Yaning Wang, Jiaxin Lyu, Hao Hong, Jixiang Wang, Shen Qiao
NLEs were identified as an important correlate of IPs in adolescents. PA and EC showed potential independent and sequential indirect associations in the relationship between NLEs and IPs. These findings suggest that PA and EC may represent potential indirect mechanisms linking NLEs and IPs among adolescents. However, given the cross-sectional design, these pathways should be interpreted as theoretically informed associations rather than causal processes.
BACKGROUND: Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to developing internalizing problems (IPs) when exposed to Negative Life Events (NLEs) during their development. Physical Activity (PA) has been shown to exert beneficial effects on stress coping and Emotional Competence (EC). This study aimed to examine the association between NLEs and IPs in adolescents and to investigate the chain mediating roles of PA and EC, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the early prevention and intervention of IPs in this population.
METHODS: A total of 902 junior and senior high school students from Henan Province, China, were recruited for this study. Participants were assessed using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Physical Activity Rating Scale, and the Emotional Competence Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0 and the PROCESS macro to test the mediation model.
RESULTS: (1) NLEs were significantly and positively correlated with IPs, but significantly and negatively correlated with PA and EC. PA was significantly and positively correlated with EC. (2) Regression analyses indicated that NLEs were positively associated with IPs, while significantly and negatively predicting PA. PA was positively associated with EC, and both PA and EC were significantly and negatively associated with IPs. (3) Mediation analyses revealed that the independent mediating effect of PA was significant (b = 0.023, 95%CI [0.012, 0.034]); the independent mediating effect of EC was also significant (b = 0.021, 95%CI [0.013, 0.031]); moreover, the chain mediating effect of PA and EC was significant (b = 0.009, 95%CI [0.006, 0.014]).
CONCLUSION: NLEs were identified as an important correlate of IPs in adolescents. PA and EC showed potential independent and sequential indirect associations in the relationship between NLEs and IPs. These findings suggest that PA and EC may represent potential indirect mechanisms linking NLEs and IPs among adolescents. However, given the cross-sectional design, these pathways should be interpreted as theoretically informed associations rather than causal processes.