Reliability and validity of a physical activity social support assessment scale in adolescents--ASAFA Scale

Adolescents' attitudes, habits, identity and social support in relation to physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic

This study focuses on adolescents' cognitive processes, behaviors and social support (SS) as they relate to physical activity (PA) before and after the pandemic. The aims of the study were: (1) to investigate the changes in adolescents' engagement in moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and examine the changes in PA-related attitudes and behaviors before and after the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) to analyze the correlations between the significant changes that were found, PA engagement, and SS. The survey targeted third-year middle school students of Italian nationality, attending male and female mixed classes, residents in urban, periphery and sub-urban areas, living in families with different incomes, and different habits of engaging in PA. A longitudinal study was developed using a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered in April-May 2023 to a sample of 952 students aged 11/14 residing in the Marche region in Central Italy. Increasing values were found in the post-COVID-19 phase for all the cognitive processes and attitudes, in particular, those regarding habits (0.66 vs 0.50, + 32%) and identity (0.70 vs 0.55, + 27%) related to PA. Significant correlations were found between these values and VPA engagement and between the values of the same indicators and SS (p < 0.01). The strongest relationship was found with the dimension of identity (r = 0.51; r = 054).

Evaluation of the validity of the physical exercise peer support questionnaire for college students

Peer support for physical exercise is defined as behaviors such as mutual or one-way provision of material help and/or emotional care and companionship between peers in the physical environment and/or physical behavior. The assessment of peer support is complex and based on reasoning. Trustworthy assessment processes need to provide sufficient evidence of validity. The purpose of this study was to organize, collect, and use Kane's validity framework to provide validity evidence for the identification of peer support for physical exercise among college students. The article describes the experience of using the framework in this study, considers data related to the four inferences (scoring, generalization, extrapolation, and implication) that emerge from the assessment process. The findings of the study are then interpreted through the four inferences to determine whether this evidence supports the purpose of this study. Based on Kane's framework to explain the validity process of this study, the study concludes that the evidence in terms of scoring, generalization, extrapolation, and implication supports the use of the PEPSQ for the identification of physical exercise peer support among college students.

Reliability, validity and internal consistency of social support and self-efficacy scales for physical activity in adolescents with 10 to 14 years of age

Objective:

To analyze the reliability, validity and internal consistency of the physical activity social support (SSS) and self-efficacy (SES) scales among adolescents aged 10–14 years.

Methods:

The reliability study included 171 adolescents (mean age=12.3±1.0 years, 59.6% female) and validity and consistency study with 1,107 (mean age=12.0±1.0 years, 52.7% female). The SSS had 15 items and the SES eight items. Reliability was determined by Spearman's correlation analysis (rho) and validity and internal consistency by factor analysis (exploratory — EFA and confirmatory — CFA) and the composite reliability (CR), respectively.

Results:

The reliability of SSS (father: rho=0.80; p<0.001 | mother: rho=0.76; p<0.001 | friends: rho=0.75; p<0.001) and SES (rho=0.72; p<0.001) were considered high. In the EFA, three factors were identified for the SSS (father, mother and friends — five items each) and one factor for SES (five items), confirmed in the CFA. Quality parameters of adjustment in the final models were satisfactory for SSS (chi-square=240.5 [p<0.001]; root mean square residual — RMR=0.05; root mean square error of approximation — RMSEA=0.04 [90%CI 0.04–0.05]; goodness of fit index — GFI=0.97; adjusted goodness of fit index — AGFI=0.96 and comparative fit index — CFI=0.97) and SES (chi-square=5.4 [p=0.07]; RMR=0.01; RMSEA=0.04 [90%CI 0.00–0.08]; GFI=0.99; AGFI=0.99 and CFI=0.97). Internal consistency was considered satisfactory for SSS (CR: father=0.79, mother=0.77, friends=0.78) and low for SES (CR=0.38).

Conclusions:

The scales showed satisfactory levels of reliability and of construct validity. However, only the SSS showed adequate levels of internal consistency.%

[Interaction of sociodemographic factors in the association between psychosocial factors and active commuting to school]

The study aimed to analyze the interaction of sociodemographic factors in the association between psychosocial factors and active commuting to school. This was a cross-sectional study in 2018 with a sample of 1,984 students. The target sociodemographic factors were sex, age, parents' schooling, and socioeconomic status. Social support and self-efficacy were measured with questionnaires. Active commuting to school was defined as walking, bicycling, or skateboarding to and from school. Binary logistic regression was used to verify the association between psychosocial factors and active commuting to school. Then, interaction terms with the sociodemographic variables (age, father's schooling, mother's schooling, socioeconomic status) were included in the relationship between psychosocial factors and active commuting to school. The sample consisted of 1,984 adolescents (55.9% females). Of these, 748 (37.7% of the sample) reported active commuting to school during a normal week. Analyses of interaction showed that high levels of schooling and high socioeconomic status were negatively associated with active commuting to school. Low socioeconomic status and low schooling were positively associated with such commuting. The peer social support scale showed more significant variables than the other scales. The results indicate that sociodemographic factors (parents' schooling and socioeconomic status) moderate the association between psychosocial factors and active commuting to school.

Prevalence and factors associated with active transportation to school for adolescents

OBJECTIVE:

To verify the prevalence and factors associated with active transportation to school (ATS) among Brazilian adolescents attending public schools.

METHODS:

Crossectional study with a representative sample of 1,984 adolescents (55.9% girls). Sociodemographic variables included were: gender, age, parental schooling, and socioeconomic status. Psychosocial factors included were: social support from parents and friends for physical activity. Walking, cycling, or skateboarding to school were considered models of active transportation. Binary logistic regression models verified sociodemographic and psychosocial factors association with ATS, adopting p < 0.05.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of active transportation to school was 37.7% (16.2% boys and 21.5% girls). For boys, ATS was associated with: social support from parents in practicing physical activity together as a family (OR = 1.57; 95%CI 1.09–2.25), giving them rides (OR = 1.56; 95%CI 1.04–2.32), and remarking their good performance on it (OR = 1.73; CI95 1.08–2.76); as well as the social support from friends in practicing physical activity together (OR = 2.23; 95%CI 1.35–3.69). For girls, the likelihood of using ATS increased with age (OR = 1.43; 95%CI 1.06–1.92) and having friends who practice physical activity together with them (OR = 1.48, 95%CI 1.04–2.10).

CONCLUSION:

Age and social support for physical activity were associated with ATS. Parents who practice together, give rides, and remark on physical activities increase the likelihood of adolescent boys using ATS. Social support from friends to physical activity increased the likelihood of both genders using ATS.