Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

Structural Relationships between Mindfulness, Positive Emotions, and Physical Self-Efficacy with Sports Participation and Mental Health in Adolescent Girls

Document Type : Original research

Authors
Elaheh Medadi Nansa 1
Hassan Helaliagdam 2
Zoleikha Alizadeh Nasrabade olya 1
1 Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 889-14665 Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Physical Education, Farhangian University, P.O. Box 889-14665 Tehran, Iran.
10.22089/spsyj.2025.18728.2627
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the structural relationships between mindfulness, positive emotions, and physical self-efficacy with sports participation and mental health in adolescent girls.
Materials and Methods: The present study is a correlational study using structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all female high school students in Tabriz. Among the female students, 384 were selected through convenience sampling. The Adolescent and Adult Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children were used to measure the variables. Structural equation modeling using PLS statistical software was employed for statistical analysis.
Findings: The path analysis results showed that there is a significant structural relationship between mindfulness and sports participation, mental health, positive emotions, and physical self-efficacy. Furthermore, positive emotions significantly mediated the relationship between mindfulness and sports participation as well as mental health. Finally, physical self-efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between mindfulness and sports participation as well as mental health. The results related to model fit indices indicated that the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) was 0.92, the Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) was 0.94, the Normed Fit Index (NFI) was 0.93, and the Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) was 0.95, all of which indicate a good model fit.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that adolescents with higher levels of mindfulness participate significantly more in sports activities and enjoy better mental health. Additionally, positive emotions and a high sense of physical self-efficacy are identified as key and determining factors in the relationship between mindfulness and both sports participation and mental health in adolescents.
Keywords
Mindfulness
Emotion Regulation
Sports Participation
Psychological Well-Being
Adolescents
Subjects
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Sport Psychology Studies
Volume 15, Issue 56
Spring 2026
Pages 60-77

  • Receive Date 26 October 2025
  • Revise Date 07 December 2025
  • Accept Date 09 December 2025