Abstract des Autors

Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of social support and negative social influence from various contexts on adolescents' current and intended physical activity (C&IPA) two years later. In addition, social influence related to C&IPA at baseline (16-17 years old) is compared to follow-up (18-19 years old). Methods: Questionnaire data was obtained from 404 students at the age of 16-17 and again at the age of 18-19. Relationships among variables were examined with structural equation modelling (SEM). Results: Social influence experienced by high-school students at 16-17 years of age had a direct suppressing effect and an indirect positive effect on their C&IPA two years later. Social support for physical activity was more complex and related to positive as well as negative relations at the age of 16-17 compared to two years later. Conclusions: The results imply that social support to adolescents should be offered over a longer period of time, with increased focus on its significance as a link from an initially external regulation to a more internal regulation of physical activity as students get older. Closer examination of maintaining, pro-activating and intervening effects of social support could enhance our understanding of direct and indirect effects of social support on physical activity. Verf.-Referat