Physical Activity under Stress: A Perspective of HAPA and Individual Differences

Song Zhou, Linqian Li, Yan Zhao, Yiheng Cao, Baozhong Peng and Lei Zheng
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Song Zhou: School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
Linqian Li: School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
Yan Zhao: School of Psychology, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
Yiheng Cao: School of Physical Education and Sport Science, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350007, China
Baozhong Peng: School of Economics and Management, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350007, China
Lei Zheng: School of Economics and Management, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350007, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-10

Abstract: Aims: Physical activity is an effective way for people to cope with stress. However, people often decrease their physical activity in response to stressors. Therefore, we aimed to understand the relationship between perceived stress and physical activity from an outcome expectancies perspective and investigated the moderating role of future orientation in this relationship. Methods: This study recruited 425 students who completed a three-wave survey at six-week intervals. A moderated mediation model was used to examine the mediating effects of outcome expectancies and the moderating effects of future orientation. Results: The results indicated that outcome expectancies mediated the relationship between perceived stress and physical activity. This relationship was moderated by future orientation. In particular, the mediating effects were significant for people with a high future orientation, but not for those with a low future orientation. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the adaptive function of future orientation in response to general stress. Importantly, the link between perceived stress and reduced physical activity could be mitigated by encouraging people to focus on future consequences. Future studies should consider developing intervention strategies that help those struggling with stressful contexts.

Keywords: perceived stress; physical activity; outcome expectancies; future orientation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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