engleski

Do beliefs matter? The role of physical activity in the psychological health of young adults

The finding that one's mindset may moderate the relationship between exercise and physiological health at the same time amazed the scientific community and focused the spotlight on the magnitude of sets of beliefs' effect on the manifestation of physical activity (PA) benefits. However, the findings on the moderation effect of beliefs on PA benefits on psychological health are scarce. Thus, the question emerges whether beliefs on PA benefits moderate the effect of weekly PA on psychological health. To test this question, we comprised 274 young adults (Mage = 31.16 (5.21) ; Nmale = 114, Nfemale = 160) who completed the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, a short form of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and Mental Toughness index. Furthermore, participants answered questions on life satisfaction and their belief on the effect of PA on their psychological health on a scale from 0 to 10 (with a larger number indicating more life satisfaction and beliefs on the more substantial impact of PA, respectively). The results indicated that beliefs on PA benefits moderated the effect of weekly PA on negative affect, life satisfaction, and mental toughness. However, beliefs on PA benefits did not moderate the impact of weekly PA on positive affect. Specifically, more physically active participants who believed in more substantial PA benefits on psychological health expressed lower negative affect, more life satisfaction, and higher mental toughness compared to more physically active participants who believed in not so substantial PA benefits on psychological health. We discussed results within Mindset Theory, theorizing the possible moderating role of sets of beliefs in the hypothesized beneficial effect of types and intensity of PA on late adolescent and young adult populations' psychological well-being and everyday functioning.

Physical Activity, Psychological Health, Beliefs on PA Benefits, Young Adults

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