Short Orals: Mental health

Research Abstract Background: The restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the daily lives, physical activity behaviour, social interactions, and mental well-being of students. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the association between physical activity and psychological distress among 18-34-year-old university students in Finland. Methods: The cross-sectional survey data was collected among Finnish university students (n=6258) in 2021. Psychological distress was measured with General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and physical activity with questions related to the participants´ overall physical activity during a week. Physical activity responses were categorized according to the current physical activity recommendations for adults. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the risk of psychological distress among different physical activity groups. Age, gender, relationship status, living situation and loneliness were adjusted for in the models. Results: Those who were physically inactive (OR 2.10, 95 % CI 1.75-2.52) or low active (OR 1.58, 95 % CI 1.35-1.85), or only met the recommendations for muscle-strengthening activities but not for aerobic activities (OR 1.23, 95 % CI 1.05-1.45) had an increased risk of psychological distress compared to those who met the recommendation for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. These associations remained significant after controlling for age, gender, relationship status, living situation and loneliness. Conclusions: The results confirm previous research findings regarding the positive association between physical activity and mental health. Meeting the recommendation for physical activity may protect against psychological distress. Furthermore, the results highlight the potential of physical activity to support mental well-being during challenging times. Practical implications: In potential future crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to support university students´ possibilities to be physically active and maintain a physically active lifestyle. Funding: No external funding.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic-related confinements lead to a global increment in sedentary behavior(SB). However, excessive SB (≥960minutes/day) has been linked with adverse mental health outcomes. Although evidence suggests a relationship between SB and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-DSM-V), changes in SB during the pandemic and GAD risk in university students remains unclear. Purpose: Our aims were to explore changes in SB and GAD risk across the pandemic in an Irish university and investigate how much SB was associated with GAD risk. Methods: Data from a repeated measures cross-sectional electronic survey(annual:2019-2022) were analyzed. Measures included SB(IPAQ-SF), GAD(PDSQ) and demographic questions. After post-stratification weighting, one-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey HSD post-hoc tests compared differences in SB(minutes) and anxiety scores(1-10) with iteration year. SB and GAD were dichotomized into high/low risk based on standardized criteria(SB≥960mins=high: GAD≥7=high). Logistic regression was conducted determining the overall association between SB and GAD risk, adjusting for demographics. Results: The final sample (N=3221) were aged {mean(SD)}21.7(6.5) years with 50.5%(N=1628) identifying as female. Most were undergraduates (89%,N=2872) of middle socio-economic status (SES:43%,N=865). Results from one-way ANOVAs indicated statistically significant differences in SB and GAD across iterations. Tukey HSD results highlighted significant increases in SB between 2019(M=379.4, SD=156.3) and both 2020(M=486.6,SD=195,p<.001) and 2021(M=439.3, SD=192.1, p<.001). Similarly, GAD risk was significantly higher in 2020(M=5.6,SD=3.4,p<.001) and 2021(M=5.3,SD=3.7,p=.047) compared with 2019(M=4.8,SD=3.4), with no statistically significant differences in 2022. Results from the final regression model revealed that high SB levels(OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.09-1.65) and lower SES levels(OR .60, CI .46-.78) were associated with greater GAD risk. Conclusion: SB and GAD risk were significantly higher during the pandemic confinements. The results emphasize targeting SB and SES in GAD prevention interventions. Practical implications: While pandemic confinements are lifted, effect may still be present. This may be of interest to policymakers and health-care professionals. Funding: University of Limerick

Background: People accumulate high volumes of daily sedentary behaviour working in office-based environments, which over time has been associated with negative effects on mental health. Poor mental health, in turn, is associated with increased occupational errors, higher work absenteeism rates, and reduced productivity. Despite this, few studies have examined how sedentary behaviour at work specifically relates to symptoms of common mental health conditions. Purpose: This review aimed to explore potential associations between occupational sedentary behaviour and common mental health symptoms, including indicators of depression, anxiety, and stress. Methods: A systematic search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines from CINAHL, Medline, PsycInfo, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. The JBI checklist was used to assess methodological quality. The best-evidence synthesis was employed to explore associations between occupational sedentary behaviour and common mental health symptoms. Synthesis categorised the measurement of mental health symptoms across the five studies into four groups, including depression, anxiety, combined symptoms of depression and anxiety, and stress. Results: Five cross-sectional studies from Australia, Sweden, the UK, and the US were included. For combined symptoms, mixed results have been found including positive and no associations, but for depression, anxiety and stress, the evidence indicates no association. Conclusion: Overall, there is insufficient evidence to establish an association between occupational sedentary behaviour and common mental health symptoms. However, this review suggests that prolonged occupational sedentary behaviour may be associated with a higher risk of certain mental health symptoms as positive associations were found in studies examining combined symptoms of depression and anxiety. Practical implications: This review calls for detailed consideration about 1) specific types and severity of mental health symptoms, 2) occupation-specific domains of sedentary behaviour, 3) longitudinal, experimental, and interventional studies that explore direct associations and underlying mechanisms, and 4) differences in diverse demographic and cultural contexts. Funding: None

Background: Humans have an innate desire to belong. In comparison to their peers, adolescents with obesity have been found to experience disproportionate levels of loneliness, social isolation, and discrimination. Research has also shown that physical activity (PA) is associated with enhanced psychosocial wellbeing and social/emotional functioning among adolescents with obesity. To date, an in-depth focus on PA and belonging—particularly among young people living with obesity—remains unexplored. Purpose: The purpose of this proposed cross-sectional qualitative study, which is part of the larger “iBelongTeens” study, is to gain a comprehensive understanding of PA behaviours, as well as their possible relationship with and influence on perceptions of belonging, among adolescents with obesity in Ontario, Canada. Methods: Adolescents (aged 13-18 years) with obesity (body mass index ≥ 95th percentile for age and sex) will be recruited through Ontario pediatric weight management clinics and social media. Adolescents (n = 10-20) will participate in a single online or in-person semi-structured interview focused on PA behaviours and perceptions of belonging, as well as barriers, facilitators, and supports/resources needed to increase PA and belonging in this population. Results: Ethics applications are in progress and data collection is expected to begin in September 2024. It is anticipated that adolescents with obesity may perceive a bidirectional relationship between PA and belonging, and that important insights, barriers, facilitators, and supports will be identified. Conclusions & Practical Implications: This study will contribute to a nuanced understanding of the relationship between PA and belonging among adolescents with obesity. These findings could be used to inform evidence-based approaches for enhancing the health and wellbeing of, as well as the care and services offered to, adolescents with obesity and their families. Funding: Western University Living Lab (WeLL) Initiative Demonstration Grant (Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario Canada).

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

Background: Recent research has highlighted the positive impact of exposure to nature on positive mental health (PMH). However, little is known about how specific contexts of exposure to nature relate to PMH. Purpose: We aim to investigate the relationship between exposure to nature in i) general life and ii) during outdoor physical activity (OPA) and PMH in young adults. Methods: We used data from 371 participants (Mage = 21.9, SD=0.61) from the MATCH study. The MATCH study is a longitudinal investigation of physical activity participation in youth (2011-ongoing) in New Brunswick, Canada. In the 2022-2023 survey cycle, we created a 4-category exposure variable according to levels of exposure to nature in general life (high/low) and during OPA (high/low). We used linear regression models to investigate the associations between exposure to nature and PMH, adjusting for gender, age, physical activity, and financial well-being. Results: Compared to those with low-low exposure to nature in both contexts, those with low general life-high OPA exposure to nature (β(95%CI): 4.1(0.7, 7.5)) and those with high-high exposure to nature in both contexts (4.6(1.2, 8.0)) reported significantly higher PMH after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusions: While the context of exposure to nature relates differently to PMH in young adults, exposure to nature during physical activity appears to have greater benefits for well-being than exposure to nature during general life. Practical implications: Given the benefits associated with exposure to nature during physical activity, efforts to promote outdoor activities should be encouraged among young adults. By integrating natural environments into physical activities, we can potentially enhance mental health outcomes and promote well-being in this population. Funding: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Sport Participation Research Initiative, New Brunswick Health Research Foundation.

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.