The relationship between social support and social adaptation in Chinese college freshmen: the chain mediating role of physical activity and personal social capital

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social support and social adaptation among Chinese college freshmen and to explore the mediating roles of physical activity and personal social capital. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 24, 2023, to October 31, 2023, targeting 1860 freshmen at a comprehensive medical university in China. The data were collected using validated instruments, including the Social Support Scale, Physical Activity Grade-3 (PARS-3), 8-item Personal Social Capital Scale (PSCS-8), and Social Adaptation Scale. Mediating analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0 and PROCESS plug-ins. This study found that (1) Social support was positively correlated with social adaptation (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), with a significant direct effect of social support on social adaptation (B = 0.609, p < 0.001). (2) Social support positively predicted both physical activity (B = 0.530, p < 0.001) and personal social capital (B = 0.401, p < 0.001). Furthermore, physical activity influenced both personal social capital (B = 0.023, p < 0.001) and social adaptation (B = 0.107, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, personal social capital positively predicted social adaptation (B = 0.514, p < 0.001). (3) The mediation analysis revealed that physical activity and personal social capital significantly mediated the relationship between social support and social adaptation. Social support exerts direct and indirect effects on the social adaptation of college freshmen. The indirect effects are mediated through physical activity and personal social adaptation, with both acting as independent mediators as well as through sequential mediation pathways. These findings underscore the importance of fostering social support systems and promoting physical activity and personal social capital to enhance social adaptation among college freshmen.