ArticleFrontiers in child and adolescent psychiatry2024
Physical activity and its benefits on adolescents' mental health through self-esteem.
Article in Frontiers in child and adolescent psychiatry, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 19 papers.
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Who cites it
19 citing papers in PubMed.
- Effects of wrestling training on psychological well-being, anxiety, and resilience in adolescent boys.BMC psychology · 2026Trial
- The impact of exercise self-efficacy, self-esteem and physical activity on body fat percentage changes in adolescents during fat loss interventions.Scientific reports · 2026Trial
- Associations of Physical Fitness and Postural Balance with Psychosocial Well-Being in Early Adolescents: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Physical exercise and school adaptation among junior high school students: the chain mediating roles of self-efficacy and mental health.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Longitudinal trends and sociodemographic inequalities in comorbid insufficient physical activity and depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents and young adults, 2016-2022.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Mental Fatigue in High School Students Through Spanish Physical Education Teachers' Perceptions of Causes, Consequences, and Reduction Strategies: A Survey Study.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Promoting Physical Activity and Peer Relationships in Adolescent Girls Through a Summer Program.Health promotion practice · 2026Article
- The Health-Related Quality of Life and Putative Factors of Icelandic and American Youth with Multiple Disabilities Including Visual Impairments: A Preliminary Investigation.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Dietary and Lifestyle Factors Associated with Self-Esteem in Adolescents: An Exploratory Questionnaire-Based Study.Nutrients · 2026Article
- Association Between Weekly Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Emotional Intelligence Factors in Spanish Adolescents: Perspectives for Digital and Gamified Interventions.Journal of Intelligence · 2026Article
- Associations between perceived school climate and close friend support among Chinese high school students: a cross-sectional serial indirect-effect analysis of exercise-related basic psychological needs satisfaction and self-esteem.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- The mediating role of physical self-perception and the moderating effect of gender in the association between physical activity and psychological well-being among young recreational participants.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Physical activity and adolescent anxiety trajectories: a longitudinal analysis of exercise self-efficacy and body image.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Physical activity, resilience, and mental health in adolescents: a systematic review of recent evidence.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Review
- Sex-Based Differences in Lifestyle Behaviours, Self-Esteem, and Academic Performance: A Structural Equation Model in High-Socioeconomic-Status School-Aged Youth from Southern Spain.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Correlation Between Physical Activity and Psychological Problems in Secondary School Students in Spain.Sports (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- The Mediating Effect of Grit in the Relationship Between Middle School Students' Trust in Their Physical Education Teachers and Health-Promoting Behaviors: Evidence from Korea.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- The influence of parental expectations on adolescents' physical activity: a chain mediation model of basic psychological needs and exercise motivation.Frontiers in psychology · 2025Article
- Adolescents' perceived school climate, self-reported mental health, and frequency of physical activity: associations and gender differences.Frontiers in child and adolescent psychiatry · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific community has been concerned about the high rates of psychological distress among adolescents. The pandemic not only tested adolescents' adaptation, but also disrupted key areas of their development. This demonstrates the need to study their psychological adjustment over time during this critical period to better guide services. Objective: This study sought to explore the extent to which physical activity and its association with self-esteem in the first months of the pandemic impacted adolescents' psychological distress, six months later. Methods: Two hundred and ninety-four adolescents (73% girls) between the ages of 12 and 17 participated in a longitudinal study launched at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of hours spent engaging in physical activity (HPA) in the past week and self-esteem were measured at Time 1 (T1; summer 2020). Psychological distress was measured at T1 and Time 2 (T2; winter 2021). Results: More HPA in the past week were related to greater self-esteem at T1. Greater self-esteem at T1 was related to lower psychological distress, six months later (T2). Lastly, HPA in the past week was not directly linked to psychological distress at T2, which confirms a fully indirect model. Conclusion: Results suggest that physical activity is a key factor in promoting better mental health adjustment through its benefits in terms of self-esteem, even during times of turmoil. Findings reinforce the recommendation of promoting the practice of sports and athletic activity in difficult times.
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