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Mechanism Between Physical Activity and Academic Anxiety: Evidence from Pakistan

Author

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  • Sumaira Kayani

    (Department of Physical Education, Zhejiang University, XiXi Campus, 148 TianMuShan Road, Hangzhou 310028, China
    Department of Education, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Punjab 46300, Pakistan)

  • Jin Wang

    (Department of Physical Education, Zhejiang University, XiXi Campus, 148 TianMuShan Road, Hangzhou 310028, China)

  • Michele Biasutti

    (Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy)

  • María Luisa Zagalaz Sánchez

    (Department of Didactics of Plastic and Body Musical Expression, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Tayyaba Kiyani

    (Department of Physical Education, Zhejiang University, XiXi Campus, 148 TianMuShan Road, Hangzhou 310028, China)

  • Saima Kayani

    (Department of Education, Women University Azad Jammu, and Kashmir, Bagh 12500, Pakistan)

Abstract

A plethora of research has explored the benefits of physical activities on several variables such as academic performances, quality of life, fitness, levels of stress, and depression. However, less research considered the impact of physical activity on academic anxiety, self-enhancement, and self-criticism. This study examines the influence of physical activity on academic anxiety with self-enhancement and self-criticism playing a mediating role. Data for this model has been collected by using structured questionnaires administered to 418 Pakistani university students (undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate) aged between 18 and 36 years old. Structural equation modeling through analysis of moment structures (AMOS) was applied to find that physical activity significantly reduces academic anxiety and self-criticism, and it develops self-enhancement. Further, self-enhancement was negatively associated with academic anxiety while self-criticism is directly related to academic anxiety. More importantly, self-enhancement and self-criticism partially mediated between physical activity and academic anxiety of university students in Pakistan. This research recommends governments to support physical activity programs for university students.

Suggested Citation

  • Sumaira Kayani & Jin Wang & Michele Biasutti & María Luisa Zagalaz Sánchez & Tayyaba Kiyani & Saima Kayani, 2020. "Mechanism Between Physical Activity and Academic Anxiety: Evidence from Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:9:p:3595-:d:351830
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sumaira Kayani & Tayyaba Kiyani & Jin Wang & María Luisa Zagalaz Sánchez & Saima Kayani & Haroona Qurban, 2018. "Physical Activity and Academic Performance: The Mediating Effect of Self-Esteem and Depression," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Ullrich-French, Sarah & Cole, Amy N. & Montgomery, Anna K., 2016. "Evaluation development for a physical activity positive youth development program for girls," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 67-76.
    3. Zhanjia Zhang & Weiyun Chen, 2019. "A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1305-1322, April.
    4. Yasmeen Gul & Zahid Sultan & Mehdi Moeinaddini & Gul Ahmed Jokhio, 2019. "Measuring the differences of neighbourhood environment and physical activity in gated and non-gated neighbourhoods in Karachi, Pakistan," Journal of Urban Design, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3), pages 494-513, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andreea Gabriela Lazăr & Florin Valentin Leuciuc, 2021. "Study Concerning the Physical Fitness of Romanian Students and Its Effects on Their Health-Related Quality of Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-11, June.
    2. Yikeranmu Yiming & Bing Shi & Abdulelah A. Alghamdi & Sumaira Kayani & Michele Biasutti, 2023. "Social Support and Self-Efficacy as Mediators between Internal Locus of Control and Adolescents’ Physical Activity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Tayyaba Kiyani & Sumaira Kayani & Saima Kayani & Si Qi & Michele Biasutti, 2022. "A School-Based Multilevel Intervention to Increase Physical Activity of Adolescents in Pakistan: From a Social-Ecological Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Tayyaba Kiyani & Sumaira Kayani & Saima Kayani & Iffat Batool & Si Qi & Michele Biasutti, 2021. "Individual, Interpersonal, and Organizational Factors Affecting Physical Activity of School Adolescents in Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
    5. Sumaira Kayani & Tayyaba Kiyani & Saima Kayani & Tony Morris & Michele Biasutti & Jin Wang, 2021. "Physical Activity and Anxiety of Chinese University Students: Mediation of Self-System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.

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