Depression, anxiety, and stress as predictors of physical activity enjoyment in university students: a cross-sectional study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v61.109802Keywords:
physical activity, motivation, lifestyle, mental health, university studentsAbstract
Enjoyment of physical activity plays an important role in the motivation to stay active. When individuals find pleasure in exercise, they are more likely to incorporate it regularly into their daily lives. This enjoyment not only improves adherence to physical activity but also enhances overall well-being. The present study aimed to determine whether depression, anxiety, and stress predict enjoyment of physical activity among a sample of Peruvian university students. A quantitative, non-experimental, predictive, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 213 students selected through probabilistic sampling. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) were administered, both with adequate psychometric properties. The results revealed that only depression had a significant predictive effect on enjoyment of physical activity (β= -0.467, p<0.05). Additionally, the model fit the data well (F= 26.681, p<0.05) and explained 26.7% of the variability in enjoyment of physical activity (R²= 0.267). In conclusion, depression predicts enjoyment of physical activity among this sample of Peruvian university students. Therefore, it is recommended to implement mental health programs to reduce emotional and psychological issues in general, while simultaneously promoting the enjoyment of physical activity, fostering overall well-being among university students.
Keywords: physical activity, motivation, lifestyle, mental health, university students.
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