An observational study in Depression and Life Satisfaction, sponsored by Bitlis Eren University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-09.
Sponsored by Bitlis Eren University · Observational
This observational, cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and mental health among university students, with particular emphasis on the potential mediating roles of perceived social support and self-esteem.
The study included 484 university students (309 males and 175 females). Data were collected through an online survey using standardized self-report questionnaires assessing physical activity, perceived social support, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction.
The primary objective was to examine whether perceived social support and self-esteem functioned as individual and sequential mediators in the associations between physical activity and mental health outcomes. Life satisfaction and depressive symptoms were evaluated as separate outcome variables.
Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 24 and the PROCESS macro version 4.0. Serial mediation analysis was employed to examine direct and indirect statistical associations between physical activity and the selected mental health indicators.
As an observational study, no intervention was administered, and the cross-sectional design was intended to assess associations rather than establish causal relationships.
This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between physical activity and mental health among university students, focusing on the potential mediating roles of perceived social support and self-esteem. Specifically, the study investigated whether perceived social support and self-esteem served as individual and sequential mediators in the associations between physical activity and two mental health indicators: life satisfaction and depressive symptoms.
The study included 484 university students (309 males and 175 females). Data were collected through an online survey using standardized self-report questionnaires. No experimental intervention was administered, and participants were not assigned to treatment or control groups.
Five measurement instruments were used to assess the study variables. The Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3) measured physical activity based on exercise intensity, duration, and frequency. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) assessed perceived support from family, friends, and significant others. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) measured global self-esteem. The Depression Subscale of the Self-Report Inventory for Adolescents assessed self-reported depressive symptoms, while the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) evaluated participants' overall satisfaction with life.
Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 24 and the PROCESS macro version 4.0. Serial mediation analysis was used to examine the potential direct and indirect associations between physical activity and mental health outcomes.
In the analytical model, physical activity was specified as the independent variable (X), perceived social support as the first mediator (M1), and self-esteem as the second mediator (M2). Life satisfaction and depressive symptoms were analyzed separately as dependent variables (Y). The analysis examined indirect associations through perceived social support alone, self-esteem alone, and the sequential pathway from perceived social support to self-esteem.
The study was designed to investigate statistical associations and potential psychological pathways linking physical activity to mental health. Given its observational and cross-sectional design, the analysis was not intended to establish causal relationships.
8,577 studies on the registry are indexed under Depression; 1,720 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 484 is above the median of 175 across 1,257 observational studies indexed under Depression.
Browse Depression studies →Bitlis Eren University is the lead sponsor of 51 studies on the registry; 17 are open to participants now.
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The study population consisted of university students enrolled at Bitlis Eren University during the 2025-2026 academic year. The study included students who voluntarily agreed to participate and completed an online questionnaire. The research examined the relationships between physical activity, perceived social support, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction among university students.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
-No additional exclusion criteria were specified in the study protocol.
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
An online survey method was employed involving 484 university students (309 males, 175 females) selected through random sampling.
Life Satisfaction Score
The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) consists of five items rated on a seven-point Likert scale. The mean score ranges from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating greater life satisfaction.
Time frame: Baseline (single assessment at enrollment)
Depressive Symptoms Score
Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 16-item Depression subscale of the Youth Self-Report (YSR). Each item is scored from 0 to 2. The mean score ranges from 0 to 2, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline (single assessment at enrollment)
Physical Activity Level
Physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3), which consists of three items measuring exercise intensity, duration, and frequency. The total physical activity score was calculated using the formula: Intensity × (Duration - 1) × Frequency. The theoretical score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater levels of physical activity.
Time frame: Baseline (single assessment at enrollment)
Plan to share: Yes — Anonymized individual participant data, including questionnaire responses on physical activity, perceived social support, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction, will be shared with other researchers upon reasonable request.
Supporting information: Informed consent form
Time frame: The anonymized individual participant data will be available after publication of the study and will remain available for ten years.
Access criteria: Researchers conducting scientifically sound research will be able to access anonymized participant data and relevant supporting documentation upon reasonable request to the corresponding author. Access will be granted subject to ethical and confidentiality requirements.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Ran from Mar 2026 to primary completion in Apr 2026, 1 month.
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From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Bitlis Eren University