Parental Expectancy-Value Beliefs Significantly Influence Children's Physical Activity

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted at Guangzhou Sport University in South China, published in Frontiers in Psychology, found that parental expectancy-value beliefs have a profound impact on children's physical activity levels. The study involved 1,284 children and their parents, using a combination of questionnaires and statistical analysis. The results showed that parental expectancy-value beliefs positively influence children's physical activity, with a significant direct effect observed (b = 8.898, 95% CI [4.754, 13.041]). Additionally, the study found that parental exercise input positively affects children's exercise self-efficacy, which in turn promotes physical activity (b = 3.028, 95% CI [1.630, 4.603]).

Key Takeaways:

  • Parental expectancy-value beliefs have a significant positive effect on children's physical activity (b = 8.898, 95% CI [4.754, 13.041]).
  • Parental exercise input positively influences children's exercise self-efficacy (b = 1.178, 95% CI [0.147, 2.323]), which subsequently promotes physical activity (b = 3.028, 95% CI [1.630, 4.603]).
  • The chain mediation of parental exercise input and children's exercise self-efficacy indirectly influences children's physical activity (b = 0.974, 95% CI [0.564, 1.498]).
  • Parental expectancy-value beliefs significantly enhance both parental exercise input and children's exercise self-efficacy.
  • Future interventions aimed at improving children's physical activity levels should prioritize strengthening parental expectancy-value beliefs, enhancing parental input to exercise, and boosting children's exercise self-efficacy.

Statistics:

  • 1,284 children and their parents participated in the study.
  • The study found a significant positive correlation between parental expectancy-value beliefs and children's physical activity (P < 0.05).
  • The effect size of parental expectancy-value beliefs on children's physical activity was b = 8.898, with a 95% confidence interval of [4.754, 13.041].
  • The effect size of parental exercise input on children's exercise self-efficacy was b = 1.178, with a 95% confidence interval of [0.147, 2.323].
  • The effect size of children's exercise self-efficacy on physical activity was b = 3.028, with a 95% confidence interval of [1.630, 4.603].

Sources:

  • The effect of parental expectancy value beliefs on children's physical activity: the chain mediating role of parental exercise commitment and children's exercise self-efficacy. Frontiers in Psychology, 2025;16:1599121.
  • Frontiers in Psychology can be contacted at: Frontiers Media Sa, Avenue Du Tribunal Federal 34, Lausanne, Ch-1015, Switzerland.
  • NewsRx. New Psychology Study Findings Recently Were Reported by Researchers at Guangzhou Sport University (The effect of parental expectancy value beliefs on children's physical activity: the chain mediating role of parental exercise commitment and ...). Psychology & Psychiatry Journal. September 20, 2025; p 451.