A1 Journal article (refereed)
Moderating effect of leisure-time physical activity on the relationship between bullying victimisation and self-esteem in young Finnish men (2024)
Appelqvist-Schmidlechner, K., Heikkinen, R., Vasankari, T., Virtanen, T., Pihlainen, K., Honkanen, T., Kyröläinen, H., & Vaara, J. P. (2024). Moderating effect of leisure-time physical activity on the relationship between bullying victimisation and self-esteem in young Finnish men. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 26, Article 100595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100595
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Appelqvist-Schmidlechner, Kaija; Heikkinen, Risto; Vasankari, Tommi; Virtanen, Toni; Pihlainen, Kai; Honkanen, Tuomas; Kyröläinen, Heikki; Vaara, Jani P.
Journal or series: Mental Health and Physical Activity
ISSN: 1755-2966
eISSN: 1878-0199
Publication year: 2024
Publication date: 02/04/2024
Volume: 26
Article number: 100595
Publisher: Elsevier
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100595
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94642
Abstract
The links between bullying victimisation and low self-esteem are well established. However, the relationship between physical activity (PA), bullying victimisation and self-esteem is still rather unexplored. The present study aims to investigate the moderating effect of PA on the relationship between bullying victimisation and self-esteem among young men.
Methods
The sample used for this study is based on registers of the Finnish Defence Forces and consists of questionnaire-based data collected from young healthy men (n = 146 767, aged 18–29 years, mean age 19 years) who started their conscript service during 2015–2021. Self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and bullying victimisation and leisure-time PA (LTPA) with single questions. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models and the aligned rank transform Anova model were calculated.
Results
The findings showed that there is a dose-response association of self-esteem with bullying victimisation and LTPA. Furthermore, a significant moderating effect of LTPA was found in the relationship between bullying victimisation and self-esteem. Vigorous LTPA at least once a week seems to lessen the negative effects of bullying victimisation on self-esteem.
Conclusions
LTPA may have the potential to buffer against negative mental health outcomes resulting from past experiences of bullying victimisation on a young person's self-esteem. More opportunities for LTPA to support self-esteem among young people should be provided, especially for vulnerable groups and those with limited resources and possibilities to engage with PA.
Keywords: school bullying; self-esteem; physical activity; physical training; young adults; men
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1
