Examining the associations between physical activity, self‐esteem, perceived stress, and internalizing symptoms among older adolescents

Abstract

Introduction In older adolescence, stress has been found to be prevalent. It has been seen that higher physical activity (PA) relates to lower stress levels, which, in turn, relates to fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms (internalizing symptoms). However, how these associations function is not fully understood. PA is strongly associated with greater self‐esteem in adolescents. As greater self‐esteem is thought to aid better coping with stress and has been seen as beneficial for mental health in adolescents, PA may be associated with lower stress and better mental health through self‐esteem and more adaptive stress appraisals. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the relationships between PA, self‐esteem, stress, and mental health. Methods A cross‐sectional design was employed, and path analysis was implemented. PA, self‐esteem, stress appraisals, distress tolerance, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed using online questionnaires from 244 adolescent participants from the United Kingdom (aged 15–19, M = 16.75 [SD = 0.82], 145 female). Results Path analysis revealed that PA was associated with lower perceived stress through increased self‐esteem, adaptive appraisals, and higher distress tolerance (total standardized indirect effect; p = .007 (−0.25 to −0.11). Moreover, lower perceived stress was associated with lower anxiety (standardized direct effect; p < .001 [2.65–4.0] and depressive symptoms (standardized direct effect; p < .001 [0.33–0.63]). Conclusions Findings suggest that higher PA could be effective in improving mental health among older adolescents, due to its association with perceived stress through higher self‐esteem and more adaptive appraisals of stress.

Healthy Lifestyle in Adolescence: Associations with Stress, Self-Esteem and the Roles of School Violence

“…However, adolescents who have not participated in situations of school violence (nonvictims/nonaggressors) have higher self-esteem and healthy behaviors. These results may be associated with youth who experience school violence situations having lower ability to cope with stress [ 20 ], which is related to a higher consumption of harmful substances and a lower self-esteem [ 19 , 22 ]. However, higher self-esteem is related to a lower probability of being a victim of school violence [ 29 ].…”

“…The same occurs with cyberbullying, since young people who suffer cyberbullying present higher levels of anxiety and depression [ 21 ]. This negative association is also represented in self-esteem, because young people who present high levels of stress tend to have lower self-esteem [ 22 ]. Therefore, studies suggest that positive psychosocial factors, such as self-esteem, may have a protective effect against negative psychosocial factors, such as stress in adolescents [ 23 ].…”