The Effect of Changes in Physical Self-Concept through Participation in Exercise on Changes in Self-Esteem and Mental Well-Being.

Jihoon Ahn,Inwoo Kim

doi:10.3390/ijerph18105224

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of the changes in physical self-concept induced by exercise participation on the changes in global self-esteem and mental well-being using a structural model analysis. A total of 189 university students in Seoul, Korea, participated in the present study for two waves. The participants responded through a survey measuring physical self-concept, self-esteem, and mental well-being before and after a six-week exercise course. Regression analysis was used to calculate the amount of change in each variable, and the calculated residual scores were used for correlation analysis and structural model analysis. The amounts of changes in the variables are significantly correlated with each other and there was a complementary mediating effect of the changes in self-esteem on the pathway from the changes in physical self-concept to the changes in mental well-being. Physical self-concept changed by exercise participation might directly and positively influence mental well-being, and it can indirectly influence the changes in mental well-being via the improvement of self-esteem.

Highlights

Physical activity and exercise are known to be beneficial to health through preventing diseases, enhancing physical abilities, diminishing depression, and promoting happiness [1]
That is, based on the existing hierarchical model, this study empirically found that step-bystep changes in physical self-concept through participation in exercise can lead to changes in mental well-being through changes in self-esteem
Participation in exercise for six weeks led to positive changes in the level of physical self-concept, self-esteem, and mental well-being of college students, and it was verified that there was a complementary mediating effect through the structural relationship analysis between the amount of change of each variable

Summary

Introduction

Physical activity and exercise are known to be beneficial to health through preventing diseases, enhancing physical abilities, diminishing depression, and promoting happiness [1]. The level of physical activity among university students was lower than that of adolescents [3], and there is research showing that the sedentary lifestyle of college students limits the amount of physical activity and causes many health problems [4]. This period is the transition from adolescence to adulthood, which is a very important period for the formation of health behaviors that can be maintained throughout life [5]. It is important to encourage university students to participate in sports by emphasizing that exercise is a crucial element of a happy life

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