Open Access

ARTICLE

How Does Physical Activity Shape Adolescents’ Coping Skills? Unveiling the Chain Mediation of Friendship Quality and Psychological Resilience

Jin Yan^1,#, Liu Yang^2,#, Dongye Lyu³, Songjian Du^1,*

1 School of Physical Education and Sports Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215021, China
2 School of Foreign Languages, Shandong University of Political Science and Law, Jinan, 250014, China
3 College of Education Sciences, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, 511355, China

* Corresponding Author: Songjian Du. Email:
# These authors contributed equally to be the co-first authors

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Active Living, Active Minds: Promoting Mental Health through Physical Activity)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion 2025, 27(3), 333-345. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2025.062297

Received 15 December 2024; Accepted 28 February 2025; Issue published 31 March 2025

Abstract

Background: Adolescents face increasing academic and social pressures, which significantly impact their mental well-being and coping strategies. Physical activity (PA) has been recognized as crucial in promoting psychological resilience and social development. This study investigates the relationship between PA and adolescents’ coping styles, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of friendship quality and psychological resilience. By examining these associations, the study aims to provide insights into how PA contributes to adolescents’ ability to navigate challenges and develop adaptive coping mechanisms. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design and was conducted in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. A total of 2288 high school students aged 15–18 were recruited using a convenience sampling approach. Data were collected through validated self-report questionnaires measuring PA, friendship quality, psychological resilience, and coping styles. Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM) were applied to examine the relationships between variables and assess the mediating effects of friendship quality and psychological resilience in the association between PA and coping styles. Results: Significant positive correlations among variables: PA positively correlated with friendship quality (r = 0.29, p < 0.01), psychological resilience (r = 0.26, p < 0.01), and coping styles (r = 0.26, p < 0.01). Friendship quality and psychological resilience mediated the relationship between PA and coping styles, with direct effects accounting for 47.85% of the total effect. Indirect effects were distributed among three pathways: via friendship quality (15.38%), psychological resilience (27.56%), and a chain mediation of both (11.22%). Conclusion: The findings highlight the significant role of PA in enhancing adolescents’ coping styles, with friendship quality and psychological resilience as key mediators. These results underscore the importance of promoting PA to strengthen social bonds, build resilience, and improve adaptive coping mechanisms among adolescents. Future research should explore additional mediating factors and employ longitudinal or experimental designs to establish causal relationships.

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