Objective: To examine whether physical self-concept and self-esteem would mediate cross-
sectional associations of physical activity with anxiety disorder symptoms among young women.
Methods: Young women (N=1036; 19.7 ± 2.9 years) completed a physical activity recall, the
Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire, and the Physical Self-Description
Questionnaire (PDSQ). Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses.
Results: Physical activity had inverse, indirect associations with symptoms of social phobia,
generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder that were expressed through its
positive association with specific and global physical self-concept and self-esteem. The results
were independent of symptoms of major depressive disorder, as well as estimates of body
fatness and use of psychotropic medications.
Conclusions: These correlational findings provide the initial evidence suggesting that physical
activity might reduce the risks of anxiety disorders among young women by positive influences
on physical self-concept and self-esteem.