Research Article

The effect of recreational physical activity on academic self-efficacy and stress management of university students

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: August 10, 2026
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The effect of recreational physical activity on academic self-efficacy and stress management of university students

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between participation in recreational physical activity and university students’ academic self-efficacy and stress management using a correlational survey model. Data were collected through a personal information form developed by the researchers, the Academic Self-Efficacy Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale Short Form, and the Physical Activity Participation Motivation Scale. The instruments were administered online via Google Forms, and participation was voluntary. A total of four hundred eighty-one students participated in the study. Prior to analysis, univariate outliers were identified using Z-scores and boxplot analyses; nine questionnaires were excluded, and the analyses were conducted on the remaining four hundred seventy-two cases. The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software package, and parametric statistical methods were employed. The findings indicated that students demonstrated high levels of academic self-efficacy, moderate levels of perceived stress, and high motivation to participate in physical activity. Furthermore, demographic variables such as age, gender, housing status, and reasons for engaging in recreational activities had limited yet statistically significant effects on the examined psychosocial variables. Overall, the results highlight the role of recreational physical activity in supporting students’ academic competence and psychological well-being and emphasize the importance of participation-oriented practices in higher education institutions.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Training and Sports, Sports and Recreation

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

August 10, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

April 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 24, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Ağralı Ermiş, S., Dereceli, E., Cindemir, V., & Bebek, A. (2026). The effect of recreational physical activity on academic self-efficacy and stress management of university students. International Journal of Recreation and Sports Science, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.46463/ijrss.1926910
AMA
1.Ağralı Ermiş S, Dereceli E, Cindemir V, Bebek A. The effect of recreational physical activity on academic self-efficacy and stress management of university students. INTJORASS. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.46463/ijrss.1926910
Chicago
Ağralı Ermiş, Sermin, Ebru Dereceli, Volkan Cindemir, and Ahmet Bebek. 2026. “The Effect of Recreational Physical Activity on Academic Self-Efficacy and Stress Management of University Students”. International Journal of Recreation and Sports Science, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.46463/ijrss.1926910.
EndNote
Ağralı Ermiş S, Dereceli E, Cindemir V, Bebek A (August 1, 2026) The effect of recreational physical activity on academic self-efficacy and stress management of university students. International Journal of Recreation and Sports Science Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]S. Ağralı Ermiş, E. Dereceli, V. Cindemir, and A. Bebek, “The effect of recreational physical activity on academic self-efficacy and stress management of university students”, INTJORASS, no. Advanced Online Publication, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.46463/ijrss.1926910.
ISNAD
Ağralı Ermiş, Sermin - Dereceli, Ebru - Cindemir, Volkan - Bebek, Ahmet. “The Effect of Recreational Physical Activity on Academic Self-Efficacy and Stress Management of University Students”. International Journal of Recreation and Sports Science. Advanced Online Publication (August 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.46463/ijrss.1926910.
JAMA
1.Ağralı Ermiş S, Dereceli E, Cindemir V, Bebek A. The effect of recreational physical activity on academic self-efficacy and stress management of university students. INTJORASS. 2026. doi:10.46463/ijrss.1926910.
MLA
Ağralı Ermiş, Sermin, et al. “The Effect of Recreational Physical Activity on Academic Self-Efficacy and Stress Management of University Students”. International Journal of Recreation and Sports Science, no. Advanced Online Publication, Aug. 2026, doi:10.46463/ijrss.1926910.
Vancouver
1.Sermin Ağralı Ermiş, Ebru Dereceli, Volkan Cindemir, Ahmet Bebek. The effect of recreational physical activity on academic self-efficacy and stress management of university students. INTJORASS. 2026 Aug. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.46463/ijrss.1926910