The Impact of Intramurals on College Students' Mental Well-being

Yorkshire

Previous research shows a positive correlation between exercise and mental health. Additionally, researchers have found that college students experience immense stress resulting in poor mental health. However, limited research has been conducted on the direct impact of active participation in intramural sports on college students’ mental well-being. The researchers sought to study this relationship. For the purposes of this mixed-methods study, 200 college students attending either the University of Arkansas or John Brown University ages 18-23 completed a survey that assessed both their mental well-being and the extent to which they participated in intramural sports. Of these 200 participants, 12 were interviewed in order to gain more insight into the lived experience of college students. The results of the survey show there is a statistically significant correlation between participation in intramural sports and the participants’ mental well-being. Furthermore, the interviews revealed intramurals’ impact on mental well-being through social benefits, stress relief, and competition.