Motor activity as a mediator of the influence of war stress on stress-associated conditions in students: results of GLM analysis

Abstract

Byshevets N.G., Lazakovich Yu. I. Motor activity as a mediator of the influence of war stress on stress-associated conditions in students: results of GLM analysis. There is evidence that health-recreational motor activity (HRPA) is an effective means of improving the mental health of students. However, the influence of HRPA on the stress states of students who are pursuing higher education under prolonged military stress has not been sufficiently studied. Goal. To establish causal relationships between HRPA sessions, other influencing factors, and levels of stress, anxiety, and PTSD risk in university students during prolonged military stress. Methods. Analysis of scientific literature, surveys, GLM analysis. The study was conducted from 04/20/2022 to 12/19/2023. A total of 1901 Ukrainian students participated in the study. This paper uses a dataset of 1328 observations. The results. Statistically significant (p<0.05) GLM models were built, which, based on information about the psychophysiological indicators of higher education students, gender, and behavioral factors under the influence of military stress, allow for the prediction of stress, anxiety, and PTSD risk assessments. It was found that the predictor «Practice of health-recreational motor activity» is not statistically significant (p>0.05) for the prediction, but in the model «Risk assessment of PTSD» it was found to be significant in combination with gender and bad habits. Conclusions. The most important predictor for forecasting stress-related conditions in university students experiencing long-term military stress is the overall assessment of their psychophysiological state. The absence of bad habits contributes to reducing stress, anxiety, and the risk of PTSD in students, and gender is a significant factor only for predicting stress. Physical activity mediates the relationship between bad habits and PTSD risk, especially in male students, where physical activity partially offsets the negative effects of bad habits by reducing the risk of PTSD. Prospects for further research. To confirm the obtained data and to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of the influence of HRPA on the stress states of students, additional studies are needed, particularly with quantitative assessments of HRPA.