THE RELATIVE PREDICTIVENESS OF BOARD GAMES ON THE MENTAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH OF STUDENT-ATHLETES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the relative predictiveness of board games on the mental and social health of student-athletes in tertiary institutions. Four research questions and four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The sample size for the study was One hundred (100) respondents were selected for this study through the simple random sampling technique from University of Benin, Benin City, Edo state.The descriptive survey research method was adopted in carrying out the study while the Pearson’s Correlation Statistics tool was employed in data analysis. The findings of this study were as follows: There is a significant relative predictiveness of board games on mental stress relief among students-athletes in tertiary institutions; there is a significant impact of board games on creative energy release among students-athletes in tertiary institutions; there is a significant impact of board games on the social skills of students-athletes in tertiary institutions; there is a significant recreational value among students-athletes in tertiary institutions. The following recommendations were made: More attention should be drawn in Nigeria’s higher institutions towards board games; Each higher institution should have at least a Chess and a Scrabble coach; Government should break its bias for football and fund board games organizing bodies such as the Nigerian Scrabble Federation (NSF) and Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF); Private organizations should endeavor to sponsor board games competitions in Nigeria.