The Effect Of Physical Exercise On Psychological Stress In College Students:the Mediating Role Of Mental Toughness

Currently,university students in China are under various pressures and psychological problems are becoming increasingly prominent,which seriously affect students’ studies and future.This study investigates the current general status of physical activity,mental stress and mental toughness among university students and analyses the demographic differences,based on a review of the theories and results of relevant studies at home and abroad.In order to understand the mechanism of physical exercise’s effect on psychological stress among university students,a mediation model is proposed and it is explored whether mental toughness mediates the relationship between physical exercise and psychological stress.Therefore,this study adopts the literature method,questionnaire method and mathematical statistics method,and adopts the Physical Exercise Rating Scale,the Stress Scale for College Students and the Mental Toughness Scale for Adolescents to investigate and study college students in a college in Ningxia,and the results show that:(1)The physical exercise of college students showed the characteristics of low intensity,short duration,and low frequency,and the overall amount of physical exercise was at a moderate to low level.There are significant differences in the amount of physical exercise among college students in terms of grade,place of birth,and whether they are only children.There is no significant difference in the amount of physical exercise among college students in terms of gender and major.(2)The psychological stress of college students is at a moderate to low level.There are significant differences in the psychological stress of college students in terms of grade and whether they are only children,and there are no significant differences in the psychological stress of college students in terms of gender,maj or and place of birth.(3)The degree of mental toughness of college students is at a moderate level.There are significant differences in the mental toughness of college students in terms of gender,grade,place of birth,and whether or not they are only children.There is no significant difference in the mental toughness of college students in terms of majors.(4)There was a highly significant negative correlation between physical exercise and psychological stress of college students(r=-0.357,p<0.001),a highly significant positive correlation between physical exercise and psychological toughness of college students(r=0.253,p<0.001),and a highly significant negative correlation between psychological stress and psychological toughness of college students(r=-0.377,p<0.001).(5)Physical exercise negatively predicted college students’ psychological stress β=-0.357(t=-13.332,p<0.001);physical exercise positively predicted college students’ psychological toughness β=0.253(t=9.127,p<0.001);and psychological toughness negatively predicted college students’psychological stress β=-0.377(t=-14.218,p<0.001).(6)Mental toughness of college students played a partially mediating role between physical exercise and psychological stress(95%CI:-0.085,-0.048),and the mediating effect accounted for 21.74%of the total effect.Physical exercise can have a negative predictive effect on psychological stress not only directly,but also through mental toughness.The results of this study examined the mediating role of college students’ mental toughness between physical exercise and psychological stress,and elucidated the mechanism of the effect of physical exercise on psychological stress,which is important for reducing college students’psychological stress and improving their psychological health.Therefore,this study suggests that,firstly,schools should pay attention to the cultivation of college students’ awareness of physical exercise,create a good exercise atmosphere on campus,and also ensure the opening of exercise equipment sites to provide sufficient guarantees for physical exercise.Secondly,the school should regularly popularize the knowledge of mental health so that students can face their emotional problems squarely.Finally,regular friendly sports competitions should be organized among colleges to ensure the amount of physical exercise for students and at the same time increase their interest in exercise.