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. 2025 Jun 9;20(6):e0325835.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0325835. eCollection 2025.

The impact of physical exercise on university students' life satisfaction: The chain mediation effects of general self-efficacy and health literacy

Yu-Peng Ye  1 , Guo-You Qin  2 , Xinyu Zhang  3 , Shan-Shan Han  3 , Bo Li  3 , Ning Zhou  3 , Qi Liu  3 , Chen-Xi Li  3 , Yang-Sheng Zhang  4 , Qian-Qian Shao  2
Affiliations

The impact of physical exercise on university students' life satisfaction: The chain mediation effects of general self-efficacy and health literacy

Yu-Peng Ye et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to explore the impact of physical exercise on university students' life satisfaction and analyses the chain mediation effect of general self-efficacy and health literacy, providing empirical reference and theoretical foundation for the comprehensive enhancement and optimization of students' mental health.

Method: Based on data from the "China University Student Physical Activity and Health Tracking Survey" (CPAHLS-CS) 2024, the measurement scales used included the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), and the 9-item Short Form Health Literacy Scale (HLS-SF9). A total of 4575 valid samples were analyzed.

Results: A significant positive correlation was found between physical exercise and life satisfaction (r = 0.137, P < 0.01). The total effect of physical exercise on university students' life satisfaction was significant, with an effect value of 0.045 (95%CI = [0.035, 0.054]). The chain mediation effect of general self-efficacy and health literacy in the relationship between physical exercise and life satisfaction was significant, with an effect value of 0.005 (95%CI = [0.004, 0.006]), accounting for 11.4% of the total effect. The direct effect of physical exercise on life satisfaction had a standardized regression coefficient of 0.001, which was not significant.

Conclusion: University students' life satisfaction is closely related to physical exercise, general self-efficacy, and health literacy. General self-efficacy and health literacy play a full mediating role in the effect of physical exercise on life satisfaction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Hypothetical model diagram.
Fig 2
Fig 2. The chained mediating effect between physical exercise and life satisfaction.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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