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The Association between Gender and Physical Activity Was Partially Mediated by Social Network Size during COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Ashley Kuzmik

    (College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, 306 Nursing Sciences Building, University Park, Philadelphia, PA 16802, USA)

  • Yin Liu

    (Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Utah State University, 2905 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA)

  • Yendelela Cuffee

    (College of Health Sciences, University of Delaware, 100 Discovery Boulevard, Newark, DE 19713, USA)

  • Lan Kong

    (Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA)

  • Christopher N. Sciamanna

    (Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA)

  • Liza S. Rovniak

    (Departments of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted physical activity, particularly among women. Limited research has explored how social network support may explain gender-based variations in physical activity during COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of social networks in the association between gender and physical activity during a pandemic. This cross-sectional survey assessed whether social network characteristics (i.e., in-person social network size, frequency of in-person social network interactions, and online friend network size) mediate the relationship between gender and either past-week or past-year physical activity. Multiple mediation analyses were conducted to determine the indirect effect of gender on physical activity through social networks. Among 205 participants, women (n = 129) were significantly less physically active (β = −73.82; p = 0.02) than men (n = 76) and reported significantly more Facebook friends (β = 0.30; p < 0.001) than men, which was inversely associated with past-week physical activity (β = −64.49; p = 0.03). Additionally, the indirect effect of gender on past-week physical activity through Facebook friends was significant (β = −19.13; 95% CI [−40.45, −2.09]). Findings suggest that social media sites such as Facebook could be used to encourage physical activity among women during a pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashley Kuzmik & Yin Liu & Yendelela Cuffee & Lan Kong & Christopher N. Sciamanna & Liza S. Rovniak, 2022. "The Association between Gender and Physical Activity Was Partially Mediated by Social Network Size during COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2495-:d:755141
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fei Qin & Yiqing Song & George P Nassis & Lina Zhao & Yanan Dong & Cuicui Zhao & Yiwei Feng & Jiexiu Zhao, 2020. "Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Emotional Well-Being during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Carl P. Nienhuis & Iris A. Lesser, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Women’s Physical Activity Behavior and Mental Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-12, December.
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