The Relationship Between College Students’ Perceptions of Their Physical Activity Class Climate to Their Feelings of Thriving and Mental Well-being

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between students’ perceptions of a caring and task-involving climate (C/TIC) in their college physical activity courses (PACs) to their feelings of thriving and mental well-being across a semester.

Design

College students enrolled in PACs for college credit volunteered to complete a survey that included measures of their PAC climate, thriving, and mental well-being.

Setting

College students enrolled in a PAC at a large Midwestern university.

Method

Students completed the survey twice, at approximately 4 weeks (time 1) and 12 weeks (time 2) into the semester.

Results

No significant changes were observed in the variables (class climate, thriving, and mental well-being) from time 1 to time 2. However, perceptions of a C/TIC at time one predicted thriving and mental well-being scores at time two.

Conclusion

Researchers may explore how universities can provide training to instructors to foster a C/TIC to heighten students’ thriving and mental well-being.

Keywords

Motivational climate caring climate college mental health college physical health thriving

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