Physical exercise and lower psychological distress among rural left-behind adolescents in China: evidence from a moderated serial mediation model.
- 1Hezhou University, Hezhou, Guangxi, China.
- 2School of Physical Education, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
- 3School of Physical Education, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Abstract
This study investigated the association between physical exercise and psychological distress among rural left-behind adolescent students in China. It also assessed the serial mediating effects of general self-efficacy and emotional intelligence and the moderating role of gender in this pathway. A total of 1,399 rural left-behind adolescent students in China took part in the survey. They completed the Physical Activity Rating Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, an Emotional Intelligence Scale, and a Psychological Distress Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, serial mediation analysis, and moderated mediation analysis in SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 27.0. Physical exercise was significantly and negatively correlated with psychological distress. The total effect of physical exercise on psychological distress was significant. After general self-efficacy and emotional intelligence were included in the model, the direct effect of physical exercise on psychological distress remained significant, although reduced in magnitude. The separate indirect effects through general self-efficacy and emotional intelligence were -0.171 and -0.030, respectively, and the serial indirect effect through general self-efficacy and emotional intelligence was -0.063. The total indirect effect was -0.264, accounting for 81.73% of the total effect. In addition, gender significantly moderated the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological distress, with emotional-intelligence-related indirect pathways being stronger among female students. Physical exercise was significantly associated with lower psychological distress among rural left-behind adolescent students in China. General self-efficacy and emotional intelligence played significant separate and serial mediating roles in this association, with general self-efficacy showing the larger indirect association. Gender further strengthened the protective pathway centered on emotional intelligence. These findings provide preliminary empirical clues and a theoretical framework for future physical-exercise-based mental health promotion programmes for left-behind adolescents. Longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to verify the temporal and causal directions among physical exercise, general self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and psychological distress.
Related
- A moderated mediation model of the association between parental psychological control and internalizing problems among college students
- Psychological resilience, insomnia, and anxiety among Chinese medical students: a moderated mediation model with academic stress
- Gameful experience, exercise identity, and exercise adherence among Chinese university students: A moderated chain mediation model
- The longitudinal associations between nature exposure and non-suicidal self-injury among Chinese early adolescents: a moderated mediation model
- The impact of negative life events on adolescents and young adults affective disorders: a moderated mediation analysis
BibTeX
@article{yin2026physical,
title = {{Physical exercise and lower psychological distress among rural left-behind adolescents in China: evidence from a moderated serial mediation model.}},
author = {Tian Yin and Yanfeng Peng and Xu Liu and Youpeng Zhu and Jiale Wang and Tiande Pan and Changcheng Xie},
journal = {Frontiers in psychology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1861638},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42996184},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Physical exercise and lower psychological distress among rural left-behind adolescents in China: evidence from a moderated serial mediation model.
AU - Tian Yin
AU - Yanfeng Peng
AU - Xu Liu
AU - Youpeng Zhu
AU - Jiale Wang
AU - Tiande Pan
AU - Changcheng Xie
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Frontiers in psychology
DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1861638
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42996184
AB - This study investigated the association between physical exercise and psychological distress among rural left-behind adolescent students in China. It also assessed the serial mediating effects of general self-efficacy and emotional intelligence and the moderating role of gender in this pathway. A total of 1,399 rural left-behind adolescent students in China took part in the survey. They completed the Physical Activity Rating Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, an Emotional Intelligence Scale, and a Psychological Distress Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, serial mediation analysis, and moderated mediation analysis in SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 27.0. Physical exercise was significantly and negatively correlated with psychological distress. The total effect of physical exercise on psychological distress was significant. After general self-efficacy and emotional intelligence were included in the model, the direct effect of physical exercise on psychological distress remained significant, although reduced in magnitude. The separate indirect effects through general self-efficacy and emotional intelligence were -0.171 and -0.030, respectively, and the serial indirect effect through general self-efficacy and emotional intelligence was -0.063. The total indirect effect was -0.264, accounting for 81.73% of the total effect. In addition, gender significantly moderated the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological distress, with emotional-intelligence-related indirect pathways being stronger among female students. Physical exercise was significantly associated with lower psychological distress among rural left-behind adolescent students in China. General self-efficacy and emotional intelligence played significant separate and serial mediating roles in this association, with general self-efficacy showing the larger indirect association. Gender further strengthened the protective pathway centered on emotional intelligence. These findings provide preliminary empirical clues and a theoretical framework for future physical-exercise-based mental health promotion programmes for left-behind adolescents. Longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to verify the temporal and causal directions among physical exercise, general self-efficacy, emotional intelligence, and psychological distress.
SN - 1664-1078
ER -