# The effect of exercise self-efficacy on basic psychological needs in flight cadets: the chain mediating role of psychological resilience and perceived social support

## TL;DR

This study shows how confidence in exercise helps flight cadets meet their basic psychological needs through resilience and social support.

## Contribution

The study identifies a chain mediation mechanism linking exercise self-efficacy to basic psychological needs via resilience and social support.

## Key findings

- Exercise self-efficacy significantly predicts basic psychological needs satisfaction (β = 0.157).
- Psychological resilience mediates the relationship with a total effect of 0.167.
- The chain mediation of resilience and social support contributes an effect of 0.052.

## Abstract

Based on social cognitive theory and self-determination theory, this study explores the mechanism by which exercise self-efficacy influences the satisfaction of basic psychological needs in flight cadets, focusing on the mediating roles of psychological resilience and perceived social support.

A cross-sectional design was employed to conduct a questionnaire survey among 524 flight cadets (first-year: 301; second-year: 223; mean age: 19.2 ± 1.3 years) from the Civil Aviation Flight University of China. Exercise self-efficacy, psychological resilience, perceived social support, and basic psychological needs were assessed using validated scales. Path analysis and bootstrap analysis were employed to test the hypothesized chain mediation model.

Results indicated that exercise self-efficacy significantly positively predicted basic psychological needs (β = 0.157) and operated through three indirect pathways: (1) the mediating role of psychological resilience (Effect = 0.167); (2) the mediating role of perceived social support (Effect = 0.062); and (3) the chain mediating role of psychological resilience and perceived social support (Effect = 0.052). The total effect size was 0.439.

Exercise self-efficacy is a crucial factor promoting basic psychological need satisfaction among flight cadets. The findings reveal a chain mediation mechanism where exercise beliefs enhance psychological resilience, which in turn facilitates social support perception, ultimately satisfying basic needs. Interventions aimed at boosting exercise self-efficacy and resilience are recommended to enhance the mental health of flight cadets.