Mental health in faculty members of physical education and those in other fields in Islamic Azad University

• Published in: فصلنامه دانشگاه علوم پزشکی جهرم
• Main Authors: MohammadHassan Solhjoo, Mohsen Afroozeh, Sadegh Afroozeh, Neda Kargar
• Format: Article
• Language: Persian
• Published: Jahrom University of Medical Sciences 2011-05-01
• Subjects: mental health; faculty; physical education and training
• Online Access: http://jmj.jums.ac.ir/article-1-173-en.html
• ISSN: 2008-7993; 2008-8442

Introduction: Many researchers have indicated that numerous mental problems such as anxiety, depression, reduced self-esteem, etc. can be improved through exercise. This study aimed to survey the mental health among the faculty’s members of physical education and other fields in Islamic Azad University. Material and Methods: This is a descriptive and analytical study. 600 faculty members of physical education and other fields were selected through cluster and stage sampling randomly as samples from Islamic Azad University in Iran. So, General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ_28) was given to the subjects and then collected. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistical (t-test) were used. Results: The results of this research showed that there were significant differences in depression, social dysfunction and anxiety between the faculty members of physical education and other fields but there was no difference in somatization. The rates of depression and anxiety are lower in the faculty members of physical education than among the members of other fields. Conclusion: Sport is a tool for maintaining physical and mental health and preventing mental disorders. The faculty members of physical education departments suffer less from depression and anxiety and enjoy higher levels of mental health. Therefore, it is recommended that faculty members of other fields than physical education participate in an exercise program.