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e‑ISSN 2148-905X Open Access · CC BY 4.0
Vol. 13 · Issue 3 · 2026 Sep 15, 2026 Research Article

The Effect of Desire for Being Liked on Intention to Continue Sports: The Mediating Role of Social Media Self-Presentation

AM
Ahmet Yavuz Malli Corresponding Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Erzincan, Türkiye ahmet.malli@erzincan.edu.tr Turkey
KC
Kardelen Cicek Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Institute of Health Sciences, Erzincan, Türkiye Turkey
YC
Yasemin Cakmak Yildizhan Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Erzincan, Türkiye Turkey
ES
Emrah Secer Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Erzincan, Türkiye Turkey
Pages306-323 PublishedSep 15, 2026 LicenseOpen Access
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VOL 13 · ISS 3 · 2026 Sportive Perspective: Journal of Sports and Educational Sciences View issue

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the mediating role of social media self-presentation in the relationship between the desire to be liked and the intention to continue sports. This correlational survey study involved 357 students from the faculty of sports sciences. Data were collected using the Desire for Being Liked Scale, The Intention to Continue in Sports Scale, and the Social Media Self-Presentation Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted using AMOS 21 to test the measurement model. Normality tests, pearson correlation analysis, and bootstrap-based regression analysis were then used to test the hypotheses with SPSS 25 and the PROCESS macro developed by Hayes (2022). The study found that the desire to be liked was positively associated with the intention to continue sports, supporting hypothesis 1. According to the bootstrap-based regression analysis, the desire to be liked had a significant effect on social media self-presentation (b=1.155; p<.001). When a mediating variable was added to the model, it was observed that social media self-presentation is a significant predictor of the intention to continue sports (b=.235; p<.01). When the desire for being liked was held constant, it was determined that the direct effect on the intention to continue sports was not significant (c’=.064; p>.05). Finally, it was determined that the indirect effect of the desire to be liked on the intention to continue in sports, mediated by social media self-presentation, was significant (b=.272; 95% CI=.226-.442). The findings indicate that social media self-presentation mediates the relationship between the desire to be liked and the intention to continue sports among students in the faculty of sports sciences.

Keywords

#Desire to be liked #intention to continue sports #mediation #social media self-presentation

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