The Correlation between Peer Support and Adherence to Physical Activity among Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Regulation

Background: Students’ adherence to physical activity can increase the duration of their participation in such activities and promote their physical and mental health. So, examining the factors related to students’ adherence to physical activity is particularly important. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to examine the correlation between peer support and adherence to physical exercise with the mediating role of self-regulation among high school students.Methods: This study employed a descriptive correlational approach. The statistical sample comprised 373 male and female high school students of Gonbad Kavous, Golestan Province, Iran in 2024. For data collection, standardized questionnaires on peer support, self-regulation, and adherence to physical activity were used. The data were analyzed employing SPSS version 25 and Smart PLS version 4, with a significance threshold set at P<0.05. Also, statistical techniques such as Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to analyze the data.Results: The study results demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between peer support and self-regulation (β=0.57, T=15.40). The findings further revealed a statistically significant and positive correlation between peer support and adherence to physical activity (β=0.29; T=7.07). Finally, the positive relationship between peer support and adherence to sports was empirically validated, with the mediating role of self-regulation (β=0.31, T=7.46).Conclusions: The findings indicated that peer support has the potential to foster beneficial outcomes, including enhanced selfregulation and greater adherence to physical activity among students. Students spend a significant part of their time at school with their peers, and peer support can be used to keep their adherence to physical activity.