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. 2022 Sep 23:15:2745-2759.
doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S370495. eCollection 2022.

The Relationship Between Physical Exercise and Prosocial Behavior of Junior Middle School Students in Post-Epidemic Period: The Chain Mediating Effect of Emotional Intelligence and Sports Learning Motivation and Gender Differences

Zhen Hui #  1 , Kelei Guo #  2 , Chao Liu  3 , Qishuai Ma  3 , Weiwei Tian  2 , Shujun Yao  2
Affiliations

The Relationship Between Physical Exercise and Prosocial Behavior of Junior Middle School Students in Post-Epidemic Period: The Chain Mediating Effect of Emotional Intelligence and Sports Learning Motivation and Gender Differences

Zhen Hui et al. Psychol Res Behav Manag. .

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the relationship between physical exercise (PE) and prosocial behavior (PSB) and constructed a chain mediation model through the mediating effect of physical education learning motivation (PELM) and emotional intelligence (EI).

Methods: Through the stratified random sampling, 1053 students (average age = 14 years, SD = 0.96 years) that complied with the requirements were surveyed from Henan Province in China. PE, EI, PELM, and PSB were assessed using standard scales. For data analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis, structural equation model test, and bias-corrected percentile Bootstrap method were carried out in turn.

Results: (1) There was a significant positive correlation between PE and PSB (r = 0.137), and the direct path between PE and PSB was significant (β = 0.09, t = 4.73, p < 0.01); (2) PE can positively predict EI (β= 0.08, t = 5.27, p < 0.01) and PELM (β= 0.04, t = 2.07, p < 0.05), EI can significantly and positively PSB (β= 0.67, t = 22.12, p < 0.01), PELM can significantly and positively predict PSB (β= 0.05, t =2.20, p<0.05); (3) EI and physical learning motivation play a significant intermediary role between PE and PSB. The mediating effect consists of three indirect effects: PE → EI → PSB (the mediating effect value is 0.055), PE → PELM → PSB (the mediating effect value is 0.002), PE → EI → PELM → PSB (the mediating effect value is 0.002); (4) The chain mediation effect is significant in girls, but not in boys.

Conclusion: (1) PE can positively predict PSB. (2) EI and PELM had significant mediating effects between PE and PSB, including single mediating effects of EI and PELM and chain mediating effects of EI-PELM; (3) There are gender differences in the chain mediation effect.

Keywords: COVID-19; emotional intelligence; junior school students; physical education learning motivation; physical exercise; prosocial behavior.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chain mediation model.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chain mediation Model (M1).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chain mediation Model (M2 Male group).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chain mediation Model (M3 Female group).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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