Abstract
The complex mechanism on how intrapersonal and interpersonal components are associated with physical activity under the framework of the Ecological Systems Theory is intriguing, but few studies have shed lights on it in Chinese college populations. This study examined the structural relationships between self-efficacy, social support and physical activity among Chinese college students. A total of 460 Chinese college students (254 men and 206 women) completed the questionnaires assessing self-efficacy, social support from family and friends, and physical activity in the domains of work, travel and recreation. The Structural Equation Modeling was used to investigate how social support from family and friends were directly and indirectly associated with physical activity when self-efficacy acted as the mediator. The results suggested that self-efficacy fully mediated the relationships between social support from friends and recreational physical activity, while social support from family was directly associated with work, travel and recreational physical activity. In addition, female students reported lower self-efficacy and less work and recreational physical activity than male students. Students in higher grade engaged in less travel and work physical activity than those in the lower grade. This study aided in the understanding of how self-efficacy and social support may predict physical activity behaviors in different domains among Chinese college students. Health educators should consider the interpersonal and intrapersonal factors as a useful combination when promoting physical activity in college settings.