The Association Between Psychological Disorders and Physical Activity Among Saudi Women at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University

Introduction Psychological disorders are one of the leading causes of disability globally. Evidence suggests the positive role of physical activity on physical and mental health in various countries. However, a limited number of studies have been done in Saudi Arabia to investigate the association between physical activity and psychological health, especially among women. Objectives The objective of the study was to identify the prevalence of depression, stress, anxiety, and physical activity as well as examine the association between depression, anxiety, stress, and social support in relation to physical activity among Saudi women at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University (PNU). Methods A total of 712 Saudi students and staff from PNU, with a mean (SD) age of 20.59(5.30), voluntarily completed an electronic-based questionnaire, which included three validated scales in the Arabic language: The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS-21), Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) social support. Results The results of this cross-sectional study showed that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress were 24%, 31%, and 22.1%, respectively. Levels of physical activity were not associated with psychological disorders while sedentary time was strongly correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress (p<0.001). Emotional support, affectionate support, and positive social interaction were negatively correlated with depression (p<0.05). Conclusion The findings indicate that stress, depression, and anxiety were relatively common among Saudi females, especially among young ages, and that social support was a significant protective factor of depression. Community-based psychological health prevention programs and social support groups are needed to address these issues. The second major finding was that 51% of the participants were insufficiently active and 61% were having a sedentary lifestyle. Depression, anxiety, and stress scores are strongly correlated with sedentary time, which highlights the need for establishing a national policy that encourages active living and discourages sedentary behavior.