An evaluation of physical activity levels and mental health among young people: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the role of physical activity on mental health. This topic is essential, as physical activity is widely recognized for its potential impact on mental health outcomes, including well-being and resilience. However, there remains a need for further research on how specific types and levels of activity contribute to mental health, particularly among young people. Methods: The study group consisted of 427 students studying at universities in Turkey. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale Short Form, the Psychological Resilience Scale (Short Form), and the Psychological Vulnerability Scale. Skewness and kurtosis values were used to analyze the normality of data distribution. MANOVA, Chi-Square Test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Multiple Stepwise Regression tests were conducted for data analysis. Results: The results showed that female students were more inactive and engaged in less vigorous activities than males (p < 0.05). In contrast, the proportional distribution of physical activity levels by grade level was similar (p > 0.05). Descriptive findings indicated that students displayed relatively high levels of psychological vulnerability. Mental health components were found to be interrelated (p < 0.05). Physically active students exhibited higher levels of mental well-being and psychological resilience and lower levels of psychological vulnerability (p < 0.05). Finally, walking emerged as the best predictor of students’ psychological resilience and mental well-being, and along with moderate levels of physical activity, it significantly contributed to improved mental well-being (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This research shows that participation in physical activity increases university students’ mental resilience, reduces their psychological vulnerability and supports their mental well-being. In particular, walking and moderate physical activity were found to have the strongest effects. The results emphasise that physical activity promotion is a critical requirement for improving students’ mental health.