Sedentary Lifestyle and Depressive Symptoms Among College Students
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Psychology
Minor
Sociology
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Gage Jordan PhD
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
This in-progress study seeks to examine how sedentary behavior (e.g., activities that require a significant amount of time spent sitting) predicts depression, with birth-assigned sex taken into account (i.e., whether or not this relationship differs based on being a biological male or biological female). Prior research has focused on explaining this relationship by looking at a myriad of factors; for example, how body image perceptions, dietary patterns, sleep status, and engagement in daily exercise may strengthen or mitigate this relationship. Thus, we wish to further expand upon this literature base by 1) attempting to replicate previous findings in a student sample; and 2) exploring other factors which may add explanatory value to the sedentariness and depression relationship. We are currently collecting data from undergraduate students at Murray State University via the SONA system. We expect that sedentary behavior and depression will be positively associated, such that engagement in more sedentary behaviors will be associated with greater depressive symptoms. We also predict the relationship between sedentary behavior and depression will be moderated by birth-assigned sex, such that biological females will show higher rates of sedentary behaviors and depression compared to biological men. Lastly, we predict that compared to sedentariness in the context of leisurely activities, sedentariness in the context of the workplace will be associated with greater depressive symptoms. Results may inform our understanding of risk factors for depression that may persist at work or school and how to limit the negative effects of sedentariness in these settings.
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Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Sedentary Lifestyle and Depressive Symptoms Among College Students
This in-progress study seeks to examine how sedentary behavior (e.g., activities that require a significant amount of time spent sitting) predicts depression, with birth-assigned sex taken into account (i.e., whether or not this relationship differs based on being a biological male or biological female). Prior research has focused on explaining this relationship by looking at a myriad of factors; for example, how body image perceptions, dietary patterns, sleep status, and engagement in daily exercise may strengthen or mitigate this relationship. Thus, we wish to further expand upon this literature base by 1) attempting to replicate previous findings in a student sample; and 2) exploring other factors which may add explanatory value to the sedentariness and depression relationship. We are currently collecting data from undergraduate students at Murray State University via the SONA system. We expect that sedentary behavior and depression will be positively associated, such that engagement in more sedentary behaviors will be associated with greater depressive symptoms. We also predict the relationship between sedentary behavior and depression will be moderated by birth-assigned sex, such that biological females will show higher rates of sedentary behaviors and depression compared to biological men. Lastly, we predict that compared to sedentariness in the context of leisurely activities, sedentariness in the context of the workplace will be associated with greater depressive symptoms. Results may inform our understanding of risk factors for depression that may persist at work or school and how to limit the negative effects of sedentariness in these settings.