ArticleBMC psychology2026
Path analysis of psychological resilience as a mediator of the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms among university students.
Article in BMC psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundThis study aims to examine the relationships among physical activity, psychological resilience, and depressive symptoms, specifically by investigating the effects of exercise intensity, duration, and frequency on depressive symptoms and the individual subcomponents of psychological resilience.
methodsUsing convenience sampling, a total of 1,156 university students were recruited from a university in Shanghai. Data were gathered using the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Beck Depression Inventory-Ⅱ (BDI-Ⅱ). Statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation analysis, were conducted to analyze the data.
resultsSignificant correlations were found among the PARS-3, CD-RISC, and BDI-Ⅱ scores. Depressive symptoms in university students were significantly negatively correlated with CD-RISC scores (r=-0.357; P < 0.001), resilience (r=-0.346; P < 0.001), strength (r=-0.349; P < 0.001), and optimism (r=-0.280; P < 0.001). PARS-3 scores were significantly negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (r=-0.121; P < 0.001) and positively correlated with CD-RISC scores (r = 0.191; P < 0.001), resilience (r = 0.183; P < 0.001), strength (r = 0.180; P < 0.001), and optimism (r = 0.169; P < 0.001). Exercise intensity was positively correlated with CD-RISC (r = 0.148; P < 0.001), resilience (r = 0.150; P < 0.001), strength (r = 0.150; P < 0.001), and optimism (r = 0.115; P < 0.001). The duration of exercise was positively correlated with CD-RISC (r = 0.169; P < 0.001), resilience (r = 0.159; P < 0.001), strength (r = 0.167; P < 0.001), and optimism (r = 0.149; P < 0.001). The frequency of exercise was significantly positively correlated with CD-RISC (r = 0.206; P < 0.001), resilience (r = 0.180; P < 0.001), strength (r = 0.219; P < 0.001), and optimism (r = 0.192; P < 0.001). Exercise intensity was negatively correlated with BDI-Ⅱ (r=-0.086; P < 0.001), exercise duration was negatively correlated with BDI-Ⅱ (r=-0.095; P < 0.001), and PARS-3 score was negatively correlated with BDI-Ⅱ (r=-0.121; P < 0.001). Additionally, the subdimensions of CD-RISC partially mediated the relationship between PARS-3 and depressive symptoms, with the direct effect reaching 48.89%. The effect of mediation 1 was 26.67%.
conclusionAmong university students, participation in physical activity, depressive symptoms, and psychological resilience are closely related. The more physical activity that they engage in, the lower their depressive symptoms and the higher their psychological resilience, accompanied by higher scores in the CD-RISC subdimensions. We also revealed that the mechanisms for improving depressive symptoms and psychological resilience differ, offering new insights into improving the health conditions of individuals with depressive symptoms. Moreover, we found that physical activity, depressive symptoms, and factors such as exercise intensity, duration, and frequency were closely related. High-intensity, long-duration, and high-frequency exercise are key areas for future longitudinal research.
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