Key result
Higher physical activity predicts reduced social anxiety and loneliness, while both predict lower subsequent activity.
Why the study?
Although physical activity, loneliness, and social anxiety are known to be correlated, less is known about how these associations develop over time.
Observational (n=1,440)
Yes
p-value: p=<0.001
Physical activity, social anxiety, and loneliness exhibit dynamic, reciprocal within-person associations during adolescence, suggesting that promoting physical activity may help mitigate social-emotional difficulties.
Should not yet change practice in adolescents; leaves open whether increasing physical activity reduces social anxiety or loneliness.
Introduction Social anxiety (SA) is a common and developmentally significant concern during adolescence. Although prior research suggests that physical activity (PA), loneliness, and SA are correlated, less is known about how these associations develop over time. This study examined the within-person longitudinal associations among these variables in a sample of Chinese adolescents. Methods Data were collected across four waves from 1,440 students (52.3% male; Mage = 13.39 years, SD = 0.62). A Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model was used to analyze the data. Results At the within-person level, higher SA predicted subsequent increases in loneliness, while loneliness in turn predicted higher SA, suggesting a reciprocal and reinforcing process. Higher PA was associated with later decreases in both SA and loneliness, whereas SA and loneliness predicted lower subsequent PA. Conclusion These findings highlight the dynamic links among SA, loneliness, and PA, underscoring the importance of addressing social–emotional difficulties while promoting PA to reduce adolescent loneliness.
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Hu et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Social anxiety and loneliness (n=1,440). Physical activity vs. Lower physical activity (within-person comparison) was evaluated on Within-person cross-lagged effects between physical activity, social anxiety, and loneliness (p=<0.001). Higher physical activity predicted subsequent decreases in social anxiety (β = -0.13) and loneliness (β = -0.15 to -0.16), whereas higher social anxiety and loneliness predicted lower subsequent physical activity.
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