Physical literacy, sense of belonging in the sports environment, and college students' mental health: an analysis of relational paths based on differences in exercise groups.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study investigated the cross-sectional associations among college students' perceived physical literacy, sports-environment belongingness, and mental well-being. It explored whether belongingness statistically mediated the physical literacy-well-being link, whether exercise groups (classified via Godin-Shephard Leisure Score) moderated the belongingness-well-being relationship, and examined interactive associations of high school and university sports participation. METHODS: During the fall of 2025 (September to November), an online survey yielded 890 valid responses. Participants completed the Perceived Physical Literacy Instrument, Sports-Environment Belongingness Scale, WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and Godin-Shephard Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using OLS regression, Bootstrap-based mediation, moderation models, and two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Controlling for academic stress and body mass index, perceived physical literacy was positively associated with mental well-being (b = 0.360, p < 0.001). Sports-environment belongingness served as a partial statistical mediator in this link (indirect estimate = 0.169, 95% CI [0.131, 0.209]), accounting for 46.9% of the total association. Exercise group did not moderate the belongingness-well-being association (p = 0.900), nor did past and current sports participation present interactive associations. Sensitivity analysis indicated that including mild-intensity activities substantially increased the proportion of students classified as physically active. CONCLUSION: Perceived physical literacy is positively related to college students' mental well-being, a relationship partially explained by sports-environment belongingness. These cross-sectional findings underscore the value of inclusive, psychologically safe sports environments, reflecting statistical associations rather than causality.