Psychology, Physical Activity, and Student Wellbeing

Background

This symposium, at the 5th International Conference on Social Psychology and Humanity Studies, examines the crossing field of Psychology, Physical Activity, and Student Wellbeing. Student wellbeing has become an increasingly important concern across educational settings. Students experience academic pressures, social demands, financial uncertainty, changing patterns of social connection, and challenges associated with maintaining healthy lifestyles. Physical activity is increasingly recognised as an important component of wellbeing, with potential benefits for psychological health, mood, stress management, social connection, and broader quality of life. However, the relationship between physical activity and student wellbeing is complex. It is influenced by motivation, identity, self-efficacy, social environments, access to opportunities, and students’ previous experiences of physical activity. Understanding these psychological and behavioural factors is important for developing approaches that move beyond simply encouraging students to “be more active” and instead create conditions in which physical activity can make a meaningful contribution to student wellbeing.

Goal/Rationale

This research topic addresses the need to better understand how psychological processes shape the relationship between physical activity and student wellbeing. Although physical activity is often promoted as a strategy for improving student health, participation remains uneven, and interventions do not benefit all students equally. Greater attention is therefore needed to the mechanisms that influence participation, adherence, enjoyment, and wellbeing outcomes. Recent developments in behavioural science, positive psychology, digital health, ecological approaches, and personalised interventions provide new opportunities to examine these relationships in more sophisticated ways. Contributions may consider how physical activity can be designed, delivered, and supported to enhance psychological wellbeing while recognising differences between students and their social and educational contexts. The topic also seeks to identify practical approaches for universities, schools, practitioners, and policymakers to create environments that support sustainable participation and positive wellbeing.

Scope

Contributors are invited to address theoretical, empirical, methodological, and applied perspectives on the intersection of psychology, physical activity, and student wellbeing. Relevant themes include:

• Psychological determinants of physical activity participation and maintenance.
• Motivation, self‑efficacy, identity, enjoyment, and exercise adherence.
• Physical activity and stress, anxiety, mood, resilience, and psychological wellbeing.
• Social connection, belonging, and group‑based physical activity.
• Sedentary behaviour, digital lifestyles, and student wellbeing.
• Technology‑supported and digitally delivered physical‑activity interventions.
• Inclusive approaches for students with different needs, backgrounds, and levels of physical activity.
• Behaviour‑change strategies and intervention design.
• Measurement of physical activity and psychological wellbeing.
• Implications for educational institutions, practitioners, and public‑health policy.

The session welcomes interdisciplinary contributions that connect psychological theory with practical approaches to improving student wellbeing through physical activity.