Key result
Physical activity is linked to lower social anxiety, partially mediated by cognitive reappraisal.
Why the study?
Social anxiety disorder is increasingly prevalent among college students and impairs functioning, prompting investigation into how physical activity relates to social anxiety with cognitive reappraisal and sensory processing sensitivity.
Does physical activity reduce social anxiety in undergraduate students, and is this mediated by cognitive reappraisal and moderated by sensory processing sensitivity?
Cross-Sectional (n=465)
Does physical activity reduce social anxiety in undergraduate students, and is this mediated by cognitive reappraisal and moderated by sensory processing sensitivity?
Physical activity is associated with lower social anxiety in college students, particularly among highly sensitive individuals, partially mediated by cognitive reappraisal.
Physical activity was associated with lower social anxiety; leaves open causal effects and clinical utility pending prospective trials.
Social anxiety disorder is increasingly prevalent among college students, impairing academic and social functioning. This study examined how physical activity (PA) relates to social anxiety, with cognitive reappraisal as a mediator and sensory processing sensitivity (HSP) as a moderator. A cross-sectional survey of 465 undergraduate students from Guangdong Province, China assessed PA (PARS-3), social anxiety (IAS), cognitive reappraisal, and HSP. Moderated mediation analysis was conducted. PA was significantly negatively associated with social anxiety (β = −0.131, p < 0.01) and positively associated with cognitive reappraisal (β = 0.182, p < 0.01). Cognitive reappraisal partially mediated this relationship, accounting for 20.12% of the total effect. Furthermore, HSP moderated the direct effect, as PA was significantly negatively associated with social anxiety only in highly sensitive individuals (β = −0.216, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that PA is linked to lower social anxiety through cognitive reappraisal, with highly sensitive individuals deriving greater benefits. Interventions should incorporate HSP to personalize treatment approaches for college students.
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Li et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Social anxiety (n=465). Physical activity was evaluated on Social anxiety (β = -0.131, p=< 0.01). Physical activity was significantly negatively associated with social anxiety (β = -0.131, p < 0.01), an effect partially mediated by cognitive reappraisal and moderated by high sensitivity.
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