A PRÁTICA DE ATIVIDADE FÍSICA E O COMPORTAMENTO DE AUTOLESÃO: ESTUDO TRANSVERSAL

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is a period marked by important biological, psychological and social changes. At this stage, emotions and affections are intensified, which can result in mental illness and quality of life. Practicing physical activity is an important factor in protecting mental health and improving quality of life. Objective: to analyze the relationship between the practice of physical activity and self-injury behavior, levels of stress, anxiety and depression, and sociodemographic variables of health and lifestyle habits. Methodology: Analytical cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach carried out with adolescents and young people regularly enrolled on a campus of a Federal Educational Institution (IFE) in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Data were collected through a questionnaire, typed into Excel, categorized and transported to a Jamovi statistical analysis program and simple descriptive analysis, mean and median, in addition to standard deviation and relationship analysis using the chi-square test. Results and Discussion: The sample consisted of 148 adolescents and young people between 14 and 24 years old, the majority of whom were female. The study indicated that the majority of participants do not perform physical activity and have already had some type of self-injury. Furthermore, the results demonstrated a significant relationship with gender, number of daily meals and leisure activities. Conclusion: In this way, it was possible to reflect on the benefits of physical activity and its importance for mental health and maintaining the quality of life of young adolescents, making it necessary to adopt actions and strategies aimed at psychoeducation in the school environment such as suicide prevention campaigns, seek help from mental health professionals, in addition to offering sports as a way of encouraging and providing a better quality of life.