Naslov
The Moderation Role of Mental Toughness and Social Support in the Effect of Intention to Exercise on Involvement in Physical Activity

Autori
Prpić, Sara ; Žorić, Ivona ; Glavaš, Dragan

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Skup
3rd International Scientific Conference of Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia: Coping with Crisis

Mjesto i datum
Zagreb, Hrvatska, 9.-11.12.2021

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Physical Activity, Exercisers, Intention to Exercise, Mental Toughness, Social Support

Sažetak
The benefit of physical activity (PA) on physical and psychological health is well communicated, especially in recent pandemic and quarantine conditions, which may result in the intention of individuals to engage in PA. According to the theory of planned behaviour, the intention should lead to the manifestation of PA. However, the magnitude of this effect is still unclear as well as the moderating role of theoretically relevant constructs in that effect. Thus, this research aimed to investigate the relationship of intention to exercise with PA engagement and the intensity of PA, and the moderation effect of mental toughness and social support in that relationship. Two hundred and fifty-five participants aged 18 – 40 years (M age = 23.82 (5.06) ; N male = 47, N female = 208) completed an online questionnaire measuring the intention to exercise and mental health toughness, PA level and PA intensity. A moderation analysis with two moderators showed that the intention to exercise predicted the PA engagement. Mental toughness predicted engaging in PA at a lower level of statistical significance (p < .1) and moderated the effect of intention in a way that more expressive intention had a stronger effect on engaging in PA among mentally tougher individuals. Social support predicted engaging in PA and moderated the effect of intention to exercise. Specifically, a higher level of social support attenuated the effect of lower intention on lesser engaging in PA. The intensity of PA was also determined with the intention to exercise, but not with mental toughness. However, the mental toughness moderated the relationship between the intention to exercise and the intensity of PA (p < .1). The more expressive intention had a stronger effect on higher PA intensity among mentally tough individuals. Higher social support predicted higher PA intensity and moderated the effect of the intention to exercise on the PA intensity. It attenuated the lower intention's effect on the lower PA intensity and, conversely, the higher intention's effect on the higher PA intensity. The results are discussed within the theoretical and empirical challenges to detect constructs that moderate the effect of intention for exercise on the PA involvement and intensity.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Psihologija

POVEZANOST RADA