Analysing the effect of perceived social support on exercise engagement in adolescents using a chained mediation model

To investigate the relationship between perceived social support and exercise engagement in adolescents, and the mediating roles of exercise self-efficacy and exercise achievement goal orientation. Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered to 557 adolescents using Perceived Social Support Scale, Exercise Engagement Scale, Exercise Self-efficacy Scale and Exercise Achievement Goal Orientation Scale. Results: The direct effect of perceived social support on adolescents' exercise engagement was 0.143 (95% CI [0.059,0.228]). The mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy in the relationship between perceived social support and adolescents' exercise engagement was 0.084 (95% CI [0.032, 0.135]). The mediating effect of exercise achievement goal orientation in the relationship between perceived social support and adolescents' exercise engagement was 0.121 (95% CI [0.076, 0.174]). The chain mediating effect of exercise self-efficacy and exercise achievement goal orientation was significant, with an effect size of 0.053 (95% CI [0.032,0.081]). Conclusion: Perceived social support demonstrated a significant positive direct effect on adolescents' exercise engagement. Mediation analyses further indicated that this effect operated both directly and indirectly through the independent and serial mediation of exercise self-efficacy and exercise achievement goal orientation.