Is physical exercise associated with reduced adolescent social anxiety mediated by psychological resilience?: evidence from a longitudinal multi-wave study in China

Abstract

Objective

The study aims to investigate whether physical exercise is associated with psychological resilience, thereby significantly affecting adolescent social anxiety, and to analyze the longitudinal cross-temporal stability between these three interrelated factors.

Methods

The methodology involved a survey utilizing the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Social Anxiety Scale (SAS) across various regions in China, including Sichuan, Guangdong, Shanxi Province, and Beijing. A total of 1259 participants were recruited from primary, middle, and high schools, with an average age of 13.7 years. The sample comprised 626 males and 633 females. A longitudinal tracking survey approach was implemented, commencing in June 2023, with follow-up rounds scheduled every three months, culminating in a total of four rounds.

Results

The results are as follows: (1) Physical exercise was significantly positively correlated with psychological resilience (r = 0.35, p < 0.001) and significantly negatively correlated with social anxiety (r = − 0.26, p < 0.001); (2) Physical exercise could significantly negatively predict social anxiety in the next period (PET1 → SAT2: β = − 0.31, p < 0.001); (3) Psychological resilience played a mediating role in the association between physical exercise on social anxiety (PET1 → PRT2: β = 0.42, PRT2 → SAT3: β = − 0.38, p-values < 0.001).

Conclusion

Physical exercise, psychological resilience, and social anxiety exhibit cross-temporal stability, and physical exercise has a significant lagged effect on psychological resilience and social anxiety. Physical exercise may indirectly reduce social anxiety through its association with enhanced psychological resilience in adolescents.