Understanding the moderating role of gender in physical activity enjoyment and mental well-being: evidence from university students' campus recreation participation

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dc.contributor.authorKarakullukcu, Omur Fatih
dc.contributor.authorAyhan, Cihan
dc.contributor.authorGuder, Ferhat
dc.contributor.authorTalaghir, Laurentiu-Gabriel
dc.contributor.authorCosoreanu, Dumitru Marius
dc.contributor.authorBentea, Cristina Corina
dc.date.accessioned2026-02-28T12:18:13Z
dc.date.available2026-02-28T12:18:13Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentBayburt Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractBackground Participation in physical activity is considered an important factor not only for individuals' physical health but also for their psychological well-being. Developing physical activity habits, especially among university-aged individuals, plays a critical role in long-term health outcomes. In this context, the impact of physical activity enjoyment on individuals' mental well-being has become a topic of interest. However, the moderating role of individual differences, particularly gender, in this relationship has not yet been sufficiently clarified. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity enjoyment and mental well-being among university students and to reveal the moderating effect of gender on this relationship.Method The research was conducted using a relational screening model. The study group consisted of 392 university students (261 male and 131 female; mean age = 22.95 +/- 2.58) from Sakarya University of Applied Sciences who participated in campus recreation activities. Data were collected via a face-to-face survey using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale and the Mental Well-being Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and regression-based moderation analysis using PROCESS Macro Model 1 were used in the statistical analysis.Results The level of enjoyment of physical activity was found to have a significant positive effect on mental well-being (r = 0.427, p = 0.001; F = 50.388, p < 0.001; R-2 = 0.280). Moderation analysis further showed that gender significantly moderated this relationship (Delta R-2 = 0.049; p < 0.001). The effect of enjoyment on mental well-being was significant for both males (beta = 0.2693; S.E. = 0.0348; p < 0.001; 95% CI [0.2010, 0.3377]) and females (beta = 0.7913; S.E. = 0.0949; p < 0.001; 95% CI [0.6047, 0.9780]), with the effect being stronger among females.Conclusion The findings show that considering gender-sensitive approaches in physical activity programs to be implemented on university campuses has a potential impact on improving the psychological well-being of students.
dc.identifier.doi10.3389/fpubh.2025.1679353
dc.identifier.issn2296-2565
dc.identifier.pmid41127596
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105019243758
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1679353
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12403/6175
dc.identifier.volume13
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001597445300001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ1
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.indekslendigikaynakPubMed
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherFrontiers Media Sa
dc.relation.ispartofFrontiers in Public Health
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzKA_WoS_20260218
dc.subjectcampus recreation
dc.subjectmental well-being
dc.subjectoutdoor recreation
dc.subjectphysical activity
dc.subjectrecreational benefit
dc.titleUnderstanding the moderating role of gender in physical activity enjoyment and mental well-being: evidence from university students' campus recreation participation
dc.typeArticle

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