The relationship between psychological well-being and loneliness levels of students participating in leisure-time physical activity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2025.0302Keywords:
leisure-time physical activities, psychological well-being, social loneliness, emotional loneliness, romantic lonelinessAbstract
Background and Study Aim. There are many studies on the positive effects of leisure-time physical activities on individuals' psychological health. Social and emotional loneliness are among the important factors that negatively affect the psychological well-being of university students. The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between psychological well-being and the level of loneliness among students who engage in leisure-time physical activity. Material and Methods. The study was designed according to the correlational survey model. The study group consisted of university students selected through the convenience sampling method. These students were studying at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Faculty of Sports Sciences (n = 210). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to test the pre-constructed structures of the scales. For the analysis of normally distributed data, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis were applied. Results. Various demographic variables of the students were found to affect their levels of psychological well-being and loneliness. Significant negative correlations were found between psychological well-being and social loneliness (r = –.34; p < .01), as well as between psychological well-being and emotional loneliness–family (r = –.28; p < .01). However, no significant correlation was found between psychological well-being and emotional loneliness–romantic (p > .05). Conclusions. As students’ psychological well-being levels increase, their loneliness levels decrease. University students are recommended to participate in leisure-time physical activities. Programs encouraging participation in such activities should be increased at universities. In this way, students' psychological well-being can be supported, and their loneliness levels can be reduced.References
Whitfield GP, Hyde ET, Carlson SA. Participation in Leisure-Time Aerobic Physical Activity Among Adults, National Health Interview Survey, 1998–2018. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2021;18(S1): S25–S36. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2021-0014
Zorba E, Yermakhanov B. The quality of life in recreation and the place and importance of physical activity. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Studies, 2022;8(2): 443–459.
Miller K, Morley C, Fraser BJ, Gall SL, Cleland V. Types of leisure-time physical activity participation in childhood and adolescence, and physical activity behaviours and health outcomes in adulthood: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 2024;24(1): 1789. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19050-3
Nyberg ST, Frank P, Pentti J, Alfredsson L, Ervasti J, Goldberg M, et al. Health benefits of leisure-time physical activity by socioeconomic status, lifestyle risk, and mental health: a multicohort study. The Lancet Public Health, 2025;10(2): e124–e135. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00300-1
Skurvydas A, Istomina N, Dadeliene R, Majauskiene D, Strazdaite E, Lisinskiene A, et al. Leisure-time physical activity improves happiness, health, and mood profile better than work-related physical activity. Tilga H (ed.) PLOS ONE, 2024;19(7): e0307744. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307744
VaezMousavi M, Carneiro L, Shams A, Abbasi H, Dehkordi PS, Bayati M, et al. Age-related variations in physical activity, happiness, and psychological well-being: Evidence from Iran. El-Ashry AM (ed.) PLOS ONE, 2025;20(1): e0314202. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314202
Wan J, Wee LH, Siau CS, Wong YH. Psychological well-being and its associated factors among university students in Sichuan, China. Frontiers in Psychology, 2025;16: 1473871. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1473871
Cinalioğlu EA, Gazioğlu Eİ. Psychological Well-Being in Emerging Adulthood: The Role of Loneliness, Social Support, and Sibling Relationships in Turkey. Canadian Journal of Family and Youth / Le Journal Canadien de Famille et de la Jeunesse, 2022;14(1): 102–123. https://doi.org/10.29173/cjfy29753
Binte Mohammad Adib NA, Sabharwal JK. Experience of loneliness on well-being among young individuals: A systematic scoping review. Current Psychology, 2024;43(3): 1965–1985. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04445-z
Ellard OB, Dennison C, Tuomainen H. Review: Interventions addressing loneliness amongst university students: a systematic review. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2023;28(4): 512–523. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12614
Son H, Cho HJ, Cho S, Ryu J, Kim S. The Moderating Effect of Social Support between Loneliness and Depression: Differences between the Young-Old and the Old-Old. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022;19(4): 2322. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042322
Backhaus I, Fitri M, Esfahani M, Ngo HT, Lin L jung, Yamanaka A, et al. Mental Health, Loneliness, and Social Support Among Undergraduate Students: A Multinational Study in Asia. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 2023;35(4): 244–250. https://doi.org/10.1177/10105395231172311
Lemay EP, Cutri J, Teneva N. How loneliness undermines close relationships and persists over time: The role of perceived regard and care. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2024; https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000451
Piejka A, Wiśniewska M, Okruszek Ł. Threatened by others or by everything? The effects of momentary and trait loneliness on daily appraisals of social company and being alone in young adults. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 2024;16(2): 553–575. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12504
Brakespear G, Cachia M. Young adults dealing with loneliness at university. New Vistas, 2021;7(1). https://doi.org/10.36828/newvistas.23
Jaud J, Görig T, Konkel T, Diehl K. Loneliness in University Students during Two Transitions: A Mixed Methods Approach Including Biographical Mapping. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2023;20(4): 3334. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043334
Lawal AM, Okereke CG. Relationship satisfaction in cohabiting university students: evidence from the role of duration of cohabitation, loneliness and sex-life satisfaction. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 2021;16(2): 134–143. https://doi.org/10.1080/17450128.2020.1842574
Kalaç S, Salim A, Dinler B. Investigation of social loneliness and social media addiction in adults. The Journal of Academic Social Science Studies, 2025;Year: 18-Number:103(Year: 18-Number:103): 485–498. https://doi.org/10.29228/JASSS.80768
Akgül H. Adapting social and emotional loneliness scale (SELSA-S) to Turkish culture: Relevance and reliability. Yalova Social Sciences Journal, 2020;10(21): 54–69.
Çetin Dağlı M, Gündüz, B. The mediator role of problematic internet use in the relatıonship between university students’ loneliness and psychological well-being. Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Journal of Education Faculty, 2017:44;339–357. https://doi.org/10.21764/maeuefd.341554
K. Bhagchandani R. Effect of Loneliness on the Psychological Well-Being of College Students. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity, 2017; 60–64. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijssh.2017.V7.796
Doman LCH, Le Roux A. The relationship between loneliness and psychological well-being among third-year students: a cross-cultural investigation. International Journal of Culture and Mental Health, 2012;5(3): 153–168. https://doi.org/10.1080/17542863.2011.579389
Tani M, Cheng Z, Piracha M, Wang BZ. Ageing, Health, Loneliness and Wellbeing. Social Indicators Research, 2022;160(2–3): 791–807. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-020-02450-4
Diener E, Wirtz D, Tov W, Kim-Prieto C, Choi D won, Oishi S, et al. New Well-being Measures: Short Scales to Assess Flourishing and Positive and Negative Feelings. Social Indicators Research, 2010;97(2): 143–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9493-y
Telef BB. The adaptation of psychological well-being into Turkish: a validity and reliability study. 11th Psychological Counseling and Guidance Congress, 3–5 October, Selçuk- İzmir.; 2011. P.100–109.
Telef BB. The adaptation of psychological well-being into Turkish: a validity and reliability study. H. U. Journal of Education, 2013;28(3): 374–384.
DiTommaso E, Spinner B. The development and initial validation of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA). Personality and Individual Differences, 1993;14(1): 127–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8869(93)90182-3
Sathyanarayana S, Mohanasundaram T. Fit indices in structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis: reporting guidelines. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 2024;24(7): 561–577. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajeba/2024/v24i71430
Hair JF, Black WC, Babin BJ, Anderson RE. Multivariate Data Analysis (8th ed.). Cengage Learning; 2019.
Fornell C, Larcker DF. Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error. Journal of Marketing Research, 1981;18(1): 39. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151312
Tabachnick BG, Fidell LS. Using multivariate statistics (Sixth edition). United States: Pearson Education; 2013.
Schober P, Boer C, Schwarte LA. Correlation Coefficients: Appropriate Use and Interpretation. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 2018;126(5): 1763–1768. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000002864
Ryff CD. Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1989;57(6): 1069–1081. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069
Bajramovic I, Bjelica D, Krivokapic D, Likic S, Jeleskovic E, Curic M, Vukovic J. Gender differences in physical activity, physical fitness and well-being of students during the lock-down due to Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Anthropology of Sport and Physical Education, 2022;6(1): 21–23. https://doi.org/10.26773/jaspe.220104
Nakajima C, Tomida K, Shimoda T, Kawakami A, Shimada H. Sex differences in the relationship between exercise habits and loneliness among older adults: a cross‐sectional study. Psychogeriatrics, 2025;25(3): e70027. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyg.70027
Gyasi RM, Phillips DR, Asante F, Boateng S. Physical activity and predictors of loneliness in community-dwelling older adults: The role of social connectedness. Geriatric Nursing, 2021;42(2): 592–598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.11.004
Alessandri E, Rose D, Wasley D. Health and Wellbeing in Higher Education: A Comparison of Music and Sport Students Through the Framework of Self Determination Theory. Frontiers in Psychology, 2020;11: 566307. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.566307
Onuray Eğilmez H. Comparison of the well-being of students of sports sciences, theology and music education. Manisa Celal Bayar University Journal of Social Sciences, 2020;18(04): 297–310. https://doi.org/10.18026/cbayarsos.695929
Kara NŞ, Çetin MÇ, Dönmez A, Kara M, Genç Hİ. A Study on the Relationship between the Levels of Loneliness and Smartphone Addiction of Students who are Studying at the Faculty of Sports Science. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 2020;6(2): 213–218. https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.522.2020.62.213.218
Kaya M, Erdem C. Students’ Well-Being and Academic Achievement: A Meta-Analysis Study. Child Indicators Research, 2021;14(5): 1743–1767. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-021-09821-4
Malakcioglu C. Emotional loneliness, perceived stress, and academic burnout of medical students after the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 2024;15: 1370845. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1370845
Judijanto L, Mulyapradana A. Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Psychological Well-Being in Indonesia. Sciences du Nord Humanities and Social Sciences, 2024;1(02): 77–84. https://doi.org/10.58812/snhss.v1i2.28
Black KJ, DePhillips OC, Britt TW. I Can Afford to Relax: Relating Perceived Income Adequacy to Recovery and Health. Occupational Health Science, 2025;9(1): 131–153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41542-024-00200-3
Kızılırmak Tatu M. Examining the correlation between smartphone addiction and social and emotional loneliness levels of nursing students. Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, 2024; 166–174. https://doi.org/10.14744/phd.2023.93707
Uluç EA. The relationship between psychological well-being and psychological vulnerability: the example of athletes struggling in intercollegiate competitions. Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science, 2022;5(4): 1035–1047. https://doi.org/10.38021asbid.1194403
Simons EE, Bird MD. Coach-athlete relationship, social support, and sport-related psychological well-being in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I student-athletes. Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education, 2023;17(3): 191–210. https://doi.org/10.1080/19357397.2022.2060703
Owen KB, Manera KE, Clare PJ, Lim MH, Smith BJ, Phongsavan P, et al. Sport Participation Trajectories and Loneliness: Evidence From the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2024;21(12): 1341–1350. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0319
Garcia D, Archer T, Moradi S, Andersson-Arntén AC. Exercise Frequency, High Activation Positive Affect, and Psychological Well-Being: Beyond Age, Gender, and Occupation. Psychology, 2012;03(04): 328–336. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2012.34047
Yonar S, Demir İ. The role of attachment and dating anxiety in predicting romantic loneliness among emerging adults. Journal of Research in Education and Society, 2020;7(2): 517–542.
Appelqvist-Schmidlechner K, Heikkinen R, Vasankari T, Virtanen T, Pihlainen K, Honkanen T, et al. Relationships between psychosocial well-being and leisure time physical activity among 160.000 young Finnish men: a cross-sectional study during 2015–2021. Archives of Public Health, 2023;81(1): 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-023-01040-3
Liao T, Yin Y, Hu X, Tang S, Shim Y. The relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being in Chinese university students: the mediating roles of perceived health, social support and self-esteem. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 2023;5: 1280404. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1280404
Ma C, Johnston D, Kim K, Zhang Y. Impact of Physical Exercise on College Students’ Loneliness: The Mediating Role of Social Support. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2024;11(6): 281–301. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.116.17192
Musich S, Wang SS, Schaeffer JA, Kraemer S, Wicker E, Yeh CS. The association of physical activity with loneliness, social isolation, and selected psychological protective factors among older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 2022;47: 87–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.07.006
Kim J, Lee S, Chun S, Han A, Heo J. The effects of leisure-time physical activity for optimism, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and positive affect among older adults with loneliness. Annals of Leisure Research, 2017;20(4): 406–415. https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2016.1238308
Oshimi D, Kinoshita K, Yamashita R. The mediating role of sport-specific PERMA in the relationship between physical activity/passive sport and global well-being/loneliness. Journal of Leisure Research, 2025;56(2): 274–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2023.2287009
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Anıl Siyahtaş, Cemal Güler, Bülent Duran
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright Holder - Author(s). more
Abstract views: 928 / PDF downloads: 682
