Physical Activity as a Buffer for Anxiety Symptoms in Rural African American Adolescent Females

The study examines how physical activity buffers the development of anxiety symptoms in response to racerelated stress and negative youth experiences. The participants are 72 adolescent females from an understudied population of rural African American students residing in South Central Louisiana. Recent literature suggests that physical fitness increases one’s ability to cope with psychological stress and may prevent or combat anxiety disorders. However, American adolescents are becoming less physically active, particularly African American females. Previous literature shows that adolescent females report higher levels of mental health challenges than their male counterparts. The results indicate that physical activity is an effective buffer against increased anxiety symptomology. In addition, the results present this population as resilient rather than “at risk” for developing vulnerability to mental health challenges.