Year: 2023 | Month: December | Volume: 13 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 229-234
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20231228
Correlation of Physical Activity with Depression and Anxiety in College Students
Dr. Sanjana Soni1, Dr. Nidhi Suthar2
1First Year MPT (Neurosciences) student, 2Assistant Professor, JG College of Physiotherapy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Corresponding Author: Dr. Sanjana Soni
ABSTRACT
Mental health issues are increasing in severity and number on college campuses. The objective of this study is to find out the symptoms of anxiety and depression and relationship of physical activity with these symptoms.
Introduction: Anxiety and depression among college students are a cause of concern. Research survey on college students reports at any given time there will be 10 to 20 % of student population suffering from psychological problems (Anxiety & Depression). Depression is a major mental disorder with symptoms including exaggerated and persistent sadness, anhedonia, cognitive impairments, and a negative procession bias as well as somatic symptoms (insomnia and fatigue). Anxiety can be the result of complex emotional states, such as tension, worry, and uneasiness, that arise from upcoming situations that could pose a danger or threat in college students. Severe perceived anxiety and depression can associate with worse academic achievement and worse physical health, as well as higher rates of psychiatric and impulsive disorders. This paper briefly describes the research carried out especially regarding impact of anxiety & depression on physical activity in college students.
Methodology: A cross-sectional-questionnaire based study was conducted among college students. A total of 112 students completed this survey and were included in the analysis. Propensity to Psychological mood disorders was assessed by using a short version Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), along with international physical activity questionnaire to measure physical health of students. The study group consisted of 100 students, ages 19–23 years. Each was asked to complete two questionnaires; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS 21) containing 21 questions, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) containing 7 questions.
Result: Statistical Analysis was done by using SPSS 20.00 version and Spearman’s rho test was applied. For the correlation between physical activity and depression r value was found out to be weakly correlated (r= -0.294) and level of significance was found to be p<0.05. For physical activity and anxiety, r value was found to be weekly correlated (r= -0.294) and level of significance was found to be p<0.05. Similarly, r value for anxiety and depression was found to be very strong (r= 1.0) and level of significance was found to be p<0.05. Level of significance was kept at 5% and confidence level 95%.
Conclusion: Hence from this study we concluded that very strong correlation was found between anxiety and depression and weak correlation between physical activity, anxiety and depression was found in college students.
Key words: Anxiety, Depression, Physical Activity, College Students