Exploring the psychological mechanisms underpinning the relationships between physical activity, perceived stress and mental health in adolescents and young adults.

Wright, Laura Jayne ORCID: 0000-0002-1974-3942 (2024). Exploring the psychological mechanisms underpinning the relationships between physical activity, perceived stress and mental health in adolescents and young adults. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The overarching aim of this thesis was to more comprehensively examine the relationship between physical activity (PA), stress, and mental health in adolescents and young people, by using a range of sophisticated analytical techniques to investigate factors explaining the relationship. Chapter 1 provides an overview of literature related to PA and stress. In order to examine the overarching thesis aims and to address some of the issues highlighted in Chapter 1, Chapter 2 used path analysis to examine potential factors explaining the relationship between PA and stress in adolescents. Specifically, the hypothesised model examined whether the relationship between PA and stress was indirect via self-esteem, stress appraisals, and distress tolerance. During the course of the PhD, the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, which allowed for the examination of the association between PA, stress, and mental health under these novel and unprecedented circumstances. Chapter 3 of the thesis aimed to examine the extent to which PA could protect against any negative impact of Coronavirus concerns on stress and indicators of mental health and wellbeing during lockdown. Building on the earlier cross-sectional work in the thesis demonstrating the indirect relationship between PA and stress via self-esteem, stress appraisals and distress tolerance, Chapter 4 aimed to understand the association between PA and stress further by investigating how the variables explaining the indirect relationship (identified in Chapter 2) related to PA and stress longitudinally. Over a 4-month period, data were collected at three time points (which also happened to occur during different levels of COVID-19 restrictions) and were analysed using Multilevel Modelling analysis. Finally, Chapter 5 provided a scoping review of existing literature to determine the relationship between PA, as well sedentary behaviour, and stress over a variety of differing time frames, ranging from concurrent associations to assessing PA and stress over the course of a year. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the collective findings from the body of research, along with highlighting the implications and presenting considerations and suggestions for future research. This thesis represents a novel contribution to the literature and contributes to the understanding of the association between PA and stress, presenting how additional factors can alter these associations using a range of methodological and analytical approaches.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):