Physical activity, psychosocial health, and life goals among youth

Bettina F. Piko, Noemi Keresztes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

95 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The main goal of the present study is to investigate the relationship between youth's physical activity, their psychosocial health and well-being, and their life goals. Data were collected among students (n = 1109, age range between 14 and 21 years of age, mean: 16.5 years, SD = 1.3 years) enrolled in the secondary schools of the Southern Plain Region (three counties), Hungary. Our findings support previous results that more active students have a better self-perceived health and fitness, lower levels of depressive symptoms and higher levels of life satisfaction. In addition, students who are regularly active prefer less extrinsic values as life goals for their future. However, there are no significant differences by physical activity status in terms of intrinsic values (except for physical health). These findings suggest that physical activity is not per se a beneficial health behavior only through its functions. In community health programs, a health-related physical education approach should be addressed to improve the psychosocial benefits of physical activity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)136-145
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Community Health
Volume31
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Life goals
  • Physical activity
  • Psychosocial health
  • Satisfaction with life

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