Research Information System
Frontiers in Psychology, vol.16, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus)
Introduction: This study examined the associations among ruminative thinking style (RTS), subjective wellbeing (SWB), and cognitive-behavioral physical activity (CBPA) in a sample of 1,326 adolescents (aged 14–18) from sports high schools. Method: Using validated self-report measures, data were analyzed through bootstrapped mediation models. Results: RTS was negatively associated with SWB (β = −0.1792, p < 0.001), while CBPA showed a partial mediating effect in this relationship (indirect β = 0.0779, p < 0.001). Discussion: These results suggest that cognitive-behavioral orientations toward physical activity may buffer the negative impact of rumination on wellbeing. Consistent with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles, CBPA could provide adolescents with self-regulatory strategies that support mental health. However, the cross-sectional and self-report design, as well as the focus on sports high school students, limit causal inference and generalizability. Future longitudinal and cross-cultural studies are needed to confirm these findings. Overall, the study provides preliminary evidence that CBPA-informed approaches may hold promise for promoting adolescents' mental wellbeing.