The comparison between mental health and tendency toward addiction among athlete students and non-athlete students at University of Tehran

Introduction: Healthy elements and efficient members are prerequisite for the improvement of every society. In addition to the appropriate physical condition, people should be in good mental condition too. Undoubtedly, having a prosperous society requires mental and physical symmetry. Mental health is a very important issue because the effect of mentality on physical function is evident. Therefore, paying attention to the mental needs of university students who are large percentage of the population of the country’ youth and are responsible for the future health of the society is very important. So, the current study has been done to survey the comparison between mental health and tendency toward addiction among athlete students and non-athlete students at University of Thran. Methodology:The present study is a descriptive survey which is comparative with one that was done in the first semester of 94-95. The sample of students at the University of Tehran’s dormitories who were chosen according to random sampling was surveyed. In order to collect the data, two mental health questionnaires of 28 GHQ questions and questionnaire of tendency toward addiction were used. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS16 statistics software and t-test was used to analyze independent groups. Results: The results of data analysis of t- test on the independent groups revealed that there is a significant difference between the mental health and tendency toward addiction among athlete students and of non-athlete students. (98/12 p-value =0/00 a =%5 , t). The physical component had the most difference between two groups of athlete students and of non-athlete students. Discussion and conclusion: the results showed that the athlete students’ mental health is more than non-athlete students and also they have the least tendency toward addiction that can be concluded physical education and sports is a crucial element in mental health and reluctance toward addiction among athlete students.