Physical activity, resilience, and depressive symptoms in Chinese college students: gender differences in mediating pathways'.

Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between physical activity and depression levels among college students, while examining the mediating role of resilience and the impact of gender differences. Methods: Using measurement tools such as the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the Adolescent Resilience Scale, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 2,000 college students in Chongqing, China. The data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 26.0, including difference analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and Bootstrap analysis, and the structural equation model was established using AMOS 26.0 software. Results: (1) From the perspective of gender differences, male college students exhibit a significantly higher level of physical activity than female students, while also demonstrating significantly lower levels of depression. (2) There is a significant correlation between physical activity, resilience, and depression levels of college students. (3) The level of physical activity exhibits a direct negative correlation with depression levels among college students, with resilience playing a partial mediating role between the two. (4) In the mediation models stratified by gender, physical activity demonstrates greater direct explanatory power for depression among male students, whereas female students exhibit a stronger mediated explanatory power. Conclusion: Regular participation in physical activities is an important way to improve the mental health level of college students. As much as possible, college students should be encouraged and supported to participate in physical activities (such as organizing fun sports meetings, sports clubs), which holds positive direct or indirect implications for preventing or reducing the incidence of depression.