Date of Conferral

5-7-2024

Date of Award

May 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Shawn Munford

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a rise in mental health challenges across the United States. Consequently, two important well-being measures for Healthy People 2030—subjective well-being and life satisfaction—were negatively impacted. A plethora of evidence exists about the benefits of running for physical and mental health. Yet, there is no available evidence that shows the benefits of ultrarunning, subjective well-being, and life satisfaction. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined the relationship between ultrarunning status, subjective well-being, and life satisfaction among adult runners in the United States. The advanced triangle of epidemiology served as the conceptual framework. A convenience sample included 369 adult runners, who were recruited via the Survey Monkey online platform and through running and ultramarathon groups. Subjective well-being was measured using the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Two hierarchical multiple linear regressions were conducted. The results showed that there was a statistically significant association between the agent (subjective well-being), the host (ultrarunners), and the environment (ultrarunning), adjusting for demographic characteristics, F (1,364) = 3.79, p = .050, R2 = .01. However, there was no statistically significant association between the agent (life satisfaction), the host (ultrarunners), and the environment (ultrarunning), adjusting for demographic characteristics, F (1,364) = 1.74, p = .188, R2 = .00. Implications for positive social change include helping public health officials create initiatives that improve well-being through community programs, leisure engagements, research, and policy.

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