Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Dec 20, 2025
Date Accepted: Jun 3, 2026
Different Dimensions of Social Support on Social Media and Leisure-time Physical Activity Intentions among Chinese College Students applying the Theory of Planned Behavior: a Cross Sectional Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Physical activity level among Chinese college students has been persistently low and declining in recent years, which is concordant with increasing overweight and obesity rate. Delivering social support via social media is viewed as a potentially effective approach to promoting their engagement in physical activity.
Objective:
Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study explored the mechanisms through which different dimensions of social support on social media influence Chinese college students' intentions toward leisure time physical activities.
Methods:
430 undergraduate and graduate students in East China were invited to finish an online survey questionnaire on Qualtrics, 328 finished, and 310 valid samples were collected and included in the final structural equation modeling using R.
Results:
Companionship support and self-esteem support exerted positive indirect effects on LTPA intention through attitude, whereas the indirect effect of informational support via attitude was negative. Additionally, companionship support demonstrates a significant direct positive effect on intentions.
Conclusions:
Future interventions to promote physical activity among Chinese college students should differentiate various dimensions of social support on social media, strengthening companionship and self-esteem support and optimizing information delivery strategies to effectively stimulate students' exercise intentions.
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Copyright
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