title: Effects of psychosocial variables in the similarity and interdependence of physical activity levels among adolescent best friend dyads.
abstract: Given that physical activity (PA) tends to decrease with age during adolescence, addressing factors that affect change is important. This study examined the similarity and interdependence of PA as influenced by psychosocial factors among adolescent best friend dyads. A total of 660 adolescents, representing 330 best friend dyads, completed questionnaires with regard to PA, sitting time, perceived exercise benefits and barriers, physical self-perception and social support for PA. Dyads were also identified as reciprocal and non-reciprocal best friends; reciprocal means that both considered each other best friends and non-reciprocal were those in which only one considered the other a best friend. Data were analysed using a hierarchical linear model framework. Results indicated significant similarities between reciprocal best friend dyads for PA and sitting time, and for sitting time in non-reciprocal best friends (P values <.01). Psychosocial variables were associated with PA in reciprocal best friend dyads and with sitting time in reciprocal and non-reciprocal best friend dyads. Best friend gender, regular sports practice of the person, perceived exercise barriers of the best friend and best friend social support were the best predictors for PA.
authors.affiliation: a Research Center in Sports Sciences , Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD) and School of Education of Polytechnic Institute of Bragança , Bragança , Portugal.
authors.forename: Vítor P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health & Kinesiology , Texas A&M University , TAMU 4243, College Station , TX 77843 , USA.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gabbard
authors.affiliation: c Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer de Melgaço , Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, and Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD) , Melgaço , Portugal.
authors.forename: Luis P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011584:Psychology; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Best friends; actor–partner interdependence model; dyad; predictors; reciprocity