Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

The Effect of Avoidance Academic Help-Seeking on Psychological Distress of Physical Education Students with the Mediating Role of Mind Wandering

Document Type : Original research

Authors
1 Department Of Education, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University Of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran.
2 Department Of Education, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University Of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
3 Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of avoidance academic help-seeking on psychological distress of physical education students with the mediating role of mind wandering.
Materials and Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlational based on the structural equation model. The statistical population of the study consisted of students from the Physical Education Department at the University of Sistan and Baluchestan during the academic year 2024–2025. Using stratified sampling based on gender, 212 participants were selected as the research sample. The data collection tools were the help-seeking avoidance, psychological distress, and mind wandering questionnaires. The structural equation model was used to analyze the data with the help of SmartPLS version 3 software.
Findings: Avoidance academic help-seeking had a positive and significant effect on students' mind wandering (P<0.01), mind wandering had a positive and significant effect on students' psychological distress (P<0.01), and avoidance academic help-seeking had a positive and significant effect on students' psychological distress through the mediation of mind wandering (P<0.01).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that students who avoid seeking help in completing academic assignments experience greater mind wandering, and this mind wandering also increases their psychological distress.
Keywords
Subjects

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Volume 15, Issue 57
Summer 2026
Pages 105-124

  • Receive Date 23 January 2026
  • Revise Date 21 April 2026
  • Accept Date 25 April 2026