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Comparison of Parental Support for Physical Activity in Children Aged 8-10 Years in Italy, Finland, and China
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DOI:10.1123/jtpe.2025-0111.png)
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
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