Physical exercise and externalized behavior problems of left-behind junior middle school students: the chain mediating role of peer relationship and self-esteem

Abstract Objective: To explore ways to improve the externalizing behavior problems of left-behind junior middle school students from the perspective of physical exercise, to understand the relationship between physical exercise and the externalizing behavior of left-behind junior middle school students, and to deeply analyze the role of peer relationship and self-esteem in the relationship between physical exercise and the externalizing behavior of left-behind junior middle school students. Methods: 1292 left-behind junior high school students were surveyed by physical exercise scale, peer relationship scale, self-esteem scale and externalized behavior problem scale. For data analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, structural equation model test and bias correction percentile guide method were carried out successively. Results: (1) Physical exercise was negatively correlated with externalizing behavior problems (r=-0.19), and the direct path between physical exercise and externalizing behavior problems was not significant (β= -0.06, p > 0.05, CI[-0.13, 0.01]; (2) Physical exercise was positively correlated with peer relationship (β = 0.51, p < 0.01, CI[0.45, 0.56]) and self-esteem (β = 0.28, p < 0.01, CI[0.22, 0.34]); Positive correlation between self-esteem and peer relationship (beta = 0.54, p < 0.01, CI [0.48, 0.60]) and negatively correlated with externalizing behavioral problems (beta = 0.09, p < 0.05, CI (0.18, 0.01)); Negatively correlated with self-esteem and externalizing behavioral problems (beta = 0.12, p < 0.05, CI (0.20, 0.03)); (3) Peer relationship and self-esteem play a significant mediating role between physical exercise and externalizing behavior problems. The mediating effect consisted of three pathways: physical exercise → peer relationship → externalizing behavior problems (mediating effect value 0.05), physical exercise → self-esteem →externalizing problem behavior (mediating effect value 0.03), physical exercise → peer relationship → self-esteem →externalizing behavior problems (mediating effect value 0.03). Conclusion: (1) Physical exercise is significantly negatively correlated with externalizing behavior problems; (2) Peer relationship and self-esteem have independent mediating effects between physical exercise and externalizing behavior problems; (3) Peer relationship and self-esteem play a chain mediating role between physical exercise and externalizing behavior problems. This study explains the relationship between physical exercise and externalizing behavior problems, which has important practical significance for improving the externalizing behavior problems of junior high school students.