Is there existing research that explores the role of physical activity in the relationship between exposure to community violence and mental health? That’s the question guiding a recent systematic review presented by Jeffrey Gehris, PhD, of Temple University’s College of Public Health at the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 2025 Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions, held March 28 in San Francisco.

Dr. Gehris, whose work focuses on kinesiology—the study of physical activity—conducted the review in collaboration with a colleague based in Nigeria and three colleagues at Temple, one of whom was a doctoral student in Social and Behavioral Sciences. The project aimed to assess what has already been studied at the intersection of physical activity, community violence, and mental health.

“This wasn’t a project where we were designing or testing an intervention,” Dr. Gehris said. “We were stepping back to see what, if anything, had already been done in this space.” As a systematic review, the study followed a defined research protocol to identify and evaluate relevant peer-reviewed literature.”

The initial search returned more than 30,000 records containing the key terms. But after a structured screening process, only five studies met the criteria for inclusion.

That number—just five qualifying studies—revealed how little research currently exists that connects these three areas. “There’s been a fair amount of work done on physical activity and mental health, and some on community violence and mental health,” Dr. Gehris said. “But very little that looks at how physical activity might fit into that broader picture.”

In addition to the limited number of studies, the review revealed notable demographic gaps. “None of the five studies included children or older adults,” he said. “None were conducted in lower- or middle-income nations, and only two minority populations were studied (African Americans and Mexicans).” These findings highlight opportunities for future research that could inform work in underserved settings.

One study that included qualitative methods offered an example of how community conditions can affect physical activity. “There was a mother who mentioned that her children like to play outside,” Dr. Gehris said. “But she didn’t feel comfortable letting them go out because of neighborhood safety concerns.” While not a central focus of the study, the observation illustrates how environmental factors can influence mental and behavioral health.

This year marked Dr. Gehris’ first time presenting a poster at the SBM conference. “It was a good experience,” he said. “I had productive conversations with colleagues I’ve seen over the years. There were a lot of opportunities to connect.”

While the review wasn’t designed to offer conclusions, it provided a clear sense of what’s been studied—and what hasn’t. “This helped us get a sense of where the research stands,” Dr. Gehris said. “It helps identify areas where more work could be valuable.”