Vigorous Physical Activity, Mental Health, Perceived Stress, and Socializing among College Students

Bibliographic Data

ID23314848
AuthorsNicole A VanKim (0000-0001-6711-9127, University of Minnesota, corresponding author), Toben F Nelson (0000-0001-9934-7546, University of Minnesota)
Year2013
Volume28
Issue1
Pages7-15
Publication date2013-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Health Promotion (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0890-1171 • E-ISSN: 2168-6602
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.4278/ajhp.111101-quan-395
PMID23470187
PMCIDPMC3758412
OpenAlexW2095687604
LanguageEN
Citations received70
References cited35

PURPOSE: To examine cross-sectional associations between vigorous physical activity, mental health, perceived stress, and socializing among 4-year college students. DESIGN: A national cross-sectional sample of 4-year colleges in the United States. SETTING: Ninety-four 4-year colleges in the United States. SUBJECTS: A total of 14,804 undergraduate students. MEASURES: Self-report vigorous physical activity, perceived stress (measured using the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale), mental health (measured using the SF-36), and socializing (assessed using self-report number of friends and hours spent socializing). ANALYSIS: Logistic regression models accounting for clustering within schools were estimated to examine the association between vigorous physical activity, mental health, perceived stress, and socializing. Adjusted models included high school vigorous physical activity and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Students who met vigorous physical activity recommendations were less likely to report poor mental health (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: .79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: .69, .90) and perceived stress (adjusted OR: .75; 95% CI: .67, .83) than students who did not meet recommendations. In addition, socializing partially mediated the relationship between vigorous physical activity, mental health, and perceived stress; however, race and sex did not moderate the relationship. CONCLUSION: Interventions aiming to improve mental well-being of college students should also consider promoting physical activity. At least some of the positive benefits of physical activity may arise from social interactions.

Confidence interval · Cross-sectional study · Logistic regression · Mental health · Odds · Odds ratio · Perceived Stress Scale · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Stress (linguistics) · Cardiac Health and Mental Health · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Gerontology

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