MIC – VIS 2026: Tamara Bolić, mag. psych., delivered a presentation on Adolescent Physical Activity; Vis, 17/09/2026
At the International Multidisciplinary Scientific Conference MIC – VIS 2026, held on the island of Vis, Tamara Bolić, mag. psych., delivered a presentation on 17 September 2026 titled “Adolescent Physical Activity: Gender Differences in Well-Being Indicators”. The presentation was prepared together with Tihana Brkljačić, PhD, as part of the TEEN-WELL project
The presentation reported the results of a study conducted among more than 1,300 secondary school students in Varaždin and Osijek, focusing on the links between physical activity, happiness, and loneliness. Boys were physically active on more days per week than girls (4.7 vs. 3.4 days on average), and more frequent physical activity was associated with greater happiness and less loneliness. Gender proved to be an important moderator of the relationship between physical activity and loneliness: among boys, loneliness decreases steadily as activity increases, whereas among girls this reduction levels off beyond a moderate level of activity.
The findings point to the importance of promoting physical activity in adolescence, taking into account the different motives and needs of girls and boys.
