Comparative Assessment of Stress Levels in Residential and Nonresidential Sports Men and Women: A Comprehensive Study

Back ground: Sports have witnessed remarkable development over the past few decades, primarily attributed to the pivotal role played by mental prowess. Sports individuals' intellectual quotient (IQ) and mental stability have become integral factors in their performance. This study focuses on the psychological aspect of stress in sports, analyzing the stress levels among residential and nonresidential male and female college and university players in Tamil Nadu. Purpose: This study aims to examine the stress levels exhibited by sportsmen and women during training and competition, emphasizing the need for psychological comprehension and counseling. Material and methodology: The survey involved 1600 subjects, including 400 residential men players, 400 residential women players, 400 nonresidential men players, and 400 nonresidential women players from various universities and colleges. A psychological stress coping questionnaire was administered to assess stress levels, including the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Reena Kaul and Bedi's stress scale (2001). Results: Significant differences in stress levels were observed among residential and nonresidential men players, with residential men players demonstrating higher stress levels (Mean = 50.14, SD = 0.09) compared to nonresidential men players (Mean = 46.41, SD = 0.15; t-value = 408.04, p < 0.05). A similar pattern was found among residential and nonresidential women players, with residential women players experiencing lower stress levels (Mean = 46.06, SD = 0.77) compared to nonresidential women players (Mean = 48.51, SD = 0.81; t-value = 41.64, p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant difference in stress levels was observed between residential men and women players (t-value = 40.58, p < 0.05) and nonresidential men and women players (t-value = 8.74, p < 0.05). The analysis of stress variables revealed a substantial mean difference among all four groups, comprising men and women, residential and nonresidential university and college players (F-value = 4486.25, p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study concludes significant variations in stress levels among residential and nonresidential male and female college and university players in Tamil Nadu. The findings are supported by statistically significant differences in stress experiences within these player groups, emphasizing the need for psychological support and interventions in sports.