AUTHOR=Zhang Junliang , Zheng Shuang , Hu Zhongzheng 

TITLE=The Effect of Physical Exercise on Depression in College Students: The Chain Mediating Role of Self-Concept and Social Support

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.841160

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.841160

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Objective</title><p>This study introduced self-concept and social support as research variables to establish a research mechanism, in order to encourage college students to participate in sports better, relieve or overcome depression.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>The survey was conducted among 1,200 college students in Jiangxi, China. Serial mediation models were used to examine whether self-concept and social support mediated in the effect of physical exercise on depression.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Physical exercise significantly negatively predicted college depression. Moreover, Self-concept and social support mediate the relationship between physical exercise and depression in college students.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>This study reveals how physical exercise affects college students’ depression and its mechanism, and the results have certain enlightenment significance for maintaining and promoting college students’ physical and mental health.</p></sec>