The Role of Growth Mindset and Self-Control Strategies Between Outcome Experiences and Physical Activity: Insights from Structural Equation Model and System Dynamics

Binyu Zhao,1,2 Shunmin Zhang,3 Wei Zhang,4 Sufen Zheng,5 Yujia Fu,1,2 Qiwei Wu,1,2 Xianhong Huang,6 Jing Shao1,2 1Department of Nursing, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, and International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 2Institute of Nursing Research, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 4Clinical Trial Unit, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Nursing, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Health Policy and Management, Hangzhou Normal University School of Public Administration, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jing Shao, Department of Nursing, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, International School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, 322000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15858236985, Email [email protected]: Outcome experiences have been recognized as a prominent predictor of physical activity engagement and maintenance in adults with obesity, while the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate and elucidate whether and how growth mindset and self-control strategies serve as modifiable mediators in this relationship.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using stratified sampling, enrolling 209 adults with obesity. Logistic regression, structural equation modeling, system dynamics modeling, and simulation interventions were employed to test the hypothesized mediation model.Results: Outcome experiences were directly and significantly associated with physical activity (β = 0.247, P < 0.01). This association was significantly mediated by growth mindset (indirect effect =0.055, 95% CI [0.034, 0.122]), whereas the mediation role of self-control strategies was not statistically significant (indirect effect = 0.011, 95% CI [− 0.027, 0.059]). Notably, a chained mediating effect was observed, with growth mindset and self-control strategies jointly mediating the relationship between outcome experiences and physical activity (indirect effect = 0.011, 95% CI [0.004, 0.038]). Together, these mediators explained 23.77% of the total variance in physical activity. Simulation intervention further evidenced that reinforcing growth mindset and self-control strategies, particularly in combination, can generate sustained improvement in the trajectory of PA engagement.Conclusion: Although outcome experiences are resistant to change, their impact on physical activity can be modulated through adaptive psychological mechanisms, including growth mindset and self-control strategies. Interventions targeting these modifiable factors offer a promising pathway to promote physical activity among adults with obesity, especially those affected by negative past experiences. However, given the cross-sectional design of this study, causal inferences are limited, and the intervention recommendations remain preliminary, necessitating further validation through longitudinal and experimental research.Keywords: obesity, physical activity, weight loss, growth mindset, self-control, system dynamics