Perceived social support and school engagement in sports science students: The moderated mediation of school alienation and social media addiction

Introduction and Purpose: This study investigated how sports science university students perceive social support (PSS), its influence on their academic engagement, and the mechanisms that mediate this relationship. Methodology: A total of 466 students (316 males, 150 females) from the Faculty of Sports Sciences participated in the study, which used a relational screening model. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, the University Students School Engagement Scale, the School Alienation Scale, and the Social Media Addiction Scale. The measurement model was validated through confirmatory factor analysis, followed by correlation testing and regression analysis using the Bootstrap method to evaluate the study's hypotheses. Results: The analysis identified a positive correlation between PSS and school engagement (SE) (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). In contrast, PSS showed negative correlations with both school alienation (SA) (r =-0.209, p < 0.01) and social media addiction (SMA) (r = −0.113, p < 0.01) (Hypothesis I). Regression analysis using the Bootstrap method revealed a significant indirect effect of PSS on SE via SA (Hypothesis II) [β = 0.181, p < 0.001, 95% Confıdence Interval (CI) = (0.003, 0.039)]. Additionally, SMA moderated the indirect effect of PSS on SE via SA (Hypothesis III) [Situational mediator index = −0.018, Boot SE = 0.001, Boot 95% CI = (−0.003, −0.0001)]. The indirect effect was stronger for individuals with low SMA [Indirect effect = 0.034, Boot SE = 0.182, Boot 95% CI = (0.007, 0.078)] compared to those with high SMA [Indirect effect = 0.018, Boot SE = 0.009, Boot 95% CI = (0.005, 0.0416)]. Conclusion: The findings support all three hypotheses in the study's theoretical framework, confirming the proposed relationships and underlying mechanisms. © JPES.