期刊
出版社
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084787
关键词
subjective well-being (SWB); distress; mental health; general health; quality of life; social relationship; sport practice; time spent in nature
资金
- Life Quality Research [Centre-UIDP/04748/2020]
- FCT-FundacAo para a Ciencia e Tecnolo-gia/Ministerio da EducacAo e Ciencia
This study confirms the positive role of outdoor activities and physical exercise in promoting mental health, especially after the COVID-19 lockdowns. The findings show that students experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, and lower levels of subjective well-being compared to staff members. Additionally, the study demonstrates that time spent outdoors and engagement in physical activity are associated with higher mental health scores, with nature, social relationships, and energy levels mediating the relationship between sports practice and subjective well-being.
Time spent outdoors and physical activity (PA) promote mental health. To confirm this relationship in the aftermath of COVID-19 lockdowns, we explored individual levels of anxiety, depression, stress and subjective well-being (SWB) in a cohort of academic students and staff members and tested their association with sport practice, PA at leisure time and time spent outdoors. Our cross-sectional study collected data during the COVID-19 outbreak (April-May 2021) on 939 students and on 238 employees, who completed an online survey on sociodemographic and lifestyle features, depression, anxiety, stress, and SWB. Results showed that the students exhibited higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, and lower levels of SWB (p < 0.001 for all domains) compared to the staff members. Correlation analysis confirmed that PA and time spent in nature were associated to high mental health scores among staff and, more consistently, among students. Finally, mediation analyses indicated that the time spent in nature, social relationships, and levels of energy play a mediator role in the relationship between sport practice and SWB. Our evidence reinforces the protective role of time spent in nature in improving mental health, and provides support for policymakers to make appropriate choices for a better management of COVID-19 pandemic consequences.
作者
我是这篇论文的作者
点击您的名字以认领此论文并将其添加到您的个人资料中。
推荐
暂无数据