Cross-lagged analysis of the relationship between risk perception, physical activity, and adolescent mental health

Abstract

Background: According to a study of global adolescent mood problems during the pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 31% and depressive symptoms were 34% during the novel coronavirus pandemic, both significantly higher than before the pandemic. However, while physical activity has been clearly shown to be effective in moderating adolescent mental health problems, it is unknown whether physical activity is still effective for mental health under the risk perception of illness. Therefore, this study investigated the association between risk perception, physical activity, and adolescent mental health. Methods: Two questionnaires were administered to the same students in five high schools in December 2022 as well as in January 2023. <N=344>, which investigated the risk perception level, physical activity intensity, and mental health level of adolescents during the New Crown pandemic. Results: There were significant gender differences (p < 0.01) for adolescents' risk perceptions, with gender difference effects of 0.255 (d = 0.416) and 0.195 (d = 0.402) for the two measures, and gender differences in mental health, with gender difference effects of 0.159 (d = 0.262) and 0.179 (d = 0.278).