Social media use and physical activity participation among college students

Hu, Hongzhi

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120390 Copy

Description

Title

Social media use and physical activity participation among college students

Author(s)

Hu, Hongzhi

Issue Date

2023-04-20

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Sato, Mikihiro

Committee Member(s)

Fredericks, Jacob

Department of Study

Recreation, Sport and Tourism

Discipline

Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• physical activity
• social media
• social cognitive theory
• college students

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between social media use, self-reported physical activity (PA), and social cognitive theory (SCT) variables among college students in the United States during the 2023 Spring semester. A total of 151 college students responded to an online survey using Prolific as a recruiting tool. Results showed a positive association between friend support and moderate PA, self-efficacy and vigorous PA, and self-regulation and vigorous PA. Participants who received PA-related information through social media had higher levels of PA engagement. Specifically, posts focusing on PA benefits may be more effective in promoting PA engagement than other types of PA-related information. Among the sample, YouTube was the most popular social media platform, followed by Instagram and Reddit. Although existing research has primarily focused on Facebook as the primary social media platform for interventions among college students, only 47.7% reported using Facebook daily. The findings suggest that social media platforms can effectively promote PA engagement among college students. Content emphasizing the benefits of PA is more effective than other types of PA-related information. Organizations interested in promoting PA among college students can leverage social media platforms to build friend support and increase self-efficacy for PA engagement. The findings from this study could inform the development of future interventions to promote PA among college students by considering the impact of social media use and SCT variables.

Graduation Semester

2023-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Handle URL

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120390

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 Hongzhi Hu

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