Effects of physical activity and resilience on anxiety in China children: a mediating model with moderating effects

Anxiety disorders in children exist on a continuum, ranging from mild symptoms to full clinical diagnoses, underscoring the need for early intervention to reduce long-term effects. Physical activity (PA) has gained attention as a potential, cost-effective intervention. However, the role of psychological resilience (PR) as an intermediary and the impact of parenting styles (PS) as moderators require deeper exploration.

The aim of this study was to construct a moderated mediation model to explore how physical activity (PA) influences anxiety via perceived resilience (PR), while examining the moderating effects of parenting styles (rejection, emotional warmth, overprotection) in this relationship.

This study involved a cross-sectional survey of 1,094 Chinese children aged 10-16 years, enrolled in public schools in Zhuhai, Guangdong.

The participants were selected through a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling technique to ensure demographic diversity. The sample consisted of 49% male participants, with 43% from primary schools, 43% from junior high schools, and 14% from senior high schools.

The data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software. The PROCESS macro model was employed to investigate the mediating and moderating effects of parental rearing styles, including rejection, emotional warmth, and overprotection.

Mediation and moderated mediation analyses revealed that PA significantly predicted reduced anxiety symptoms. Parenting styles moderated the PA-resilience pathway: (1) emotional warmth strengthened the association (2) rejection and overprotection attenuated it.

Physical exercise alleviates children's anxiety by bolstering mental resilience, with parental rearing styles playing a crucial regulatory role.