Physical Fitness Self-Efficacy Influences College Students' Subjective Well-Being Through the Mediating Role of Physical Activity and the Moderating Effect of Gender
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Amid growing concerns about mental health issues in higher education, understanding determinants of college students' subjective well-being has become crucial. While existing research establishes connections between psychological factors and well-being, the specific mechanisms linking physical fitness perceptions with mental health outcomes remain underexplored. This study explores the influence of physical fitness self-efficacy on college students' subjective well-being, highlighting the mediating role of physical activity and the moderating effect of gender. Using the "Physical Fitness Self-Efficacy Scale," "Physical Activity Level Scale" (PARS-3), and "Subjective Well-Being Questionnaire," data were collected from 455 students (Age 19.13±1.32) in Yunnan Province, China, and analyzed using SPSS 27.0 and Process 4.2. Results showed significant gender differences in physical fitness self-efficacy, physical activity, and subjective well-being, with physical activity mediating 20.86% of the effect (The results support that physical activity plays a partial mediating role between physical fitness self-efficacy and subjective well-being). Notably, gender moderated this relationship, as the study found that physical fitness self-efficacy and physical activity predict subjective well-being in both male (ΔR² = 11.40%, mediating effect 11.93%) and female university students (ΔR2 = 14.40%, mediating effect 23.66%), with exercise behavior showing a stronger mediating role in females. These findings extend social cognitive theory by demonstrating gender-specific pathways through which physical self-perceptions translate into well-being outcomes. And the study suggests the importance of promoting physical fitness self-efficacy and physical activity to enhance college students' subjective well-being, with gender-specific intervention strategies recommended.
Authors: Zhicai Gao, Xiaobin Li, Jinhua Liu
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408537609