The mediating role of psychological inflexibility in the association between physical activity and depressive symptoms among college students

• Published in: BMC public health Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 2518 - 8
• Main Authors: Dou, Xiumin, Cai, Erkang, Liu, Yiting, Chen, Tianle, Tan, Teck Cheng, Gu, Qian, Huang, Tao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 21.07.2025; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adaptability (Psychology); Adolescent; Adult; Analysis; China - epidemiology; College students; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - psychology; Depression, Mental; Depressive symptoms; Education; Emotions; Epidemiology; Exercise; Exercise - psychology; Female; Flexibility; Health aspects; Humans; Likert scale; Male; Mediation; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Physical activity; Psychological aspects; Psychological flexibility; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Students; Students - psychology; Students - statistics & numerical data; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities; Young Adult; China; Depressive symptoms; Psychological flexibility; College students; Physical activity; Mental health

Depressive symptoms are prevalent mental health issues among college students. Physical activity has been recognized as a potential protective factor. However, the mechanisms through which physical activity alleviates depressive symptoms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associatio...