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Introduction <p>Prolonged sedentary behaviour (SB) among university students is a growing concern, yet its impact on mental wellbeing (MWB) cannot be fully understood without considering its embodied nature: how it is experienced through the body in relation to social expectations. </p> Materials and methods <p>This study employs a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative phases. The quantitative phase examined SB patterns using activPAL™ devices and MWB through the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, among 60 physiotherapy university students. The qualitative phase, based on an ethnographic intended approach and focus groups, explored gendered experiences of SB through Csordas’ theory of embodiment.</p> Results <p>Gender-stratified correlation analyses revealed key patterns: among women, shorter SB bouts (&lt; 30&#xa0;min) were positively associated with MWB, whereas prolonged bouts (&gt; 60&#xa0;min) corresponded to lower MWB scores. These associations were not observed among men. Two themes were identified through an abductive thematic analysis during the qualitative phase: gendered constructions of rest-time, and SB as shaped by gendered constraints. Women reported internalized pressures to remain productive, often experiencing guilt during non-productive rest, whereas men framed SB as leisure, free from self-surveillance.</p> Discussion/conclusions <p>While device-measured SB patterns were similar across genders, their embodied experiences differed, as well as the perception of MWB attributed to the SB patterns. These findings highlight SB as a socially constructed and embodied experience. Gender-sensitive approaches to student MWB must consider how SB is internalized and regulated through cultural norms to avoid reinforcing existing inequalities.</p>

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Gendered embodiment of sedentary behaviour and its impact on mental wellbeing in physiotherapy higher education: a sequential mixed methods study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月1日

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  • Laia Sallés,
  • Judit Bort-Roig,
  • Mireia Vilafranca-Cartagena,
  • Pau Farrés-Godayol,
  • Salomé Tàrrega,
  • Cristina Bravo,
  • Anna Puig-Ribera,
  • Guillem Jabardo-Camprubí

摘要

Introduction

Prolonged sedentary behaviour (SB) among university students is a growing concern, yet its impact on mental wellbeing (MWB) cannot be fully understood without considering its embodied nature: how it is experienced through the body in relation to social expectations.

Materials and methods

This study employs a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative phases. The quantitative phase examined SB patterns using activPAL™ devices and MWB through the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, among 60 physiotherapy university students. The qualitative phase, based on an ethnographic intended approach and focus groups, explored gendered experiences of SB through Csordas’ theory of embodiment.

Results

Gender-stratified correlation analyses revealed key patterns: among women, shorter SB bouts (< 30 min) were positively associated with MWB, whereas prolonged bouts (> 60 min) corresponded to lower MWB scores. These associations were not observed among men. Two themes were identified through an abductive thematic analysis during the qualitative phase: gendered constructions of rest-time, and SB as shaped by gendered constraints. Women reported internalized pressures to remain productive, often experiencing guilt during non-productive rest, whereas men framed SB as leisure, free from self-surveillance.

Discussion/conclusions

While device-measured SB patterns were similar across genders, their embodied experiences differed, as well as the perception of MWB attributed to the SB patterns. These findings highlight SB as a socially constructed and embodied experience. Gender-sensitive approaches to student MWB must consider how SB is internalized and regulated through cultural norms to avoid reinforcing existing inequalities.