Dyadic Effects of Individual and Friend on Physical Activity in College Students

Objective Physical activity ( PA ) tends to decline throughout the college years, and close friends’ influence is known to be an important factor in maintaining PA . This study examined the actor effect and partner effect between an individual and his/her friend regarding the influence of self‐efficacy and social support on PA among K orean college students. Design and Sample Cross‐sectional survey data from 108 pairs of individual students and friends were analyzed. Measures The survey questionnaire measured PA , self‐efficacy toward exercise, social support for PA , anxiety and depression, community environments, and perceived health status. Structural equation modeling with path analysis was conducted to test Actor‐Partner Interdependence Model ( APIM ) explaining close relationships on PA . Results One‐sided partner effect that friends' perceived friend support was directly related to individual's PA (β = 0.20, p  < .05) was revealed. Regarding actor effects, self‐efficacy was directly related to higher levels of PA for individual and friend. Perceived health status was related to higher level of individuals’ PA . Conclusions These results suggest a role for public health nurses in developing interventions for college‐aged young adults that promotes friend support for PA as well as individual self‐efficacy toward PA , to engage young adults in establishing lifelong health‐promoting PA .