The Mediating Role of Grit in the Relationship between Physical Self-Concept through Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being

The study provides a theoretical and practical basis for integrating grit-building interventions within physical activity programs aimed at improving mental health. The research seeks to establish empirical mental health outcomes. A total of 337 participants who engaged in regular physical activity between January and March 2025 were surveyed using standardized instruments measuring physical self-concept, grit, and psychological well-being. Structural equation modeling(SEM) was employed to analyze the data and test the hypothesized mediating pathways</br>The results reveal the grit significantly mediates the relationship between physical self-concept and psychological well-being. Specifically, self-esteem a core sub dimension of physical self-concept was found to exert a positive influence on key components of psychological well-being, including hedonic enjoyment, flow experience, self-actualization, and confidence. Grit functioned as a partial mediator in these associations, translation of positive physical self-concept into higher levels of psychological well-being. These findings underscore the dual importance of fostering both physical self-perceptions and psychological resilience traits such as grit in optimizing the well-being benefits derived from physical activity. The study provides a theoretical and practical basis for integrating integrating grit-building interventions within physical activity programs aimed at improving mental health.