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The Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Children

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A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2025) | Viewed by 26084

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Dr. Patxi León-Guereño

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Education and Sports (HealthPASS), University of Deusto, San Sebastian, 48007 Bilbao, Spain
Interests: physical activity; psychological variables
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Dr. Jurgi Olasagasti-Ibargoien

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Health, Physical Activity and Sports Science Laboratory, Department of Physical Activity and Sports, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain
Interests: physical activity; inclusive education; child development

Prof. Dr. Arkaitz Castañeda-Babarro

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Department of Physical Activity and Sports, Faculty of Education and Sport, University of Deusto, 48007 Bilbao, Spain
Interests: physical activity and health
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Dr. Héctor Galindo-Domínguez

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Guest Editor

Department of Didactics and School Organization, University of the Basque Country, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
Interests: education; statistics; children and adolescent development

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mental health can be considered a current worldwide pandemic, and It could be said that It has become a major public health concern, especially in a social context where people relationships tend to be more virtual and less personal. Moreover, this disease has increased dramatically in recent years, in a post-Covid-19 era, in a social context in which numerous effects of the pandemic remain, like e.g. reduced physical activity and social relations, factors that paradoxically have been shown to be beneficial in stress and anxiety management. Physical activity and sports play a key role in promoting mental health, and these activities not only improve physical fitness, but also have significant impacts on the social, emotional, and psychological well-being. However, even the shown beneficial effects of physical activity on mental health, children and adolescent related investigations are less documented, and hence the importance of research in this field, especially since the future of the youth will depend heavily on their emotional and cognitive development and management, which will benefit from different sports practices and physical activity.

Dr. Patxi León-Guereño
Dr. Jurgi Olasagasti-Ibargoien
Dr. Arkaitz Castañeda-Babarro
Dr. Héctor Galindo-Domínguez
Guest Editors

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Keywords

mental health
stress
anxiety
well-being
physical activity
sports
adolescents
children

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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25 pages, 800 KB

Open AccessArticle

General Self-Efficacy as a Mediator of Physical Activity’s Impact on Well-Being Among Norwegian Adolescents: A Gender and Age Perspective

by Karianne Fossli and Catherine A. N. Lorentzen

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1239; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091239 - 11 Sep 2025

Abstract

Background: The mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of physical activity on adolescent well-being remain poorly understood. One potential pathway involves increased general self-efficacy. A deeper understanding of underlying processes, and of direct and indirect impacts across adolescent sub-groups, can improve intervention strategies. This study investigates whether physical activity predicts subjective well-being in adolescents, the mediating role of general self-efficacy, and the moderating effect of gender and age on these relationships. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study utilised data from a population-based sample of 18,146 Norwegian adolescents aged 14–19. Simple and moderated mediation models were tested with Hayes’ PROCESS in SPSS, with life satisfaction as the dependent variable, physical activity as the independent variable, general self-efficacy as the mediator, and gender and age as moderators. Analyses were controlled for socio-demographic variables and social support. Results: The findings indicated a small, positive effect of physical activity on well-being, consistent across genders but increasing with age, though not significant for those under 14.5 years. Approximately half of the total effect of physical activity on well-being was mediated through general self-efficacy. This indirect effect was greater for girls and younger adolescents compared to their counterparts, due to greater positive impacts of general self-efficacy on well-being within these two sub-groups. Conclusions: By identifying general self-efficacy as a mediator of physical activity’s impact on adolescent well-being, along with distinct direct and indirect effects within sub-groups, this study enhances the theoretical framework and knowledge base for more effective physical activity initiatives targeting the well-being of this demographic. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Children)

13 pages, 510 KB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal Association Between Physical Activity and School Bullying in Adolescents: A Cross-Lagged Panel Model

by Kanglin Wang and Fen Qiu

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15091236 - 11 Sep 2025

Abstract

Background: School bullying represents a critical global public health issue among adolescents. Although existing evidence suggests physical activity (PA) may reduce bullying risk, longitudinal data on bidirectional associations and gender-specific variations remain limited. This study employed a cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) to investigate the temporal dynamics between PA and school bullying (SB) and examine gender-moderating effects. Methods: A cohort of 577 middle school students (294 boys, 283 girls; mean age = 14.31 ± 2.1 years) from seven schools across Wuhan, Shijiazhuang, and Chengdu completed three-wave longitudinal assessments over 9 months (September 2024–March 2025). Validated instruments included the School Bullying Scale (SBS) and Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS). The CLPM analysis evaluated bidirectional predictive pathways, with gender-stratified multi-group comparisons. Results: Significant bidirectional negative associations emerged: (1) PA at T1/T2 predicted reduced SB at T2/T3 (β = −0.14 to −0.26, p < 0.001). (2) SB at T1/T2 predicted decreased PA at T2/T3 (β = −0.27 to −0.38, p < 0.001). (3) Gender significantly moderated these relationships, with PA conferring stronger protective effects against subsequent SB in males (β = −0.35 vs. −0.21 for PA→SB paths). Conversely, SB triggered earlier and more pronounced PA reductions in males (β = −0.42 vs. −0.29 for SB→PA paths). Conclusions: PA and SB demonstrate stable bidirectional negative associations in adolescents, with significant gender divergence. Males exhibit greater resilience to bullying through PA engagement but heightened vulnerability to PA reduction post-victimization. These findings underscore PA-based interventions as promising bullying mitigation strategies, necessitating gender-tailored implementation approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Children)

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14 pages, 586 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Executive Function: A Comparative Study Among Active, Passive, and Non-Procrastinating College Students

by Chentao Liu and Juanjuan Zhang

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020225 - 17 Feb 2025

Viewed by 2030

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to explore the effects of an aerobic exercise intervention on the executive functions of active, passive, and non-procrastinating college students. Methods: A total of 190 college students (36 male, 154 female, 19.56 ± 1.11 years old) with different types of procrastination were recruited from the first and second years of a university using the General Procrastination Scale and the Active Procrastination Scale. A 3 (procrastination type: active procrastination, passive procrastination, non-procrastination) × 2 (group: exercise group, control group) × 2 (measurement time: pre-test, post-test) mixed experimental design was employed. All participants attended regular physical education classes as usual, while the exercise group participated in an 8 week aerobic exercise program. Before and after the intervention, the inhibition, updating, and switching sub-functions of executive function were assessed. Results: (1) Active procrastinators and passive procrastinators showed significant differences in their inhibition scores, inhibition accuracy, updating scores, and updating accuracy (p < 0.05). Non-procrastinators exhibited a significantly higher inhibition accuracy than passive procrastinators (p < 0.05), while active procrastinators had a significantly higher updating accuracy than non-procrastinators (p < 0.05). As can be seen, there were significant differences in inhibition and updating functions between active procrastinators and passive procrastinators, with passive procrastinators showing obvious deficiencies in their inhibition accuracy. (2) After the intervention, the aerobic exercise group of non-procrastinators showed a significant reduction in their inhibition reaction time and updating reaction time (p < 0.05). The passive procrastination in the exercise group showed significant improvements in switching accuracy and inhibition accuracy (p < 0.05). The active procrastination in the exercise group showed a significant reduction in updating reaction time (p < 0.05). From the above findings, it is clear that the eight-week aerobic exercise intervention has shown improvement effects on the executive function of college students with different procrastination types, and the extent of the improvement in each sub-function of executive function varies depending on the type of procrastination. Conclusion: This study reveals the relationship between exercise and the development of the sub-functions of executive function in college students with procrastination, further validating the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing exercise interventions in real-world school settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Children)

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14 pages, 548 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship Between Soccer Participation and Team Cohesion for Adolescents: A Chain-Mediated Effect of Athlete Engagement and Collective Self-Esteem

by Zhihao Zhao, Xiang Che, Haopeng Wang, Yi Zheng, Ning Ma, Liquan Gao and Yizhou Shui

Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 155; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020155 - 31 Jan 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2502

Abstract

This study was carried out to explore the mechanism between athlete participation and team cohesion for adolescent school soccer players. We examined the mediating role of athlete engagement and collective self-esteem between athlete participation and team cohesion for adolescent soccer players. A comprehensive investigation of 1659 primary and middle school soccer players was conducted using the Athlete Participation Scale, Athlete Engagement Questionnaire, Collective Self-Esteem Scale, and Team Cohesion Scale, and we conducted correlation, regression and pathway analyses among the variables. We found the following for adolescent soccer players: (1) Athlete engagement plays a complete mediating role between athlete participation and team cohesion. (2) Collective self-esteem plays a complete mediating role between athlete participation and team cohesion. (3) Athlete participation does not directly predict team cohesion, but can influence team cohesion through the chain mediation of athlete engagement and collective self-esteem. This study built a chain mediation model showing that athlete engagement and team cohesion mediated athlete participation and team cohesion, to investigate its mediating role for adolescent soccer players. This study provides theoretical guidance and an empirical basis for the intervention of athlete participation on team cohesion in soccer sports among adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Children)

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10 pages, 517 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Football Participation and Sport Trait Confidence for Adolescents: A Chain-Mediated Effect of Collective Self-Esteem and Self-Esteem

by Deyang Yu, Xiang Che, Haopeng Wang, Ning Ma, Zicheng Wan, Bingjun Wan, Xuqun You, Kun Zhang, Nian Li and Yizhou Shui

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(8), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14080656 - 31 Jul 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3044

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between sports participation and sport trait confidence, 1659 teenagers in primary and secondary schools who regularly play football were asked to complete the Sports Participation Scale, Collective Self-Esteem Scale, Self-Esteem Scale, and Sport Trait Confidence Scale. The results show that (1) the positive prediction of football participation on sport trait confidence is not significant; (2) collective self-esteem and self-esteem play a mediating role between football participation and sport trait confidence; (3) the mediating effect occurs through three pathways. The study provides theoretical guidance and empirical evidence for the lead and intervention of adolescent football participation on sport trait confidence. This study created a chain-mediated model to examine the mediating role of collective self-esteem and self-esteem in their relationship, as well as the impact of the two as chain mediators on football participation and sport trait confidence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Children)

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15 pages, 787 KB

Open AccessArticle

RETRACTED: How Does Physical Activity Enhance the Subjective Well-Being of University Students? A Chain Mediation of Cognitive Reappraisal and Resilience

by Mengmeng Yang, Ji Wu, Yigang Wu and Xinxing Li

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14030164 - 22 Feb 2024

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4077 | Retraction

Abstract

Background: Regular physical activity is an effective means to enhance university students’ subjective well-being. However, current research needs to understand how physical activity enhances the subjective well-being of Chinese university students. Therefore, the study investigated the mechanism of physical activity’s impact on university students’ subjective well-being and the mediating roles of cognitive reappraisal and resilience in this mechanism. Methods: The physical activity scale, subjective well-being scale, cognitive reappraisal scale and resilience scale were used to investigate 1350 university students, and the relationship between physical activity, cognitive reappraisal, resilience and university students’ subjective well-being was verified through correlation analysis, regression analysis and a Bootstrap method. Results: (1) There is a significant positive correlation between physical activity, cognitive reappraisal, resilience and university students’ subjective well-being (p < 0.01); (2) physical activity, cognitive reappraisal and resilience all have a significant positive effects on university students’ subjective well-being (p < 0.01); (3) cognitive reappraisal and resilience have significant mediating roles in the process of physical activity affecting university students’ well-being, with mediating-effect values of 0.052 and 0.285; (4) the chain-mediating role of cognitive reappraisal and resilience in the process of physical activity affecting university students’ well-being is significant, with the chain-mediating effect value of 0.062. Conclusion: Promoting university students’ participation in physical activity not only directly enhances university students’ subjective well-being but also indirectly improves university students’ subjective well-being through cognitive reappraisal and resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Children)

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18 pages, 270 KB

Open AccessArticle

Associations between Physical Activity, Mental Health, and Suicidal Behavior in Korean Adolescents: Based on Data from 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey (2022)

by Suyeon Roh, Woolim Mun and Geunkook Kim

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 160; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14030160 - 22 Feb 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2634

Abstract

This study aims to identify the current status and relationship between physical activity (PA), mental health, and suicidal behavior among Korean adolescents and recommend appropriate PA types and levels to lower the risk of mental health problems and suicidal behavior among adolescents. This study used the frequency of participation, three mental health factors, and four suicidal behavior factors, according to the seven types of PA, Vigorous PA (VPA), Strength training, Walks, PA on the move, and Physical education questions that 51,636 Korean adolescents responded to in the data of the 18th Korean Youth Health Behavior Survey in 2022. The results showed that physical activity levels and the mental health of female adolescents were the lowest, and the experience rate of suicidal behavior was the highest. Physical activity level and mental health were negative in the upper grades, and the experience rate of suicidal behavior was higher in the lower grades. Thus, the study proposes the following: To lower the overall risk of mental health and suicidal behavior experienced by adolescents, it is effective to encourage them to participate in physical activities which have higher exercise intensities than the Low-level Physical Activity (LPA) type of Walks and PA on the move. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Children)

13 pages, 716 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction among University Students in China: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy and Resilience

by Jiaxin Deng, Yongfeng Liu, Rui Chen and Yu Wang

Behav. Sci. 2023, 13(11), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13110889 - 27 Oct 2023

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 6531

Abstract

(1) Background: Universities play a crucial role in nurturing healthy habits, and physical activity has emerged as a valuable tool for enhancing the life satisfaction, self-efficacy, and resilience of college students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of physical activity in the relationship between life satisfaction and self-efficacy as well as resilience among Chinese university students. (2) Method: This study used the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the Self-Efficacy Scale (CGES), the Mental Toughness Scale (CD-RISC), and the Life Satisfaction Scale (CSLSS) to administer questionnaires to 353 university students from two universities in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Using a random simple sampling method, the data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and Excel software. (3) Results: (1) Physical activity exhibited a significant positive correlation with self-efficacy, resilience, and life satisfaction; self-efficacy was significantly and positively related to resilience and life satisfaction; and resilience was significantly and positively related to life satisfaction. (2) Physical activity had a positive predictive effect on life satisfaction (β = 0.2771; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1905, 0.3637, 55.51%). (3) Self-efficacy (β = 0.0368; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0087, 0.0692, 7.37%) and resilience (β = 0.137; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0919, 0.1894, 27.44%) mediated the relationship between physical activity and life satisfaction. Also, the chain-mediating effect of self-efficacy and resilience between physical activity and life satisfaction reached significant levels (β = 0.0483; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0279, 0.0745, 9.68%). (4) Conclusion: Active participation in physical activity not only enhanced the life satisfaction of college students but also indirectly impacted their life satisfaction by improving their self-efficacy and resilience. Consequently, this led to an overall improvement in the life satisfaction of college students. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Children)

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15 pages, 704 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Psychological Well-Being of Young Athletes with Physical Disabilities: A Systematic Review

by Olatz Zabala-Dominguez, Yolanda Lázaro Fernández, Isabel Rubio Florido and Jurgi Olasagasti-Ibargoien

Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14090822 - 14 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3078

Abstract

Currently, young people with disabilities practice less sport than people without disabilities, which is a risk to their health and affects their well-being. The aim of this research was to identify the specific dimensions and tools used to measure psychological well-being (PWB) in young athletes with physical disabilities and to analyze the influence of sport. A systematic review was conducted using PUBMED/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Sportdiscus databases, and the search was completed without limitation to any specific year, including results up to and including 29 May, 2023. A total of 2112 articles were obtained in the initial search. Eligibility criteria were: (i) athletes with a physical disability, (ii) performing adapted and non-adapted physical activity and/or sport, (iii) the study aimed to analyse well-being, and (iv) outcomes of psychological well-being variables were identified. Exclusion criteria were (i) people with injury or transient difficulty, (ii) rehabilitative physical activity, and (iii) the results did not show any psychological well-being variables or mentions. This review identified that the most used dimension was mastery of the environment, together with the autonomy. All studies showed a positive correlation between sport practice and psychological well-being. Five measurement tools were identified knowing the state of psychological well-being of young athletes with disabilities is essential to promote successful participation in sports activities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Sport and Physical Activity on the Mental Health of Adolescents and Children)

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