Les problèmes de santé mentale sont en augmentation en population étudiante. Le névrosisme prédispose ces jeunes adultes à être plus particulièrement sensibles aux stresseurs mineurs. La transition lycée–université engendre des changements d’habitudes de vie, notamment la pratique sportive. Quelques recherches ont montré que celle-ci constitue un moyen efficace de réduire l’anxiété et le stress en population adulte, peu d’études ont traité ce sujet en population étudiante. Cette recherche a pour objectif d’étudier les liens entre la fréquence de la pratique sportive et diverses caractéristiques psychologiques telles que la personnalité, la perception de soi et du corps, ainsi que l’état de détresse émotionnelle chez 1053 étudiants de première année. Estime de soi et satisfaction corporelle ont pu être considérées comme « des protecteurs » vis-à-vis de difficultés émotionnelles. Cependant, seule l’image du corps semble associée à la pratique sportive. Concernant les facteurs de vulnérabilité tels que le névrosisme et la détresse émotionnelle, les étudiants ayant une pratique fréquente obtiennent des scores plus faibles. Nos résultats apportent des éléments significatifs afin (1) de pouvoir mettre en lumière les effets bénéfiques de certains comportements de santé et (2) de permettre d’envisager des opérations de prévention et des pistes de prises en charge de type cognitivocomportemental.

The media often refers to “student malaise”. The vulnerability of students for mental health problems has increased in recent years. Several studies on the emotional distress of students in Europe or North America highlight the higher incidence of these problems compared to non-student populations of the same age. Similarly, many studies have attempted to assess the prevalence of body image problems in the general population. Most studies suggest that among female students in particular, body image, weight and weight control, are a frequent matter of concern. Personality implies a propensity towards certain behaviors, emotions and cognitions and can be a predictor of health. Some studies have shown that neuroticism (defined as sensitivity to negative affect) predisposes young adults to be especially sensitive to minor stressors. Negative emotions can also be explained by contextual factors including the transition from high school to university. The transition from kindergarten to primary school, and from primary school to secondary school can be difficult for children during their years in school. Similarly, the transition from high school to higher education can be experienced as a difficult period involving not only a major change in their educational institution but also in the members of their entourage. This transition can cause changes in lifestyle, including some health behaviors such as physical activity. Some studies have shown that physical activities are an effective way to reduce anxiety and stress in the adult population. Few studies, however, have been carried out in the student population. This research studies the relationship between the frequency of physical activity and various psychological characteristics such as personality, self-perception, body image, and emotional distress level.

The study was conducted on a sample of 1053 first-year university students. During the mandatory medical examination conducted by the first year Inter-University Department of Preventive Medicine and Preventive Health in Bordeaux, different variables were evaluated: physical activity intensity, neuroticism (NEO-PI-R), self-esteem (RSE), body image (QIC) and emotional distress (GHQ-12). Three groups were compared: low frequency activities (<1hour per week), regular frequency activities (between 1 and 7hours per week) and high frequency activities (>7hours per week). ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests were performed.

Previous studies in transactional health psychology have shown that self-esteem and body satisfaction are considered as protecting against emotional difficulties. In the current study, however, only body image seems to be associated with frequency of physical activity. Regarding vulnerability factors such as neuroticism and emotional distress, the results show that students with regular activity show lower scores.

These results underline the beneficial effects of some health behaviors. Similarly, prevention programs should limit the decrease in physical activity among students when they start university, and even promote it if the student has no regular physical activity. Moreover, while most studies attempt to demonstrate the pathogenic effects of some behaviors, the present one highlights the beneficial effect of practicing sport. This study focuses on emotional distress among students, and is implicated in the field of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This approach could be a helpful way (1) to take care of these problems by means of behavioral and cognitive techniques, and (2) to adapt the CBT to the fact that some people are subject to negative emotions. The results call for the development of longitudinal studies to test the effects of this kind of healthcare approach among students.