Abstract
The objective of the paper was to investigate the association between PA and general life satisfaction in adolescents, taking into account family affluence and selected psychological, family and school factors. The survey (2015) involved 4085 Polish lower-secondary school students. Life satisfaction was measured with the abridged Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS). Vigorous Physical Activity, self-esteem, family affluence, family relations and the perception of the school environment were considered as independent variables. Hierarchical and path models were applied. The mean SLSS score was M = 4.66 (SD = 2.23), and 36.9% of its variability was explained—mainly by self-esteem. The impact of PA on self-esteem became stronger when family affluence decreased, which led to the conclusion that material status may modify the impact of behavioural factors on the SLSS scores’ variability in adolescence.
Highlights
Interest in the effect of physical activity on health is considerable, but for years the focus has been mainly on its significance for preventing such diseases as obesity (Sybilski et al 2007), cardiovascular disease (Kruk and Aboul-Enein 2006), diabetes type 2 (De Backer and De Bacquer 2004) and cancer (Laaksonen et al 2005)
The distribution of the life satisfaction index—with this sample size—deviated from the normal one according to the K–S test (p < .001); it was symmetrical
It has been revealed that self-esteem is a more important predictor of life satisfaction and it modifies the relationship between PA and Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS)
Summary
Interest in the effect of physical activity on health is considerable, but for years the focus has been mainly on its significance for preventing such diseases as obesity (Sybilski et al 2007), cardiovascular disease (Kruk and Aboul-Enein 2006), diabetes type 2 (De Backer and De Bacquer 2004) and cancer (Laaksonen et al 2005). A systematic review of 30 selected papers published by Eime et al (2013), suggests that physical activity may provide protection against psychosocial health problems such as depression (Hughes et al 2013), social anxiety, low self-esteem and even against suicidal thoughts. The World Health Organization (WHO) strategy relating to physical activity for the European region for 2016–2025, published in September 2015, included physical activity as a necessary condition for both physical and mental health. The strategy refers to all groups: children, adolescents, adults and senior citizens (WHO 2015). It is recommended that children and adolescents engage in moderate, aerobic activity (every day for a minimum of 60 min) as well as in vigorous activity several times a week, including bone- and musclestrengthening exercises
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