Sports Emotional Intelligence and Exercise Adherence in Adolescents: The Chain Mediating Role of Exercise Enjoyment and Exercise Identity

Objective: This study explores the relationship between sports emotional intelligence and exercise adherence in adolescents and constructs a sequential mediation model through the mediating roles of exercise enjoyment and exercise identity. Methods: Using a school-based cross-sectional survey, 1278 adolescents aged 12–18 years from Anhui, Henan, Guangxi, and Chongqing were recruited and completed the Sports Emotional Intelligence Scale, Exercise Enjoyment Scale, Exercise Identity Scale, and Exercise Adherence Scale. Data were analyzed using Mplus 8.1 and SPSS 25.0. Common method bias was assessed with Harman’s single-factor test. The measurement model was tested via confirmatory factor analysis, and chain indirect effects were examined using the bootstrap method. Results: The measurement model demonstrated good fit, and all scales showed satisfactory reliability and validity. (1) Sports emotional intelligence was significantly associated with exercise adherence (β = 0.44, p < 0.001); (2) exercise enjoyment (indirect effect = 0.109) and exercise identity (indirect effect = 0.094) each mediated the relationship, and the sequential path from sports emotional intelligence through exercise enjoyment to exercise identity and then to adherence was also significant (indirect effect = 0.079), with all bias-corrected bootstrap 95% confidence intervals excluding 0. Conclusion: Sports emotional intelligence was positively associated with exercise adherence in adolescents, and this association was partly explained by indirect associations involving exercise enjoyment and exercise identity. The findings suggest that affective valuation and exercise-related self-concept are important correlates within the proposed model.