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Comparison of Parental Support for Physical Activity in Children Aged 8-10 Years in Italy, Finland, and China

delete2026-02-01
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PRE
AI
M
Matteo Giuriato
N
Nicola Lovecchio
P
Patrizia Tortella
Y
Ying Gao *
A
Arto Laukkanen
DOI:10.1123/jtpe.2025-0111delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
This study aimed to examine cultural differences in physical activity parenting between children living in Italy, Finland, and China. The Physical Activity Parenting questionnaire for Children (PAP-C) was used to assess perceived parental physical activity support. This cross-sectional study examined cultural variations using PAP-C among 1,092 children (8-10 years) from Italy (n = 292), Finland (n = 362), and China (n = 438). Finnish children reported higher structure and autonomy support than Italian and Chinese peers (p < .001), whereas Chinese children perceived greater autonomy and involvement than Italian children (p <.001). Italian girls reported lower parental support across all dimensions (p <.001). Cultural context influenced parenting approaches: Finnish parents' emphasis on autonomy reflects values of independence, whereas Italian and Chinese parents prioritized family responsibilities. Future research should explore how these cross-cultural differences impact children's longterm physical activity patterns, with culturally tailored interventions to enhance parental strategies promoting lifelong activity habits.
Keywords:
physical activity parenting
school
cross-cultural differences
gender

Journal

Journal of Teaching in Physical Education cover
Journal of Teaching in Physical Education
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1.8
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75
Citations:
2.7K

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