Benefits of Physical Activity and Its Associations with Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, and Psychological Distress in University Students from Southern Spain

Physical activity and social anxiety symptoms among Chinese college students: a serial mediation model of psychological resilience and sleep problems

BACKGROUND

Social anxiety symptoms are common and harmful psychological illness in college students. Although some studies have illustrated that physical activity could reduce social anxiety symptoms, the specific mechanism is still unclear. Based on theoretical studies on resilience and sleep, this study constructed a serial mediation model to explore whether they mediate between physical activity and social anxiety symptoms among college students.

METHODS

This study surveyed 9,530 college students from three colleges in China to explore the mediating effect of physical activity and sleep problems between physical activity and social anxiety symptoms. Participants were investigated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Sleep-related problems, and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and the Social Phobia Scale. Correlations between variables were analysed using Pearson correlation analysis and mediation analyses were performed using SPSS PROCESS macro 3.3 software.

RESULT

The study found that physical activity was negatively associated with social anxiety symptoms and sleep problems, but positively with psychological resilience. After controlling for sociodemographic variables, physical activity can not only indirectly alleviate social anxiety symptoms through the separate mediation of psychological resilience and sleep problems, but also through the serial mediation of psychological resilience and sleep problems.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that improving physical activity levels could reduce social anxiety scores by increasing psychological resilience and sleep quality. This is of great reference significance for the prevention and intervention of college students' mental health.

The relationship between time anxiety and college students' sleep quality: the mediating role of irrational procrastination and the moderating effect of physical activity

Background

Poor sleep quality has become one of the most pressing public issues among Chinese college students, with an increasing incidence rate in recent years. Although some studies showed that anxiety is related to sleep quality, the relationship between time anxiety (which is a more concrete manifestation of anxiety in the temporal dimension) and sleep quality, as well as its potential mechanisms, still requires further investigation and analysis. This study aimed to explore the relationship between time anxiety and sleep quality among college students, and to examine the mediating role of irrational procrastination and the moderating effect of physical activity.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,137 participants recruited from four universities in eastern, western, and central China. They completed a questionnaire survey on time anxiety, irrational procrastination, physical activity, and sleep quality. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 and PROCESS 3.3.

Results

Time anxiety had a significant positive impact on sleep quality (β = 0.28, t = 9.95, p < 0.001). Irrational procrastination played a mediating role between time anxiety and college students' sleep quality, the effect value was 0.05, and the intermediary effect accounted for 19.26%. Physical activity moderated the direct effect of time anxiety on college students' sleep quality (β = -0.08, t = -2.98, p < 0.01), and moderated the second half path of irrational procrastination mediation model (β = -0.06, t = -2.12, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Higher levels of time anxiety are associated with poorer sleep quality among college students. Time anxiety not only directly affects college students' sleep quality, but also indirectly affects it through irrational procrastination. Conducting physical activities can mitigate the impact of time anxiety and irrational procrastination on college students' sleep quality.

The relationship between self-oriented perfectionism and exercise participation: based on the dualistic model of passion

Background

During the critical formative years of college, active participation in sports not only helps to alleviate stress, but also promotes the development of healthy habits. Although the multifaceted benefits of exercise have been widely recognized, there is a relative dearth of research on the relationship between personality traits, particularly college students' self-oriented perfectionism (SOP), and exercise participation.

Methods

A questionnaire survey of 374 college students was conducted using the snowball sampling method. SPSS 26.0 and Mplus 8.3 were employed in this study to analyze the correlations between the variables, and on this basis, the effect of SOP on exercise participation was examined. The study also used 5,000 bootstrap samples and a 95% bias-corrected confidence interval to test the significance of the mediating effects.

Results

Correlation analysis showed that SOP was positively correlated with exercise participation. Harmonious passion and obsessive passion were positively correlated with SOP, and exercise participation. Further, the results of structural equation analysis revealed that SOP increased exercise participation. Harmonious passion and obsessive passion positively mediated the effect between SOP and exercise participation, respectively.

Conclusion

This study provides new perspectives to better understand college students' exercise participation, emphasizing the importance of SOP and its influence on exercise participation through harmonious and obsessive passions. These findings have important implications for the development of effective exercise promotion strategies.

Health benefits of short Taichi Qigong exercise (STQE) to University Students' core strength, lower limb explosive force, cardiopulmonary endurance, and anxiety: A Quasi experiment research

BACKGROUND

College students' physical fitness has declined over the past decades. Taichi Qigong exercise offers numerous health benefits and could serve as a suitable option for them. Traditional programs, however, are time-consuming and necessitate long-term commitments. Therefore, a more cost-effective intervention is needed.

METHODS

The study enrolled a total of 31 students who actively participated in a 5-week STQE program, consisting of three 60-minute sessions per week. Physical and mental health assessments included the Plank test, vital capacity measurement, 1000/800 m run test, standing jump, and the Zung Self-Rating Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS.

RESULTS

Following the STQE intervention, participants showed improvement in core strength (28.1 seconds in the Plank test, P = .025) and lower limb explosive force (6.52 cm in the standing jump test, P = .011), accompanied by a decrease in anxiety levels (a reduction of 3.41 in the Zung Self-Rating Scale, P = .039). However, no significant improvements were observed in cardiopulmonary endurance, as evidenced by a non-significant increase of 237.84 mL in vital capacity (P = .134) and a non-significant reduction of 1.6 seconds in the 1000/800 m run test (P = .764).

CONCLUSION

The study suggests that the STQE program effectively improves core strength, lower limb explosive force, and reduces anxiety levels among university students.

How does physical activity improve adolescent resilience? Serial indirect effects via self-efficacy and basic psychological needs

Background

Resilience is vital for improving mental health and well-being during adolescence, which is an important yet vulnerable period. Previous research has indicated that physical activity enhances individual resilience. However, limited studies have examined underlying psychological mechanisms between them. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of physical activity on adolescent resilience via self-efficacy and basic psychological needs.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,732 high school students aged 16 to 20 years old (mean age: 16.51 ± 0.77 years), with nearly equal number of boys (47.63%) and girls (52.37%). They each completed the Physical Exercise Questionnaire, Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Resilience Scale, respectively. A serial indirect model was constructed to examine how physical activity influences resilience.

Results

Structural equation model analysis revealed that physical activity significantly and directly predicted resilience. When self-efficacy and basic psychological needs were included in the model, both direct and indirect effects were observed. Specifically, the positive relationship between physical activity and resilience was partially mediated by self-efficacy and basic psychological needs. In addition, basic psychological needs and self-efficacy were found to serially mediate the direct relathonship between physical activity and resilience.

Conclusions

The present study provides novel theoretical insights into sports psychology by establishing a link between basic psychological needs and self-efficacy. The findings have implications for school administrators and physical education instructors in designing targeted interventions to promote adolescent resilience. These interventions may involve creating supportive environment conductive to fulfilling students' basic psychological needs, implementing strategies to enhance self-efficacy beliefs, and providing opportunities for skill development and mastery experiences in sports and physical activities.

Physical activity habits prevent psychological distress in female academic students: The multiple mediating role of physical and psychosocial parameters

Background

Psychological distress is recognised as the most common mental health difficulty in emerging adult (18-to-24-year-old) female academic students. This study aimed to test a novel model positing physical activity habits as a protective factor for psychological distress through the mediating role of physical and psychological parameters. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and self-reported physical health status were included as physical parameters. Self-reported psychological health status and time spent on leisure activities were the psychological parameters considered.

Method

Data were collected between April and May 2021. Correlation analyses and a multiple mediation model were computed on 411 online questionnaires filled out by 18-to-24-year-old female students from the University of blind (Italy).

Results

The multiple indirect effects were significant (β = -0.088; p < 0.001). This means that physical activity habits reduce psychological distress through high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, a good self-assessment of one's physical and psychological health status, and more time spent on leisure activities outdoors, with friends, and with family members.

Conclusions

Results show that academic policies should be adopted so as to design physical activity programmes that may improve the students' healthy behaviours and social interactions, which, in turn, mitigate the detrimental effects of psychological distress.

Are physical activity and sleep associated with emotional self-regulation in toddlers? a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Toddlerhood (2-3 years) is a crucial period for the development of physical activity, sleep, and emotional self-regulation skills. Although there is growing evidence of positive associations between physical activity, sleep, and emotional self-regulation in school-aged children, the associations in toddlers remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between physical activity, sleep, and emotional self-regulation in toddlers.

METHODS

Baseline data from 1350 toddlers (2.2 ± 0.33 year) from the Let's Grow randomised controlled trial were used. Toddlers' total physical activity (TPA) and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) were assessed via 4 + days of accelerometry and a 3-item parent-report scale. Parent-reported total sleep quantity was calculated using the sum of average night-time sleep and daytime nap durations. Sleep behaviour data including bedtime routine, bedtime resistance, sleep onset-delay, sleep duration, and night waking were collected using relevant subsections from the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire revised (BISQ-R). A 4-item parent-report scale adapted from the Fast Track Project Child Behaviour Questionnaire was used to assess toddlers' emotional self-regulation. Linear regression models were used, adjusting for child age, sex, and parental education.

RESULTS

Accelerometer-derived TPA, MVPA and parent-reported TPA were not associated with emotional self-regulation. Higher parent-reported MVPA (B = -0.01 CI95 -0.03, -0.003) was associated with poorer emotional self-regulation. Higher sleep duration was associated with better emotional self-regulation (B = 0.06 CI95 0.04, 0.08). The five sleep behaviours assessed were also positively associated with emotional self-regulation (all p < 0.01), with fewer problem sleep behaviours being associated with better emotional self-regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

This cross-sectional study suggests that sleep may be important for emotional self-regulation in toddlers, but the role of physical activity remains unclear. These findings suggest that interventions targeting sleep duration and sleep behaviours during the early toddler years may benefit the positive development of emotional self-regulation skills in this population.

Mindfulness to improve the mental health of university students. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

This systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the effects of a mindfulness program on mental health in university students.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using the databases Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL. The selected studies had to incorporate a mindfulness intervention in university students. The methodological quality of the collected articles was evaluated using the PEDro scale.

Results

We initially identified 321 studies, of which 21 were included in this review. The interventions focused on mindfulness with durations ranging from 8 weeks to 3 months. The results demonstrated significant effects of a mindfulness intervention on mental health in university students.

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that mindfulness is effective for improving the mental health of college students.

Systematic Review Registration

identifier: CRD42023441453.

Effect of Nutrition Education on Health Science University Students to Improve Cardiometabolic Profile and Inflammatory Status

The inadequate lifestyle associated with university life may have a negative impact on various cardiometabolic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a one-year nutrition education course on cardiometabolic parameters in undergraduate health science students. During the 2021-22 academic year, 1.30 h nutrition sessions were conducted twice a week. Capillary blood samples were collected and centrifuged to measure cardiometabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in serum. The sample studied consisted of 49 students: 20.4% male and 79.6% female. The nutritional intervention resulted in changes in dietary patterns, with increased consumption of vegetables, nuts and legumes. After the course, females showed an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.007) and no change in LDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.189). On the other hand, males showed significant changes in HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.043) levels. The atherogenic index was also significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in both males (p = 0.009) and females (p = 0.002). Differences were also observed in the increase in vitamin D levels in both males and females, although the magnitude of the increase was greater in the men (Δ = 7.94, p = 0.016 in men vs. Δ = 4.96, p = 0.001 in women). The monocyte-to-HDL ratio (MHR) showed a significant reduction, although these differences were only significant in males. Students with low vitamin D levels had higher LDL-cholesterol values (p = 0.01) and atherogenic index (p = 0.029). Adjusted linear regression analysis showed a significant association between post-course vitamin D MHR (β = -0.42, IC: -0.29, -0.06, p < 0.01). These findings suggest the importance of including nutrition education programs during the university stage for the prevention of long-term health problems.

Physical Activity Among Medical Students at the University of Khartoum, Sudan, 2022: Knowledge, Practice, and Barriers

Introduction Physical inactivity is a highly prevalent modifiable risk factor for many diseases, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, the leading causes of death. Many health institutes have issued and adopted guidelines and recommendations on physical activity. This study aims to study the knowledge, practice, and barriers of medical students enrolled at the University of Khartoum, Sudan, regarding physical activity. It aimed to assess the students' knowledge about physical activity, to determine the levels of physical activity and compare it with the WHO recommended levels and data from other countries, to compare the activity and sedentary levels between males and females, and to take a look on the barriers to physical activity. Methods An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum in December 2022. A total of 336 students were included using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that included the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Levels of physical activity were described and compared between males and females. Results Around 40.5% of the students achieved the recommended level of physical activity. The mean level of vigorous-intensity physical activity was 50.9 minutes/week (SD= 125.7), the mean level of moderate-intensity physical activity was 156.5 minutes/week (SD= 316.1), the mean level of total physical activity was 207 minutes/week (SD= 356). Between males and females, there was a significant mean difference in the level of vigorous-intensity physical activity and total physical activity. The mean level of sedentary behavior was 7.61 hours/day (SD= 4.62) with no significant difference between males and females (p=0.127). Students showed good knowledge about the cardiovascular and mental benefits of physical activity but not about its protective benefits against cancer. Only 19.4% knew the WHO-recommended levels of physical activity. The most common major barriers toward physical activity reported by the students were lack of time (43.8%), and lack of suitable facilities (31.3%) among others. Conclusion More than half (59.5%) of the students were insufficiently active. Levels of physical activity were significantly associated with the participants' sex but not their knowledge of the recommended levels of physical activity. Males showed higher levels of physical activity. Lack of time was the most common barrier to exercise. More knowledge and education about physical activity should be provided as well as suitable facilities.

Observational longitudinal association between waking movement behaviours and psychological distress among adolescents using isotemporal analysis: DADOS study

This study aimed to examine the impact of reallocating time spent in waking movement behaviours at baseline on indicators of psychological distress at 24-month follow-up using isotemporal substitution regression models among a sample of Spanish adolescents. The DADOS (Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud) study is a 3-year longitudinal observational research project carried out between years 2015-2017. The analyses included 197 adolescents (91 girls) aged 13.9 ± 0.3 years at baseline. Waking movement behaviours were assessed by a wrist-worn GENEActiv triaxial accelerometer and expressed as minutes/day of light physical activity (LPA), moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and time spent in sedentary behaviour (SB). The Behaviour Assessment System for Children and Adolescents (level 3 for adolescents) was used to assess psychological distress indicators (i.e., anxiety, social stress, and risk of depression). Results showed significant associations only for girls. The substitution of 10 min/day of SB or LPA at baseline with 10 min/day of MVPA was associated with lower levels of anxiety (both p ≤ 0.01) and social stress (both p < 0.05) at follow-up. The substitution of 10 min/day of SB with 10 min/day of LPA was associated with higher levels of anxiety at follow-up (p = 0.01). These findings highlight the need of specific physical activity recommendations for mental health paying special attention to sex-differences.

I'll be there for you: The effects of exercise engagement on social support provision within undergraduate students' personal networks

Objective: To use social network analysis to examine exercise participation relative to health and wellness support provision within students' networks. Participants: 513 undergraduates from a large private university completed online surveys. Methods: Multilevel modeling assessed exercise engagement at the individual and dyadic level and support provision from network members. Results: More support was perceived by first and second-year students and individuals who reported more exercise engagement. Significant others, roommates, siblings, female network members, and those who exercised often provided greater support. Greater support was reported when both the participant and their social tie were involved in the campus group-exercise program. Conclusion: This study suggests individual and dyadic-level exercise was related to undergraduates feeling more supported. Findings support campus group exercise programs as opportunities to create reciprocal supportive ties for college students. Future research could further explore ways exercise and social support, particularly in group settings, affect health and well-being.

Resilience is associated with physical activity and sedentary behaviour recommendations attainment in Chinese university students

PURPOSE

To determine the associations of resilience with physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) recommendations attainment among university students by considering the sex of the participants.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study recruited 352 Chinese university students (131 males, 20.8 ± 2.18 years). PA and SB were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Resilience was measured using the Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale with 25 items (CD-RISC-25). Attainment of PA and SB recommendations with different patterns was determined by referring to the global recommendations for adults. Mann-Whitney U tests and generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to determine sex differences in all outcomes and the contribution of resilience to the attainment of PA and SB recommendations, respectively.

RESULTS

The percentage of males who attained all patterns related to vigorous PA (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and SB recommendations was significantly higher than that of females. Males also scored significantly higher than females in the CD-RISC-25 final score (p < .01). GLMs results showed that, after adjusting for key confounders, resilience was a significant predictor of PA recommendations attainment in terms of minimum moderate PA (MPA), minimum MVPA, and adequate MVPA (all p < .05).

CONCLUSION

PA (at more intense levels), SB, and resilience among university students vary by sex, with males outperforming females. Regardless of sex, resilience is an important predictor for the attainment of PA and SB recommendations. Sex-specific resilience-building interventions should be developed to foster a physically active lifestyle among this population group.

Intervention of Physical Activity for University Students with Anxiety and Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic Prevention and Control Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: Although physical activity has been widely recognized as an effective way to improve anxiety and depression, we lack a systematic summary of research on improving anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to systematically analyze how physical activity impacts on this situation in college students during COVID-19. (2) Methods: Both Chinese and English databases (PubMed the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang) were analyzed. All the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about physical activity intervention for this were included. We received eight eligible RCT experiments before the retrieval time (4 October 2022) in the meta-analysis. (3) Results: Physical activity benefits for college students with significant anxiety were (SMD = -0.50; 95% CI = -0.83 to -0.17; I² = 84%; p < 0.001; Z = 2.98;) and depression (SMD = -0.62; 95% CI = -0.99 to -0.25; I² = 80.7%; p < 0.001; Z = 3.27). Subgroup analyses showed physical activity of different intensities significantly impacted on improving college students' depression and anxiety, but physical activity of 6 < 9 Mets intensity had a greater effect on anxiety than on depression. Interventions of eight weeks or less performed better than those of over eight weeks while interventions less than four times per week had a significant effect on improving the situation. The overall effect of a single intervention of 30 min was more effective than one of over 60 min. (4) Conclusion: Physical activities can effectively improve the situation of anxiety and depression for college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a higher quality RCT experiment is needed to prove it.

Resilience in cancer patients and how it correlates with demographics, psychological factors, and lifestyle

Background

Being diagnosed with cancer is challenging. Many patients wish to be actively involved in treatment and contribute to therapy, but the patients’ coping abilities and desire for involvement differ. The individual level of resilience seems to play a major role. Our study aims to learn more about the associations of resilience and factors as demographics and psychological factors.

Methods

This multicentric cross-sectional study was conducted in ten oncological centers in Germany in summer 2021. The questionnaire collected information on demographics, resilience, self-efficacy, general satisfaction with life, and sense of coherence. Considered lifestyle-aspects were diet and physical activity. 416 patients were included in the analyses.

Results

A moderate mean resilience score was achieved (M = 69). Significant correlations in demographics were found for resilience and education (r = 0.146, p = 0.003), income (r = 0.205, p = 0.001), and time since receiving diagnosis (r = − 0.115, p = 0.021). Resilience and self-efficacy correlated on a high level (r = 0.595, p < 0.001), resilience and sense of coherence, and resilience and general satisfaction with life in a moderate way (r = 0.339, p < 0.001; r = 0.461, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Resilience portrays an important aspect in cancer treatment. Detecting patients at risk, stabilizing, or improving resilience are important to focus on and strengthen them accordingly. Possible negatively influencing factors (e.g., low self-efficacy) need to be considered. Factors affecting resilience but difficult to influence, as educational background, should be screened for. Also, the combination of low resilience and low income seems to describe a vulnerable patient group.

How physical exercise impacts academic burnout in college students: The mediating effects of self-efficacy and resilience

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Academic burnout is harmful to college students, their institutions of learning, and society at large. While research has shown that physical exercise may be associated with reduced academic burnout, the underlying mechanisms require further exploration. This study explored the relationship between physical exercise and academic burnout in a sample of college students, with a focus on the serial mediating roles of self-efficacy and resilience.

METHODS

This study adopted a cross-sectional survey approach among a sample of undergraduate college students in China. We recruited 1,270 participants in the second half of the 2021-2022 academic year (476 men and 794 women), all of whom completed questionnaires containing the Physical Activity Rating Scale, Academic Burnout Scale for College Students, 10-item General Self-Efficacy Scale, and 25-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. We then subjected the collected data to a series of statistical analyses.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Physical exercise was significantly and negatively associated with academic burnout and its three subfactors (i.e., emotional exhaustion, improper behavior, and low personal achievement). Participants in the high physical exercise group showed lower levels of academic burnout than those in the moderate and low physical exercise groups. Finally, our serial mediation model showed that physical exercise had a significant direct effect on academic burnout (β = -0.1104, 95% CI = [-0.1421, -0.0791]) in addition to significant indirect effects on academic burnout via self-efficacy and resilience (β = -0.0802, 95% CI = [-0.1088, -0.0527]); the more exercise participation, the lower the academic burnout among college students. These findings suggest that physical exercise is an important interventional target when aiming to reduce academic burnout.

An Explanatory Model of Sport Motivation, Physical Self-Concept and Anxiety as a Function of the Degree of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Future Physical Education Teachers

The present research has the objectives of establishing the relationship between motivational climate towards sport, anxiety, and physical self-concept, and identifying the existing relationships between anxiety, motivational climate, and physical self-concept, broken down into (a) developing an explanatory model of the motivational climate towards sport and its relationship with anxiety and physical self-concept, and (b) contrasting the structural model by means of a multi-group analysis according to the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A quantitative, comparative, non-experimental (ex post facto), cross-sectional study was carried out with a total sample of 556 participants (23.06 ± 6.23). The instruments used were an ad hoc questionnaire and the Spanish versions of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire 2, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Self-Concept Form-5, and the PREDIMED questionnaire. The data reveal that participants who show high adherence to the Mediterranean diet attain higher scores on physical self-concept and anxiety, as well as ego-climate. As a conclusion, it is observed that participants who show a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet show higher scores in physical self-concept and anxiety, as well as in all the variables that make up the ego-climate.

Beyond the Psychopathological Approach to Study the Relationship between Body Dissatisfaction and Suicide: A Moderate and Mediated Analysis

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature to date on body dissatisfaction and suicide. A moderate and mediated regression analysis suggests that the relationship between these two variables is mediated by depression, anxiety, impulse control, self-esteem, and hopelessness. The relationship is not moderated by gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. The implications for mental health practitioners are discussed in relation to management strategies for body dissatisfaction and suicide risk. Another finding showed that psychological distress had a significant effect on performance achievement and served as a mediating variable for the effect of social justice on performance achievement. This study only focused on the effect of psychological distress on the performance achievement of human resources in the context of Islamic microfinance institutions. Besides, in explaining the model, this study only focused on one point of view of the grand theory, i.e., social exchange theory. This study provided information on alternative strategies in managing and minimizing the risks of psychological distress to improve performance achievement in Islamic microfinance institutions. Apart from that, this study also provided an overview of how to manage social exchange relationships in the context of an organization, so they could be well-maintained. This study examined the effect of psychological distress on the performance achievement of human resources in the context of Islamic microfinance institutions. This study also specifically examined the role of formal justice and social justice as an antecedent of psychological distress. Eventually, this study used the perspective of social exchange theory for the first time in explaining the psychological distress model on the performance achievement of human resources.

The Relationship Between Physical Exercise and Prosocial Behavior of Junior Middle School Students in Post-Epidemic Period: The Chain Mediating Effect of Emotional Intelligence and Sports Learning Motivation and Gender Differences

Purpose

This study examined the relationship between physical exercise (PE) and prosocial behavior (PSB) and constructed a chain mediation model through the mediating effect of physical education learning motivation (PELM) and emotional intelligence (EI).

Methods

Through the stratified random sampling, 1053 students (average age = 14 years, SD = 0.96 years) that complied with the requirements were surveyed from Henan Province in China. PE, EI, PELM, and PSB were assessed using standard scales. For data analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis, structural equation model test, and bias-corrected percentile Bootstrap method were carried out in turn.

Results

(1) There was a significant positive correlation between PE and PSB (r = 0.137), and the direct path between PE and PSB was significant (β = 0.09, t = 4.73, p < 0.01); (2) PE can positively predict EI (β= 0.08, t = 5.27, p < 0.01) and PELM (β= 0.04, t = 2.07, p < 0.05), EI can significantly and positively PSB (β= 0.67, t = 22.12, p < 0.01), PELM can significantly and positively predict PSB (β= 0.05, t =2.20, p<0.05); (3) EI and physical learning motivation play a significant intermediary role between PE and PSB. The mediating effect consists of three indirect effects: PE → EI → PSB (the mediating effect value is 0.055), PE → PELM → PSB (the mediating effect value is 0.002), PE → EI → PELM → PSB (the mediating effect value is 0.002); (4) The chain mediation effect is significant in girls, but not in boys.

Conclusion

(1) PE can positively predict PSB. (2) EI and PELM had significant mediating effects between PE and PSB, including single mediating effects of EI and PELM and chain mediating effects of EI-PELM; (3) There are gender differences in the chain mediation effect.

Resilience, Stress, and Burnout Syndrome According to Study Hours in Spanish Public Education School Teacher Applicants: An Explanatory Model as a Function of Weekly Physical Activity Practice Time

The selection process for the teaching profession in public elementary education is difficult, which can lead to the appearance of disruptive states in applicants. For this reason, the present study aimed to establish the relationship between study hours and the levels of stress, burnout, and resilience in applicants to the Spanish public teaching profession. Accordingly, this objective was achieved by (a) developing an explanatory model of study hours according to levels of stress, burnout, and resilience, and (b) contrasting this model through a multigroup analysis according to whether students performed more than 3 h of physical activity per week. A descriptive, comparative, cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 4117 applicants (31.03 ± 6.800), using an ad hoc socio-demographic questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale for data collection. The results revealed that participants who practiced more than 3 h of physical activity per week showed lower levels of stress and burnout syndrome, manifesting higher levels of resilience. Furthermore, better associations between resilience and the other constructs were also observed for people who practiced more than 3 h of physical activity per week. In conclusion, the practice of physical activity can help to decrease stress and develop key elements for the selective exam of the Spanish public teaching corps.

Physical activity and quality of life among college students without comorbidities for cardiometabolic diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To systematically review studies on the relationship between physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QOL) in university students without comorbidities for cardiometabolic diseases from around the world.

METHODS

We included observational studies with university students of both sexes, from public or private institutions, and that investigated the association or correlation between physical activity and quality of life among these students, without delimitation of date, language, or location. Reviews, letters to the editors, studies with qualitative methodologies, case studies, book chapters, articles with college students who had some specific disease or condition, such as obesity, diabetes, and others; studies with children of parents with chronic diseases, and those that were institutions aimed only at very specific populations, were excluded. Meta-analysis was calculated.

RESULTS

Thirty studies, consisting of 19,731 students, were included. The most commonly used instruments to assess the quality of life of the university population were the Quality of Life Questionnaire-short version (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was the most commonly used instrument to assess PA. For the meta-analysis, 22 studies were included. Weak but positive correlations were found between PA and the QOL domains: physical health (0.16. 95% CI 0.11 0.22; I2 = 99.96%); mental health (0.14; 95% CI 0.07-0.20; I2 = 99.97%); social relations (0.24, 95% CI 0.08-0. 38; I2 = 99.99%); environment (0.23, 95% CI 0.14-0.32; I2 = 99.90%); vitality (0.17. 95% CI 0.15-0.20; I2 = 99.49%) pain (0.02. 95% CI - 0.02 to 0.12; I2 = 99.96%); QOL and PA (0.21, 95% CI 0.08-0.34; I2 = 99.99%).An association of R = 0.60 (95% CI 0.25-0.95; I2 = 85.61%) was found between QOL and PA in total.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study showed a weak but positive relationship between physical activity and overall quality of life in college students, and also between PA and the domains of QL: physical health, social relationships, mental health, environment, and vitality, in this same population. It is important to study this population, since risk behaviors in this phase tend to perpetuate in the other phases of life.

Gender Differences in the Associations Between Physical Activity, Smartphone Use, and Weight Stigma

Background

Physical activity (PA) is important for health. However, there is little evidence on how weight stigma, time spent on sedentary activities (including smartphone, social media, online learning), time spent on outdoor activity, and nomophobia associate with PA among Chinese individuals with consideration of gender. The present study examined the aforementioned associations in the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Methods

University students (N = 3,135; 1,798 females, 1,337 males) with a mean age of 19.65 years (SD = 2.38) years completed an online survey from November to December, 2021. The online survey assessed weight stigma (using the Perceived Weight Stigma Scale and Weight Bias Internalization Scale), PA (using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form), time spent on different activities (using self-designed items for time on smartphone, outdoor activity, social media, and online learning), and nomophobia (using the Nomophobia Questionnaire). Parallel mediation models were constructed (dependent variable: PA; mediators: perceived weight stigma, weight-related self-stigma, time spent on smartphone, time spent on outdoor activity, time spent on social media, and time spent online learning; independent variable: nomophobia) and evaluated using Hayes' Process Macro Model 4 (IBM SPSS 20.0).

Results

Weight-related self-stigma (β = −0.06; p = 0.03), time spent on outdoor activity (β = 0.21; p < 0.001), time spent on social media (β = 0.07; p = 0.02), time spent on online learning (β = 0.06; p = 0.03), and nomophobia (β = −0.07; p = 0.01) were all significant factors explaining the PA among female participants. Perceived weight stigma (β = −0.07; p = 0.01), time spent on outdoor activity (β = 0.27; p < 0.001), and time spent on online learning (β = 0.10; p = 0.002) were all significant factors explaining PA among male participants.

Conclusion

Chinese healthcare providers should design programs on weight stigma reduction and outdoor activity improvement to enhance PA among university students.

Enhancing Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being in College Students during COVID-19 through WeActive and WeMindful Interventions

This study aimed to examine the immediate and short-term effects of aerobic and resistance training (WeActive) and mindful exercise (WeMindful) virtual interventions in improving physical activity (PA) and resilience among college students. Participants were 55 students who were randomly assigned to either the WeActive group (n = 31) or the WeMindful group (n = 24). Both groups attended two virtual 30 min aerobic and resistance training sessions (WeActive) or mindful exercise sessions (WeMindful) per week for eight weeks. All participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) via Qualtrics one week prior to (pre-test) and after the intervention (post-test) and 6 weeks after the intervention (follow up). There was a significant main effect of time for resilience (F = 3.4.15, p = 0.024), where both the WeActive group and the WeMindful group significantly increased the resilience scores from pre-test to follow up (t = −2.74, p = 0.02; t = −2.54, p = 0.04), respectively. For moderate physical activity (MPA), there was a significant interaction effect of time with group (F = 4.81, p = 0.01, η² = 0.038), where the WeActive group significantly increased MPA over time from pre-test to follow-up test as compared to the WeMindful group (t = −2.6, p = 0.033). Only the WeActive intervention was effective in increasing MPA. Both interventions were effective in increasing resilience from pre-test to 6 week follow up.

Effects of Weight-Related Self-Stigma and Smartphone Addiction on Female University Students' Physical Activity Levels

Physical inactivity is a common health problem in female college students, and factors such as weight self-stigma and smartphone addiction may negatively impact physical activity in this population. The aim of the current study was to investigate the associations between these variables and identify the moderating effects of smartphone addiction between weight stigma and physical activity. Using a cross-sectional study, information on the level of physical activity in the past week, weight-related self-stigma, and smartphone addiction, as well as demographics, were collected via an online survey from 391 female college students in Taiwan. Participants in two groups of moderate to high and low physical activity were compared using a zero-order bivariate correlation in terms of independent variables. A moderated mediation model using Model 14 in the Hayes’ PROCESS macro with 1000 bootstrapping resamples was applied to assess moderation effects. There were significant differences in terms of weight status, smartphone addiction, and weight stigma between active and inactive groups (p < 0.001). All independent variables except for age were positively correlated (0.14 < r < 0.45). Multivariate regression models indicated that weight status was associated with weight stigma (odds ratio [OR] = 9.13, p < 0.001; 95% CI = 6.90, 11.35). Weight status (OR = 0.47, p = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.23, 0.93), weight stigma (OR = 0.96, p = 0.03; 95% CI = 0.922, 0.997), and smartphone addiction (OR = 0.11, p = 0.003; 95% CI = 0.03, 0.47) were associated with physical activity. The moderating role of smartphone addiction on the association between weight stigma and physical activity was also identified (OR = 1.05, p = 0.049; 95% CI = 1.0001, 1.1004). The moderating effect of smartphone addiction on the association between weight stigma and physical activity suggests that designing interventions to address the negative impacts of both weight stigma and smartphone addiction may help to improve physical activity in female college students.

Health-related behaviors, self-rated health, and predictors of stress and well-being in nursing students

BACKGROUND

Nursing students are at increased risk for the consequences of stress on wellbeing. Little is known about nursing students' health promoting behaviors and how these relate to health, stress, and well-being.

PURPOSE

The purpose was to describe perceived stress and measures of well-being (self-compassion, happiness, and life satisfaction) along with self-reported health promoting behaviors and health status in order to identify factors that could affect stress and well-being in nursing students.

METHODS

A multi-site team employed cross-sectional research methods to explore well-being, stress, and potential physical and emotional health-relevant factors in undergraduate nursing students. Baccalaureate Nursing students from three nursing programs in North Texas participated in a web-based survey. Undergraduate students (n = 417) reported being junior or senior level in a traditional (74.1%) or an alternative nursing training program (on-line, fast-track, or weekend nursing program; 24.9%) in the fall of 2019. Recruitment fliers went to a total of 2264 potential participants via university e-mail. Consenting students completed online surveys collecting demographic and health related factors as well as measures of well-being and stress.

RESULTS

More than half (56.6%) of students reported worsening health since starting nursing school. Exercise and meditation were related to higher measures of well-being and lower stress, but this relationship diminished in the multivariate model when considering individual demographic and health related factors. Our multivariate model suggests that self-rated health status remains a main potential predictor of reduced stress and improved well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported health factors are related to wellbeing in nursing students. Targeted interventions to improve well-being among nursing students may be necessary and would fit with national recommendations for nursing education programs. Resiliency skills training with mindfulness practices may help nursing students reduce stress, improve overall well-being, and equip students to avoid burnout and stress-related illness once in the workforce.

Resilience in Sports: Sport Type, Gender, Age and Sport Level Differences

There seems to be a broad consensus that there is a positive correlation between resilience and sport performance. However, different studies show divergent results on the role played by certain variables in this relationship. This study aimed to analyze the possible relationships between resilience levels and the practiced sport according to gender, age, and competitive level of the athletes in 1047 competitive athletes from five different sports (handball, basketball, volleyball, athletics, and judo). Resilience was assessed with the Spanish version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Results of independent samples t-tests or analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant differences on the level of resilience according to the practiced sport or the competitive level. However, the analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that they were related to the gender and age of the athletes, being higher in males than in females, and there was a positive correlation with age. These results seem to suggest the convenience of using differentiated strategies, according to gender and age, when working on all those protective factors that could allow the athlete to perform better when facing adversity in the competitive environment.

Prevalence of sufficient MVPA among Thai adults: pooled panel data analysis from Thailand's surveillance on physical activity 2012-2019

BACKGROUND

The role of data in informing decision makers in formulating policy to improve population health is undeniably important. During the past few years, the Thai government has undertaken continuous health promotion campaigns and programs. Nevertheless, evidence of how physical activity (PA) has improved is lacking. This study aims to present PA prevalence and trends from nationally-representative surveillance data collected during 2012-2019.

METHODS

This study employed 8 rounds of Thailand's Surveillance on Physical Activity (SPA) survey from 2012 to 2019 as a pooled analysis from two-panel data (SPA2012-2016 and SPA2017-2019). Multistage random sampling was applied to select Thai adults aged 18 or over to produce a nationally-representative dataset, by considering the place of residence (urban or rural), gender, and single year of age. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted in 5 regions, 13 provinces, and 36 villages to follow up 5648 individuals in Panel 1 (SPA2012-2016) and 6074 persons in Panel 2 (SPA2017-2019).

RESULTS

The prevalence (%) of Thai adults who met WHO recommendations on sufficient PA tended to increase over time, from 66.6 (CI 65-68) in SPA2012 to 70.1 (CI 69-71), 69.5 (CI 68-71), 73.1 (CI 72-74), 70.6 (CI 69-72), 73.0 (CI 72-74), 75.6 (CI 74-77), and 74.3 (73-75) in SPA2013-2019, respectively. Thai females are less physically active than males, and the prevalence of sufficient moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA) was highest among middle-aged adults (35-64 years), and lowest among older adults (65+ years). Work-related PA dominated the cumulative minutes of MVPA per week, followed by recreational PA.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of sufficient MVPA has fluctuated over time with a tendency to increase in the most recent years. Work-related is the most common modes of PA among Thai adults, implying further improvement in recreational physical activity is required. Workplace intervention should also be the focus in improving PA of Thai adults by encouraging their work force to engage in more occupational PA.

Physical Activity and Resilience among College Students: The Mediating Effects of Basic Psychological Needs

Considering the significance of resilience in coping with adversity, how to improve college students' resilience is worthy of attention. Previous studies have revealed that physical activity can promote resilience; however, few studies examined the mediating factors between them. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity on resilience, as well as the mediating effects of competence need, autonomy need, and relatedness need between physical activity and resilience. The study involved 2375 college students (1110 males and 1265 females), with an average age of 20.25 years (SD = 2.04). Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form, Basic Needs Satisfaction in General Scale, and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Results showed that physical activity was positively associated with resilience, and the three basic needs played significant mediating roles between physical activity and resilience. The indirect effect of competence need was significantly greater than that of autonomy need and relatedness need. To conclude, physical activity plays an important role in resilience among college students, and the satisfaction of competence, autonomy, and relatedness needs mediates the relationship between physical activity and resilience, among which, competence need appears as the strongest mediator.

Analysis of the Structural Relationship of Sports Participation and Ego-Resilience in the Health-Promoting Behavior of Korean Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background:

We aimed to verify the structural relationship between sports participation, ego-resilience, and health-promoting behavior of Korean adolescents in a pandemic situation.

Methods:

In Nov 2020, an online survey was conducted with 751 adolescents in Korea. The data obtained through the survey were analyzed in several ways, including frequency, reliability, confirmatory factor, descriptive statistical, and path analyses.

Results:

Sports participation had a positive effect on ego-resilience and health-promoting behavior, while egoresilience has a positive effect on health-promoting behavior. Overall, sports participation directly affects health-promoting behavior and that an indirect effect occurs through ego-resilience.

Conclusion:

Educational institutions such as schools and the Korea Offices of Education should devise various measures so that adolescents growing up in a global pandemic situation can strengthen their health-promoting behavior by securing ego-resilience through participation in various sports.

Protective Factors Against Psychological Distress Among Inpatients in Substance Use Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study

Several studies have found co-occurrence between substance abuse and mental health problems, as well as an association between treatment retention and psychological distress. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of possible protective factors with psychological distress. The present study tested physical activity, self-esteem and sense of coherence, and psychological distress level among inpatients in substance use treatment. The study design was cross-sectional and multicenter. Patients (N = 167) were recruited in 2018 from 10 Norwegian inpatient facilities. They self-reported on 3 validated measurement instruments: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Antonovsky’s Sense of Coherence Scale, and frequency of physical activity. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 was used as an outcome variable of psychological distress. The associations were investigated with multiple linear and logistic regression methods. The results suggested that high self-esteem and sense of coherence were protective factors against high levels of psychological distress: self-esteem (β = −.39, P < .001) and sense of coherence (β = −.352, P < .001). The results offer support for a salutogenic approach in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment by enhancing individuals’ protective factors to reduce psychological distress.

A Predictive Study of Resilience and Its Relationship with Academic and Work Dimensions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to describe the resilience levels in a Spanish population during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to analyze the existing associations between high resilience and socio-demographic, work, and academic parameters.

METHOD

1176 individuals aged 18-67 years participated in a descriptive cross-sectional study. The participants were administered the 10-item resilience scale developed by Connor-Davidson (CD-RISC-10) and an ad-hoc questionnaire that collected information on socio-demographic, work, and academic variables. Basic descriptive data were used to statistically analyze the data, and a binary logistic regression model was developed incorporating the professional occupation, academic level, whether the respondent worked in emergency services, and whether the respondent had dependents.

RESULTS

Slightly more than a quarter of the participants showed low resilience, almost half reported moderate resilience, and slightly more than a quarter had high resilience. Those who were employed were 2.16-times more likely to have high resilience, whilst those with higher education were 1.57-times more likely. Those working in emergency services were 1.66-times more likely, and those with dependents were 1.58-times more likely to have high resilience.

CONCLUSION

In addition to the relationships found, a need to improve the resilience levels in the population was found.

The Influence of the Trainer's Social Behaviors on the Resilience, Anxiety, Stress, Depression and Eating Habits of Athletes

During their sporting lives, athletes must face multiple difficulties that can have consequences for their mental health and changes in their eating patterns. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze how social skills of the trainer influence the coping capacity, psychological well-being, and eating habits of the athlete, elements that are key to achieving success during competition. This study involved 1547 athletes and 127 trainer. In order to achieve the objective, the mean, standard deviation, bivariate correlations, reliability analysis and a structural equation model were analysed. The results showed that prosocial behaviours were positively related to resilience, while antisocial behaviours were negatively related. Resilience was negatively related to anxiety, stress and depression. Finally, anxiety, stress and depression were negatively related to healthy eating and positively related to unhealthy eating. These results highlight the importance of creating a positive social climate to develop coping strategies that promote mental health and healthy eating habits of athletes.