Leisure time physical activity does not moderate the relationship between stress and psychological functioning in Norwegian adolescents

A number of variables have been shown to moderate the relationship between stress and psychological functioning. Physical activity (PA) has the potential to influence some of these variables but there is mixed evidence that PA can moderate the stress and mental well-being relationship among adolescents. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate if leisure time physical activity moderates the relationship between stress and psychological functioning (depression, anxiety, self-esteem) among Norwegian adolescents 13-18 years old (n = 1508). The data were analysed using analysis of variance (MANOVA and MANCOVA). In preliminary analyses, girls reported higher scores of depression and anxiety and boys scored higher on self-esteem. Interaction effects of gender by age were found on all outcome variables. Stress was positively associated with depression and anxiety, and negatively associated with self-esteem. Higher frequency of leisure time physical activity was weakly associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety, and higher levels of self-esteem. The primary analyses revealed no support for leisure time physical activity as a moderator of the association between stress and psychological functioning. The differences between the present study and similar ones were discussed.