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Keeping Things Positive: Affect As a Mediator Between Physical Activity and Psychological Functioning Publisher



Foroughi A1, 2 ; Henschel NT3 ; Shahi H1, 4 ; Hall SS5 ; Meyers LS6 ; Sadeghi K1 ; Parvizifard A1 ; Boehnke K3 ; Brand S7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, 6714415333, Iran
  2. 2. Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, 6714415333, Iran
  3. 3. International Graduate School of Social Sciences, Constructor University, Bremen, Bremen, 28759, Germany
  4. 4. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Razi University, Kermanshah, 94Q4+6G3, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies, Ball State University, Muncie, 47306, IN, United States
  6. 6. Psychology Department, College of Social Sciences & Interdisciplinary Studies, California State University, Sacramento, 95819, CA, United States
  7. 7. Center for Affective, Sleep and Stress Disorders, Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Basel, 4002, Switzerland
  8. 8. Division of Sport Science and Psychosocial Health, Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, 4002, Switzerland
  9. 9. Substance Abuse Prevention Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, 6714415333, Iran
  10. 10. Sleep Disorders Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, 6714415333, Iran
  11. 11. School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, 14166-34793, Iran
  12. 12. Center for Disaster Psychiatry and Disaster Psychology, Psychiatric Clinics of the University of Basel, Basel, 4002, Switzerland

Source: European Journal of Investigation in Health# Psychology and Education Published:2023


Abstract

Higher physical activity is generally associated with more favorable psychological functioning. However, the role of positive and negative affect in such associations is unclear. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study explored whether affect mediated the relationship of physical activity with psychological well-being (PWB) and psychological dysfunctioning (PD). Young Iranian adults (N = 200) completed self-rating questionnaires covering physical activity, positive and negative affect, and proxies of PWB and PD. Regression analyses indicated that higher physical activity levels and higher positive and lower negative affect predicted proxies of PWB. The same (albeit in the opposite direction) applied to proxies of PD. Structural equation modeling indicated that positive and negative affect mediated the relationship between physical activity and PWB/PD. Accordingly, change in affect might be an important mechanism behind the association of physical activity and PWB/PD. Future research should further explore this across target populations and cultural contexts. Longitudinal and/or experimental studies are needed to disentangle causality. © 2023 by the authors.
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