# Investigating the relationships between physical activity, mindful self-compassion, and well-being among Chinese adolescents: the Exercise Self-Esteem Model Revised with Self-Compassion 2.0

## TL;DR

This study shows that mindfulness and self-compassion during physical activity improve well-being in Chinese adolescents, suggesting that health programs should include these practices.

## Contribution

The study introduces the MCA-PA scale to demonstrate how mindful and compassionate awareness during exercise enhances well-being, extending the EXSEM-SC model.

## Key findings

- MCA-PA and self-compassion mediate the relationship between physical activity and well-being in adolescents.
- Moderate- and low-intensity activities like walking or yoga promote greater mindful and compassionate awareness.
- Health programs should combine mindfulness and physical activity to improve psychological outcomes in adolescents.

## Abstract

Physical activity is widely recognised as beneficial for well‑being, yet the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship, particularly those involving mindfulness and self‑compassion, remain insufficiently examined. The Exercise and Self‑Esteem Model with Self‑Compassion (EXSEM‑SC) highlights the roles of exercise self‑efficacy and body compassion in fostering self‑compassion, but it does not address the contributions of mindfulness and interoceptive body awareness in mitigating self‑criticism associated with discomfort, inadequacy, or doubt during activity.

To address this gap, the present cross‑sectional study conducted in Hong Kong integrated the Mindful and Compassionate Awareness Scale for Physical Activity (MCA‑PA) to investigate associations among physical activity, MCA‑PA, self‑compassion, and well‑being.

Data were collected from 414 secondary school students (44.9% female; M = 14.95 years, SD = 1.60), and structural equation modelling confirmed that MCA‑PA and self‑compassion mediated the relationship between physical activity and well‑being, with no gender differences (CFI = 0.97, SRMR = 0.039, RMSEA = 0.065, 90% CI [0.00, 0.13]).

These findings underscore the importance of mindfulness and self‑compassion in explaining how physical activity enhances well‑being, suggesting that health promotion programs in educational and broader contexts should incorporate practices that cultivate mindful and compassionate awareness to strengthen psychological outcomes and support healthy behaviours.

What is already known about this topic:
Physical activity is consistently associated with improved subjective well-being, quality of life, and mental health across various populations.Self-compassion is positively associated with physical activity behaviours, motivation, and self-efficacy, supporting engagement and maintenance of physical activityThe Exercise Self-Esteem Model Revised with Self-Compassion (EXSEM-SC) demonstrates that exercise self-efficacy and body compassion mediate the relationship between physical activity and self-compassion, but it overlooks mindfulness and interoceptive awareness.

Physical activity is consistently associated with improved subjective well-being, quality of life, and mental health across various populations.

Self-compassion is positively associated with physical activity behaviours, motivation, and self-efficacy, supporting engagement and maintenance of physical activity

The Exercise Self-Esteem Model Revised with Self-Compassion (EXSEM-SC) demonstrates that exercise self-efficacy and body compassion mediate the relationship between physical activity and self-compassion, but it overlooks mindfulness and interoceptive awareness.

What this topic adds:
The Mindful and Compassionate Awareness Scale for Physical Activity (MCA-PA) effectively mediates the relationship between physical activity and well-being, emphasising the role of mindful and compassionate engagement during exercise.Moderate- and low-intensity physical activities, such as walking or yoga, foster greater mindful and compassionate awareness compared to high-intensity activities, promoting self-compassion and psychological well-being.Health promotion programs should integrate mindfulness and self-compassion training with physical activity interventions to enhance psychological well-being, particularly in adolescent populations.

The Mindful and Compassionate Awareness Scale for Physical Activity (MCA-PA) effectively mediates the relationship between physical activity and well-being, emphasising the role of mindful and compassionate engagement during exercise.

Moderate- and low-intensity physical activities, such as walking or yoga, foster greater mindful and compassionate awareness compared to high-intensity activities, promoting self-compassion and psychological well-being.

Health promotion programs should integrate mindfulness and self-compassion training with physical activity interventions to enhance psychological well-being, particularly in adolescent populations.