The effect of parental expectancy value beliefs on children's physical activity: the chain mediating role of parental exercise commitment and children's exercise self-efficacy

Abstract

Objective: Grounded in the expectancy-value theory, this study examined how parental expectancy-value beliefs influence children's physical activity, as well as the mediating roles of parental exercise inputs and children's exercise self-efficacy, with children serving as the research subjects. Methods: Data were collected from 1,284 children and their parents in South China using the Exercise Expectancy and Value Scale, Parental Exercise Input Quality Scale, Exercise Health Beliefs Scale, and Physical Activity Rating Scale. Path analysis was conducted employing structural equation modeling techniques. Results: (1) Parental expectancy-value beliefs, parental exercise input, children's exercise self-efficacy, and children's physical activity exhibited significant positive correlations (P ≤ 0.05). (2) Parental expectancy-value beliefs had a positive direct effect on children's physical activity (β = 8.898, 95% CI [4.754, 13.041]). (3) Parental exercise input positively influenced children's exercise self-efficacy (β = 1.178, 95% CI [0.147, 2.323]), which subsequently positively affected children's physical activity (β = 3.028, 95% CI [1.630, 4.603]). Furthermore, the chain mediation of parental exercise input and children's exercise self-efficacy indirectly influenced children's physical activity (β = 0.974, 95% CI [0.564, 1.498]). Conclusion: Parental expectancy-value beliefs significantly enhanced both parental exercise input and children's exercise self-efficacy, which subsequently promoted children's physical activity behavior. Future interventions aimed at improving children's PA levels should prioritize strengthening parental expectation beliefs, enhancing parental input to exercise, and boosting children's exercise self-efficacy.