Author(s): LI, M.1, HUANG, Y.2, GUO, L.1, Institution: BEIHANG UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 1528

Introduction:
Peer support plays an essential role in adolescents long-term physical activity. This study tries to explore: 1.What is the current status of peer support, psychological resilience, and exercise adherence among adolescents? 2.Are there differences in these three dimensions by gender and periods of study? 3.Does psychological resilience mediate the effects of peer support on exercise adherence?
Methods:
Questionnaire survey method and interview method were used. The research invited primary and secondary school students in X City, Zhejiang Province, China, and 2137 valid questionnaires were obtained (1076 male students and 1061 female students). The scales had good reliability and validity. A total of 21 interviewees were sampled with good representativeness.
Results:
1.There are significant differences between male and female students in peer support and exercise persistence, among which male students are significantly higher than female students(p<0.05).
2.High school students are significantly lower than junior high school and elementary school students on the dimensions of peer support, exercise adherence, and psychological resilience, and junior high school students are significantly lower than elementary school students(p<0.001).
3.Sports peer support and psychological resilience significantly predict exercise adherence. Psychological resilience partially mediates the relationship between peer support and exercise adherence. The percentage of mediating effect is 21.518%. Peer support can influence exercise adherence directly (β=0.568, p<0.001) or indirectly (β=0.252, p<0.001) by influencing psychological resilience (β= 0.485, p<0.001).
Discussion:
1.As a result of gender role stereotypes, there are certain differences in the way that families and schools nurture boys and girls in sports from an early age. At the same time, the stereotypes require male to take on more social responsibilities, which in turn builds more psychological resilience to face setbacks.
2.Elementary school students have more time to devote to sports participation due to lower academic pressures compared to junior high school. Secondary school students have less attention of psychological problems from parents and teachers due to higher academic pressures and relatively mature.
3.According to self-determination theory, substantive support and emotional support can be provided during physical exercise, which satisfies the need for relationships as one of the basic human needs, and thus promotes active participation in physical exercise.
4.The role of sports peer support is not limited to the sports participation aspect, but acts as a transferable competency, developing ability to persevere in the face of difficulties.