Relationship Between Sedentary Behaviour Patterns with Mental Health in University Students: a cross-sectional study

Short Oral

Abstract Overview

Background: Although sedentary behaviour (SB) has been related to mental health and wellbeing (MH), current research focus predominantly on physical activity (PA). Thus, knowing the escalating concern for MH among university students, with one-fifth reporting difficulties, necessitates a nuanced exploration of SB and their correlation with MH.

Purpose: The aim is to analyse the relationship between SB patterns and MH among university students.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted involving physiotherapy students from the Faculty of Health Science at Manresa. Participants completed an initial questionnaire on demographic data, wore a 24-hour accelerometer for seven days, and filled out the WEMBWS questionnaire assessing MH. The analysis utilized a Spearman correlation adjusted for levels of PA levels.

Results: From 57 participants that agreed to participate, 49 were included in the analysis. Exclusion was due to problems with the accelerometer device. While no significant gender differences emerged in SB, PA, or MH, noteworthy correlations were identified in women. A positive association was found between shorter SB bouts (<30 minutes) and MHW (r=0.426, p60 minutes) exhibited a negative correlation (r=-0.454, p<0.02). However, total SB time didn't correlate with MH.

Conclusions: Notably, when analysing only total daily SB time, no correlation emerged, emphasizing the importance of examining patterns and contexts. In this sense, results suggests that extended SB periods may detrimentally impact MH in female students, whereas breaking up SB time might have a positive effect. However, this correlation could be in the other direction. It is crucial to consider MH's potential influence on SB patterns, as women with better MH tended to engage in shorter SB periods.

Practical Implications: This underscores the need to comprehensively assess SB, beyond total time, to unravel the intricate interplay between SB patterns and MH, particularly in female university students.

Funding: Not applicable

Additional Authors

Name: Laia Sallés
Affiliation: Faculty of Health Science at Manresa
Presenting Author: no
Name: Judit Bort-Roig
Affiliation: Sports and Physical Activity Research Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Life and Health Sciences in Central Catalonia (Iris-CC), Ctra. De Roda Núm. 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
Presenting Author: no
Name: Pau Farrés-Godayol
Affiliation: Research Group on Methodology, Methods, Models and Outcome of Health and Social Sciences (M3O), Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Sagrada Familia 7, 08500 Vic, Spain
Presenting Author: no
Name: Anna Puig-Ribera
Affiliation: Sports and Physical Activity Research Group, Institute for Research and Innovation in Life and Health Sciences in Central Catalonia (Iris-CC), Ctra. De Roda Núm. 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
Presenting Author: no

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Information

Study Type: Measurement or surveillance
Subtheme: Mental Health
Population Group: Adults
Setting: School, Community

Submitting Author

Guillem Jabardo-Camprubí
Full-time professor
Faculty of Health Science at Manresa
Spain

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