The relationship between physical activity and college students’ sense of security: the chain-mediated role of self-esteem and psychological capital
Abstract To explore the relationship between physical activity and college students’ sense of security, as well as the mediating role of self-esteem and psychological capital between the two. This study used a cross-sectional design, and questionnaires were distributed to 593 college students (29.7%...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-02484-z |
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| Summary: | Abstract To explore the relationship between physical activity and college students’ sense of security, as well as the mediating role of self-esteem and psychological capital between the two. This study used a cross-sectional design, and questionnaires were distributed to 593 college students (29.7% male and 70.3% female) selected from selected colleges and universities in the Liaoning region of China through a simple random sampling method. The questionnaires included the Physical Activity Scale, the Sense of Security Scale, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Psychological Capital Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and PROCESS 3.4 plug-ins and Bootstrap methods to test the chain-mediated effects of self-esteem and psychological capital. (1) there is a positive correlation between physical activity and college students’ sense of security, and the direct prediction of sense of security is significant; (2) physical activity can positively predict self-esteem, self-esteem can positively predict psychological capital and sense of security, and psychological capital can positively predict sense of security; (3) self-esteem and psychological capital play a significant mediating role between physical activity and sense of security, and the three mediating effect paths: physical activity → self-esteem → sense of security, physical activity → psychological capital → sense of security and physical activity → self-esteem → psychological capital → sense of security. (1) Physical activity can significantly and positively predict college students’ sense of security; (2) Self-esteem and psychological capital play mediating roles between physical activity and college students’ sense of security, respectively, and also play chain mediating roles. |
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| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |