Physical activity and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 lockdown: relationships with motivational quality and nature contexts
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(Published version)
Date
2021
Authors
Jenkins, M.
Houge Mackenzie, S.
Hodge, K.
Hargreaves, E.A.
Calverley, J.R.
Lee, C.
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Journal article
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Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2021; 3(637576):1-11
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global event that has already had substantive negative impacts on psychological well-being. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity (PA) and psychological well-being during a country-wide COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand. Motivational quality and PA context (nature-based or non-nature-based) were included as potential mediating and moderating variables within this relationship, respectively. Participants completed an online survey assessing psychological well-being, weekly PA levels, and PA during the second and third weeks of the 7 week COVID-19 lockdown period in New Zealand. Data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. Results showed that PA significantly predicted psychological well-being, with no significant difference evident in psychological well-being dependent on whether PA was nature or non-nature-based. Nature-based PA was a stronger predictor of intrinsic motivation compared to non-nature-based PA, and intrinsic motivation was positively associated with psychological well-being. In contrast, non-nature-based PA was a stronger predictor of introjected regulation compared to nature-based PA, which was negatively associated with psychological well-being. Overall, these findings suggest that (1) weekly PA was associated with increased psychological well-being during the lockdown, and (2) nature-based PA may foster psychological well-being via effects on motivation. The implications for continued participation in PA will be discussed.
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Data source: Supplementary material, https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.637576
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Copyright 2021 Jenkins, Houge Mackenzie, Hodge, Hargreaves, Calverley and Lee. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative CommonsAttribution License (CC BY). (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)