Mediation role of self-control in the association between physical exercise and aggressive behavior among college freshmen

Objective To examine the relationship between physical exercise and aggressive behavior among college freshmen, and to test the mediation effect of self-control in the association.Methods A total of 986 students from one university in Yangzhou were randomly selected and assessed with Physical Activity Rating (PAR-3), Self-control Scale and Aggression Questionnaire.Demographic information was also collected.Results Aggressive behavior and self-control were at a moderate level (60.81±9.56, 63.78 ± 8.79).Aggressive behavior score of male students was lower than that of female (60.13 ± 9.30, 61.40 ±9.76, t = 1.66, P < 0.05).Aggressive behavior ' s scores of non-only-child students was higher than that of only-child students (61.81±9.09, 59.76±9.93, t =-3.38, P<0.01), and students from urban areas lower than rural students (59.67±9.42, 61.68±9.59, t =-3.29, P < 0.01).The self-control in high physical exercise group was better than that of low group (68.47 ± 11.62, 63.37±8.65, 95%CI = 1.384-8.448, P < 0.01) while aggressive behavior was lower (56.21 ± 7.81, 61.23 ± 9.46, 95% CI =-8.261, -0.630, P<0.05).There is a negative correlation between self-control and aggressive behavior (r =-0.494, P<0.01).A negative correlation between the physical exercise volume and aggressive behavior was found (r =-0.118, P < 0.01).Self-control positively associated with physical exercise volume (r = 0.125, P<0.01).The structural equation modeling analysis results supported that physical exercise had direct effect on aggressive behavior of college freshmen, and it can also alleviate the aggressive behavior of college freshmen by improving self-control.Conclusion Physical exercise has positive effect on alleviating aggressive behavior.Self-control plays partial mediation effect in this relationship.