Open Access

ARTICLE

Associations of Suicidal Behaviors with Physical Activity Types and Psychosocial Factors among Korean Adolescents: A Secondary Data Analysis

Chae-Young Lee¹, Yun-Jung Choi^2,*
1 Department of Nursing, Graduate School, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2 Department of Nursing, Red Cross College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
* Corresponding Author: Yun-Jung Choi. Email:
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Adolescence in Contemporary Times: Risks, Resilience and Mental Health)

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2026.077116

Received 02 December 2025; Accepted 29 January 2026; Published online 09 February 2026

Abstract

Background: Adolescent suicide remains a pressing public health concern in South Korea and worldwide, ranking as one of the leading causes of death among youth. Identifying modifiable risk and protective factors is critical for prevention strategies. Physical activity has been suggested as one such factor due to its potential mental health benefits. This study aimed to examine whether associations between physical activity and suicidality differ by activity type and by stage of suicidal behavior, distinguishing suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among Korean adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional secondary analysis used data from the 20th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) conducted in 2024, a nationally representative survey of Korean adolescents. The study included 54,653 middle and high school students with complete data on physical activity, suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts. Three types of physical activity (vigorous activity, muscle-strengthening activity, and ≥60 min of daily physical activity) were examined. Associations with suicidal behaviors were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models, adjusting for psychological, behavioral, and sociodemographic covariates. Results: In this nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents, engaging in at least 60 min of daily physical activity was significantly associated with lower odds of suicide planning, but not ideation or attempts. In contrast, muscle-strengthening activity was linked to increased odds of both suicide planning and attempts, whereas vigorous activity showed no significant associations. Psychological factors, including generalized anxiety, sadness, stress, and loneliness, showed strong associations with suicidal behaviors and were included as covariates in the adjusted models. Female students, low academic performance, and unstable residential status were also associated with higher odds of suicidal behaviors. Conclusion: The associations between physical activity and suicidality differed by activity type and suicidal outcome; muscle-strengthening activity was positively associated with suicide planning and attempts in adjusted models.

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Keywords

Adolescent suicide; physical activity; mental health; Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey; muscle-strengthening exercise; suicide behavior

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