Relationship between Physical Literacy and Mental Health: Determining the Mediating Role of Psychological Resilience

Fatemeh Vahed  Jooybari; Leila  Zameni; Seyedeh  Yasaman Asadi

doi:10.18502/ssu.v33i8.20050

Fatemeh Vahed Jooybari Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Sari Branch., Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
Leila Zameni Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Sari Branch., Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
Seyedeh Yasaman Asadi Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Sari Branch., Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ssu.v33i8.20050

Keywords: Physical literacy, Psychological resilience, Mental health, Students.

Abstract

Introduction: Physical literacy and its role in lifelong participation in physical activity and health have become a vital issue. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physical literacy and mental health mediated by psychological resilience in students.

Methods: The present study was a descriptive correlational study utilizing structural equation modeling.. The statistical population included all students of Islamic Azad Universities in Mazandaran Province during the 2022-2023 academic year, with 500 individuals selected as a statistical sample through the sampling cluster method. In order to collect data, questionnaires on demographics, socioeconomic status, physical literacy (Sum et al. 2016), mental health (Goldberg, 1988), and resilience (Connor & Davidson, 2003) were employed. Finally, 420 filled-out questionnaires were collected. Data analysis was performed utilizing the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Spearman's correlation, and Structural Equation Modeling using SPSS16 and SmartPLS3 software.

Results: The results indicated a significant relationship between mental health and physical literacy (P<0.01) as well as its dimensions, namely self- awareness and self-confidence (P<0.01), self-expression and communication (P<0.01), along with knowledge and understanding (P<0.01). Psychological resilience mediates the relationship between physical literacy and mental health (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The research findings endorse the development of physical literacy in universities as a crucial aspect of a comprehensive approach to enhance the mental health of students