Physical Activity and Mental Health Among Physicians in Tertiary Psychiatric Hospitals: A National Crosssectional Survey in China

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jin Luo, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Huanzhong Liu, Anhui Medical University; Yuanli Liu, Chinese Acad Med Sci & Peking Union Med Coll; Feng Jiang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Yilang Tang, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-10-15
• Publisher: FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 Luo, Liu, Liu, Jiang and Tang.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.731525
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
• Volume: 12
• Start Page: 731525
• End Page: 731525
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was funded by the Beijing Medical and Health Foundation (Grant No. MH180924).
• Keywords: psychiatric hospital; Psychology, Multidisciplinary; happiness; Social Sciences; physical activity; Psychology; China; physician
• Research Categories: Psychology, Clinical; Psychology, Social

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the level of mental health and its correlates, particularly physical activity (PA) frequency, among physicians in tertiary psychiatric hospitals. In a national crosssectional survey, 4,520 physicians nested in 41 tertiary psychiatric hospitals from 29 provinces completed the online questionnaire. Their mean age was 38.5 ± 8.6 years, and 41.86% of physicians were men. More than one-third (35.24%) of physicians reported no PA in the past month, and only 21.88% reported happiness. Only 55.15 and 58.10% of the physicians reported normal status of depression and anxiety, respectively. In the adjusted multivariable ordinal logistic regression, higher PA frequency was associated with depression, anxiety, and happiness, except those who reported PA almost every day. Programs that aim to increase PA may promote the mental health of physicians in tertiary psychiatric hospitals.