Open Access

ARTICLE

The Association between Physical Education and Mental Health Indicators in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Xiaoqing Hu¹, Yan Tang^1,2,*

1 School of Physical Education and Sports Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China
2 Shanghai Research Centre for Physical Fitness and Health of Children and Adolescents, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China

* Corresponding Author: Yan Tang. Email:

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2022, 24(5), 783-793. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2022.018332

Received 16 July 2021; Accepted 13 September 2021; Issue published 27 July 2022

Abstract

Objective: To explore the associations between physical education attendance and mental health indicators. Methods: Using data from the Global Student Health Survey, the frequency of physical education attendance, suicidality-related indicators, loneliness, bullying, and anxiety were all assessed using a standardized self-reported questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between physical education attendance and mental health-related indicators. Results: The study included 276,169 participants from 71 countries (47.3% males, aged 11–18 years old). After controlling for sex, age, food insecurity, close friends, physical activity, sedentary time, others’ help, and parents’ understanding, physical education attendance was not signifi- cantly associated with suicidal attempts, suicidal ideation, and anxiety. However, compared with no physical education attendance, individuals attending physical education for 1, 2, as well as 5 or more days had significantly reduced odds/ratios of suicide; only 2 days of physical education attendance was associated with a lower odds ratio for suffering from loneliness. Even 1 day of physical education was associated with not being bullied by others. Conclusion: This study suggests that physical education attendance may not have an effective role in reducing mental health illnesses in children and adolescents. Future studies are encouraged to corroborate or negate our research discoveries by using better and further improved study designs.

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Keywords

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