and emotional regulation ability |
| topic | physical exercise feelings of inferiority social support emotional regulation ability college students structural equation model |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1521510/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bopeng astudyontherelationshipbetweenphysicalexerciseandfeelingsofinferiorityamongcollegestudentsthechainmediatingeffectofsocialsupportandemotionalregulationability AT weisongchen astudyontherelationshipbetweenphysicalexerciseandfeelingsofinferiorityamongcollegestudentsthechainmediatingeffectofsocialsupportandemotionalregulationability AT hongshenwang astudyontherelationshipbetweenphysicalexerciseandfeelingsofinferiorityamongcollegestudentsthechainmediatingeffectofsocialsupportandemotionalregulationability AT tingyu astudyontherelationshipbetweenphysicalexerciseandfeelingsofinferiorityamongcollegestudentsthechainmediatingeffectofsocialsupportandemotionalregulationability AT mingminkong astudyontherelationshipbetweenphysicalexerciseandfeelingsofinferiorityamongcollegestudentsthechainmediatingeffectofsocialsupportandemotionalregulationability AT bopeng studyontherelationshipbetweenphysicalexerciseandfeelingsofinferiorityamongcollegestudentsthechainmediatingeffectofsocialsupportandemotionalregulationability AT weisongchen studyontherelationshipbetweenphysicalexerciseandfeelingsofinferiorityamongcollegestudentsthechainmediatingeffectofsocialsupportandemotionalregulationability AT hongshenwang studyontherelationshipbetweenphysicalexerciseandfeelingsofinferiorityamongcollegestudentsthechainmediatingeffectofsocialsupportandemotionalregulationability AT tingyu studyontherelationshipbetweenphysicalexerciseandfeelingsofinferiorityamongcollegestudentsthechainmediatingeffectofsocialsupportandemotionalregulationability AT mingminkong studyontherelationshipbetweenphysicalexerciseandfeelingsofinferiorityamongcollegestudentsthechainmediatingeffectofsocialsupportandemotionalregulationability |