What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Adolescent depression (n=3990). Intervention: Physical activity. Primary outcome: Adolescent depression score (β = 0.315, p=<0.001).

What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the relationship between parental marital conflict, physical activity, and adolescent depression, while considering gender as a moderating factor.

April 11, 2026Open Access

How physical activity and gender moderate the association between parental marital conflict and adolescent depression

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Parental marital conflict was significantly positively correlated with adolescent depression (β = 0.315), an association that was negatively moderated by physical activity and stronger in girls.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the relationship between parental marital conflict, physical activity, and adolescent depression, while considering gender as a moderating factor.

Key Result

Parental marital conflict was significantly positively correlated with adolescent depression (β = 0.315), an association that was negatively moderated by physical activity and stronger in girls.

Key Points

To investigate the relationship between parental marital conflict, physical activity, and adolescent depression, while considering gender as a moderating factor.
Collected self-reported questionnaires from 3990 adolescents
Analyzed correlations between adolescent depression, parental marital conflict, and physical activity
Employed statistical methods to determine the moderating effects of gender
Parental marital conflict is positively correlated with adolescent depression (β = 0.315, p < 0.001)
Physical activity is negatively correlated with adolescent depression (β = -0.093, p < 0.001)
Parental marital conflict maintains a significant positive association with adolescent depression even after adjusting for moderating factors

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=3,990)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Does physical activity moderate the association between parental marital conflict and adolescent depression?

Population

3990 adolescents

Intervention

Physical activity (PA)

Outcome

Adolescent depressionpatient reported

Physical activity and gender may moderate the positive association between parental marital conflict and adolescent depression.

Main Result

Effect estimate: β = 0.315

p-value: p=<0.001

Limitations

Convenience sampling was employed, which may limit generalizability.
Standard errors may be underestimated if clustering exists due to school/class recruitment.
PARS-3 is a composite measure subject to measurement error, potentially attenuating observed moderating effects.
Harman's single-factor test cannot conclusively rule out the potential impact of common method bias from self-reported data.

Abstract

Adolescent depression is a public development crisis that needs to be paid attention to and addressed under the rapid development of the Internet. It is of great significance to investigate the associations among adolescent depression, family relationship and physical activity (PA) for promoting adolescent mental health. A total of 3990 valid questionnaires were obtained through self-reports from adolescents. Data were collected using measurement tools for adolescent depression, parental marital conflict (PMC), and PA, followed by statistical analysis. Adolescent depression and PMC was significantly positive correlation (β = 0.315, p < 0.001) and PA is significantly negatively correlated (β = - 0.093, p < 0.001). After introducing moderating variables, PMC is still a significant positive correlation and adolescent depression (β = 0.303, p < 0.001). The study provides preliminary support for the association between PMC and adolescent depression, as well as the potential moderating roles of gender and PA in this association. These findings generate hypotheses for future research on the roles of PA and family relationships in adolescent depression, rather than providing direct evidence for prevention or intervention strategies.

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