CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The consensus among medical authorities worldwide (Bailey et al. 2015) firmly supports the importance of exercise and physical health. Sedentary lifestyles, as highlighted by SCOR in 2022, significantly elevate the risk of various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, physical inactivity plays a significant role as a contributing factor to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and global mortality, increasing the susceptibility to conditions like cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes by 20–30%. Encouragingly, a worldwide increase in physical activity has the potential to save millions of lives, given that one in four adults and four out of five adolescents do not currently meet the recommended levels of activity.
The consequences of physical inactivity extend beyond personal health, imposing a hidden and mounting burden on society through escalating medical expenses and reduced productivity.In 2016, estimates revealed that physical inactivity resulted in a healthcare system cost of US$ 54 billion and inflicted US$ 14 billion in economic losses. These figures are not exclusive to high-income nations; even low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) grapple with the economic fallout, with approximately 1–3% of national healthcare expenditures attributed to physical inactivity, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021. While the link between physical activity and improved subjective well-being and quality of life by preventing disease and premature death is well-established, there has been a growing interest in its direct role in addressing mental health issues.
Mental health constitutes an integral and indispensable dimension of overall well-being, and its conceptualization can take on various forms. The definition often pivots on the extent to which fundamental health requisites are fulfilled, encompassing essentials such as access to sustenance, shelter, protection, social support networks, and freedom from various sources of stress and exploitation (Bhugra et al., 2018).
Nevertheless, the prevailing and widely accepted definition of mental health/well-being, as stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) (2021), posits mental health as a condition of mental well-being that empowers individuals to effectively manage the vicissitudes of life, actualize their capacities, excel in learning and work, and make meaningful contributions to their communities. It is imperative to acknowledge that mental health transcends mere absence of diagnosable mental health disorders; it encompasses a constructive state of well-being and the capacity to derive fulfillment from life while adeptly navigating the challenges that manifest (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2021).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised an important alarm concerning the increasing gravity of global mental health issues. This upsurge in mental health problems can primarily be attributed to shifts in demographics and has led to a 13% increase in mental health conditions and substance use disorders over the last decade, up until 2017. Remarkably, mental health conditions now account for one-fifth of the years lived with disability. Moreover, approximately 20% of the global population, including children and adolescents, grapples with mental health conditions, with suicide ranking as the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 29.
In Nigeria, the burden of mental health disorders is particularly substantial. An estimated 25-30% of the Nigerian population is affected by some form of mental illness, yet access to professional assistance remains severely limited, with fewer than 10% of individuals in need receiving adequate care. The President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN) has conveyed that over 60 million Nigerians are grappling with mental health challenges, as reported in Premiumtimes in 2023. Regrettably, mental health receives only a minuscule allocation, approximately three percent, of the government's healthcare budget, as documented by the World Health Organization in 2020 (Ajumobi, 2020; Mbamalu, 2021).
Mental illness, akin to many other medical conditions, exhibits a diverse spectrum of severity. Individuals affected may not necessarily display outward signs of illness, especially when their condition is mild. Conversely, some individuals may exhibit conspicuous symptoms such as confusion, agitation, or social withdrawal. This diversity extends to the myriad of mental illnesses, which encompass depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, each of which exerts a distinctive influence on an individual's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors (National Institutes of Health (US) and Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, 2007).
These conditions, whether they manifest mildly or severely, exert a profound influence on various aspects of one's life. Mental health problems and illnesses encompass a spectrum of behaviors, thoughts, and emotions that can significantly impact various domains, including educational pursuits, professional endeavors, social interactions, and familial relationships.
Teachers, like all members of the workforce, are not immune to experiencing mental health challenges. The expectations and responsibilities placed upon teachers, both within the classroom and in their personal lives, have a notable impact on their mental well-being (Corrente et al., 2022).
Thus this study seeks to explore the effects of exercise on the mental well-being of lecturers in Nigeria, with a specific case study of selected members of the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Teaching is considered a highly stressful job with numerous stressors, resulting in a high risk of burnout (Corrente et al., 2022). These problems can have negative consequences on the mental and physical health of employees and can lead to decreased job performance, job satisfaction, and increased job turnover. In the academic setting, lecturers are often under significant pressure to meet teaching and research demands, and this pressure can contribute to high levels of work stress and burnout.
Moreso, lecturers are often faced with numerous challenges, including limited resources, high workload, and inadequate compensation. Collectively, these challenges can create a hostile working environment for lecturers, resulting in high levels of work-related stress and burnout (Ngobe, 2023). Work-related stress and burnout, in turn, have a significant impact on lecturers' mental well-being, potentially leading to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. These mental health challenges, if unaddressed, can erode lecturers' overall job satisfaction, hinder their effectiveness in teaching and research, and even drive them to consider leaving their academic positions.
Therefore, it is evident that addressing the mental well-being of lecturers is not just a matter of individual concern; it is an urgent issue that pertains to the overall health of the academic sector in Nigeria.
1.3 Aim of the Study
The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effects of exercise on the mental well-being of lecturers in Nigeria, with a focus on members of the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club.
1.4 Objectives of the Study
The specific objectives of this study are as follows:
- To assess the current mental well-being of lecturers in the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club.
- To investigate the exercise habits and routines of members of the Senior Staff Club.
- To analyze effect of exercise on mental well-being of lecturers.
1.5 Research Questions
To guide this study, the following research questions are posed:
- What is the current mental well-being status of lecturers in the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club?
- What are the exercise habits and routines of members of the Senior Staff Club?
- What is the effect of exercise on mental well-being of lecturers
1.6 Research Hypothesis
H0: Exercise does not significantly affect the mental well-being of lecturers in the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club.
Ha: Exercise significantly affects the mental well-being of lecturers in the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club.
1.7 Justification of the Study
This study is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it addresses a critical issue concerning the mental well-being of lecturers, a group whose mental health has been relatively understudied. Secondly, it explores the potential benefits of exercise as a cost-effective and accessible means of improving mental well-being, which can have broader implications for mental health interventions in academic settings. Lastly, by focusing on the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club, it provides valuable insights that can inform policies and programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of lecturers in Nigerian universities.
1.8 Scope of the Study
This study will focus on members of the University of Uyo Senior Staff Club in Nigeria. It will assess the mental well-being status of lecturers, their exercise habits and routines, and the potential effects of exercise on their mental well-being.
