Physical activity, mental and personal wellbeing, social isolation, and perceptions of academic attainment and employability in university students: Pooled analysis of the Scottish and British Active Students Surveys

Budzynski-Seymour, Emily; Conway, Rebecca; Wade, Matthew; Lucas, Alex; Jones, Michelle; Mann, Steven; Steele, James

doi:10.31236/osf.io/xaum3

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 30 publications

(47 reference statements)

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“…Perceived increased physical activity since the start of the pandemic, however, was not found to be related to perceived increased feelings of loneliness since the start of the pandemic-related restrictions as the only significant correlate was the general (static) loneliness. Previous studies such as a United Kingdom study found that active students were less likely to experience loneliness compared to inactive students (Budzynski-Seymour et al, 2019). The same result was also found in the general population on a meta-analytical level (Pels and Kleinert, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Physical Activity, Loneliness, and Meaning of Friendship in Young Individuals – A Mixed-Methods Investigation Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic With Three Cross-Sectional Studies

2021

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Meaningful social interactions and regular physical activity are inversely associated with loneliness. Using a mixed-methods research design employing quantitative and qualitative research approaches, this research aimed to explore loneliness, physical activity, friendship, and experiences relating to the COVID-19 pandemic both prior to and during the pandemic. Quantitative data of (1) n = 363 first-year university students assessed in 2018/2019 and of (2) n = 175 individuals aged 18–29 years assessed in 2020 were gathered using independent self-administered online surveys. In addition, (3) n = 4 students were recruited for semi-structured, qualitative interviews in 2020 during the onset phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Correlation and regression analyses as well as analyses of variance were conducted. Thematic analysis as a qualitative method was used to explore the role physical activity, friendship, and social interactions played in loneliness, particularly in times of social isolation and social distancing. Results revealed associations of varying strength between physical activity and loneliness in 2018/2019 (r = −0.09, p ≤ 0.05) and 2020 (r = −0.20, p < 0.01). In 2020, n = 73 (41.7%) participants felt that their loneliness had increased since the COVID-19 social and physical distancing guidelines were introduced, but this was not associated with a perceived change in physical activity (r = −0.05, p > 0.05). Analyses of qualitative data revealed three main themes: (1) the lack of deep friendships at university, (2) the positive perceived impact of team sports on feelings of loneliness, and (3) the need for real connection in times of crisis. Thus, with regard to feelings of loneliness during the pandemic, being physically active seems to be a small but potentially relevant factor among young individuals. The qualitative study suggests that first-year university students might buffer the lack of deep friendships and meaningful interactions by building social bonds in team sports. In times of physical distancing, young individuals vulnerable to loneliness may therefore require special support such as doing sports with physical distance and perceiving connected with their team for instance by digital devices and emotional coping.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Physical Activity, Loneliness, and Meaning of Friendship in Young Individuals – A Mixed-Methods Investigation Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic With Three Cross-Sectional Studies

2021

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Is Achieving the Guidelines of Four Forms of Physical Activity Associated with Less Self-Reported Health Complaints? Cross-Sectional Study of Undergraduates at the University of Turku, Finland

Ansari

Salam

2020

IJERPH

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Very little research has assessed the physical activity (PA) of university students in in Finland, and their associations with self-reported health complaints (HCs), whilst simultaneously accounting for a range of other potential confounders. Students at the University of Turku (1177) completed an online health and wellbeing questionnaire that assessed 22 physical and somatic HCs, and students’ achievement of the international guidelines of four forms of PA (moderate, vigorous, moderate-to-vigorous and muscle strengthening PA; MPA, VPA, MVPA, MSPA respectively). We also explored the associations between HCs and PA, controlling for sociodemographic and health confounders (age, sex, year of study, marital status, accommodation during semesters, health awareness). Factor analysis reduced the HCs into three factors (psychological, pains/aches, circulatory/breathing). Bivariate relationships (no controlling for confounders) between these 3 factors and four forms of PA guideline achievement showed significant effects of achieving the PA guidelines against various groups of HCs, where more strenuous PA was associated with significantly less HCs in a step-ladder pattern. Multiple regression analyses (controlling for confounders) showed that achievement of PA guidelines was significantly independently associated with self-reported HCs scores in most cases. Psychological HCs were negatively associated with achieving any type of PA; pains/aches were negatively associated with achieving two types of PA or with achieving MSPA guidelines; and circulatory/breathing HCs were negatively associated with achieving the VPA guidelines only. This is the first study in Finland to examine such relationships, and highlights the critical role of PA for the health of these young adults. Programs and policies to strengthen and improve the PA of university students would be beneficial, recognizing the benefits of instilling life-long PA habits among this group of young adults.

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Physical activity, mental and personal wellbeing, social isolation, and perceptions of academic attainment and employability in university students: Pooled analysis of the Scottish and British Active Students Surveys

Cited by 2 publications

References 30 publications

Physical Activity, Loneliness, and Meaning of Friendship in Young Individuals – A Mixed-Methods Investigation Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic With Three Cross-Sectional Studies

Physical Activity, Loneliness, and Meaning of Friendship in Young Individuals – A Mixed-Methods Investigation Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic With Three Cross-Sectional Studies

Is Achieving the Guidelines of Four Forms of Physical Activity Associated with Less Self-Reported Health Complaints? Cross-Sectional Study of Undergraduates at the University of Turku, Finland

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