Abstract
ABSTRACTGiven that physical activity (PA) tends to decrease with age during adolescence, addressing factors that affect change is important. This study examined the similarity and interdependence of PA as influenced by psychosocial factors among adolescent best friend dyads. A total of 660 adolescents, representing 330 best friend dyads, completed questionnaires with regard to PA, sitting time, perceived exercise benefits and barriers, physical self-perception and social support for PA. Dyads were also identified as reciprocal and non-reciprocal best friends; reciprocal means that both considered each other best friends and non-reciprocal were those in which only one considered the other a best friend. Data were analysed using a hierarchical linear model framework. Results indicated significant similarities between reciprocal best friend dyads for PA and sitting time, and for sitting time in non-reciprocal best friends (P values <.01). Psychosocial variables were associated with PA in reciprocal best friend dyads and with sitting time in reciprocal and non-reciprocal best friend dyads. Best friend gender, regular sports practice of the person, perceived exercise barriers of the best friend and best friend social support were the best predictors for PA.
Highlights
The benefits of physical activity (PA) on health and wellbeing are extensively detailed in the literature (Janssen & LeBlanc, 2010; Reiner, Niermann, Jekauc, & Woll, 2013)
In spite of the benefits, research indicates that most adolescents do not spend enough time in such endeavours (Hallal et al, 2012), and PA levels tend to decrease with increasing age ee during adolescence (Lopes, Vasques, Maia, & Ferreira, 2007; Nelson, Neumark-Stzainer, Hannan, Sirard, & Story, 2006)
Two systematic reviews found that attitude, self-efficacy, goal orientation / motivation, physical education / school sports participation, family influences, and friend support were positively correlated with adolescent PA levels (Ferreira et al, 2007; Horst, Paw, Twisk, & Mechelen, 2007)
Summary
The benefits of physical activity (PA) on health and wellbeing are extensively detailed in the literature (Janssen & LeBlanc, 2010; Reiner, Niermann, Jekauc, & Woll, 2013). In order to address the problem of PA decline among adolescents, it is ev important to identify those factors that underscore and drive PA levels. Physical activity is a complex multifactorial behaviour that is influenced by a variety of biological, behavioural and environmental factors and ly interactions. Two systematic reviews found that attitude, self-efficacy, goal orientation / motivation, physical education / school sports participation, family influences, and friend support were positively correlated with adolescent PA levels (Ferreira et al, 2007; Horst, Paw, Twisk, & Mechelen, 2007). We report on an aspect of ‘friend support’ in the context of best friend dyads
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