Linking Parental Influences and Youth Participation in Physical Activity In- and Out-of-school: The Mediating Role of Self-efficacy and Enjoyment

Am J Health Behav. 2016 Jan;40(1):31-7. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.40.1.4.

Abstract

Objective: Parents influence their children's behavior. We examined parental influence on youth participation in physical activity (PA) in- and out-of-school, directly and/or indirectly, via self-efficacy beliefs and enjoyment of PA.

Methods: Cross-sectional analyses using self-reported data from 595 youth (Mage = 13.4 years).

Results: A path model linking youth perceptions of parental support and parental control to their participation in PA indirectly via self-efficacy beliefs and enjoyment of PA provided good fit to the data: χ(2)(7) = 27.63; RMSEA = .07 [90%CI = .04, .10]; CFI = .98; SRMR = .04. Perceived parental control was negatively associated with youth self-efficacy beliefs (β = -.12, p = .01) and enjoyment of PA (β = -.15, p = .01). Perceived tangible parental support was positively associated with self-efficacy beliefs (β = .28, p < .01) and enjoyment of PA (β = .13, p < .01), and perceived intangible parental support was positively associated with enjoyment of PA (β = .18, p = .04). Self-efficacy beliefs and enjoyment of PA were positively associated with participation in PA in- and out-of-school (β = .11-.27, p ≤ .01).

Conclusion: Interventions targeting parents to promote PA warrant investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Activity*
  • Parent-Child Relations*
  • Pleasure*
  • Schools
  • Self Efficacy*