The Mediating Role of Loneliness in The Relationship Between Physical Activity Environment and Mental Wellbeing in Athletes

This study examines the mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between physical activity enjoyment and mental well-being among athletes. The study used a correlational survey design, a quantitative research method. The study sample consisted of 350 athletes selected via criterion sampling. Of the athletes, 178 were female (mean age = 20.58 ± 1.99) and 172 were male (mean age = 21.91 ± 4.88). The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale were used as data collection tools in the study. It was confirmed that the data followed a normal distribution, and relationships between variables were examined using Pearson correlation analysis. Mediation analysis was performed using SPSS PROCESS Model 4, and confidence intervals for indirect effects were calculated using 5000 bootstrap samples. A significant positive association was found between enjoyment of physical activity and mental well-being; a negative association was found between enjoyment of physical activity and loneliness; and a negative association was also observed between loneliness and mental well-being. Mediation analysis indicates that the direct effect of physical activity on mental well-being is significant (β = 0.5509, p < .001), that physical activity hurts loneliness (β = −0.1966, p < .001), and that loneliness negatively affects mental well- being (β = −0.4474, p < .001). Furthermore, the indirect effect of physical activity on mental well-being via loneliness was significant (indirect effect: β = 0.0880, BootLLCI = 0.0420, BootULCI = 0.1471), indicating that loneliness acts as a mediating variable in this relationship. The study demonstrates that the enjoyment athletes derive from physical activity plays a significant role in enhancing mental well-being and that loneliness acts as a mediating variable in this relationship. It is emphasized that sports environments can support psychological well-being by increasing social interaction.