Multilevel socioecological correlates of physical activity, flourishing, and depression in children and adolescents: a structured evidence synthesis

Abstract

Background Childhood and adolescence are developmentally sensitive periods in which physical activity, positive mental health, and depressive symptomatology are associated with interacting socioecological conditions. Objective This structured evidence synthesis summarized peer-reviewed evidence linking intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public-policy correlates with physical activity, flourishing, and depressive symptoms among youth aged approximately 6–18 years. Methods Guided by PRISMA 2020 reporting items for transparent evidence synthesis, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus were searched for English-language peer-reviewed studies published from January 2000–April 2026. The review was not prospectively registered. Eligible records examined at least one socioecological correlate in relation to physical activity, flourishing, wellbeing, depression, or depressive symptoms. Data were extracted using a standardized form, and methodological quality was appraised using design-appropriate tools, including AMSTAR-2 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Results Thirty-six evidence records were retained. Self-efficacy, enjoyment, perceived competence, parental logistic support, family cohesion, peer support, quality physical education, school sport opportunities, recreation-facility access, walkability, perceived safety, and national physical-activity policy emerged as recurrent correlates across socioecological levels. The evidence was most concentrated at intrapersonal and interpersonal levels and comparatively less developed for community and policy-level correlates. Evidence from prior meta-analyses suggested small-to-moderate beneficial associations of physical-activity interventions with depressive symptoms and broader mental-health outcomes. Conclusion Youth physical activity, flourishing, and depression are associated with correlates distributed across multiple socioecological levels. Coordinated school, family, community, and policy strategies are needed to promote equitable physical-activity participation and positive mental health, while causal claims should be interpreted cautiously because much of the evidence remains observational.