The effect of recreational physical activity on academic self-efficacy and stress management of university students
This study aimed to examine the relationship between participation in recreational physical activity and university students’ academic self-efficacy and stress management using a correlational survey model. Data were collected through a personal information form developed by the researchers, the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale Short Form, and the Physical Activity Participation Motivation Scale. The instruments were administered online via Google Forms, and participation was voluntary. A total of four hundred eighty-one students participated in the study. Prior to analysis, univariate outliers were identified using Z-scores and boxplot analyses; nine questionnaires were excluded, and the analyses were conducted on the remaining four hundred seventy-two cases. The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software package, and parametric statistical methods were employed. The findings indicated that students demonstrated high levels of academic self-efficacy, moderate levels of perceived stress, and high motivation to participate in physical activity. Furthermore, demographic variables such as age, gender, housing status, and reasons for engaging in recreational activities had limited yet statistically significant effects on the examined psychosocial variables. Overall, the results highlight the role of recreational physical activity in supporting students’ academic competence and psychological well-being and emphasize the importance of participation-oriented practices in higher education institutions.