Perceived physical literacy and subjective wellbeing in university students: the indirect association via autonomous sports motivation

ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study examines the association between Perceived Physical Literacy (PPLI) and Subjective Wellbeing (SWB) among Chinese university students, exploring the indirect association of Autonomous Sports Motivation.MethodsA cross-sectional survey sampled 858 students (M = 19.15, SD = 1.07) from ten different mainland Chinese universities. Validated instruments measured PPLI, the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) for motivation, and a composite scale for SWB. A higher-order Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted to ensure the measurement model for the Relative Autonomy Index (RAI) was methodologically consistent with the structural model. Structural Equation Modeling with bias-corrected Bootstrap procedures tested the indirect effects, controlling for gender, age, and BMI.ResultsA significant direct positive association was found between PPLI and SWB (β = 0.27, p < 0.001). Crucially, Autonomous Sports Motivation (Relative Autonomy Index) served as a significant statistical mediator (indirect effect = 0.23, 95% CI [0.186, 0.281], p < 0.001). Higher physical literacy was associated with higher-quality autonomous motivation (β = 0.43), which in turn was associated with greater wellbeing (β = 0.42). The variables collectively accounted for 35% of the variance in SWB.ConclusionAlthough the cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, the findings underscore an indirect association between university physical education perceptions and psychological health. The results suggest that promoting physical literacy may relate to higher autonomous motivation, which is associated with better wellbeing. These results advocate for curriculum designs that prioritize “proactive health” over “passive participation.”