Physical activities and psychological resilience on employment anxiety among Guangdong university graduates

Authors

  • Dehua Zhang Philippine Christian University, Manila, Philippines Author
  • Junchu He Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China Author
  • Jiacheng Yuan Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China Author
  • Xiaohua Su Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63313/SSH.9058

Keywords:

University graduates, physical activities, psychological resilience, employment anxiety

Abstract

Objective This study aims to explore the direct impact and interaction between physical activities and psychological resilience on university graduates' employment anxiety from the perspective of clinical psychology, and to examine the mediating effect of psychological resilience in the relationship between physical activities and employment anxiety. Methods A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and a questionnaire survey was conducted on 373 university graduates from Guangdong Province using convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, stratified regression analysis, and mediation effect tests were performed using SPSS 26.0 and the PROCESS macro program. Results (1) university graduates' physical activities level (r = -0.45, p <0.001) and psychological resilience (r = -0.33, p <0.001) were both significantly negatively correlated with employment anxiety. (2) Stratified regression analysis showed that physical activities (β = -0.32, p <0.001) and psychological resilience (β = -0.28, p <0.001) independently and significantly negatively predicted employment anxiety. (3) Mediation effect analysis showed that psychological resilience played a partial mediating role between physical activities and employment anxiety, with a mediation effect value of -0.15, accounting for 32% of the total effect. Conclusion This study indicates that high levels of physical activities and strong psychological resilience are important protective factors for university graduates coping with employment anxiety. Physical activities can not only directly alleviate anxiety symptoms but also indirectly reduce employment anxiety by improving individuals' psychological resilience.

References

[1] Chen, L., & Zeng, S. (2021). The Relationship Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Employment Anxiety of Graduates During COVID-19: The Moderating Role of Career Planning. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 694785.

[2] Ma Jing, Zhang LAN. Research Progress on cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders [J]. International Journal of Psychiatry, 2022, 49(5): 773-775.

[3] Li, N., Wang, D., Zhao, X., Li, Z., & Zhang, L. (2024). The association between physical exercise behavior and psychological resilience of teenagers: an examination of the chain mediating effect. Scientific reports, 14(1), 9372.

[4] Shu Peng. (2022). The Impact of Psychological Resilience of College Graduates on Employment Anxiety: It has a moderating mediating effect. (Doctoral dissertation, fujian normal university).

[5] Banyard, H., Edward, K. L., Garvey, L., Stephenson, J., Azevedo, L., & Benson, A. C. (2025). The Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Depression and Anxiety: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. International journal of mental health nursing, 34(3), e70054.

[6] Egan, L. A., Park, H. R. P., Lam, J., & Gatt, J. M. (2024). Resilience to Stress and Adversity: A Narrative Review of the Role of Positive Affect. Psychology research and behavior management, 17, 2011–2038.

[7] Masten, A. S., Lucke, C. M., Nelson, K. M., & Stallworthy, I. C. (2021). Resilience in Development and Psychopathology: Multisystem Perspectives. Annual review of clinical psychology, 17, 521–54.

[8] Stillman, C. M., Esteban-Cornejo, I., Brown, B., Bender, C. M., & Erickson, K. I. (2020). Effects of Exercise on Brain and Cognition Across Age Groups and Health States. Trends in neurosciences, 43(7), 533–543.

[9] Zhang, M., Jia, J., Yang, Y., Zhang, L., & Wang, X. (2023). Effects of exercise interventions on cognitive functions in healthy populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing research reviews, 92, 102116.

Downloads

Published

2026-01-19

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Physical activities and psychological resilience on employment anxiety among Guangdong university graduates. (2026). Social Sciences and Humanities, 3(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.63313/SSH.9058