The Relationship Between Health Behaviors and Psychological Resilience Among College Students: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy in the Context of the “Healthy China 2030” Initiative

Xuexin Hou

Authors

Xuexin Hou

Keywords:

health behaviors, psychological resilience, self-efficacy, college students, Healthy China 2030

Abstract

Within the policy framework of the “Healthy China 2030” initiative, promoting healthy lifestyles and psychological well-being among college students has become an important public health objective. This study aimed to examine the relationship between health behaviors and psychological resilience among college students and to explore the potential psychological role of self-efficacy in this relationship.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,324 college students recruited from Chinese universities. Participants completed standardized questionnaires measuring health behaviors (including sleep, diet, and exercise), psychological resilience, and self-efficacy. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analyses were performed to examine the relationships among the variables.

The results indicated that health behaviors were significantly and positively associated with psychological resilience (r = .543, p < .001). Regression analysis further showed that health behaviors significantly predicted psychological resilience (β = .543, p < .001). In the multiple regression model, self-efficacy emerged as the strongest predictor of psychological resilience (β = .567, p < .001), followed by health behaviors (β = .273, p < .001). Gender showed a small but significant effect, whereas health status was not a significant predictor.

These findings suggest that healthy behavioral patterns may play an important role in promoting psychological resilience among college students, and that self-efficacy may function as a key psychological resource in this process. The study provides empirical support for health promotion strategies that integrate lifestyle interventions with psychological resource development in the context of the “Healthy China 2030” initiative.

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