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Cited by 90Physical Activity and HealthMotivation and Self-Concept in SportsYouth Development and Social Support

Mediators of psychological well-being in adolescent boys

Open access
Lubans, David R., Smith, Jordan J., Morgan, Philip J., Beauchamp, Mark R., Miller, Andrew, Lonsdale, Chris, Parker, Philip, Dally, Kerry·2016·Journal of Adolescent Health
DOI 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.10.010
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Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to explore the effect of the Active Teen Leaders Avoiding Screen-time (ATLAS) intervention on psychological well-being in adolescent boys and to examine the potential mediating mechanisms that might explain this effect.Methods ATLAS was evaluated using a cluster randomized controlled trial in 14 secondary schools located in low-income communities (N = 361 adolescent boys, mean age = 12.7 ± .5 years). The 20-week intervention was guided by self-determination theory and involved: professional development for teachers, provision of fitness equipment to schools, enhanced school sport sessions, researcher-led seminars, a smartphone application, and parental strategies for reducing screen time. Assessments were conducted at baseline and immediately post intervention (8 months). Psychological well-being was measured using the Flourishing Scale. Motivational regulations (intrinsic, identified, introjected, controlled, and amotivation) and basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) in school sport, muscular fitness, resistance training skill competency, and recreational screen time were examined as potential mediating mechanisms of the intervention effect.Results The intervention effect on well-being was small but statistically significant. Within a multiple mediator model, changes in autonomy needs satisfaction, recreational screen time, and muscular fitness significantly mediated the effect of the intervention on psychological well-being.Conclusions In addition to the physical health benefits, targeted physical activity programs for adolescent boys may have utility for mental health promotion through the mechanisms of increasing autonomy support and muscular fitness and reducing screen time.

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  • Evidence shows that exercise involving choice is associated with increased positive affect and enjoyment compared to exercise with no choice.

    “Further, evidence also shows that exercise involving choice is associated with increased positive affect and enjoyment, compared to exercise with no choice.[62][63][64]”

    From Domain-Specific Physical Activity and Mental Health: A Meta-analysis (2017) · cites this paper as [64]

    The Discussion reports that opportunities for choice in school sport mediated the intervention’s effect on psychological well-being, supporting a link between choice and well-being. But the Outcome measures section identifies flourishing—not positive affect or enjoyment—as the outcome, and the Discussion says effects on hedonic well-being were not captured. The paper does not establish the claimed increase in positive affect and enjoyment compared with exercise offering no choice. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. [22]22. Morgan, P.J., D.R. Lubans, and K.L. Saunders, Improving physical self-perception in adolescent boys from disadvantaged schools: Psychological outcomes from the Physical Activity Leaders randomised controlled trial. Pediatr Obes, 2012;7:e27-e32.
  2. [31]31. Wilson, D.K., Behavior matters: The relevance, impact, and reach of behavioral medicine. Ann Behav Med, 2015;49:40-48.
  3. [36]36. Hulteen, R.M., N.J. Lander, P.J. Morgan et al., Validity and reliability of field-based measures for assessing movement skill competency in lifelong physical activities: A systematic review. Sports Med, 2015;1-12.
  4. [37]37. Lloyd, R.S., A.D. Faigenbaum, M.H. Stone et al., Position statement on youth resistance training: the 2014 International Consensus. Br J Sports Med, 2013;48:498- 505.
  5. [38]38. Ryan, R.M. and E.L. Deci, On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Ann Rev Psych, 2001;52:141-166.
  6. [40]40. Lubans, D.R., J.J. Smith, G. Skinner et al., Development and implementation of a smartphone application to promote physical activity and reduce screen-time in adolescent boys. Fron Pub Health, 2014;2:1-11.

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Authors
Lubans, D. R., Smith, J. J., Morgan, P. J., Beauchamp, M. R., Miller, A., Lonsdale, C., Parker, P., & Dally, K.
Affiliations
  • University of Newcastle Australia (AU)
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • Australian Catholic University (AU)
Corresponding author
Lubans, David R.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Adolescent Health
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-02
Volume
58
Issue
2
Pages
230-236
ISSN
1054-139X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.10.010
OpenAlex
W2208038338
Cited by
90
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 1
FWCI
6.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Bank (Australian Catholic University) (submittedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
  • NOVA (University of Newcastle Australia) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
Australian Research Council (DP120100611)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Youth Development and Social Support
Keywords
adolescent boys, psychological well-being, eudaimonia, screen time, school sports, self-determination theory, motivational regulation, basic psychological needs, autonomy support, muscular fitness, resistance training, physical activity promotion, low-income communities, mental health promotion
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Psychology, Adolescent, Child, Health Promotion, Humans, Male, Motivation, Obesity, Poverty, Sports, Health Behavior, Exercise

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