Social support provided by the best friend and vigorous-intensity physical activity in the relationship between perceived benefits and global self-worth of adolescents

The present study explored the associations between perceived benefits of physical activity, social support provided by the best friend, vigorous-intensity physical activity, and global self-worth in male and female adolescents. In total, 462 adolescents (female = 259), aged between 12-18 years (M = 16.16, SD  = 1.60) from different middle and secondary schools participated in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling analysis were performed to evaluate the proposed associations. Self-reported instruments were used to collect both vigorous-intensity physical activity and psychosocial variables under analysis. The hypothesized model provided acceptable fit to the data in all samples under analysis. Significant associations were found between variables, namely: Perceived benefits displayed a significant association with social support provided by the best friend; social support provided by the best friend was significantly associated with vigorous-intensity physical activity; and, vigorous-intensity physical activity displayed a significant association with global self-worth. The indirect regression paths showed the mediation role of social support provided by the best friend and vigorous-intensity physical activity in the interaction between perceived benefits and global self-worth. These associations were displayed in both male and female adolescents. Perceived benefits of physical activity, social support provided by the best friend and vigorous-intensity physical activity appears to be important antecedents of global self-worth in male and female adolescents. It seems that the social support provided by the best friend and vigorous-intensity physical activity play a mediation role in the association between perceived benefits of physical activity and global self-worth.