Exercise Persistence and Subjective Well-being: A Chain Mediating Effect Model

Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between exercise persistence (EA), personal growth initiative (PGI), mindfulness and subjective well-being (SWB), which is beneficial to improve the subjective well-being of college students and promote the development of physical and mental health.Methods: A total of 894 college students (average age =19.51 years, SD = 0.85 years) were sampled by stratified cluster sampling. EA, mindfulness, PGI, and SWB were assessed using standard scales. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis, structural equation model test and bias-correction percentile Bootstrap method. Results: (1) There was a significant positive correlation between EA and SWB (r= 0.353), and the direct path between EA and SWB was significant (β= 0.592, t = 5.480, p < 0.01). (2) EA positively predicted mindfulness (β= 0.104, t = 8.964, p < 0.01) and PGI (β= 0.251, t = 8.743, p < 0.01); mindfulness positively predicted SWB (β= 0.915, t = 2.775, p < 0.01) and PGI (β= 1.349, t = 16.985, p < 0.01); and PGI significantly positively predicted SWB (β= 1.080, t = 8.924, p < 0.01). (3) Mindfulness and PGI played a significant mediating role in the relationship between EA and SWB. Specifically, the intermediary effect is composed of three path of indirect effect: EA→ mindfulness→ SWB (mediating effect value is 0.095), EA→ PGI→ SWB (mediating effect value is 0.271), EA→ mindfulness→ PGI→ SWB (mediating effect value is 0.152). (4) There is no gender difference in the chain mediation effect.Conclusion: (1) EA performance significantly positively predicts college students' mindfulness, PGI and SWB, which means that EA can promote college students' mindfulness, PGI and SWB; (2) EA can not only directly affect SWB, but also indirectly affect SWB through the separate intermediary role of mindfulness and PGI, as well as the chain intermediary role of both. It further explains the reasons why EA has an effect on College Students' SWB, which is of great significance to improve and intervene college students' SWB.