Examining The Relationship Between Sports Participation And Social Development: The Mediating Effect Of Social Support

Social development refers to the gradual process by which individuals,through social interactions and engagements,acquire and apply social norms,values,and communication skills,leading to the harmonious development of both themselves and society.As college students serve as the talent pool of a nation,their social development bears significant theoretical and practical implications for the future of the country and its people.Furthermore,sports play an unparalleled role in promoting holistic development and cultivating high-quality individuals who possess both moral character and talent.Thus,this study aims to examine the interrelationships among college students’ participation in sports,social support,and social development,while delving into the roles and underlying mechanisms of sports participation and social support in shaping the social development of college students.To gain a comprehensive understanding of the social development status of college students,this study employs a cross-sectional research design.Through methods such as literature review,questionnaire surveys,and statistical analysis,the study investigates and analyzes the current status of sports participation,social support,and social development among college students,as well as the intricate connections among these three factors.The research findings demonstrate a significant positive correlation between sports participation and social development,encompassing its various dimensions.Active engagement in sports activities among college students serves to foster their social development,including the enhancement of social skills,teamwork abilities,and self-management skills.Moreover,social support exhibits a pronounced positive correlation with social development and its diverse dimensions.The support received from family,friends,and society at large serves to bolster college students’ self-confidence and emotional stability,thereby propelling their social development forward.Further analysis reveals that both sports participation and social support exert significant predictive influence over college students’ social development and its various dimensions.The level of sports participation and the degree of social support obtained serve as reliable indicators of college students’ social development levels.Additionally,social support partially mediates the relationship between sports participation and social development,underscoring the fact that sports participation not only directly impacts college students’ social development but also exerts indirect influence through the avenue of social support.In conclusion,this study substantiates the research hypotheses and puts forth specific recommendations.To foster college students’ social development,it is advisable to establish social support networks to ignite their enthusiasm for sports participation,diversify the forms of sports involvement to augment their social support levels,adopt an approach that emphasizes social development to enhance their motivation for sports participation,and cultivate a favorable sports environment conducive to elevating their social development levels.