The Relationship Between Risk Perception, Physical Activity, and Adolescent Mental Health: A Cross-Lagged Analysis.

BACKGROUND

During the novel coronavirus pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents rose dramatically to 31% and 34%, respectively. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between perceived disease risk, physical activity, and adolescent mental health, questioning whether physical activity maintains its protective role amidst heightened disease risk.

METHODS

In a longitudinal study design, questionnaires were administered twice, in December 2022 and January 2023, to a cohort of students across five high schools. These questionnaires measured adolescents' perception of disease risk, their physical activity levels, and their mental health status during the pandemic. A total of 344 students participated in this study.

RESULTS

The data revealed significant gender differences in risk perception, with gender difference effects of 0.255 (d=0.416) and 0.195 (d=0.402) across both indicators, and in mental health, with gender difference effects of 0.159 (d=0.262) and 0.179 (d=0.278). Risk perception at Time 1 was found to be a significant predictor of both physical activity and mental health (β values of 0.28 and 0.19, P < 0.01, respectively). Physical activity at Time 1 was also a significant predictor of mental health at Time 2 (β = 0.33, P < 0.01). Moreover, physical activity mediated the relationship between risk perception and mental health, as suggested by a significant indirect effect (mediator effect of 0.012, Z value of 0.112, and a Bootstrap 95% CI excluding 0).

CONCLUSION

This study underscores a longitudinal relationship between adolescents' perception of disease risk, physical activity, and mental health. It highlights the potential benefits of promoting physical activity awareness among adolescents as a strategy to improve mental health outcomes during pandemics.