Graduate Program
Clinical Psychology
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Semester of Degree Completion
2011
Thesis Director
Anu Sharma
Thesis Committee Member
Amy Brausch
Thesis Committee Member
Russell Gruber
Thesis Committee Member
Amy Schoonover
Abstract
Campus recreation centers have been gradually developing within the past decade to not only serve as recruitment tools for perspective students, but to promote better physical health in college students. Also throughout recent years, researchers have linked participation in physical activity to improved mental health. Targeting the college-aged population, the present study examined the relationship between physical activity and psychological well-being in college students, specifically those who use the student recreation center (SRC) on campus. A sample of 210 university students completed various measures to assess overall psychological well-being (i.e., level of mood, selfesteem, stress, & life satisfaction) and regular exercise habits. Participants were first classified into two groups, either frequent SRC users or infrequent SRC users, based on visitations to the recreation facility. Frequent SRC users reported using the facility for an average of 30 minutes at a minimum of 3 times per week, those who did not meet this standard were considered infrequent SRC users. It was hypothesized that the frequent SRC user group would report more participation in exercise leading to elevated mood, self-esteem, and life satisfaction levels and lower levels of perceived stress. The link between exercise and stress, mood, self-esteem, and life satisfaction was not supported. However, consistent with previous research, the present study revealed trends associating physical activity with lowered perceived stress. It was also discovered that a significant percentage of participants reported engaging in exercise outside of SRC as well. To further examine this finding, the participants were categorized into overall exercise groups based on exercise frequency regardless of location. Analyses concluded that those who reported engaging in physical activity, even at a minimal level, reported lower levels of perceived stress than true non-exercisers.
Recommended Citation
Goering, Shannon L., "Role Of Exercise On Psychological Health Of College Students" (2011). Masters Theses. 625.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/625
