Cognitive-behavioral strategies, and expectations about their benefits, mediate the relationship between social parental support and physical activity frequency in adolescents

Abstract

In recent years the idea of conceiving physical activity as a complex behavior which is influenced by multiple factors has proliferated. Ecological models are valid frameworks to analyze the physical activity in young, because it allows including different kinds of variables (cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal and environmental variables). In this study, perceived social support to physical activity, the use of self-control strategies and outcome expectancies associated with physical activity and number of days a week, for at least 60 minutes per day, of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were reported by 494 adolescents (52.2% girls) aged from 12 to 16 years old. It was examined if the relationship between social parental support and MVPA was mediated by cognitive variables (self-control strategies and outcome expectancies). The obtained results showed a relationship between social parental support and MVPA, relationship which was mediated by a higher use of higher self-control strategies and higher outcomes expectancies about physical activity.

Keywords

• apoyo parental
• actividad física
• estrategias cognitivo-conductuales
• expectativas de resultado
• adolescentes