The Impact of Physical Exercise on College Students’ Psychological Distress: A Chain Mediation Analysis Involving Social Support and Social Self-Efficacy
Yang Kong, Ling NiuObjective
The escalating prevalence of psychological distress among university students has become a global public health concern. While physical exercise is a known protective factor, the underlying social-cognitive mechanisms remain under-explored. Integrating Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), this study investigates the chain mediating roles of social support (satisfying the need for relatedness) and social self-efficacy (satisfying the need for competence) in the relationship between physical exercise and psychological distress.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 588 undergraduate students (Mean age = 20.4 years) using a stratified random sampling method. Validated measures included the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Perceived Social Self-Efficacy Scale (PSSE), and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized pathways.
Results
Physical exercise was significantly and negatively associated with psychological distress (β = -0.193, p < .001). Mediation analysis revealed three significant indirect pathways: (1) independent mediation via social support (Effect = -0.032); (2) independent mediation via social self-efficacy (Effect = -0.017); and (3) a sequential chain mediation via social support leading to social self-efficacy (Effect = -0.032). The total indirect effect accounted for 41.9% of the total effect.
Conclusion
Physical exercise is not merely a biological intervention but a social catalyst. It reduces distress by first expanding social support networks and subsequently enhancing social confidence.
Recommendations
University mental health interventions should prioritize team-based sports and interactive physical education curricula that foster peer connection and mastery experiences, rather than solitary exercise modalities.