Abstract
Background: It is well established that healthy lifestyle behaviors have significant effects not only on physical health but also on psychological well-being; however, the underlying mechanisms of these effects have yet to be fully elucidated. In this context, the aim of this study is to examine the relationships between a sustainable healthy lifestyle and levels of depression, stress, and anxiety, and to test the mediating role of physical literacy in these associations. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among university students in Malatya, Türkiye, and a total of 652 voluntary participants were included. In the theoretical model of the study, a sustainable healthy lifestyle was positioned as the independent variable, depression, stress, and anxiety as dependent variables, and physical literacy as the mediating variable. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with bootstrapping to assess mediation effects. Results: Results obtained from the structural equation modeling indicate that a sustainable healthy lifestyle has significant and protective relationships with psychological well-being. Negative and significant relationships were identified between a sustainable healthy lifestyle and levels of depression, stress, and anxiety. Furthermore, higher levels of physical literacy were associated with lower levels of these psychological symptoms, with physical literacy playing a strong mediating role in these relationships. The model results revealed that lifestyle components such as regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and sufficient sleep enhance individuals' physical competence and awareness. Physical literacy was also found to have a significant negative relationship with depression, stress, and anxiety. Conclusions: These results indicate that physical literacy is a key variable not only for physical functioning but also for psychological resilience and well-being. Moreover, the impact of a sustainable healthy lifestyle on psychological symptoms appears to be largely mediated through physical literacy.