The Importance of Physical Activity in Terms of Mental Health: Investigating the Role of Regular Physical Activity in the Relationships Between Happiness, Mental Well-Being, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

Abstract

Relevant studies indicate that sports increase happiness and helps protect mental health. However, the importance of physical activity in terms of its effects on happiness and mental health needs to be demonstrated. In this study, the purpose was to reveal the effect of doing regular physical activity in investigating the relations between happiness, mental well-being, stress, anxiety, and depression. Data were collected with the Perceived Stress Scale, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, the short form of Oxford Happiness Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A total of 1715 people, 854 males, and 861 females, between the ages of 18-78 participated in the present study. When the results were examined in terms of the condition of physical activity, it was determined that the participants who do physical activity regularly had higher happiness and mental well-being scores than those who not doing regular physical activity, and their stress and depression levels were lower. No differences were detected between the anxiety levels in terms of doing regular physical activity conditions. Different squared multiple correlation coefficients were calculated in predicting happiness, in different models having been compared, and in groups that were formed regarding the physical activity participation condition. It was observed that negative emotional structures explained happiness better without mental well-being in the non-sporting group. The opposite result was obtained when mental well-being mediated the relation between negative emotional structures and happiness.