Recreational Sports and Mental Health Among Postgraduate Students in Bayelsa State

This study examined recreational sports participation and mental health among postgraduate students in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was used, guided by objectives to identify recreational sports activities commonly used, determine mental health benefits and explore barriers to participation. The population comprised postgraduate students in two universities in Bayelsa State. A sample of 150 respondents was selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through a structured Recreational Sports and Mental Health Questionnaire, with reliability coefficient of 0.82. Data analysis used mean and standard deviation. Findings revealed that postgraduate students actively engaged in recreational sports that contributed to mental wellbeing, though barriers such as time constraints and lack of facilities hindered participation. Recommendations included increasing awareness of mental health benefits of sports and improving access to recreational facilities.