Purpose: Flourishing and mental health in the prediction of health behaviors such as exercise has been understudied. Positive emotions may promote, and negative emotions hinder protective health behaviors; however, the direction of these associations is unclear. The objective here was to investigate possible associations prospectively.
Design: Longitudinal cohort study.
Setting: National.
Sample: The Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study of Seventh-day Adventists provided longitudinal data from 2006 to 2007 and 2010 to 2011 (n = 5789).
Measures: Flourishing was based on 6 measures of social functioning (positive social exchanges, negative social exchanges, religious emotional support given, received, and anticipated, and negative interactions) and 4 measures of psychological functioning (mastery, self-esteem, spiritual meaning, and perceived stress). The positivity ratio was the ratio of positive to negative emotions assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule.
Analysis: Linear multiple regression and mediation.
Results: Flourishing worked indirectly through the positivity ratio to predict a later increase in exercise over the course of 3 to 5 years. Tests of mediation suggest that the association of flourishing with later exercise was indirect through an increased ratio of positive to negative affect. Initial exercise frequency was also associated with later improved flourishing and positivity ratio scores over the same period.
Conclusion: The association of mental health and exercise is likely bidirectional. Exercise improves mental health, and those that have better psychosocial functioning have better mood and are more likely to increase exercise behaviors over time. Exercise is likely integral to mental health in mid to late life.
Keywords: emotion; exercise; flourishing; mental health; negative affect; physical activity; positive affect; positivity; positivity ratio; psychological health.