Atividade física e saúde mental de estudantes do ensino médio e EJA

Abstract

This research aimed to understand the relationship between physical activity and mental health in high school students and those in Adult and Youth Education (EJA), recognizing its impact on the general population. Conducted at the State School Claudizete Lima in Rio Largo, Alagoas, the study adopted an observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive approach. Regularly enrolled students present during the 1st and 2nd visits were included, while those with visual impairments (blind or with low vision) or motor impairments (paralysis or recent fractures) were excluded. The research occurred in several stages, starting with inviting classes and then collecting signed consent forms, directing students to the computer lab to complete the questionnaire. Some questions were asked to characterize participants' demographic profile, including age, gender, mother's education, and family income (Annex A). The questionnaire was structured to respect students' age range and addressed levels of physical activity, psychological stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. Instruments used in the research included the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, applied only to those over 18 years old in the short version), the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (QAFA, applied only to adolescents aged 15 to 18 years), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale for Adolescents (EDAE-A). Although the results did not reveal significant associations between levels of physical activity and mental health in students, nor with maternal income or education, a correlation between gender and more severe mental health indicators was highlighted, with women being more affected. These findings emphasize the importance of considering multiple factors in understanding students' mental health and suggest the need for future research to elucidate this complex relationship.