Open Access

ARTICLE

Shifting the Paradigm: A Fresh Look at Physical Activity Frequency and Its Impact on Mental Health, Life Satisfaction, and Self-Rated Health in Adolescents

Wenjie Li¹, Yucheng Gao², Guoqing Liu², Rongkai Hao², Meijie Zhang², Xiaotian Li^1,*

1 Country School of Recreation and Community Sport, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, 100191, China
2 Institute of Physical Education and Training, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, 100191, China

* Corresponding Author: Xiaotian Li. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mental Health and Social Development)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2024, 26(2), 83-92. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2023.042014

Received 15 May 2023; Accepted 22 August 2023; Issue published 08 March 2024

Abstract

As adolescent mental health problems are becoming a more serious issue globally, this paper explores the relationship of physical activity in adolescents and its frequency on mental health as well as examines the mediating effects of life satisfaction and self-rated health in order to provide a reference for the promotion of mental health in adolescents. A sample of 3578 Chinese high school students completed questionnaires assessing their mental health, physical activity frequency, life satisfaction, and self-rated health. The mean SCL-90 value for adolescents was found to be 1.629%, and 24.73% of adolescents had varying degrees of mental health issue. Increased physical activity frequency is positively associated with improved mental health (p < 0.001). Additionally, life satisfaction and self-rated health were found to play significant mediating roles in the relationship between physical activity frequency and mental health. Specifically, low-frequency physical activity had the most pronounced mediating effect on mental health through life satisfaction, while high-frequency physical activity exerted the most significant mediating effect on mental health through self-rated health. These findings underscore the importance of promoting physical activity among adolescents and highlight the distinct pathways through which physical activity frequency can influence mental health outcomes. Further research is needed to explore these relationships in diverse populations and settings, as well as to develop targeted intervention.

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Keywords

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