Chinese college students’ physical activity motivation and social development: Chain mediation effect of perceived social support and subjective well-being

This study examined the mechanism of the relationship between college students’ physical activity motivation and social development, providing a preliminary basis for studying the causal relationships between these variables. We conducted a survey with 831 college students in China who were selected using stratified cluster random sampling. Results showed that students’ physical activity motivation was positively correlated with their social development, and perceived social support and subjective well-being had both independent and chain mediating effects in this relationship. This study enriches research in the fields of physical activity motivation and social development, and has practical significance for promoting the social development of college students.