The association between adolescent interoceptive awareness and future exercise possible self: a mediation model

Abstract

Objective Based on the perspective of embodied cognition, this study examined the association between interoceptive awareness and future exercise possible self among adolescents, and investigated the mediating roles of self-concept clarity and athletic engagement in this association, as well as a potential chain mediation pathway. Methods A stratified random sampling approach was adopted to recruit 1,222 students from Grades 7 to 12 across six major regions of China in May 2025, and 1,131 retained for analysis (55.9% boys, 44.1% girls). Participants completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA-2), the Self-Concept Clarity Scale (SCCS), the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire (AEQ), and the Future Exercise Possible Self Inventory (FEPSI). Descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, and regression analyses were performed using SPSS 24.0 to examine the relationships between each dimension of interoceptive awareness and future exercise possible self. Based on the significance of regression coefficients, a chain mediation structural equation model was constructed in Amos 26.0 to explore the comprehensive theoretical framework, with a specific focus on the mediating roles of self-concept clarity and athletic engagement. Bootstrap resampling (5,000 resamples) was conducted to estimate total, direct, and indirect effects. Results Interoceptive awareness and its dimensions were positively correlated with self-concept clarity, athletic engagement, and future exercise possible self ( p < 0.01). After controlling for demographic variables, seven of the eight interoceptive awareness dimensions significantly predicted future exercise possible self ( p < 0.05), with the “body listening” dimension being the only exception. The structural model yielded excellent fit indices ( χ 2 /df = 1.171, CFI = 0.992, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.012). Interoceptive awareness exerted a significant total effect on future exercise possible self (β = 0.586), including a direct effect (β = 0.329) and an indirect effect (β = 0.257). Self-concept clarity (β = 0.044, p < 0.05) and athletic engagement (β = 0.195, p < 0.01) independently mediated this relationship. Furthermore, they jointly formed a significant chain mediation pathway (β = 0.018, p < 0.01). Conclusions Interoceptive awareness has a cross-sectional positive association with adolescents’ future exercise possible self, both directly and indirectly through enhanced self-concept clarity and elevated athletic engagement. These findings delineate a sequential pattern linking bodily awareness, self-knowledge integration, motivational experiences, and future-oriented exercise identity. Cultivating adolescents’ sensitivity to and positive interpretation of internal bodily signals, together with strengthening self-concept clarity and athletic engagement, may facilitate the development of positive exercise-related self-perceptions and long-term physical activity beliefs.