{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]],"date-time":"2026-08-05T05:44:18Z","timestamp":1785908658362,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":55,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]],"date-time":"2026-08-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1785888000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study aimed to investigate the association between physical activity and nicotine dependence level among female college smokers, and to examine the Serial Mediation Model of smoking refusal self-efficacy and smokers\u2019 identity identification.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 673 female college students who were current smokers (defined as smoking at least one cigarette per day in the past 30\u202fdays), recruited from 30 universities across various regions of China using stratified random sampling. Participants completed the Physical Activity Rating Scale, the Fagerstr\u00f6m Test for Nicotine Dependence, the Smoking Refusal Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Smokers\u2019 Identity Identification Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and chain mediation analysis (PROCESS Macro Model 6) with 5,000 bootstrap resamples.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Physical activity was significantly correlated with lower nicotine dependence level. The indirect association between physical activity and nicotine dependence level through smoking refusal self-efficacy was statistically significant, as was the indirect association through smokers\u2019 identity identification, and the sequential indirect association through both mediators.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Physical activity is associated with lower nicotine dependence level among female college smokers, and this association operates through indirect pathways via smoking refusal self-efficacy and smoker\u2019 identity identification. These findings provide preliminary correlational evidence for the psychological pathways linking physical activity to nicotine dependence level, though longitudinal research is needed to establish causality.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1914403","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]],"date-time":"2026-08-05T04:46:15Z","timestamp":1785905175000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Physical activity and nicotine dependence among female college smokers: a serial mediation model of smoking refusal self-efficacy and smokers\u2019 identity identification"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Xiaojun","family":"Song","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of General Education, Liaoning University of International Business and Economics","place":["Dalian, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xiangzheng","family":"Meng","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education, Liaoning Normal University","place":["Dalian, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"114791","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bbr.2023.114791","article-title":"Possible role of exercise therapy on depression: effector neurotransmitters as key players","volume":"459","author":"Alizadeh Pahlavani","year":"2023","journal-title":"Behav. Brain Res."},{"key":"ref2","volume-title":"ACSM'S Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription","year":"2018"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"183","DOI":"10.1097\/ADT.0000000000000087","article-title":"The role of self-efficacy, adaptive coping, and smoking urges in long-term cessation outcomes","volume":"15","author":"Blevins","year":"2016","journal-title":"Addict. Disord Their Treat."},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1419","DOI":"10.1007\/s00213-016-4513-5","article-title":"Neuropeptide systems and new treatments for nicotine addiction","volume":"234","author":"Bruijnzeel","year":"2017","journal-title":"Psychopharmacology"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"64","DOI":"10.19582\/j.cnki.11-3785\/g8.2023.11.006","article-title":"Research progress on the neurobiological mechanisms of exercise in improving nicotine addiction","volume":"46","author":"Cai","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Beijing Sport Univ."},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"812982","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2022.812982","article-title":"The relationship between smoker identity and smoking cessation among Young smokers: the role of smoking rationalization beliefs and cultural value of Guanxi","volume":"13","author":"Chen","year":"","journal-title":"Front. Psych."},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"934","DOI":"10.16128\/j.cnki.1005-3611.2023.04.033","article-title":"The relationship between nicotine dependence and smoking-refusal self-efficacy: the roles of identity and descriptive quitting norms","volume":"31","author":"Chen","year":"2023","journal-title":"Chin. J. Clin. Psychol."},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1053937","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyt.2022.1053937","article-title":"The effects of exercise with nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation in adults: a systematic review","volume":"13","author":"Chen","year":"","journal-title":"Front. Psych."},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"654","DOI":"10.3724\/SP.J.1042.2024.00654","article-title":"The \u201cbulletproof vest\u201d for smokers: formation mechanisms and interventions of self-exempting beliefs","volume":"32","author":"Chen","year":"2024","journal-title":"Adv. Psychol. Sci."},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"423","DOI":"10.16719\/j.cnki.1671-6981.202302020","article-title":"The predictive effect of smoking cost\u2013benefit trade-off on quit plans: a moderated mediation model","volume":"46","author":"Chen","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Psychol. Sci."},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"119","DOI":"10.2147\/PRBM.S14243","article-title":"Nicotine dependence and psychological distress: outcomes and clinical implications in smoking cessation","volume":"4","author":"Cosci","year":"2011","journal-title":"Psychol. Res. Behav. Manage."},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"747","DOI":"10.1093\/ntr\/nty029","article-title":"The role of cognitive control in the self-regulation and reinforcement of smoking behavior","volume":"21","author":"Evans","year":"2019","journal-title":"Nicotine Tob. Res."},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"379","DOI":"10.16835\/j.cnki.1000-9817.2024280","article-title":"Prevention and intervention of adolescent smoking behavior","volume":"35","author":"Fang","year":"2003","journal-title":"Acta Psychol. Sin."},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mhpa.2016.05.001","article-title":"Exercise self-efficacy moderates the association between anxiety sensitivity and cardiorespiratory fitness in treatment-seeking smokers","volume":"10","author":"Farris","year":"2016","journal-title":"Ment. Health Phys. Act."},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"8299","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17228299","article-title":"The association between type and intensity of sport and tobacco or nicotine use: a cross-sectional study among young Swiss men","volume":"17","author":"Gossin","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4282","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19074282","article-title":"Influence of physical exercise on psychological well-being of young adults: a quantitative study","volume":"19","author":"Granero-Jim\u00e9nez","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S121","DOI":"10.1016\/j.drugalcdep.2009.05.001","article-title":"Women and tobacco control policies: social-structural and psychosocial contributions to vulnerability to tobacco use and exposure","volume":"104","author":"Greaves","year":"2009","journal-title":"Drug Alcohol Depend."},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"86","DOI":"10.18332\/tid\/166133","article-title":"Nicotine dependence affects cardiopulmonary endurance and physical activity in college students in Henan, China","volume":"21","author":"Guo","year":"2023","journal-title":"Tob. Induc. Dis."},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"661","DOI":"10.1037\/0021-843X.114.4.661","article-title":"Dynamic self-efficacy and outcome expectancies: prediction of smoking lapse and relapse","volume":"114","author":"Gwaltney","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Abnorm. Psychol."},{"key":"ref20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.16218\/j.issn.1001-5051.2025.029","article-title":"The impact of physical exercise on school bullying among middle school students: chained mediating effects and place-of-origin differences","volume":"48","author":"Han","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Zhejiang Normal Univ. (Nat. Sci. Edn)"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"589","DOI":"10.1007\/s00213-008-1405-3","article-title":"Acute exercise modulates cigarette cravings and brain activation in response to smoking-related images: an fMRI study","volume":"203","author":"Janse van Rensburg","year":"2009","journal-title":"Psychopharmacology"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1081","DOI":"10.3760\/cma.j.issn.0254-6450.2015.10.010","article-title":"Mediating effect of smoking abstinence self-efficacy on association between awareness of smoking hazard and successful smoking cessation","volume":"36","author":"Jiang","year":"2015","journal-title":"Chin. J. Epidemiol."},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1407","DOI":"10.1016\/j.socscimed.2012.01.011","article-title":"Social integration in friendship networks: the synergy of network structure and peer influence in relation to cigarette smoking among high-risk adolescents","volume":"74","author":"Lakon","year":"2012","journal-title":"Soc. Sci. Med."},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1300\/J029v15n02_01","article-title":"Measuring self-efficacy and outcome expectations for resisting social pressures to smoke","volume":"15","author":"Langlois","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Child Adolesc. Subst. Abuse"},{"key":"ref25","first-page":"5","article-title":"Stress levels in college students and their relationship with physical exercise","volume-title":"Chin. J. Ment. Health","author":"Liang","year":"1994"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"399","DOI":"10.1016\/j.addbeh.2009.12.032","article-title":"Relationship of high school and college sports participation with alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use: a review","volume":"35","author":"Lisha","year":"2010","journal-title":"Addict. Behav."},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.16470\/j.csst.2019211","article-title":"Systematic analysis of exercise-based smoking cessation: methods, pathways, and effects","volume":"55","author":"Liu","year":"2019","journal-title":"China Sport Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.18332\/tid\/125401","article-title":"Relationships among smoking abstinence self-efficacy, trait coping style and nicotine dependence of smokers in Beijing","volume":"18","author":"Ma","year":"2020","journal-title":"Tob. Induc. Dis."},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"493","DOI":"10.1177\/1363459318817923","article-title":"Identity processes in smokers who want to quit smoking: a longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis","volume":"24","author":"Meijer","year":"2020","journal-title":"Health (London, England: 1997)"},{"key":"ref30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"39","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1751-9861.2005.tb00003.x","article-title":"Quitting smoking: applying an extended version of the theory of planned behavior","volume":"10","author":"Moan","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Appl. Biobehav. Res."},{"key":"ref31","volume-title":"National Action Plan for Healthy Lifestyles (2017\u20132025)","year":"2017"},{"key":"ref32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"126","DOI":"10.4236\/ape.2022.122010","article-title":"Advances in the study of neural mechanisms associated with exercise to ameliorate nicotine addiction","volume":"12","author":"Ni","year":"2022","journal-title":"Adv. Phys. Educ."},{"key":"ref33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"266","DOI":"10.3760\/cma.j.issn.1673-436X.2010.05.004","article-title":"A preliminary study on the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Fagerstr\u00f6m test for nicotine dependence","volume":"30","author":"Pan","year":"2010","journal-title":"Int. J. Resp."},{"key":"ref34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101668","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychsport.2020.101702","article-title":"\u201cI\u2019m a runner not a smoker\u201d: changes in identity as predictors of smoking cessation and physical activity","volume":"49","author":"Priebe","year":"2020","journal-title":"Psychol. Sport Exerc."},{"key":"ref35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"392","DOI":"10.1111\/famp.12864","article-title":"Family-based physical activity interventions and family functioning: a systematic review","volume":"63","author":"Rhodes","year":"2024","journal-title":"Fam. Process"},{"key":"ref36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1007\/s00213-012-2731-z","article-title":"The acute effects of exercise on cigarette cravings, withdrawal symptoms, affect, and smoking behaviour: systematic review update and meta-analysis","volume":"222","author":"Roberts","year":"2012","journal-title":"Psychopharmacology"},{"key":"ref37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"159","DOI":"10.1177\/1367493517741686","article-title":"Active parents, active children: the importance of parental organized physical activity in children's extracurricular sport participation","volume":"22","author":"Rodrigues","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Child Health Care"},{"key":"ref38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1510","DOI":"10.3109\/10826084.2015.1018549","article-title":"A qualitative study of smoker identity among college student smokers","volume":"50","author":"Rosa","year":"2015","journal-title":"Subst. Use Misuse"},{"key":"ref39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1179173X231179811","DOI":"10.1177\/1179173X231179811","article-title":"The impacts of supervised exercise intervention on tobacco withdrawal symptoms","volume":"16","author":"Ruslan","year":"2023","journal-title":"Tob. Use Insights"},{"key":"ref40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"230","DOI":"10.1123\/jpah.2019-0339","article-title":"Effectiveness of aerobic exercise on smoking cessation in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"18","author":"Santos","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Phys. Act. Health"},{"key":"ref41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1108","DOI":"10.16835\/j.cnki.1000-9817.2020.07.043","article-title":"Prevalence and influencing factors of tobacco use among adolescent females","volume":"41","author":"Tan","year":"2020","journal-title":"Chin. J. Sch. Health"},{"key":"ref42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2240","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-021-12256-2","article-title":"Socio-environmental and psychosocial predictors of smoking susceptibility among adolescents with contrasting socio-cultural characteristics: a comparative analysis","volume":"21","author":"Tate","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"key":"ref43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4557","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-023-31511-0","article-title":"The relationship between physical exercise and smoking behavior among Chinese residents aged 16 years and older","volume":"13","author":"Tie","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"740","DOI":"10.1016\/j.drugalcdep.2013.09.001","article-title":"Positive smoker identity as a barrier to quitting smoking: findings from a national survey of smokers in England","volume":"133","author":"Tombor","year":"2013","journal-title":"Drug Alcohol Depend."},{"key":"ref45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"535","DOI":"10.1037\/a0015199","article-title":"The effects of smoking self-identity and quitting self-identity on attempts to quit smoking","volume":"28","author":"van den Putte","year":"2009","journal-title":"Health Psychol."},{"key":"ref46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1910","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1360-0443.2009.02692.x","article-title":"The effects of acute exercise on attentional bias towards smoking-related stimuli during temporary abstinence from smoking","volume":"104","author":"van Rensburg","year":"2009","journal-title":"Addiction"},{"key":"ref47","first-page":"90","article-title":"Partner socializing: the emerging trend and formation logic of contemporary youth social interactions","volume-title":"China Youth Study","author":"Wang","year":"2023"},{"key":"ref48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102431","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psychsport.2023.102431","article-title":"Predictors of changes in running and smoking identity among individuals in the run to quit smoking cessation program","volume":"67","author":"Wierts","year":"2023","journal-title":"Psychol. Sport Exerc."},{"key":"ref49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2619","DOI":"10.2147\/PRBM.S466150","article-title":"Coping tendency as a mediator in the relationship between psychological resilience and health problems among college students","volume":"17","author":"Yang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Psychol. Res. Behav. Manag."},{"key":"ref50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"515","DOI":"10.16719\/j.cnki.1671-6981.2013.03.004","article-title":"Athletes\u2019 self-control: important theories and research development","volume":"36","author":"Zhang","year":"2013","journal-title":"Psychol. Sci."},{"key":"ref51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"85","DOI":"10.16382\/j.cnki.1000-5579.2023.03.009","article-title":"Cigarettes and urban women: living politics between risk and fashion\u2014an interview and observation study in Shanghai","volume":"55","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. East China Normal Univ. (Phil. Soc. Sci. Edn.)"},{"key":"ref52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"142","DOI":"10.19428\/j.cnki.sjpm.2023.22332","article-title":"Relationship between smoking abstinence self-efficacy, smoking rationalization belief, and willingness to quit smoking: a questionnaire survey of 336 male smokers in Shanghai","volume":"35","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Shanghai J. Prev. Med."},{"key":"ref53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1888","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2019.01888","article-title":"How does exercise improve implicit emotion regulation ability: preliminary evidence of a mind\u2013body exercise intervention combined with aerobic jogging and mindfulness-based yoga","volume":"10","author":"Zhang","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Psychol."},{"key":"ref54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"232","DOI":"10.16835\/j.cnki.1000-9817.2024058","article-title":"Effect of self-efficacy and smoking rationalization tendency in the association of physical activity and smoking cessation beliefs among college students","volume":"45","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"Chin. J. Sch. Health"},{"key":"ref55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3387","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-20861-7","article-title":"Effects of physical exercise on body esteem among females: a meta-analysis","volume":"24","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Psychology"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1914403\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]],"date-time":"2026-08-05T04:46:34Z","timestamp":1785905194000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1914403\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]]},"references-count":55,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1914403"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1914403","relation":{},"ISSN":["1664-1078"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1664-1078","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,5]]},"article-number":"1914403"}}