Positive Psychology and Mental Health in College Sports: A Clinical Psychology-Informed Intervention for Stress and Emotional Dysregulation

Abstract

This study examined the impact of a positive psychology-informed sports program on university students' psychological well-being, with a clinical focus on stress resilience and core symptoms of emotional dysregulation. The research evaluated how integrating strengths-based approaches and mindfulness into physical education could serve as a preventive intervention for common mental health challenges. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 200 students. The experimental group completed a 12-week curriculum targeting character strengths and mindful movement, while the control group followed a standard program. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), tools relevant to assessing subclinical anxiety and mood disorder vulnerabilities. Participants in the innovative program showed a 33% greater reduction in perceived stress and a 38% greater improvement in emotional regulation capacity compared to controls—outcomes directly linked to lower risks of anxiety and depressive disorders. Qualitative data indicated that the program enhanced coping self-efficacy and reduced negative cognitive patterns associated with psychological distress. Integrating positive psychology into sports education effectively builds psychological resources that buffer against stress and emotional dysregulation. This approach demonstrates significant promise as a scalable, non-stigmatizing primary prevention strategy within higher education to promote student mental health and reduce the burden of common psychiatric symptoms. Lingling Wang, Science and Technology College of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang 441025, China.