Social influence in relation to current and intended physical activity among adolescents

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of social support and negative social influence from various contexts on adolescents’ current and intended physical activity. Questionnaire data were obtained from 1156 students aged 16–17 years. Relationships among variables were examined with principal component analysis and structural equation modelling. Social influence from several contexts was strongly related to current and intended physical activity, particularly among students in work preparing school programmes. Social support in a sport club context provided the strongest unique contribution to the relationship with physical activity, and social support from an outside perspective (e.g. suggestions, help to plan, and positive talk about physical activity), from the contexts school and leisure, had multidimensional effects. Social support could exist in tandem with experiences of negative social influences (e.g. complaints, critique, teasing). In conclusion, it is necessary to expand our understanding of processes that surround supportive as well as negative social influences on adolescents’ level of physical activity and distinguish between main, buffering, and intervening effects of social support.