ABSTRACT

Background  : Sports participation is known to have numerous physical and psychological benefits for adolescents, including improved health, enhanced self-esteem, and reduced stress and anxiety. However, research specifically examining the impact of sports on anxiety, self-esteem, and perceived stress among secondary school students in Benin Metropolis is limited, so the essence of this research.

Aim: This study aims to provide valuable insight into the potential benefit of sport participation on mental wellness among secondary school students , understanding the relationship between sport and these psychological factors (anxiety, self-esteem and perceived stress).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 272 secondary school students (62.5% male, 37.5% female) of the age range 12 to 19 years in Benin Metropolis, Nigeria. The participants completed self-report measures (i.e. questionnaires) assessing anxiety, self-esteem, and perceived stress. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Mann Whitney U-tests were employed to analyze the data. The alpha level set is 0.05.

 Results: The study found that students who actively engaged in sports demonstrated lower levels of anxiety (both state and trait), higher self-esteem, and lower perceived stress compared to non-sporting students. Chi-square tests indicated a significant association between sports participation and perceived stress levels (X2 = 48.057, p < 0.001). Mann Whitney U-tests confirmed significant differences in self-esteem (U = 3842.000, p < 0.001) and anxiety levels (state: U = 3696.000, p < 0.001; trait: U = 2368.000, p < 0.001) between sports-involved and non-sporting students.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the positive influence of sports participation on mental well-being among secondary school students in Benin Metropolis. Engaging in sports is associated with reduced anxiety, enhanced self-esteem, and lower perceived stress levels. These results underscore the importance of promoting sports programs within educational settings to support the holistic development and mental health of adolescents.

Keywords: Anxiety, Self-esteem, Perceived , Stress, Sport , Participation, Student, Metropolis, Benin, Secondary school.