A chain mediation model reveals the association between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life in college students

Abstract Exploring the relationship between and the sense of meaning in life among college students, as well as the mediating roles of time management disposition and achievement motivation in this association. A convenience sampling method was used to survey 517 university students in Liaoning Prov...

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Main Authors: Hongbo Zhao, Yaqi Li, Lei Shi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13710-z
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author Hongbo Zhao
Yaqi Li
Lei Shi
author_facet Hongbo Zhao
Yaqi Li
Lei Shi
author_sort Hongbo Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Exploring the relationship between and the sense of meaning in life among college students, as well as the mediating roles of time management disposition and achievement motivation in this association. A convenience sampling method was used to survey 517 university students in Liaoning Province, employing scales measuring , time management disposition, achievement motivation, and sense of meaning in life. (1) Physical exercise showed a significant positive correlation with meaning in life, demonstrating clear direct predictive effects; (2) Physical exercise positively predicted time management disposition, which in turn positively predicted both achievement motivation and meaning in life, with achievement motivation also positively predicting meaning in life; (3) Time management disposition and achievement motivation served as significant mediators between physical exercise and meaning in life, with three identified mediation pathways: physical exercise → time management disposition → meaning in life; physical exercise → achievement motivation → meaning in life; and physical exercise → time management disposition → achievement motivation → meaning in life. (1) Physical exercise significantly and positively predicts college students’ sense of meaning in life; (2) Time management disposition and achievement motivation each serve as mediators, while also functioning as sequential mediators in the relationship between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life.
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spelling doaj-art-b720ce5e217c4d68ad499b74b17b6d3e2025-08-20T04:01:51ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-13710-zA chain mediation model reveals the association between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life in college studentsHongbo Zhao0Yaqi Li1Lei Shi2Liaoning Normal UniversityLiaoning Normal UniversityLiaoning Normal UniversityAbstract Exploring the relationship between and the sense of meaning in life among college students, as well as the mediating roles of time management disposition and achievement motivation in this association. A convenience sampling method was used to survey 517 university students in Liaoning Province, employing scales measuring , time management disposition, achievement motivation, and sense of meaning in life. (1) Physical exercise showed a significant positive correlation with meaning in life, demonstrating clear direct predictive effects; (2) Physical exercise positively predicted time management disposition, which in turn positively predicted both achievement motivation and meaning in life, with achievement motivation also positively predicting meaning in life; (3) Time management disposition and achievement motivation served as significant mediators between physical exercise and meaning in life, with three identified mediation pathways: physical exercise → time management disposition → meaning in life; physical exercise → achievement motivation → meaning in life; and physical exercise → time management disposition → achievement motivation → meaning in life. (1) Physical exercise significantly and positively predicts college students’ sense of meaning in life; (2) Time management disposition and achievement motivation each serve as mediators, while also functioning as sequential mediators in the relationship between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13710-zPhysical exerciseA sense of meaning in lifeTime management inclinationAchievement motivation
spellingShingle Hongbo Zhao
Yaqi Li
Lei Shi
A chain mediation model reveals the association between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life in college students
Scientific Reports
Physical exercise
A sense of meaning in life
Time management inclination
Achievement motivation
title A chain mediation model reveals the association between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life in college students
title_full A chain mediation model reveals the association between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life in college students
title_fullStr A chain mediation model reveals the association between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life in college students
title_full_unstemmed A chain mediation model reveals the association between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life in college students
title_short A chain mediation model reveals the association between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life in college students
title_sort chain mediation model reveals the association between physical exercise and sense of meaning in life in college students
topic Physical exercise
A sense of meaning in life
Time management inclination
Achievement motivation
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-13710-z
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