The Effect Of A Smart-quality Physical Education On Mental Health And Well-being In 4th&6th Graders

PURPOSE: Recognizing the growing concerns over youth mental health, this study investigated the effectiveness of a 12-week Smart-Quality Physical Education (QPE) intervention on psychological well-being (PWB), resilience, and depressive symptoms among fourth- and sixth-grade students. METHODS: A total of 259 students (228 fourth graders and 31 sixth graders) from seven elementary schools and one middle school voluntarily participated in this single-group within-subject study. Two weeks before and after the 12-week Smart QPE intervention, participants completed three questionnaires: the Five Well-Being Index consisting of five items with a 6-point Likert scale, higher score indicating greater well-being; the 2-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale with a 5-point Liker scale, higher scores reflecting greater resilience; and the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children with a 4-point Likert scale, higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms. Paired sample t-tests and effect size were conducted to assess the significance and magnitude of changes in these three outcomes. RESULTS: The Smart-QPE intervention led to significant improvements in PWB (t = 4.910, p < .001, Cohen’s d = 0.306). However, students showed a significant increase in depressive symptoms (t = -5.76, p < .001). Students did not show significant changes in resilience (t = 0.659, p < .05) CONCLUSION: The 12-week Smart QPE intervention is effective in improving psychological well-being in youth. Further research should investigate the role of Smart QPE in improving or worsening resilience and depressive symptoms in fourth- and sixth-grade children. Supported by: Michigan Health Endowment Fund