Physical exercise and aggressive behaviour among rural children: Cognitive flexibility mediation and peer relationship quality moderation

Abstract

We explored the relationship between physical exercise and aggressive behaviour among rural children and the mediating role of cognitive flexibility and the moderating role of peer relationship quality in that relationship. Upper-grade primary school students (n = 873, mean age = 11.2 years, SD = 2.6 years) from five rural schools in Guangxi, China, were surveyed using the Chinese versions of the Physical Exercise Scale, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, the Cognitive Flexibility Scale, and the Peer Relationship Quality Scale. Cognitive flexibility mediated the relationship between physical exercise and aggressive behaviour resulting in lower aggression. Peer relationship quality moderated the paths before and after the mediation process of physical exercise through cognitive flexibility resulting in lower aggression. Our findings are consistent with the social support buffering model. Physical exercise interventions for aggression should consider the children’s cognitive flexibility and quality of peer relationships.