Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels and Psychological Well-Being Among Male University Students in South East, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the associations between physical activity (PA) and psychological well-being (PWB) among male university students. An institutionally based cross-sectional study was completed by 243 young men aged 18–30 years in a Nigerian public university. PA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and PWB was measured by Ryff’s Scale of Psychological Well-being (PWB). The mean age of the participants was 24.9 ( SD = 7.61) and majority (39.1%) of the participants was aged 18–22 years. Regarding PA, 16.0%, 64.2%, and 19.8% of the participants had low, moderate, and high PA levels, respectively. The mean total PWB score was 119.9 ( SD = 23.64). For the domains of PWB, male students had mean scores of 25.73 ( SD = 6.05), 19.42 ( SD = 6.82), 25.75 (6.10), 14.12 ( SD = 3.89), 13.70 ( SD = 4.04) and 21.12 (4.92) for self-acceptance, autonomy, positive relations, environmental mastery, purpose in life and personal growth, respectively. Total PA (total MET min/week) was associated with the total PWB scores ( β = 0.13, p < .05). The total PA METs was significantly associated with self-acceptance ( β = 0.13, p < .05). positive relations ( β = 0.16, p < .05), purpose in life ( β = 0.39, p < .05). Vigorous PA METs showed significantly negative effect on personal growth (β = −0.28, p < .05) and accounted for 2.0% of the variance of personal growth. PA accounted for 2.5% and 1.2% of the variance of positive relations and purpose in life, respectively., Most of the young men had moderate levels of PA and PWB. PA was significantly associated with PWB among the young men. Male sensitive evidence-based health promotion interventions should aim at promoting PA and PWB among male university students.