The impact of Big Five personality traits on exercise motivation and mental health in college students: The mediating role of emotional intelligence

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity and psychological distress in college student has witnessed rising concern, which significantly impact their physical and mental health. As fundamental individual difference characteristics, the Big Five personality traits may substantially influence college students' exercise motivation and mental health. Emotional intelligence likely serves as a crucial mediator that modulates how personality traits influence exercise motivation and mental health. METHOD: This study employed an online survey with random sampling, and collected 977 valid questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 27.0 for correlation analysis, PROCESS 4.2 for mediated analysis, and AMOS 28.0 to test the model fit of the mediation model linking personality traits, exercise motivation, and mental health. RESULTS: Extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience showed significant positive correlations with exercise motivation, whereas neuroticism demonstrated a significant negative correlation. Extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience showed significant negative correlations with mental health, whereas neuroticism demonstrated a significant positive correlation. Emotional intelligence significantly mediated the relationships between all Big Five personality traits and both exercise motivation and mental health. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between Big Five personality traits and both exercise motivation and mental health, offering novel theoretical and practical insights for developing intervention strategies for college students' physical activity and psychological well-being. Universities should implement targeted emotional intelligence development programs, fostering sustainable improvements in student's physical and mental health.