Social influence and adolescent health-related physical activity in structured and unstructured settings: Role of channel and type

摘要

Background Social influence channels (e.g., parents) and types (e.g., compliance) have each been related to physical activity independently, but little is known about how these two categories of influence may operate in combination. Purpose This study examined the relationships between various combinations of social influence and physical activity among youth across structured and unstructured settings. Methods Adolescents (N0304), classified as high or low active, reported the social influence combinations they received for being active. Results Participants identified three channels and three types of influence associated with being active. For structured activity, compliance with peers and significant others predicted membership in the high active group (values of p.001). In the unstructured setting, peer compliance (p=.009) and conformity (p=.019) were associated with active group membership. Conclusions These findings reinforce considering both setting, as well as the channel/type combinations of social influence, when examining health-related physical activity