Modeling Physical Activity, Mental Health, and Prosocial Behavior in School-Aged Children: A Gender Perspective

Damián Iglesias Gallego,Santiago Mendo-Lázaro,Marta Leyton-Román,Benito León-Del-Barco,Jerónimo J González-Bernal

doi:10.3390/su12114646

Damián Iglesias Gallego, Santiago Mendo-Lázaro + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su12114646

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the link between physical activity (PA) and mental health (MH) in children in terms of gender. A total of 750 subjects (52.9% boys, Mage = 10.88; SD = 0.75) reported the level of PA they were performing by means of a self-report questionnaire, and they also completed the Spanish version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Results revealed statistically significant differences in regard to gender in the physical activity index (PAI), the externalizing of problems, and prosocial behavior. Boys presented high scores on the PAI and externalizing problems. Girls obtained higher values on the prosocial scale. In the prediction analysis, the PAI revealed a statistically significant relationship in linear models for externalizing and internalizing problems, as well as in both the linear and quadratic models in the prosocial scale for the case of male gender. For girls, the PAI revealed a statistically significant relationship in the quadratic model for internalizing problems and in both the linear and quadratic models for the prosocial scale. These findings are discussed in terms of previous research literature on PA and MH in children. Some important educational implications for teaching and learning physical education are suggested.

Highlights

It is suggested that a higher participation in physical activities boosts development of more prosocial behaviors related to the psychological well-being among schoolchildren [5]
The association between levels of physical activity (PA) and mental health (MH) of schoolchildren is controversial, but the results detected suggest that a higher physical activity index (PAI) is related to a better state of MH
In general, and regardless of gender, schoolchildren that perform more PA present higher prosocial behaviors, the association between these two variables may be better explained in curvilinear form

Summary

Introduction

Physical Activity (PA) and Mental Health (MH). It is estimated that between 10% and 20% of adolescents have mental health (MH) issues that are not diagnosed or treated correctly (e.g., anxiety, stress, depression). Specific literature has analyzed the twofold role that performing PA regularly can play on physical and mental health (PH and MH). The benefits of performing PA regularly on PH have been well documented by research [1], in addition to the negative consequences of physical inactivity [2]. There is accredited research on the positive contribution of PA on MH [3], with PA at the same time constituting a protective variable against the onset of MH illnesses in children and adolescents [4]

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