Longitudinal Effects of Motivation and Physical Activity on Depressive Symptoms among College Students

Abstract

High prevalence of depression and physical inactivity have been consistently reported among college students, especially in females. Guided by Lubans et al.’s conceptual framework, the primary purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal relationships of PA motivation with leisure-time PA and depressive symptoms among college students over one academic year. Employing a longitudinal repeated measure design, 1004 college students in China were recruited in this study (28.3% males and 71.7% females; M age = 18.93 ± 0.64 years; 18–22 years old). Participants completed previously validated questionnaires assessing PA motivation (perceived competence beliefs and task values toward PA), leisure-time PA participation, and depressive symptoms in Fall 2016 (Time 1) and Fall 2017 (Time 2). Both male and female college students showed a significant increase of depressive symptoms from freshmen to sophomores (p < 0.05). The regression models indicated that perceived competence beliefs and task values toward PA were significant predictors of depressive symptoms at Time 2 (p < 0.05) after controlling for Time 1 measures in males and females, respectively. Physically active college students consistently demonstrated higher PA motivation, and they displayed fewer depressive symptoms compared to inactive peers over time (p < 0.05). The findings suggest sex-specified motivational intervention strategies and PA promotion programs/opportunities are needed to reduce depression symptoms among college students over time.

Adolescents’ Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms: A Psychosocial Mechanism

“…The trends of increasing major depressive symptoms across all ages (i.e., children to elders) have centered the prevention efforts for depression [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Of particular note is the steep rise in major depressive episodes among adolescents (14-20% between 15-and 18-year-olds; [8][9][10]).…”

Factors associated with refusal of preventive therapy after initial willingness to accept treatment among college students with latent tuberculosis infection in Shandong, China

“…In fact, physical activity is essential to health among the youth. Only about one-third of Chinese college students achieved the National Fitness Program’s recommendation for moderate physical activity [ 31 ]. Students who more physically active had better self-perceived health [ 32 ], and they did not think they had any health problems [ 33 ].…”

The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on the Forms of Leisure for the Students at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports

“…The investigation made by the authors of [ 73 ] at the level of young people in Australia (10–16 years old) demonstrated that school physical activities and leisure activities, participation in representative teams of educational institutions were associated with reduced levels of stress and depression, combined with reduced time spent in front of screens (leisure time screen). The importance of physical activity in reducing depression for students in China in the first year of study is mentioned by the authors of [ 74 ], the physically active have high motivation to participate in leisure physical activities and reduced depressive symptoms compared to sedentary people.…”