Virtuous Circle Between Physical Activity and Purpose in Life: The Mediating Role of Positive Affect

Background: Purpose in Life (PIL) is a fundamental element of psychological well-being and has been linked to various health outcomes and behaviors, including physical activity. Despite evidence of a positive relationship between physical activity and PIL, the mechanisms connecting them remain underexplored.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of positive affect in the reciprocal relationship between physical activity and PIL.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1159 college students (46.3% women; mean age = 19.75 years) completing measures of physical activity, positive affect, and PIL. Two sets of mediation analyses (employing bootstrapping techniques with 10,000 samples) were performed to test the reciprocal relationships between physical activity and PIL, with positive affect as the mediator in both directions, while controlling for age, gender, and body mass index.
Results: Positive affect was found to mediate the relationship between physical activity and PIL in both directions. Specifically, engaging in physical activity enhances positive affect, which in turn strengthens one’s sense of PIL. Conversely, higher levels of PIL lead to enhanced positive affect, which in turn contributes to increased physical activity.
Conclusions: Fostering a positive emotional state can serve as both a precursor and a consequence of physical activity and PIL, potentially leading to a self-reinforcing cycle that promotes sustained health behaviors and well-being.
Practical implications: The mediating role of positive affect in the relationship between physical activity and PIL underscores the potential for designing multifaceted interventions to offer a more comprehensive approach to health promotion. These programs could concurrently aim to increase physical activity levels, enhance positive affect, and foster a sense of purpose, thereby addressing health and well-being from a holistic standpoint.
Funding: There was no funding source to state.