The relationship between physical exercise and distress in a national sample of Canadians

This paper presents an empirical examination of the relationship between physical exercise and generalized distress within a stress process framework by examining how chronic strains, self-esteem, mastery, and social support influence this relationship. The analysis employed the 1994 wave of the National Population Health Survey consisting of a sample of 12,636 Canadians between 20 and 64 years of age. Findings suggest that physical exercise is a significant predictor of generalized distress independent of chronic strain, self-esteem and social support. However, mastery mediated the association between physical exercise and distress. Moreover, mastery moderated the relationship indicating that it is a more important resource for people who are inactive.