Physical literacy and adult mental health: A cross-sectional survey study

Physical literacy is proposed to influence an individual's physical, psychological, cognitive and social well-being. However, it is unclear whether physical literacy is reduced in adults experiencing poor mental health. The current research aimed to compare physical literacy levels between individuals experiencing poor mental health and those not currently experiencing poor mental health. To examine this aim, physical literacy (Physical Literacy for Adults Scale) and psychological distress (Kessler 10) were assessed in those with (n  = 59) and without (n  = 179) a mental health diagnosis. Adults with a diagnosed disorder had lower physical literacy compared to those without a mental health diagnosis. Furthermore, correlation analysis based on the whole sample identified a weak negative correlation between physical literacy and psychological distress, suggesting that higher distress is associated with lower physical literacy. These findings indicate a relationship between physical literacy and mental health. Future research is needed to examine the role of mental health symptomology and other mediating variables in the relationship between mental health and physical literacy.