The chain mediating effects of psychological resilience and social adaptability on the relationship between physical activity and mental health in Chinese university students

Mental health issues among university students have attracted increasing attention, underscoring the need to identify modifiable protective factors. This cross-sectional study examined the association between physical activity (PA) and mental health (MH) among Chinese university students, with a focus on the mediating roles of psychological resilience (PR) and social adaptability (SA). A sample of 519 students from three universities in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region completed validated questionnaires assessing PA (Physical Activity Rating Scale-3), MH (12-item General Health Questionnaire), PR (Adolescent Psychological Resilience Scale), and SA (Social Adaptability Scale). Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling with Bootstrap methods were employed to test direct and indirect effects. Results revealed that PA was positively correlated with PR, SA, and MH. PR and SA independently mediated the PA–MH relationship, and a significant sequential mediation pathway (PA → PR → SA → MH) was observed, indicating that PA was associated with better MH through the chain effects of PR and SA. These findings suggest that the MH benefits of PA may operate not only directly but also through an association with enhanced internal psychological resources and external SA. University health programs that integrate PA with resilience and social-skills interventions may help improve student MH.