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