Title:
Physical activity, athletics, and social support as predictors in college student's psychological well-being
Author:
Jessica M. Knight
Thesis Advisor:
Matthew Kirkhart
Committee Member:
Beth A. Kotchick
Committee Member:
Jeffrey Lating
Committee Member:
James Mirakcy
Committee Member:
Alison Papadakis
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
2013
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
born digital
Abstract:
Many college students experience distress that can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and a wide array of other mental and physical problems. Research has shown that independently, social support and physical activity can provide health benefits for college students. It is thought that collegiate athletics involvement provides student- athletes with both of these components, in turn contributing to advanced psychological well-being. The current study examined the relation between athletics and psychological well-being by surveying a group of student-athletes who have been extremely understudied: club athletes. The study consisted of 149 participants categorized as non- athletes, varsity athletes, and club athletes who completed online surveys that included measures of psychological well-being, perceived social support, physical activity, and non-athletic group involvement. ANOVA analyses and contrasts did not show any significant differences in psychological well-being or social support across the groups of students. Correlations showed that those with significantly higher levels of social support had higher levels of psychological well-being. Varsity athletes had significantly higher levels of physical activity than club athletes and non-athletes, and club athletes had significantly higher levels of physical activity than non-athletes. Additionally, club athletes and non-athletes were involved in significantly more non-athletic groups than varsity athletes. The groups of students in the study had similar levels of psychological well-being; however, it can be speculated that varsity athlete's psychological well-being may be related to their athletic participation, whereas club and non-athlete's psychological well-being may be related to their non-athletic group involvement. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are discussed.
Subject:
Electronic dissertations
Degree:
Master of Science
Level:
Master
Discipline:
Clinical Psychology
Restrictions on Access:
Author has given permission to make this work available online.
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Identifier:
KnightJM-13
