title: Physical Activity, Exercise Motivations, Depression, and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Youth.
abstract: This study explored the relationship between physical activity, depression, and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in 167 high school and undergraduate students (mean age = 17.37, range 14-25). Results indicated that NSSI frequency had a significant negative relationship with physical activity, and physical activity moderated the relationship between depressive symptoms and self-harm. Specifically, high levels of depressive symptoms and low levels of physical activity had the greatest frequency of NSSI. Lastly, appearance-based exercise motivations were significantly related to increased frequencies of NSSI. Overall, physical activity may possess a protective nature against NSSI, especially in individuals with depressive symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Shannon D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Sciences, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, USA. amy.brausch@wku.edu.
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Brausch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D035841:Behavioral Research; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D065840:Protective Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology