The Effects of Physical Activity on the Social Adjustment of College Freshmen: A Chain-Mediated Theoretical Model of Cognitive Reappraisal and Psychological Resilience with Moderating Effects of Perceived Social Support
This study explored how participating in physical activities influences the social adjustment of college freshmen, focusing on the role of perceived social support and the chain effects of cognitive reappraisal and psychological resilience. A survey was conducted with 1,061 college freshmen from Zhejiang Province using five scales: the Physical Activity Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, Cognitive Reappraisal Scale, Psychological Resilience Scale, and Social Adjustment Capacity Scale. The results showed that physical activity positively enhances social adjustment, with cognitive reappraisal and psychological resilience serving as mediators. Additionally, perceived social support was found to strengthen this chain-mediated relationship. This research provides new perspectives on the link between physical activity and social adjustment in college freshmen and offers practical suggestions for improving physical education programs.
References
[1]
Ahmed, M. D., Ho, W. K. Y., Van Niekerk, R. L., Sulz, L., & Begum, S. (2020). Social Support and Sports Participation Motivations of Female Adolescents in India: Study of Age Transition and Achievement Level. Physical Culture and Sport: Studies and Research, 88, 49-67.
[2]
Arida, R. M., & Teixeira-Machado, L. (2021). The Contribution of Physical Exercise to Brain Resilience. FrontiersinBehavioralNeuroscience,14, Article 626769. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2020.626769
[3]
Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The Need to Belong: Desire for Interpersonal Attachments as a Fundamental Human Motivation. PsychologicalBulletin,117, 497-529. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497
[4]
Bernecker, K., & Kramer, J. (2020). Implicit Theories about Willpower Are Associated with Exercise Levels during the Academic Examination Period. Sport,Exercise,andPerformancePsychology,9, 216-231. https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000182
[5]
Bryan, C., O’Shea, D., & MacIntyre, T. (2019). Stressing the Relevance of Resilience: A Systematic Review of Resilience across the Domains of Sport and Work. InternationalReviewofSportandExercisePsychology,12, 70-111. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984x.2017.1381140
[6]
Buszard, T., Garofolini, A., Reid, M., Farrow, D., Oppici, L., & Whiteside, D. (2020). Scaling Sports Equipment for Children Promotes Functional Movement Variability. ScientificReports,10, Article No. 3111. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59475-5
[7]
Castro, S. A., Sasser, J., Sills, J., & Doane, L. D. (2024). Reciprocal Associations of Perceived Discrimination, Internalizing Symptoms, and Academic Achievement in Latino Students across the College Transition. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology,30, 72-82. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000528
[8]
Chen, H., Wang, C., Lu, T., Tao, B., Gao, Y., & Yan, J. (2022). The Relationship between Physical Activity and College Students’ Mobile Phone Addiction: The Chain-Based Mediating Role of Psychological Capital and Social Adaptation. InternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealth,19, Article 9286. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159286
[9]
Chrétien, A., Hayotte, M., Mériaux, S., Baize, D., Vuillemin, A., & d’Arripe-Longueville, F. (2024). Development and Preliminary Validation of the Resilience Qualities in Sport (RESIST) Scale. InternationalJournalofSportandExercisePsychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2024.2341391
[10]
Dadvand, P., Bartoll, X., Basagaña, X., Dalmau-Bueno, A., Martinez, D., Ambros, A. et al. (2015). Green Spaces and General Health: Roles of Mental Health Status, Social Support, and Physical Activity. Environment International, 91, 161-167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2016.02.029
[11]
Dalimunthe, D. E., & Nasution, F. (2023). The Role of Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression toward Self-Adjustment among Adolescence. JournalofEducational,HealthandCommunityPsychology,1, 403-414. https://doi.org/10.12928/jehcp.v1i2.26130
[12]
Denovan, A., Dagnall, N., & Drinkwater, K. (2023). Examining What Mental Toughness, Ego Resiliency, Self-Efficacy, and Grit Measure: An Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling Bifactor Approach. Current Psychology, 42, 22148-22163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03314-5
[13]
Dominguez, L. J., Veronese, N., Vernuccio, L., Catanese, G., Inzerillo, F., Salemi, G. et al. (2021). Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Other Lifestyle Factors in the Prevention of Cognitive Decline and Dementia. Nutrients, 13, Article 4080. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13114080
[14]
Drigas, A., Mitsea, E., & Skianis, C. (2022). Subliminal Training Techniques for Cognitive, Emotional and Behavioural Balance. the Role of Emerging Technologies. TechniumSocialSciencesJournal,33, 164-186. https://doi.org/10.47577/tssj.v33i1.6881
[15]
Dryman, M. T., & Heimberg, R. G. (2018). Emotion Regulation in Social Anxiety and Depression: A Systematic Review of Expressive Suppression and Cognitive Reappraisal. ClinicalPsychologyReview,65, 17-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2018.07.004
[16]
Eime, R. M., Young, J. A., Harvey, J. T., Charity, M. J., & Payne, W. R. (2013). A Systematic Review of the Psychological and Social Benefits of Participation in Sport for Children and Adolescents: Informing Development of a Conceptual Model of Health through Sport. InternationalJournalofBehavioralNutritionandPhysicalActivity,10, Article No. 98. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-10-98
[17]
Falavarjani, M. F., & Yeh, C. J. (2019). Optimism and Distress Tolerance in the Social Adjustment of Nurses: Examining Resilience as a Mediator and Gender as a Moderator. JournalofResearchinNursing,24, 500-512. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987119839102
[18]
Gao, W., Yan, X., Chen, Y., Yang, J., & Yuan, J. (2024). Situation Covariation and Goal Adaptiveness? the Promoting Effect of Cognitive Flexibility on Emotion Regulation in Depression. Emotion. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001410
[19]
Goldstein, S. E., Lee, C. Y. S., Dik, B. J., & Rodas, J. M. (2020). Sources of Social Support and Gender in Perceived Stress and Individual Adjustment among Latina/O College-Attending Emerging Adults. CulturalDiversity&EthnicMinorityPsychology,26, 134-147. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000279
[20]
Grasdalsmoen, M., Eriksen, H. R., Lønning, K. J., & Sivertsen, B. (2020). Physical Exercise, Mental Health Problems, and Suicide Attempts in University Students. BMCPsychiatry,20, Article No. 175. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02583-3
[21]
Gross, J. J. (1998). Antecedent-and Response-Focused Emotion Regulation: Divergent Consequences for Experience, Expression, and Physiology. JournalofPersonalityandSocialPsychology,74, 224-237. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.74.1.224
[22]
Gross, J. J., & John, O. P. (2012). Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 780-784.
[23]
Gucciardi, D. F., Lines, R. L. J., Ducker, K. J., Peeling, P., Chapman, M. T., & Temby, P. (2021). Mental Toughness as a Psychological Determinant of Behavioral Perseverance in Special Forces Selection. Sport,Exercise,andPerformancePsychology,10, 164-175. https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000208
[24]
Han, F., Duan, R., Huang, B., & Wang, Q. (2023). Psychological Resilience and Cognitive Reappraisal Mediate the Effects of Coping Style on the Mental Health of Children. FrontiersinPsychology,14, Article 1110642. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1110642
[25]
Haoran, S., Tianci, L., Hanwen, C., Baole, T., Yiran, C., & Yan, J. (2023). The Impact of Basketball on the Social Adjustment of Chinese Middle School Students: The Chain Mediating Role of Interpersonal Relationships and Self-identity. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1205760. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1205760
[26]
Hobfoll, S. E. (2002). Social and Psychological Resources and Adaptation. ReviewofGeneralPsychology,6, 307-324. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.6.4.307
[27]
Jiang, Y., Qiao, T., Zhang, Y., Wu, Y., & Gong, Y. (2023). Social Support and Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth among Psychological Hotline Counselors during COVID-19: The Role of Resilience and Cognitive Reappraisal. HealthPsychologyandBehavioralMedicine,11, Article ID: 2274550. https://doi.org/10.1080/21642850.2023.2274550
[28]
Kandola, A., & Stubbs, B. (2020). Exercise and Anxiety. In J. Xiao (Ed.), Physical Exercise for Human Health (pp. 345-352). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1792-1_23
[29]
Kang, N. E., Kim, H. Y., Kim, J. Y., & Kim, S. R. (2020). Relationship between Cancer Stigma, Social Support, Coping Strategies and Psychosocial Adjustment among Breast Cancer Survivors. JournalofClinicalNursing,29, 4368-4378. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15475
[30]
Kim, J., & Tamminen, K. A. (2023). Emotion Regulation among Competitive Youth Athletes: Exploring the Independent and Interactive Effects of Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression. InternationalJournalofSportandExercisePsychology,21, 534-556. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2022.2064893
[31]
Koo, K., Baker, I., & Yoon, J. (2021). The First Year Acculturation: A Longitudinal Study on Acculturative Stress and Adjustment among the First Year International College Students. JournalofInternationalStudents,11, 278-298. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v11i2.1726
[32]
Lee, K., Bae, H., & Jang, S. (2022). Effect of Exercise Combined with Natural Stimulation on Korean College Students’ Concentration and Positive Psychological Capital: A Pilot Study. Healthcare,10, Article 673. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10040673
[33]
Li, B., Pan, Y., Liu, G., Chen, W., Lu, J., & Li, X. (2020). Perceived Social Support and Self-Esteem Mediate the Relationship between Childhood Maltreatment and Psychosocial Flourishing in Chinese Undergraduate Students. ChildrenandYouthServicesReview,117, Article ID: 105303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105303
[34]
Li, J., Wang, Y., Dou, K., & Shang, Y. (2022). On the Development of Meaning in Life among College Freshmen: Social Relationship Antecedents and Adjustment Consequences. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23, 1709-1735. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00470-6
[35]
Liang, B., & Chen, C. (2012). The Development of a Psychological Resilience Scale for Chinese Adults as a Mental Health Quality Assessment System. Psychological and Behavioral Research, 10, 269-277.
[36]
Luan, L., Hong, J., Cao, M., Dong, Y., & Hou, X. (2023). Exploring the Role of Online EFL Learners’ Perceived Social Support in Their Learning Engagement: A Structural Equation Model. InteractiveLearningEnvironments,31, 1703-1714. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2020.1855211
[37]
MacLeod, K. J., English, S., Ruuskanen, S. K., & Taborsky, B. (2023). Stress in the Social Context: A Behavioural and Eco-Evolutionary Perspective. JournalofExperimentalBiology,226, jeb245829. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.245829
[38]
Mathunjwa-Dlamini, T. R., Malinga, N., Khumalo, P. P., Shongwe-Gwebu, S., Magagula, N., Mkhonta, N. R., & Mhlongo, Z. C. (2022). The Relationship between Social Adjustment and Depression among Students in One of the Tertiary Institutions in Eswatini. UNESWAJournalofEducation,5, 2.
[39]
Morales-Rodríguez, F. M., Espigares-López, I., Brown, T., & Pérez-Mármol, J. M. (2020). The Relationship between Psychological Well-Being and Psychosocial Factors in University Students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,17, Article 4778. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134778
[40]
Morgan, P. B. C., Fletcher, D., & Sarkar, M. (2013). Defining and Characterizing Team Resilience in Elite Sport. PsychologyofSportandExercise,14, 549-559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2013.01.004
[41]
Mudhovozi, P. (2012). Social and Academic Adjustment of First-Year University Students. JournalofSocialSciences,33, 251-259. https://doi.org/10.1080/09718923.2012.11893103
[42]
Niven, A., Laird, Y., Saunders, D. H., & Phillips, S. M. (2021). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Affective Responses to Acute High Intensity Interval Exercise Compared with Continuous Moderate-and High-Intensity Exercise. HealthPsychologyReview,15, 540-573. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2020.1728564
[43]
Owusu-Agyeman, Y., & Mugume, T. (2023). Academic Adjustment of First Year Students and Their Transition Experiences: The Moderating Effect of Social Adjustment. TertiaryEducationandManagement,29, 189-209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11233-023-09120-3
[44]
Peers, C., Issartel, J., Behan, S., O’Connor, N., & Belton, S. (2020). Movement Competence: Association with Physical Self-Efficacy and Physical Activity. Human Movement Science,70, Article ID: 102582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2020.102582
[45]
Pila, E., Stamiris, A., Castonguay, A., & Sabiston, C. M. (2014). Body-Related Envy: A Social Comparison Perspective in Sport and Exercise. Journal of Sport and ExercisePsychology,36, 93-106. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2013-0100
[46]
Poulus, D., Coulter, T. J., Trotter, M. G., & Polman, R. (2020). Stress and Coping in Esports and the Influence of Mental Toughness. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 628. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00628
[47]
Rosa, A., Olaso-Gonzalez, G., Arc-Chagnaud, C., Millan, F., Salvador-Pascual, A., García-Lucerga, C. et al. (2020). Physical Exercise in the Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. JournalofSportandHealthScience,9, 394-404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.01.004
[48]
Rutter, M. (1990). Psychosocial Resilience and Protective Mechanisms. AmericanJournalofOrthopsychiatry,57, 316-331. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-0025.1987.tb03541.x
[49]
Rzepa, S. R., & Weissman, M. (2023). Social Adjustment Scale Self-Report (SAS-SR). In A. C. Michalos, (Ed.), EncyclopediaofQualityofLifeandWell-BeingResearch (pp. 6017-6021). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_2730
[50]
Sachs-Ericsson, N., Carr, D., Sheffler, J., Preston, T. J., Kiosses, D., & Hajcak, G. (2021). Cognitive Reappraisal and the Association between Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Social Support among Older Adults. Aging&MentalHealth,25, 453-461. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2019.1698516
[51]
Sahar, N., & Muzaffar, N. M. (2017). Role of Family System, Positive Emotions and Resilience in Social Adjustment among Pakistani Adolescents. JournalofEducational,HealthandCommunityPsychology,6, 46-58. https://doi.org/10.12928/jehcp.v6i2.6944
[52]
Sanders, L. M. J., Hortobágyi, T., Karssemeijer, E. G. A., Van der Zee, E. A., Scherder, E. J. A., & van Heuvelen, M. J. G. (2020). Effects of Low-and High-Intensity Physical Exercise on Physical and Cognitive Function in Older Persons with Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Alzheimer’sResearch&Therapy,12, Article No. 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-020-00597-3
[53]
Sarı, İ., & Bayazıt, B. (2017). The Relationship between Perceived Coaching Behaviours, Motivation and Self-Efficacy in Wrestlers. JournalofHumanKinetics,57, 239-251. https://doi.org/10.1515/hukin-2017-0065
[54]
Sarkar, M., & Fletcher, D. (2014). Psychological Resilience in Sport Performers: A Review of Stressors and Protective Factors. JournalofSportsSciences,32, 1419-1434. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.901551
[55]
Schnaubert, L., Krukowski, S., & Bodemer, D. (2021). Assumptions and Confidence of Others: The Impact of Socio-Cognitive Information on Metacognitive Self-Regulation. MetacognitionandLearning,16, 855-887. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11409-021-09269-5
[56]
Self, M. J., & Stowers, N. A. (2022). Examining Social Adjustment of College Student-Athletes. InternationalJournalofResearch-Granthaalayah,10, 9-20. https://doi.org/10.29121/granthaalayah.v10.i1.2022.4419
[57]
Serretti, A., Chiesa, A., Souery, D., Calati, R., Sentissi, O., Kasper, S. et al. (2013). Social Adjustment among Treatment Responder Patients with Mood Disorders. JournalofAffectiveDisorders,150, 961-966. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.05.021
[58]
Sheikh, M., Bay, N., Ghorbani, S., & Esfahaninia, A. (2022). Effects of Social Support and Physical Self-Efficacy on Physical Activity of Adolescents. InternationalJournalofPediatrics,10, 15823-15834.
[59]
Stover, A. D., Shulkin, J., Lac, A., & Rapp, T. (2024). A Meta-Analysis of Cognitive Reappraisal and Personal Resilience. Clinical Psychology Review, 110, Article ID: 102428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102428
[60]
Sulu, B., Kayğusuz, Ş., Sinici, E., & Hassani, F. (2023). The Effect of Psychological Well-Being on Self-Confidence in Exercise Participants. UluslararasıEgzersizPsikolojisiDergisi,5, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.51538/intjourexerpsyc.1243506
[61]
Troy, A. S., Wilhelm, F. H., Shallcross, A. J., & Mauss, I. B. (2010). Seeing the Silver Lining: Cognitive Reappraisal Ability Moderates the Relationship between Stress and Depressive Symptoms. Emotion,10, 783-795. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020262
[62]
Ungar, M. (2011). The social construction of resilience. In J. Wright (Ed.), InternationalEncyclopediaofSocial&BehavioralSciences (pp. 14075-14080). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-08-043753-7/00152-8
[63]
Ursu, A., & Măirean, C. (2022). Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies as Mediators between Resilience and Stress during COVID-19 Pandemic. InternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealth,19, Article 12631. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912631
[64]
Vouglanis, T., Driga, A. M., & Drigas, A. (2022). Physical and Mental Exercise to Create New Congenial Neurons, to Increase Intelligence and the Role of ICTs. Technium BioChemMed, 3, 21-36. https://doi.org/10.47577/biochemmed.v3i3.7325
[65]
Wang, X. D., Wang, X. L., & Ma, H. (1999). Rating Scales for Mental Health. Chinese Mental Health Journal Press.
[66]
Wen, X., Zhao, C. Y., Kishimoto, T., & Qian, M. Y. (2020). Effect of Perceived Social Support on the Efficacy of Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder. ActaScientiaeNaturalisUniversitatisPekinensis,56, 571-578. https://doi.org/10.13209/j.0479-8023.2020.025
[67]
Wu, F., Ren, Z., Wang, Q., He, M., Xiong, W., Ma, G. et al. (2021). The Relationship between Job Stress and Job Burnout: The Mediating Effects of Perceived Social Support and Job Satisfaction. Psychology,Health&Medicine,26, 204-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2020.1778750
[68]
Xia, X. W., Huang, J. L., & Liu, S. (2018). An Empirical Study on the Physical Exercise Behavior of Graduate Students. JournalofEastChinaNormalUniversity,36, 114-128. https://doi.org/10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2018.05.011
[69]
Xin, Z., Li, T., Li, Q., Chen, Y., & Wang, M. (2024). Coach-Athlete Attachment and Athlete Burnout: Testing Longitudinal Mediation via Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression. InternationalJournalofSportandExercisePsychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2024.2389207
[70]
Yang, M., Wu, J., Wu, Y., & Li, X. (2024). RETRACTED: How Does Physical Activity Enhance the Subjective Well-Being of University Students? A Chain Mediation of Cognitive Reappraisal and Resilience. BehavioralSciences,14, Article 164. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14030164
[71]
Zhang, R., Liu, F., Wang, X., & Wang, S. (2024). Towards Active Health: A Study on the Relationship between Physical Activity and Body Image among College Students. Heliyon, 10, e38465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38465
[72]
Zhao, Y., Xing, X., Tian, T., Wang, Q., Liang, S., Wang, Z. et al. (2022). Post COVID-19 Mental Health Symptoms and Quality of Life among COVID-19 Frontline Clinicians: A Comparative Study Using Propensity Score Matching Approach. TranslationalPsychiatry,12, Article No. 376. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02089-4
[73]
Zhu, D., & Li, Y. (2024). Boosting Happiness in Left-Behind Children: Unveiling the Power of Physical Activity through Cognitive Reappraisal and Psychological Resilience. PLOS ONE, 19, e0309291. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309291
[74]
Zhu, J., Zhang, Z., Xu, P., Huang, K., & Li, Y. (2023). Unsociability and Social Adjustment of Chinese Preschool Migrant Children: The Moderating Role of Resilience. FrontiersinPsychiatry,14, Article 1074217. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1074217
[75]
Zimet, G. D., Dahlem, N. W., Zimet, S. G., & Farley, G. K. (1988). The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. JournalofPersonalityAssessment,52, 30-41. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa5201_2