Abstract

The mediating role of sport participation motivation in the relationship between self-efficacy and resilience was examined among college students. A total of 112 students from a university in P city completed standardized measures of general self-efficacy, sport participation motivation, and resilience. Data were analyzed using SPSS 30.0 and Hayes’ PROCESS Macro (Model 4). Results indicated that self-efficacy was positively correlated with resilience (r=.37, p<.001) and significantly predicted sport participation motivation (B=1.12, p<.001). Sport participation motivation also had a significant positive effect on resilience (B=.16, p<.01). Bootstrapping analysis confirmed a significant indirect effect of sport participation motivation in the relationship between self-efficacy and resilience (95% CI [0.223, 0.347]), indicating a partial mediating effect. These findings suggest that higher self-efficacy enhances intrinsic motivation for sport participation, which in turn promotes resilience. The present study provides empirical support for the integrated psychological mechanism linking self-efficacy, motivation, and resilience, offering practical implications for the promotion of mental health and adaptive functioning among college students.