Comparison of lifestyle and mental health among physical training teachers and other teachers in Birjand city

Document Type : Brief Report

Authors

1 M.Sc. in educational psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Birjand University, Birjand, Iran

2 Instructor of Teachers University, M.Sc. in sport sciences management, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Ph.D. student in educational psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the lifestyle and mental health of male and female physical training and non-physical training teachers in Birjand city.
Materials and Methods: This is a causal-comparative study. The statistical population consisted of all physical training and the other teachers of Birjand city in the academic year of 2014-2015. So, 198 cases (99 physical training teachers and 99 non-physical training teachers) were selected by randomized cluster sampling. They responded to Goldberg (1972) General Health Questionnaire and Noorbakhsh et al. (2005) Lifestyle Scale. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient statistical test and independent T-test.
Results: There is a significant and inverse relationship between lifestyle and its dimensions (physical activity, beliefs and attitudes, health and family relationships) and the score of mental health (P<0.05), and there is no significant relationship between lifestyle dimensions (leisure activities, nutrition, physics and appearance) and mental health. Also, there was a significant difference between physical training and non-physical training teachers in terms of lifestyle and mental health (P<0.05), and the average score of lifestyle and mental health of physical training teachers was higher than non-physical training teachers. In addition, there was a significant difference between male and female teachers in terms of mental health, and men had higher mental health.
Conclusion: According to the results of the research, the physical training teachers have higher mental health and better life style compared to the other teachers so it seems that exercise should be considered as part of the general education program.

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