The relationship between home-based physical activity and general well-being among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediation effect of self-esteem

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted education globally, forcing school closures and a shift to online learning. This transition particularly affected young adults (16-24 years old), including university students, who are vulnerable to the negative psychological consequences of isolation, such as increased stress, anxiety, and depression. During the pandemic, university students' physical activity was largely confined to their homes. Previous research suggests a positive correlation between physical activity and both self-esteem and general well-being among university students. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between home-based physical activity and general well-being among Chinese university students during the pandemic, specifically exploring the mediating role of self-esteem. The study hypothesized that higher levels of home-based physical activity would lead to higher self-esteem and general well-being, and that self-esteem would mediate the relationship between physical activity and well-being.

Existing literature indicates a direct correlation between physical activity levels and general well-being in university students, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have shown that higher levels of physical activity are associated with enhanced general well-being. Similarly, numerous studies have established a strong link between physical activity and self-esteem. A meta-analysis of over 100 studies revealed a consistently positive effect of physical activity on self-esteem. Furthermore, self-esteem is strongly linked to general well-being, with higher self-esteem associated with higher levels of overall well-being. This study builds upon these findings by exploring the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship between home-based physical activity and general well-being among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted from April to May 2020 with 350 university students from two universities in China. 311 valid responses were obtained (93.7% response rate). Participants were primarily around 20 years old and represented various academic majors. Three scales were used: the Physical Activity Rating Scale (to categorize physical activity into small, medium, and large amounts based on duration), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (measuring self-esteem with a four-point Likert scale), and the General Well-Being Scale (measuring general well-being across six dimensions). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 19.0. One-way ANOVA was used to examine the effect of home-based physical activity on self-esteem and general well-being. Correlation analysis assessed the relationships between the amount of physical activity, self-esteem, and general well-being. Regression analysis tested the mediating effect of self-esteem using a three-step process: (1) general well-being as a function of physical activity; (2) self-esteem as a function of physical activity; and (3) general well-being as a function of both physical activity and self-esteem.

One-way ANOVA revealed a significant positive effect of home-based physical activity on both general well-being (F = 3.46, P < 0.05) and self-esteem (F = 6.99, P < 0.01). Students with medium or large amounts of physical activity reported significantly higher levels of general well-being and self-esteem compared to those with small amounts. Correlation analysis confirmed a positive association between the amount of physical activity and both self-esteem and general well-being. The regression analysis indicated a full mediation effect of self-esteem on the relationship between medium and large amounts of home-based physical activity and general well-being (T = 4.445, P < 0.001). This mediating effect accounted for 32.5% of the total effect. When self-esteem was included in the model, the direct effect of physical activity on general well-being became non-significant, indicating that the effect of physical activity on well-being is channeled through self-esteem.

The findings support the hypotheses that home-based physical activity is positively associated with general well-being and self-esteem among university students during the pandemic, and that self-esteem mediates this relationship. The positive effect of physical activity on well-being is largely explained by its impact on self-esteem. Individuals with higher self-esteem tend to be better equipped to cope with challenges and maintain higher levels of well-being. The study highlights the importance of promoting home-based physical activity as a strategy to enhance both self-esteem and general well-being, particularly among university students facing pandemic-related isolation and stress.

This study demonstrates a strong positive relationship between home-based physical activity and general well-being among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic, with self-esteem acting as a crucial mediator. Promoting home-based physical activity could be a valuable intervention to improve mental health during periods of restricted mobility. Future research should explore this relationship in more diverse populations and investigate additional mediating variables that may influence the link between physical activity and well-being.

The study's limitations include a sample drawn from only two universities in China, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings. The study also did not account for pre-existing mental health conditions, which could confound the results. Further research with larger, more diverse samples and inclusion of mental health assessments is needed to strengthen the conclusions.