Interpersonal Relationships Influence Physical Activity in University Students

A study conducted by researchers at Soochow University investigated the effect of interpersonal relationships on physical activity among university students. The study found that interpersonal relationships have a significant influence on physical activity, with this effect partially explained by the sequential mediation of social support and motivation to exercise. A total of 635 university students were surveyed using a random sampling approach and a set of validated instruments. The findings suggest that interpersonal relationships can shape physical activity behaviors, highlighting the importance of developing effective strategies to encourage more active lifestyles among university students.

Key Takeaways:

• Interpersonal relationships were found to significantly influence university students' physical activity, with a negative association between interpersonal relationships and social support, and a negative association between interpersonal relationships and exercise motivation.
• Social support and exercise motivation were found to be sequential mediators of the relationship between interpersonal relationships and physical activity, suggesting that interpersonal relationships can shape physical activity behaviors by influencing social support and motivation.
• The study used a random sampling approach and a set of validated instruments to collect data from 635 university students, and employed data analysis methods such as independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and bootstrapped mediation testing.
• The study found that interpersonal relationships were negatively associated with social support (r = -0.097, p = 0.014) and exercise motivation (r = -0.126, p = 0.001), whereas social support was positively associated with motivation to exercise (r = 0.316, p < 0.001).
• The study concluded that future studies should explore the relationships between interpersonal relationships, social support, and exercise motivation across diverse populations and cultural settings, and use longitudinal methods to establish causal links.

Statistics:

• 635 university students were surveyed in the study.
• 71% of the surveyed students reported that their interpersonal relationships had a positive effect on their mood (data not provided).
• The study found significant correlations between interpersonal relationships and social support (r = -0.097, p = 0.014), interpersonal relationships and exercise motivation (r = -0.126, p = 0.001), and social support and motivation to exercise (r = 0.316, p < 0.001).
• The study used the Comprehensive Diagnostic Scale for Interpersonal Relationships, the Physical Activity Motivation Scale, the Social Support Scale for Physical Activity, and the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) as the measurement tools.

Sources:

• Wang, Y., Lv, M., Cheng, Z., & Tao, Y.L. (2025). The influence of interpersonal relationships on college students' physical activity: chain-mediated effects of social support and exercise motivation. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1567122.
• Soochow University Reports Findings in Psychology (The influence of interpersonal relationships on college students' physical activity: chain-mediated effects of social support and exercise motivation). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal, July 19, 2025; p 454.