The Impact of a Sedentary Lifestyle on Mental Health: The Role of Physical Activity, Social Support, and Sleep Quality
Keywords:
Sedentary Lifestyle, Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety Disorder, Physical ActivityAbstract
This study examines the impact of a sedentary lifestyle on mental health, a growing concern in the context of modern technological and urbanized societies. The increasing prevalence of prolonged sitting, excessive screen time, and reduced physical activity has been linked to a rise in mental health problems, including Depression, Anxiety Disorder, and stress. The objective of this research is to analyze the relationship between sedentary behavior and mental health, as well as to identify the roles of mediating and moderating variables such as physical activity, social support, and sleep quality. This study employs a quantitative research design involving a sample of students and office workers, with data collected through a sedentary behavior questionnaire and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Data analysis techniques include descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression to examine the strength and direction of relationships between variables. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between sedentary lifestyle and poor mental health outcomes, showing that individuals with higher levels of sedentary behavior tend to experience greater psychological distress. The findings support existing theoretical frameworks, including behavioral, biological, and social isolation theories, highlighting the multifaceted mechanisms underlying this relationship. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of reducing sedentary behavior and promoting active lifestyles as essential strategies for improving mental health. The results provide valuable contributions to both theory and practice, offering insights for individuals, educational institutions, workplaces, and policymakers in addressing the mental health challenges associated with sedentary living.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Karuma Farwah, Aqilah Najamatul Hayah , Nadiya Maulid
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