From social support to subjective wellbeing: the sequential roles of enjoyment-based exercise motivation and flow experience among physically active women.

BACKGROUND: In health promotion, perceived social support has been widely regarded as an important external resource related to individual wellbeing. Women face multiple pressures in daily life, and for them, regular exercise serves not only as physical activity but also as a key factor in improving mental health and happiness. How perceived social support is associated with wellbeing through specific psychological mechanisms remains under-explored. This study examines the mediating roles of Enjoyment-Based Motivation and Flow Experience in the relationship between perceived social support and subjective wellbeing among women who engage in regular exercise. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 361 women who engage in regular exercise. Data analysis utilized SPSS and AMOS structural equation modeling. Participants completed self-report measures assessing perceived social support, enjoyment-based exercise motivation, flow experience, and subjective wellbeing. RESULTS: Analysis revealed that perceived social support was positively associated with enjoyment-based motivation, flow experience, and subjective wellbeing. Enjoyment-based exercise motivation was positively associated with flow experience and subjective wellbeing, while flow experience was also positively associated with subjective wellbeing. Beyond direct paths, mediation analysis identified three mediating pathways: (a) an independent mediation of Enjoyment-Based Motivation, (b) an independent mediation of Flow Experience, and (c) a chained mediation involving both. DISCUSSION: By incorporating Enjoyment-Based Motivation and Flow Experience as mediating variables, this study provides a more detailed examination of the potential psychological pathways linking perceived social support and subjective wellbeing. These findings may have practical implications for supporting life satisfaction and wellbeing among women who engage in regular exercise.