The Influence of Self-esteem According to Exercise Participation of Middle-aged Women on Mental Health

Abstract

This research is designed to find out any difference in the self-esteem and mental health of middle-aged women, depending on their personal characteristics, who participate in physical exercises, and the relationship between their self-esteem and mental health. For this research, we surveyed 287 respondents(middle-aged women), by using SPSS 18.0, AMOS 18.0 program. The result of this research was summarized as follows: First, as a result of our analysis over the difference in the self-esteem depending on their personal characteristics, it was found that the intensity of exercise had an overall influence on the difference in their self-esteem, and the frequency and duration time of exercise had a partial influence on the difference in their self-esteem. But, the types and period of exercise didn’t have any influence on the difference in their self-esteem. Second, as a result of our analysis over the difference in the mental health on their personal characteristics, it was found that the intensity of exercise had an overall influence on the difference in their mental health and whether employed or jobless, it had a partial influence on the difference in their mental health. In addition, the types of exercise had a partial influence on the difference in their mental health and the frequency of exercise had a partial influence on the difference in their mental health. However, the duration time and period of exercise didn’t have any influence on the difference in their mental health. Third, it was found that the higher the positive self-esteem of middle-aged women was, the lower their mental health disorders were and the higher their negative self-esteem, the higher their mental health disorders. Specifically, it was found that their self-esteem had the most influence on the depression, followed by anxiety and interpersonal sensitivity in oder.