DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/empati.2026.55738

MOVIES THAT MOVE YOU: HOW CINEMATHERAPY CAN ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO EXERCISE

Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Jalan Rektorat Unesa, Lidah Wetan, Kec. Lakarsantri, Kota Surabaya, Jawa Timur 60213, Indonesia

Received: 23 Feb 2026; Published: 31 Aug 2026.

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Abstract

The efficacy of cinematherapy as an intervention to increase college students' intention to exercise was examined in this study. A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test control group design was used. From a pool of fifty students, fourteen psychology students with the lowest baseline scores were selected, and they were then randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The control group received no intervention, while the experimental group watched movies three times a week. Before and after the intervention, the Exercise Intention Scale was used. Cinematherapy can boost motivation for physical activity, as evidenced by the experimental group's significantly higher exercise intention compared to the control group. These results suggest that film-based interventions provide a practical and affordable way to boost college students' intentions to exercise by stimulating emotional and cognitive processes through relatable narratives.


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Keywords: exercise intention; experiment psychology; sport psychology; educational psychology; cinematherapy

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Section: Research Articles
Language : EN
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