The Role of School Sports in Promoting Psychological and Social Health of Students in Line with Sustainable Development: A Case Study of High School Students in Abhar City

Introduction: Sustainable development relies on nurturing citizens with rich psychological and social capital. Schools, as the primary centers for shaping the character of the future generation, play an undeniable role in this regard. This research aimed to meticulously analyze the role of school sports activities in enhancing indicators of psychological health (reducing anxiety and depression, improving mood) and social health (strengthening communication skills and group cohesion) among high school students in Abhar city during the ۲۰۲۴-۲۰۲۵ academic year. Methodology: This study was conducted using a descriptive-correlational method and a survey design. The statistical population consisted of all male and female high school students in Abhar city during the mentioned academic year, with an approximate population of ۳,۲۰۰ based on data from the Education Department. Using Cochran's formula and considering a margin of error of ۰.۰۵, a sample size of ۳۴۰ was calculated. A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was employed. Initially, from the different educational districts of Abhar city, ۵ schools (۳ boys' schools and ۲ girls' schools) were randomly selected. Then, from each school, ۴ classes (from different grades) were randomly chosen, and all students present in these classes (۳۴۰ students) completed the questionnaires as the final study sample. Findings: Data were analyzed using SPSS version ۲۶, employing Pearson's correlation and independent T-tests. The findings indicated a significant positive correlation between the level of participation in sports activities and all components of psychological health and social skills (P < ۰.۰۱). Specifically, the mean scores for psychological and social health were significantly higher in the active student group compared to the inactive group. Conclusion: The obtained results introduce school sports not as a peripheral activity, but as a powerful institutional strategy for nurturing a generation aligned with the requirements of sustainable development. The systematic integration of sports into formal education can provide the necessary psychological and social infrastructure for achieving a sustainable, healthy, and resilient society.

کلیدواژه ها:

School Sports ، Mental Health ، Social Health ، Sustainable Development ، High School Students