Physical activity and self-efficacy in college students: the mediating role of grit and the moderating role of gender

Background. There is a paucity of knowledge concerning the psychological variables that serve to facilitate the connection between physical activity and self-efficacy, and the factors capable of moderating these pathways. This study aimed to examine the relationship between physical activity and self-efficacy among college students, with a focus on the mediating effect of grit and the moderating effect of gender. Methods. This study recruited 3,228 undergraduate students from a university in Shanghai, China. They completed the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Short Grit Scale, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 and the Process v4.0 plugin. Results. Physical activity had both a direct effect on self-efficacy (beta = 0.07, 95% CI [0.04-0.11]) and an indirect effect through the two dimensions of grit: perseverance of effort (beta = 0.06, 95% CI [0.04-0.07]) and consistency of interest (beta = 0.03, 95% CI [0.02-0.04]). The mediating effect explained 53.27% of the total effect. Furthermore, gender moderated the relationship between perseverance of effort and self-efficacy, with a stronger effect observed in males (beta = 0.08, t = 3.27, p < 0.01). Conclusion. The results revealed that grit is an underlying psychological mechanism that links physical activity and self-efficacy. Moreover, gender moderates the effect of perseverance of effort on self-efficacy, with a stronger effect observed in males. These findings have practical implications for educators to design tailored physical activity interventions that foster grit and self-efficacy among college students.