Publication: A structural equation model of physical activity, psychological factors, and life satisfaction among health sciences students in health campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia
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Date
2025-07
Authors
Xie, Yushu
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Abstract
Introduction: With the acceleration of globalization and the continuous increase of social stress, mental health issues are becoming increasingly prominent worldwide, especially among young people. Physical activity is broadly acknowledged as a crucial element for supporting both physical and mental health, proven effective in reducing depression, anxiety, and improving well-being. However, the participation rate in physical activity among university students remains low, and their mental health status is deteriorating. This study focuses on life satisfaction as the primary outcome variable, aiming to explore the mechanisms by which physical activity and psychological factors (self-compassion, body compassion, perceived stress) influence life satisfaction. Objective: This study aims to examine the structural relationships among physical activity, self-compassion, body compassion, perceived stress, and life satisfaction among undergraduate health sciences students at the Health Campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia. Methods：This cross-sectional study utilized self-administered questionnaires to gather data, with undergraduate students recruited through convenience sampling. A total of 300 participants were included. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was initially performed to confirm the validity and reliability of the measurement instruments. Due to some participants selecting "Not Sure" in the physical activity questionnaire, it was not possible to calculate the metabolic equivalent (MET) for those cases. As a result, only 240 complete datasets were retained for further analysis. Subsequently, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to examine the interrelationships among the study variables. The self-administered questionnaire served as the data collection tool throughout the study. CFA was employed to assess and confirm the psychometric properties of the measurement tools, verifying their reliability and validity before advancing to the modeling stage. The "Not Sure" responses to items in the physical activity questionnaire resulted in missing MET scores, leading to the exclusion of incomplete data. Ultimately, 240 complete datasets were used for SEM analysis to model the associations among the variables, focusing on both direct and indirect effects. This combined approach of initial CFA for validation, followed by SEM for modeling, ensured a thorough and methodical analysis of the study data. Results： The CFA results showed that all instruments had good validity and reliability. All factor loadings exceeded 0.30, and model fit indices for each scale met recommended thresholds (CFI > 0.90, TLI > 0.90, RMSEA < 0.08, SRMR < 0.08). The final SEM model demonstrated a good fit (Comparative Fit Index=0.989, Tucker-Lewis Index=0.979, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual=0.032, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation=0.033). Analysis showed that physical activity did not directly predict life satisfaction (β = 0.081, p = 0.161), but had a positive indirect effect through reducing feelings of helplessness. In the dimensions of body compassion, “acceptance” directly improved life satisfaction, while “defusion” had an indirect effect through stress reduction; “common humanity” did not show a significant effect. Self-compassion positively influenced life satisfaction indirectly through enhanced body acceptance, while self-criticism affected life satisfaction by reducing helplessness and increasing body acceptance. The overall stress level showed a significant negative impact on life satisfaction. Conclusion：This study indicates that the effect of physical activity on life satisfaction is achieved indirectly through the reduction of perceived stress rather than a direct effect. Additionally, improving body acceptance and fostering positive self-compassion play a crucial role in enhancing life satisfaction. Future intervention strategies should consider integrating physical activity with psychological adjustment, focusing on stress reduction and the development of self-acceptance, to more effectively promote the overall well-being of university students.
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Keywords
Physical Activity , Self-Compassion