Interaction of physical activity, mental health, health locus of control and quality of life : a study on university students in Pakistan

Abstract

Bazila Akbar Kahn, 2013. Interaction of Physical Activity, Mental Health, Health Locus of Control and Quality of Life: A Study on University Students in Pakistan. Department of Sport Sciences. University of Jyväskylä. Master’s Thesis of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 66 pages Physical activity involvement is considered as beneficial both for physiological and psychological health. In Pakistani society an elevated level of physical inactivity has been identified lately. Nevertheless, studies examining the association between physical activity and psychological health are limited to the young population of university students in Pakistan. University students are considered to be at a risk stage due to academic stress and physiological changes Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the associations between physical activity, quality of life and psychological health related variables to university students in Pakistan. Participants (N=378) of the current study were from seven universities in Pakistan (265 female, 112 males). General Health Questionnaire, SF-36 quality of life matrix, multidimensional health locus of control and international physical activity questionnaire were administered. Results reveal a large number of students as physically inactive (37.6%). t-Test revealed male students were more active and having a better quality of life in comparison to the female. The high prevalence of psychological distress (25%) has also been identified by using correlation. Results indicated a linear positive relationship of physical activity with mental component summary and a negative association with psychological distress. Conversely, psychological distress was negatively related overall health related quality of life and PA. Results also demonstrated that students with a better internal locus of control were discovered to be more physically active. Findings were discussed in comparison with studies from other countries e.g. US, UK, Norway, Poland, Turkey and Australia However, the results suggest the replication of the study with a larger sample size. Additionally, it is also imperative to explore the barriers to PA among the student population in Pakistan.