Mediators of Increased Physical Activity and Change in Subjective Well-being: Results from the Activity Counseling Trial (ACT)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether change in satisfaction with physical function (SF), satisfaction with physical appearance (SA), and self-efficacy (SE) mediate the effects that increased physical activity has on change in subjective well-being (SWB). Participants in this investigation consisted of 854 men (n = 471) and women (n = 383) who took part in the Activity Counseling Trial (ACT). ACT was a 24-month multicenter, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity in the primary care setting. Participants were assigned to one of three treatments: standard care control, staff-assisted intervention, or staff-counseling intervention. Results revealed that, irrespective of treatment arm, change in physical activity was related to change in SBW and to change in all mediators of interest. A statistical test of mediation revealed that the influence of change in physical activity on SWB was due to change in all three mediators with change in SF making the greatest contribution to the model.

Relationships between exercise and three components of mental well-being in corporate employees

“…Again, this indicates that moderate levels of physical activity may be enough for employees to feel better about their physical selves, more enthusiastic at work and report increased levels of life satisfaction. This pattern of results was not evident for relaxation at work., The finding that even moderate amounts of physical activity is related with positive self-perceptions, physical satisfaction and enthusiasm corroborates previous findings in the literature (Biddle, 2000;Brown et al, 1995;King, Taylor & Haskell, 1993;Rejeski et al, 2001). The results by Rejeski et al (2001) also demonstrated that increases in subjective well-being through physical activity were not due to changes in fitness status, implying that such increases could be achieved through moderate physical activity.…”

“…Indeed, this finding supports that of Rejeski et al (2001) who found that satisfaction with physical functioning and appearance served as significant mediators in the relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being. For many people, bodily function and appearance are important, and if exercise provides them with the means to achieve such goals, their life satisfaction may be enhanced.…”

“…Physical activity may improve satisfaction with the physical self. This was demonstrated in a randomised controlled trial by Rejeski et al (2001) using more than 800 sedentary individuals. The authors found that increases in physical activity levels were positively associated with subjective well-being and that satisfaction with physical functioning and appearance served as significant mediators in this relationship.…”

The Role of University Students’ General Self-Efficacy, Depression and Psychological Well-being in Predicting Their Exercise Behavior

“…However, contrary to this study, several studies found no relationship between exercise and depression (Cooper-Patrick, Ford, Mead, Chang, & Klag, 1997;Weyerer, 1992). From the point of view of psychologically well-being, many studies show that exercise has a positive effect, which supports the results of this research (Rejeski et al, 2001;Arent, Landers, & Etnier, 2000;Lotan, Merrick & Carmeli, 2005).…”

Factors Associated with Positive Mental Health in a Portuguese Community Sample: A Look Through the Lens of Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Model

“…Thus, body satisfaction may be a mediator variable between exercise and eudaimonic well-being, which is particularly important for women. Firstly, this mediation argument has been confirmed for the relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being (Rejeski et al, 2001). Secondly, a recent meta-analysis indicated that gender differences in self-esteem vary depending on the specific domain (Gentile et al, 2009).…”