The influence of physical exercise on college students’ prosocial behavior: the chain mediating role of social conscientiousness and general self-efficacy

Purpose This study investigates the relationships among physical exercise (PE), social conscientiousness (SC), general self-efficacy (GSE), and prosocial behavior (PB) in college students. Methods A scale was administered to 409 college students, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 28.0 and Process 4.1. Results (1) Significant positive correlations exist among college students’ physical exercise, social conscientiousness, general self-efficacy, and prosocial behavior. (2) Physical exercise positively predicts college students’ prosocial behavior ( β = 0.174, p < 0.001). (3) The effect value of indirect path 1 (PE → SC → PB) was 0.009, representing 38.9% of the total effect; the effect value of indirect path 2 (PE → GSE → PB) was 0.004, accounting for 16.9% of the total effect; and the effect value of indirect path 3 (PE → SC → GSE → PB) was 0.002, constituting 10.4% of the total effect. Conclusion Physical exercise directly influences college students’ prosocial behavior and also exerts an indirect effect through social conscientiousness and general self-efficacy.