Relationship between physical exercise and mental health of college students: Chain mediating role of fulfillment of basic psychological needs and peer relationships

Physical exercise plays a key role in improving college students’ mental health. This study explored the relationship between physical exercise and the mental health of college students, as well as the mediating roles of fulfillment of basic psychological needs and peer relationships in this relationship. We used the Physical Exercise Scale, Fulfillment of Basic Psychological Needs Scale, Peer Relationship Scale, and Mental Health Scale to measure the physical and mental health of 1,649 college students. The results showed that physical exercise was positively correlated with mental health. Fulfillment of basic psychological needs and peer relationships had both independent mediating effects and chain mediating effects in the relationship between physical exercise and mental health. We explain the relationship between physical exercise and mental health, which has important practical significance for improving the mental health of college students.