The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms

Purpose : To explore the relationship between physical activity and depression among college students and the mediating role of coping styles and loneliness in the relationship. Methods: A stratified whole group sampling method was used to survey 1112 college students using the Physical Activity Scale, Depression Scale, Coping Styles Scale, and Loneliness Scale. Results: (1) Physical activity was significantly negatively correlated with depression (r =-0.51), and the direct path of physical activity on depression was significant ( β = -0.21, t = -8.418 , p＜0.01), (2) Physical activity positively predicted coping styles ( β = 0.39， t = 14.202， p ＜0.01) and negatively predicted loneliness ( β = -0.40， t = -15.039， p ＜0.01), and Coping styles significantly and negatively predicted depression ( β = -0.28， t = -10.281， p ＜0.01) and loneliness ( β = -0.41， t = -17.187， p ＜0.01), and Loneliness significantly and positively predicted depression ( β = 0.26， t = 10.289， p ＜0.01). Conclusion: Physical activity can not only directly affect depression, but also indirectly through the separate mediating effects of coping styles and loneliness, as well as the chain mediating effects of the two.