The Impact of physical exercise on college students' peer attachment: the Chain mediating effect of perceived social support and sense of school belonging

Abstract As a critical indicator of social development among college students, the quality of peer attachment directly influences individuals’ interpersonal adaptation and mental health. Using a questionnaire survey method, this study administered the Physical Activity Rating Scale, Peer Attachment Questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Scale, and School Belonging Scale to investigate 518 college students. It aims to explore the mechanism underlying the effect of physical exercise on college students’ peer attachment, with a focus on the chained mediating effect of perceived social support and school belonging. The results demonstrate the following:(1) Physical exercise, perceived social support, school belonging, and peer attachment are all significantly and positively correlated with each other.(2) Physical exercise positively predicts perceived social support and school belonging, and also exerts a direct positive predictive effect on peer attachment.(3) Perceived social support and school belonging play independent mediating roles in the relationship between physical exercise and peer attachment, respectively, and simultaneously form a chained mediating path between the two variables.The conclusions indicate that physical exercise not only directly affects the level of peer attachment among college students, but also indirectly promotes the healthy development of peer relationships by enhancing perceived social support and school belonging.