The Effect of Physical Exercise and Internet Use on Youth Subjective Well-Being—The Mediating Role of Life Satisfaction and the Moderating Effect of Social Mentality

Youth subjective well-being is enhanced not only from physical exercise but also from internet use. Based on the 2017 China General Social Survey (CGSS) data, the Bootstrap method was used to examine the mechanisms of the effects of physical exercise and internet use on youth subjective well-being. In this study, the questionnaire data of 619 Chinese young people (18–35 years old) were selected as the sample source. It was found that physical exercise (2.881 ± 1.352) and internet use (4.544 ± 0.756) had positive effects on youth subjective well-being (88.762 ± 11.793). Life satisfaction (2.253 ± 0.826) partially mediated the development of physical exercise and internet use on subjective well-being, with indirect effects of 34.1% and 30.4%, respectively. A social mindset (10.181 ± 1.966) played a moderating role in the relationship between physical exercise and youth subjective well-being and internet use and youth subjective well-being in both groups. The positive effects of physical exercise and internet use on youth subjective well-being gradually increased with the improvement in social mindset. This study revealed the mechanisms of physical activity and internet use on subjective well-being and that life satisfaction and the social mindset of youth are essential factors influencing subjective well-being.