The women's sport self-efficacy based on social support and socioeconomic status (mediating variable of motivation for sports participation)

Throughout history, women have not had enough time to prove their worthiness for active participation in sports. The aim of this study was to develop a model for sport self-efficacy based on social support and socioeconomic status considering the mediating variable of motivation for sports participation in women, which constitutes a broad and effective part of the country. The present study is a descriptive-survey research and in terms of purpose it is an applied research. The study population consisted of all married or at least one-time married female athletes in Tehran, the sample consisted of 384 (according Cochran formula) using multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of Curl et al.'s Sports Self-Efficacy (2007), Phillips Social Support (1986), Ghodrat Nama.’s Socioeconomic Status (1392) and Hong Yong lin.’s Sports Participation Motivation Questionnaire (2010). Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed model using AMOS/18 software. The results showed that social support and socioeconomic status have a direct effect on the mediating variable of sport participation motivation in female athletes. However, socioeconomic status variable has no direct effect on sport self-efficacy in female athletes. The community and the government, in order to provide comprehensive support through municipal cultural centers, parks, green spaces and sports clubs, should provide conditions for women in the community with any income and social status to engage in physical activities and recognition of their capacities.