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Running Head: EXERCISE AND DEPRESSION

Relationship Between Amount of Exercise and Level of Depression: A Correlational Study


Melanie E. Chen, Priscilla C. Ng, Vanessa Y. Chi
Team MVP
University of California, Irvine

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Abstract

Many college students are indeed diagnosed or show signs of depression. Previous
studies and research have studied the benefits of exercise towards an individuals overall wellbeing, mainly on health. In this study, a correlational design was used to measure the strength of
the relationship between the amount of exercise and level of depression within undergraduate
students attending University of California, Irvine. A negative correlation was hypothesized, and
a small-to-medium negative correlation, and a calculation of r = -0.21834184 for the two
variables resulted from the study. This result suggests that those who exercise more do indeed
have lower levels of depression, or that those who are more depressed are less active and do not
exercise as often.
Keywords: College students, depression, exercise, health

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Relationship Between Amount of Exercise and Level of Depression: A Correlational Study


Depression is not an uncommon state among individuals, including, if not especially, for
college students. With the amount of stress received from balancing homework, studies,
relationships, and extracurricular activities, as well as potentially struggling to fit in with others
and receiving judgment and critical remarks from others, it is not unlikely for college students to
have some signs of depressive symptoms. However, there are studies that show that exercise can
actually improve a persons depression in comparison to those who only exercise a little or dont
exercise at all.
Heinzel, S., Lawrence, J. B., Kallies, G., Rapp, M. A., & Heissel, A. (2015) studied
depression in older adults 60 years old and above. To investigate how exercise effects depression,
they used quantitative meta-analysis as well as systematic review. They compiled many studies
which focused on the type of exercise that was being done by the participants and the depression
eligibility of participants of intervention groups and control groups based on the PEDro Scale
used in a previous study. Out of all the studies they did, they focused on the studies where the
participants with an average age of at least 60 qualified for depression. Some studies that were
included in their research included random sampling and fixed-effect models, while other studies
calculated standard mean differences for the pretreatment and post-treatment of both the
intervention as well as the control group. In their research, they concluded that exercise had a
moderate effect size on depression. They found that although exercise does not have a huge
beneficial effect on those who have depression, it is still beneficial in comparison to those who
do not exercise at all, since exercise benefits the overall psychological well-being of adults. Due
to the findings that exercise is one of the treatments for depression for older adults, we want to
study whether or not exercise treats depression for students as well.

EXERCISE AND DEPRESSION

Edman, Lynch, and Yates (2014) focused on studying depression based on gender. Based
on their studies, they examined the relationship between exercise and depression, dissatisfaction
in various areas in the participants life, and tested these areas for males and females. They found
that females were more susceptible to being depressed in comparison to males, and that exercise
was only negatively correlated to depression in males. T-test analyses were used in order to study
various scores in depression between the different genders, as well as the different
dissatisfactions that each gender had in their own lives. The results indeed showed a higher
reported rate of depression in females, and that exercise did not really benefit them in terms of
levels of depression, because females were more prone to having exercise performance
dissatisfaction. Females were more likely to be critical of themselves, even during exercise,
which was not a treatment for depression like the researchers had predicted. However, males
showed a negative correlation in which more exercise decreased their level of depression. In our
study, we are interested in whether or not college students in general indeed have a negative
correlation between exercise and depression, regardless of gender.
Based on previous research that exercise is associated with lower levels of stress which
has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression, we hypothesized that there would be
a negative correlation between exercise and depressive symptoms, in which more exercise will
correspond with lower levels of depression.
Method
Participants
For this study, we sampled 40 undergraduate college students from University of
California, Irvine. We put our survey on Google forms and collected data from our classmates
during the data collection extravaganza in class. We did not control participants based on their

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gender, ethnicity, or age other than requiring participants to be undergraduate students at


University of California, Irvine. The breakdown of our participants in terms of gender was
67.5% females and 32.5% males. In terms of ethnicity, our data was as follows: 37.5% Asian,
30% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% White, 7.5% Mixed, 2.5% Middle Eastern. The average age of
our participants was 21.18 years old.
Design
This study is a correlational study on the relationship between the amount of time exercising
and the level of depressive symptoms. The variable used for exercise in this study was the openended question of how often one exercises and the variable used for depression was the level of
depressive symptoms based off a survey of questions with a rating scale. Both of these variables
were continuous variables.
Measures/ Materials
We operationalized exercise by simply asking the question How many times a week do
you exercise? This was asked as a self-reported, open-ended question where the participants
stated a number to account for the amount of times they exercised a week, but with an expected
answer within a range of 0-7, reflecting the 7 days in a week.
Depression was operationalized based on their scores resulted from the use of Becks
Depression Inventory (BDI) (Beck, A. T, Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., & Erbaugh, J.
1961). BDI is a questionnaire composed of 21 questions with a rating scale of 0-3, asking
participants to select the number that best describes how they feel. This survey includes
questions that ask how the participant feels about themselves in terms of failure, attractiveness,
satisfaction, anxiety, how often they cry, etc. This variable consisted of a range between 0-63 on
the depression scale.

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Procedures
During the data extravaganza in the Social Ecology 10 class, we were able to collect data
from all 40 of our participants by having them take our survey that was available to take on our
laptops. The entire survey was administered in one sitting, and should took no more than 5
minutes to complete. Before taking the survey, we attached a consent form which briefly
described that we were studying exercise and depression, and would further explain the details of
our study and our hypothesis in the debrief statement that was attached on a new page at the end
of the survey. We had our participants agree to the terms before proceeding to the first question
of the survey.
Proposed Analyses
After receiving the data of how many times the participant exercises a week as well as an
added up total from the depression scale, we plotted these results on a scatter plot diagram with
the number of times the participant exercises a week as the variable on the x-axis, and the level
of depressive symptoms as the 2nd variable on the y-axis. Adding up the scores from the BDI
showed us what level of depression the participant had, including sections such as normal
conditions, mild depression, moderate depression, severe depression, etc. We also calculated an r
variable to measure the correlation and were able to determine if the correlation was positive or
negative. Using a scatterplot diagram measured the association between exercise and depression,
which we used to analyze our data to test our hypothesis.
Results
For our study, we used a correlation study as a statistical test in order to observe the
relationship of our two variables. One of our variables for this study is the amount of exercise the
participants do per week, and our second variable is the level of depression calculated as a

EXERCISE AND DEPRESSION

depression score from Becks Depression Inventory (BDI). Both of these variables are
continuous variables. Having calculated the results from all 40 participants for our study, the
correlational variable was r = -0.21834184, which indicates a small-to-medium negative
correlation (Figure 1). This means that the more often a participant exercised, the lower the level
of depression they had.
Discussion
Prior to collecting any data for our analysis, we hypothesized that there would be a
negative correlation between the amount of exercise one did a week and the level of depression
they had based on Becks Depression Inventory (BDI). Although we hypothesized that there
would be a negative correlation, we did not specifically predict the strength of the correlation.
Nonetheless, our results came out to be a small-to-medium sized correlation (r = -0.21834184)
between exercise and depression. This relationship can exist due to many reasons, including the
fact that our sample population attends a well-rounded public university that strives to meet the
needs of students. Therefore, a gym is conveniently located on campus where students have easy
access to work out in the midst of feeling stress from school, work, and balancing all the
different areas of their lives. We strongly believed that the more someone exercises, the more
they would be able to get their minds off of school and overall be happier versus depressed as
their bodies became healthier.
However, an alternative explanation for this finding could possibly be that more exercise
actually causes an individual to be less depressed through a means of depression treatment, or
that lower levels of depression could possibly make an individual go outside and exercise more
than an individual who has a higher level of depression. In this case, there would be a causal
relationship between exercise and the level of depression. Another possible alternative

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explanation for this finding could be related to our sample population. Due to the fact that all 40
of our participants were taken from a class that is a required course for all Psychology and Social
Behavior (PSB) major, it is likely that most of the students in this class are indeed PSB majors.
As a PSB major myself, I am aware of the required courses that students attending University of
California, Irvine must take, including courses such as Health Psychology which educates
students of the benefits of exercise when it comes to diseases, sickness, or physical pains. The
alternative explanation for our finding could possibly be that the participants in our study are
PSB majors who have already been taught about the benefits of exercise and have actually
become individuals who exercise more often and are overall healthier and happier.
A limitation to our data collection is that all of our data was taken from participants in
one class, during a time when all the other students in the class were also collecting data from
other students. Everyone was focused on collecting data for their own studies that it is likely that
the participants in our own study were simply taking our survey without reading the questions
carefully and taking the time to answer them truthfully. In addition, because we handed our
participants our laptops which contained the survey and waited for them to finish the survey, they
may have felt pressure to finish sooner in contrast to taking the survey by themselves with no
feelings of being rushed. The fact that we were there to give and take the laptop back could also
have affected the participants perception of their own anonymity. Because we actually had
contact with the participants, this could have altered their answers, especially in the self-reported
section of how often they exercise per week, where they could have easily overstated this
number in hopes of being seen as a healthier and more active individual.
Another possible limitation to our research is our sample size. Many of our participants
consisted of our classmates who we personally walked up to, and it is possible that I

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subconsciously asked classmates who I felt more comfortable approaching (females who looked
less intimidating). Therefore, our sample size may not be a true representation of the general
publics exercise and depression relationship.
For future studies, a larger number and range of participants would be helpful to achieve
more accurate results that represent the desired targeted sample. In addition, answers would be
more authentic if participants were given a longer allocated time to take the survey, without the
distractions of other people talking and shuffling around them. Furthermore, links should be
provided for participants to take by themselves at their own convenience in order to provide
complete anonymity of their answers to guarantee and respect their privacy.

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References

Beck, A. T, Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., & Erbaugh, J. (1961). An inventory for
measuring depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 4, 561-571.
Edman, J. L., Lynch, W. C., & Yates, A. (2014). The Impact of Exercise Performance
Dissatisfaction and Physical Exercise on Symptoms of Depression Among College
Students: A Gender Comparison. Journal Of Psychology, 148(1), 23-35.
doi:10.1080/00223980.2012.737871
Heinzel, S., Lawrence, J. B., Kallies, G., Rapp, M. A., & Heissel, A. (2015). Using exercise to
fight depression in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. GeroPsych: The
Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry,28(4), 149-162.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000133

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Figure 1

Depression and Exercise


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7
6
5

Amount of Exercise (times per week)

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3
2
1
0
0

10

15

20

25

Level of Depression (BDI)

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Stimulus Materials
Consent Statement:
This questionnaire is being administered for the purpose of a Social Ecology
student who is taking a Research Design Course in which they must create a research
project. This survey is comprised of questions regarding exercise and depression. The
survey itself should take around 5 minutes; please read each question and answer the
questions to the best of your ability. There are no benefits to you for participating in
this study. However, the risks to this survey include potential feelings of sadness due
to the personal questions on depression. If, at any time, you cannot or do not wish to
answer any of the questions, you may skip that question or you may choose to end the
survey. Participation in this study is completely voluntary. This survey is
anonymous; your answers will not, in any way, be connected with your name, profile,
or any personal information. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask the
experimenter who gave you the survey. If you are agree to participate, please proceed
to the next page.

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Depressive Symptoms and Exercise Survey


For numbers 1-21, please read the statements for each question and select the number that
corresponds to the statement that best describes how you feel.
1.
0

I do not feel sad

I am sad

I am sad all the time and I can't snap out of it.

I am so sad and unhappy that I can't stand it.

I am not particularly discouraged about the future.

I feel discouraged about the future.

I feel I have nothing to look forward to.

I feel the future is hopeless and that things cannot improve.

2.

3.

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0

I do not feel like a failure.

I feel like I have failed more than the average person.

As I look back on my life, all I can see is a lot of failures.

I feel I am a complete failure as a person.

I get as much satisfaction out of things as I used to.

I don't enjoy things the way I used to.

I don't get real satisfaction out of anything anymore.

I am dissatisfied or bored with everything.

I don't feel particularly guilty.

I feel guilty a good part of the time.

I feel quite guilty most of the time.

I feel guilty all of the time.

I don't feel I am being punished.

4.

5.

6.

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1

I feel I may be punished.

I expect to be punished.

I feel I am being punished.

I don't feel disappointed in myself.

I am disappointed in myself.

I am disgusted with myself.

I hate myself.

I don't feel I am any worse than anybody else.

I am critical of myself for my weaknesses or mistakes.

I blame myself all the time for my faults.

I blame myself for everything bad that happens.

I don't have any thoughts of killing myself.

I have thoughts of killing myself, but I would not carry them out.

7.

8.

9.

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2

I would like to kill myself.

I would kill myself if I had the chance.

I don't cry any more than usual.

I cry more now than I used to.

I cry all the time now.

I used to be able to cry, but now I can't cry even though I want to.

I am no more irritated by things than I ever was.

I am slightly more irritated now than usual.

I am quite annoyed or irritated a good deal of the time.

I feel irritated all the time.

I have not lost interest in other people.

I am less interested in other people than I used to be.

I have lost most of my interest in other people.

10.

11.

12.

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3

I have lost all of my interest in other people.

I make decisions about as well as I ever could.

I put off making decisions more than I used to.

I have greater difficulty in making decisions more than I used to.

I can't make decisions at all anymore.

I don't feel that I look any worse than I used to.

I am worried that I am looking old or unattractive.

I feel there are permanent changes in my appearance that make me look

13.

14.

unattractive.
3

I believe that I look ugly.

I can work about as well as before.

It takes an extra effort to get started at doing something

15.

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2

I have to push myself very hard to do anything.

I can't do any work at all.

I can sleep as well as usual.

I don't sleep as well as I used to.

I wake up 1-2 hours earlier than usual and find it hard to get back to sleep.

I wake up several hours earlier than I used to and cannot get back to sleep.

I don't get more tired than usual.

I get tired more easily than I used to.

I get tired from doing almost anything.

I am too tired to do anything.

My appetite is no worse than usual.

My appetite is not as good as it used to be.

16.

17.

18.

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2

My appetite is much worse now.

I have no appetite at all anymore.

I haven't lost much weight, if any, lately.

I have lost more than five pounds.

I have lost more than ten pounds.

I have lost more than fifteen pounds.

I am no more worried about health than usual.

I am worried about physical problems like aches, pains, upset stomach, or

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19.

20.

constipation.
2

I am very worried about physical problems and it's hard to think of much else

I am so worried about my physical problems that I cannot think of anything else.

I have not noticed any recent change in my interest in sex.

I am less interested in sex than I used to be.

21.

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2

I have almost no interest in sex.

I have lost interest in sex completely.

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22.
How many times a week do you exercise?
Write your answer here: ____

Debriefing Statement
Thank you for completing your survey! The purpose of this research was to determine
whether there was a correlation between the level of depression a person has and the amount of
exercise they do. Our hypothesis is that we will find a negative correlation between these two
variables, such that more exercise is associated with lower levels of depression, as many studies
have shown exercise to be a potential treatment for depression. As a reminder, we will keep your
answers confidential. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at the
following email addresses:
Priscilla Ng: ngpc@uci.edu
Melanie Chen: chenme1@uci.edu
Vanessa Chi: chiv@uci.edu

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RESEARCH DESIGN (SE10)


Final Paper Group Rating Form
Your Groups Name: Team MVP
Your name: Melanie Chen
Group Member #1s name: Priscilla Ng
Group Member #2s name: Vanessa Chi

Since the proposal, everyone in your group should have contributed to revisions to the research
plan (if necessary), data collection, and data entry. Group members were expected to make
themselves available to meet (either in person or over the phone) and should have responded to
your requests to communicate in a timely manner. Furthermore, it was expected that any
deadlines created by the group would have been honored by all group members.

1. Please rate Group Member #1s contribution on a scale of 0 to 3, where 0 indicates that this
group member did not contribute at all and 3 indicates that this group member contributed at
least their fair share.

If you circled 0, 1, or 2, please explain:

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2. Please rate Group Member #2s contribution on a scale of 0 to 3, where 0 indicates that this
group member did not contribute at all and 3 indicates that this group member contributed at
least their fair share.

If you circled 0, 1, or 2, please explain:

2- Up to the day before the research proposal was due, she was still confused as to what exactly
we were studying and hypothesizing, and failed to comprehend the variables we were
operationalizing or how to do the Running head. She had a lot of questions since she didnt
attend a few classes. Also, she left half an hour early during the data extravaganza and had us
collect the rest of the data. However, she did communicate well with the group and voiced out
some of her opinions on the study.

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Final Paper Grading Criteria


Student Name:
1 point

Title Page

1 point

Abstract

4 points

Introduction: Background/literature search

3 points

Introduction: Hypothesis development

3 points

Introduction: Completeness and style

3 points

Methods: Participants

3 points

Methods: Design

3 points

Methods: Measures/Materials

3 points

Methods: Procedure

3 points

Methods: Completeness and style

2 points

Results: Discussion of analysis

2 points

Results: What variables are being related/compared

1 point

Results: Direction of results

2 points

Results: Tables/figures/graphs

2 points

Discussion: Hypothesis: supported or not?

2 points

Discussion: Interpretation of results; confounds/alternative


explanations

1 point

Discussion: Limitations

2 points

Discussion: Future potential studies

3 points

References

4 points

APA style

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3 points

Proofreading/grammar/clarity

3 points

Group member evaluation

1 point

Attached final version of stimulus materials

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Late? 5 points will be deducted for every day that this proposal
is late (starting at 3:00pm on the day that it is due)
0

55 points

TOTAL SCORE

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