School connectedness is inversely associated with sleep disorders in adolescents, mediated by physical exercise and anxiety.
Among 519 adolescents aged 11-15 from northwestern Hunan, China, higher school connectedness was significantly correlated with fewer sleep disorders. This relationship was mediated by increased physical exercise and reduced anxiety, forming a chain mediation pathway.
Evidence Score
Study Evidence
Study 1. The chain mediating role of physical exercise and anxiety in the relationship between school connectedness and sleep disorders among adolescents.
observationalWu X, Wang N, Fang J, Liu Y, Zhao B, Zhou C · Frontiers in public health (2026)
Result:
Mechanism Graph
Limitations
- ⚠Convenience sampling from a single region limits generalizability
- ⚠Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
- ⚠All measures were self-report, subject to bias
Frequently Asked Questions
What is school connectedness?▼
School connectedness refers to students' sense of belonging, attachment, and positive relationships within their school environment.
How does physical exercise mediate sleep disorders?▼
The study suggests that higher school connectedness promotes more physical exercise, which in turn reduces anxiety and leads to fewer sleep disorders.
Was this study experimental or observational?▼
It was an observational cross-sectional study using self-report questionnaires, not a randomized controlled trial.
What age group was studied?▼
Adolescents aged 11 to 15 years, with an average age of 13.32 years.
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References
- 1.Wu X, Wang N, Fang J, Liu Y, Zhao B, Zhou C. "The chain mediating role of physical exercise and anxiety in the relationship between school connectedness and sleep disorders among adolescents.." Frontiers in public health, 2026. PMID: 42445924 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1881188