Mediating Effects Of School Adaptation, Quality Of Life And Physical Fitness On PCDEA In Adolescents

PURPOSE: The global public health issue of diminishing physical fitness (PF) among adolescents has gained increasing attention. One contributing factor could be the impact of parents' negative emotions or pressure regarding adolescents' educational goals. This study aims to explore how school adaptation (SA) and quality of life (QOL) mediate the relationship between parent-child discrepancies in educational aspirations (PCDEA) and PF in adolescents. METHODS: This study's participant pool included 9,768 students, comprising 4,753 males (48.7%) and 5,015 females (51.3%), ranging in age from 11 to 19 years, with an average age of 14.3 ± 1.92 for males and 14.4 ± 1.93 for females. The PCDEA were gauged using a six-point scale for expectation scores. PF assessments were based on criteria from the National Student Physical Fitness and Health Survey. SA was evaluated using the School Social Behaviors Scale-2, which showed high reliability and validity (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.897; KMO = 0.821; Bartlett test χ2 = 62326.379; P < 0.05). QOL for adolescents was measured using a specialized scale, also demonstrating strong reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.903; KMO = 0.904; Bartlett test χ2 = 58189.095; P < 0.05). To analyze the multiple mediating effects, Structural Equation Models (SEM) were used, and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were determined through bootstrap methods. RESULTS: SEM was verified as a good fit (NFI = 0.927, GFI = 0.915, CFI = 0.928, RMSEA = 0.064, SRMR = 0.057). SA and QOL fully mediated role in the effect of PCDEA on PF. PCDEA demonstrated a significant negative relationship with SA (β = -0.111, p < 0.01) and QOL (β = -0.058, p < 0.01). SA showed significant positive relationship with QOL (β = 0.666, p < 0.01) and PF (β = 0.066, p < 0.01). Indirect effect illustrate three mediating paths: (1) PCDEA→SA → PF(β = -0.088 SE = 0.021; p < 0.01; 95% CI: -0.135, -0.05); (2) PCDEA→OQL → PF (β = -0.025; SE = 0.011; p = 0.010; 95% CI: -0.050, -0.006); (3)PCDEA→SA → QOL → PF (β = -0.032; SE = 0.014; p = 0.011; 95% CI: -0.061, -0.007). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that parents should reduce negative emotions and pressure regarding adolescents' academic aspirations, which can improve their SA, QOL, and PF.