Why the study?
The study aimed to explore the association between physical exercise and perceived stress among college students, including the independent and chain mediating roles of social support and general self-efficacy.
Does physical exercise reduce perceived stress in college students?
Population
750 college students from 5 universities in a Chinese city
Comparison
Physical exercise levels and mediation by social support and general self-efficacy
Design
Cross-sectional questionnaire study
Key result
Physical exercise was significantly and negatively associated with perceived stress among college students (β = -0.367), with social support and general self-efficacy playing a chain mediating role.
Authors
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Suggests pathways for student stress reduction; leaves open causality and requires prospective validation.
Cross-Sectional (n=704)
Yes
Does physical exercise reduce perceived stress in college students?
Effect estimate: β = -0.367 (95% CI -0.429, -0.304)
p-value: p=<0.001
Physical exercise is associated with lower perceived stress in college students, a relationship mediated by social support and general self-efficacy.
Sun et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Perceived stress (n=704). Physical exercise vs. Lower levels of physical exercise was evaluated on Perceived stress (β = -0.367, 95% CI -0.429, -0.304, p=<0.001). Physical exercise was significantly and negatively associated with perceived stress among college students (β = -0.367), with social support and general self-efficacy playing a chain mediating role.
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