Objectives: Based on social cognitive theory and self-determination theory, this study explores the mechanism by which exercise self-efficacy influences the satisfaction of basic psychological needs in flight cadets, focusing on the mediating roles of psychological resilience and perceived social support.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed to conduct a questionnaire survey among 524 flight cadets (first-year: 301; second-year: 223; mean age: 19.2 ± 1.3 years) from the Civil Aviation Flight University of China. Exercise self-efficacy, psychological resilience, perceived social support, and basic psychological needs were assessed using validated scales. Path analysis and bootstrap analysis were employed to test the hypothesized chain mediation model.
Results: Results indicated that exercise self-efficacy significantly positively predicted basic psychological needs (β = 0.157) and operated through three indirect pathways: (1) the mediating role of psychological resilience (Effect = 0.167); (2) the mediating role of perceived social support (Effect = 0.062); and (3) the chain mediating role of psychological resilience and perceived social support (Effect = 0.052). The total effect size was 0.439.
Conclusion: Exercise self-efficacy is a crucial factor promoting basic psychological need satisfaction among flight cadets. The findings reveal a chain mediation mechanism where exercise beliefs enhance psychological resilience, which in turn facilitates social support perception, ultimately satisfying basic needs. Interventions aimed at boosting exercise self-efficacy and resilience are recommended to enhance the mental health of flight cadets.
Keywords: basic psychological needs; exercise self-efficacy; flight cadets; perceived social support; psychological resilience.
Copyright © 2026 Wang, Gong and Liao.