The influence of physical exercise on college students’ life satisfaction: The chain mediating role of self-control and psychological distress

Abstract

Objective: To explore the relationship between physical exercise and life satisfaction among college students and test the dual mediating role of self-control and psychological distress between them. Methods: A sample of 526 Chinese college students completed questionnaires regarding physical exercise, life satisfaction, self-control and psychological distress, of which 38.4% were boys. Results: Path analyzes indicated that physical exercise was positively correlated with life satisfaction, and this link could be mediated by self-control and psychological distress. Conclusion: The present study identifies the potential underlying mechanism by which physical exercise is associated with the life satisfaction of college students, which has important implications for theory and prevention.