Physical activity and social support in adolescents: analysis of different types and sources of social support.
Little is known about the influence of different types and sources of social support on physical activity in adolescents. The aim of this study was to analyse the association between physical activity and different types and sources of social support in adolescents. The sample consisted of 2,859 adolescents between 14-19 years of age in the city of João Pessoa, in Northeastern Brazil. Physical activity was measured with a questionnaire and social support from parents and friends using a 10-item scale five for each group (type of support: encouragement, joint participation, watching, inviting, positive comments and transportation). Multivariable analysis showed that the types of support provided by parents associated with physical activity in adolescents were encouragement for females (P < 0.001) and adolescents between 14-16 years of age (P = 0.003), and transportation (P = 0.014) and comments (P = 0.037) for males. The types of social support provided by friends were: joint participation in male adolescents (P < 0.001) and in these 17-19-year-olds (P < 0.001), and comments in both genders (males: P = 0.009; females: P < 0.001) and 14-16-year-olds (P < 0.001). We conclude that the type of social support associated with physical activity varies according to its source, as well as the gender and age of the adolescents.
a Post-Graduation Associated Program in Physical Education - UPE/UFPB , Brazil.
Gerfeson
G
Mendonça
José Cazuza de Farias
JC
Júnior
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010290:Parents; D011998:Recreation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
adolescence; associated factors; motor activity; social influence