Psychological and Social Barriers to Physical Activity Perceived by Female College Students

Abstract

Physical activity plays an important role in promoting healthy lifestyles. It helps with physical, mental, social and emotional health.  Present study investigates psychological and social barriers to physical activity perceived by female college students. Primary aim is to examine psychological and social barriers as predictors of physical activity. Psychological predictors include depression, anxiety and stress and to measure these Depression anxiety and Stress scale (DASS-21), and social predictors include parenting influence measured by Parental Involvement in Sport Questionnaire (PISQ), body image measured by Adolescents Body Image Satisfaction Scale and social support measured by Multidimensional perceived social support scale (MSPSS) and physical activity was accessed using Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS). Results revealed that psychological predictors (depression, anxiety and stress) are negative predictors of physical activity and social predictors’ parental influence and social support are positive predictors of physical activity and body image significantly negatively predicts physical activity.