The Role of Physical Education in Promoting Student Mental Health

A special issue of Education Sciences (ISSN 2227-7102).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 February 2026 | Viewed by 967

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
Interests: physical education and sport; exercise psychology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The mental health of students has emerged as a critical area of concern within contemporary educational discourse, as increasing numbers of young people experience stress, anxiety, depression, and related psychological challenges. While schools have traditionally addressed mental health through counseling and psychological services, there is a growing recognition of the need for more holistic, preventive approaches. Physical education (PE), often perceived primarily as a means of promoting physical fitness, holds significant potential in this regard. An expanding body of research suggests that regular engagement in physical activity can yield substantial mental health benefits, including the alleviation of symptoms related to anxiety and depression, enhancement of mood, and improvement of self-esteem and cognitive function. This special issue will examine the multifaceted role of physical education in supporting student mental health, arguing that PE should be viewed not only as a vehicle for physical development but also as an integral component of comprehensive mental health strategies within schools.

Dr. Asterios I. Patsiaouras
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • physical education
  • mental health
  • students
  • well-being
  • physical activity
  • emotional resilience
  • academic performance
  • school-based interventions

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

20 pages, 608 KB  
Article
Health and Mental Well-Being of Academic Staff and Students in Thailand: Validation and Model Development
by Ungsinun Intarakamhang, Cholvit Jearajit, Hanvedes Daovisan, Phoobade Wanitchanon, Saichol Panyachit and Kanchana Pattrawiwat
Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(10), 1310; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15101310 - 2 Oct 2025
Viewed by 631
Abstract
A structural model of health and mental well-being among academic staff and students in Thailand was constructed and validated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Data were obtained from 600 online questionnaires, equally distributed between staff (n = 300) and students (n [...] Read more.
A structural model of health and mental well-being among academic staff and students in Thailand was constructed and validated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Data were obtained from 600 online questionnaires, equally distributed between staff (n = 300) and students (n = 300). Statistical analyses were undertaken in SPSS. Descriptive statistics were generated, internal reliability was assessed, and correlations were examined. The factor structure was first extracted through exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Model fit was subsequently assessed using CFA in LISREL. Five constructs were derived and validated: mental well-being (18 items), social participation (12 items), health literacy (28 items), work–life balance (10 items), and health behaviour (30 items). Convergent validity was demonstrated across all constructs. The final CFA model was found to exhibit a robust fit (χ2 = 145.14, df = 62, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.047). Strong convergent validity and excellent fit indices were confirmed. Empirical evidence was therefore provided to support the model’s application in assessing health and mental well-being within Thai academic contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Physical Education in Promoting Student Mental Health)
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