HEALTH AND WELLBEING STATUS AMONG STUDENTS OF THE FACULTY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS: GENDER DIFFERENCES AND MARITAL STATUS

Full text

International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
DOI: 10.20472/TE.2018.6.2.005
HEALTH AND WELLBEING STATUS AMONG STUDENTS OF
THE FACULTY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS:
GENDER DIFFERENCES AND MARITAL STATUS
SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI, LIRIDONA JEMINI - GASHI*, MELIHA
BRESTOVCI, LIRIE LOKAJ
Abstract:
Worldwide studies show the importance of physical activity for health and wellbeing. The purpose of
the current study was to analyze health and well-being of students at the Faculty of Physical
Education and Sports who have regular physical activity. The study also aimed to analyze health and
well-being from a gender perspective and marital status. A series of validated measures assessing
health and wellbeing and additional questions for the demographic part, were administrated to 428
students of Sports (Female 42.5%, Male = 57.5%, 33.5% married, 61% unmarried). Research
findings show high levels of physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual health and well-being
among sports students. Most of the students do not consume unhealthy and psychoactive
substances. In addition to descriptive data, the findings of the study show significant differences in
health and wellbeing, as per gender, as well as for marital status. Results have come to be
consistent with data derived from other studies and are discussed within the context of general and
specific dimensions of health and wellbeing, physical education and activity among Kosovar
students.
Keywords:
students, physical activity, health, wellbeing, gender differences, marital status
JEL Classification: I00, I10, I12
Authors:
SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI, University of Prishtina , Kosovo, Email: shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu
LIRIDONA JEMINI - GASHI*, University of Prishtina, Kosovo, Email: liridona.jemini@uni-pr.edu
MELIHA BRESTOVCI, University of Prishtina, Kosovo, Email: meliha.brestovci@uni-pr.edu
LIRIE LOKAJ, Ambulance of Clinical Psychology “UNI”, Kosovo, Email: lokaj.lirie@gmail.com
Citation:
SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI, LIRIDONA JEMINI - GASHI*, MELIHA BRESTOVCI, LIRIE LOKAJ (2018).
Health and wellbeing status among students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports: gender
differences and marital status. International Journal of Teaching and Education, Vol. VI(2), pp.
75-86., 10.20472/TE.2018.6.2.005
*Corresponding author
75Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

Introduction
Health and wellbeing are very important life factors, and researchers around the world are
getting more attention to them. Regarding health and wellbeing, in literature there are
highlighted different theoretical perspectives. Some researchers conceptualize health and
wellbeing as an emotional process (Dinner, Emmons, Larsen and Griffen, 1985).
Suominen, Helenius, Blomberg, Uutela and Koskenvuo (2000) have stressed that health
and wellbeing are related to physical processes. Moreover, according to them, physical
health is a good predictor of life quality. Other researchers (Martin and Rubin, 1995;
Stephen, Dulberg and Joubert, 1999) have described wellbeing as a cognitive process.
The World Health Organization defined health as a physical, mental and social state, and
wellbeing as a balance of these dimensions (WHO, 2002; 2006).
Another model bases health on five dimensions. According to Masters (2004), health
consists of five dimensions: physical health, social, emotional, mental and spiritual, while
wellbeing means a balance of the dimensions concerned. The physical dimension of health
refers to the body aspect, the traditional definitions of health and the absence of diseases
and injuries. Mental health consists in the cognitive aspect of health, while emotional health
has to do with the ability to recognize and express feelings adequately. Spiritual health
refers to the general feeling of living in life, whilst the social dimension of health consists in
the ability to make and maintain meaningful relationships with others (Masters, 2004).
Health and wellbeing are factors of interest for many studies that aim to analyze them from
different perspectives. Associated to health and wellbeing, there are many factors,
including the part of physical education and sport. Numerous studies around the world
show the importance of physical activity for general and specific dimensions of health and
wellbeing.
It has been shown that education and health are “partners” working together. Therefore,
one promotes the other and together they promote the wellbeing of students (Strong,
Malina, Blimkie, 2005). According to Fedewa and Ahn (2011), physical activity leads to
many psychological and health benefits. Physical education in schools offers to students a
platform from which they can gain physical skills, improve fitness, develop personal and
interpersonal skills and improve children's achievement and cognitive outcomes (Fedewa,
Ahn, 2011). It also enables students to develop the concepts and skills necessary for
participation in a wide range of physical activities, including sports, dance and outdoor
learning, and enhances their physical wellbeing in preparation for leading a fulfilling, active
and healthy lifestyle.
According to Brooks (2013), children`s wellbeing is influenced by a range of factors and
includes their subjective feelings as well as social, physical and psychological aspects of
their lives. The health and wellbeing of children and young people contributes to their ability
to benefit from good quality teaching and to achieve their full academic potential. In other
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
76Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

words, academic success has a strong positive impact on children`s subjective sense of
how good they feel their lives are (life satisfaction) and is linked to higher levels of wellbeing
in adulthood (Brooks, 2013).
The role of physical activity in the wellbeing of individuals, was also examined in the study
of Rendi, Szabo, Szabo, Velenczeei and Kovacs (2008), which included participants with
regular physical activity. Their aim was to analyze the psychological wellbeing of adults
after exercise and gymnastics training. The findings of the study have shown significant
improvements after 20 minutes of exercise, regardless of the type and weight of the
exercises they have made.
In addition to association of physical activity with health and wellbeing, the studies have
been aimed at understanding whether gender differences and marital status for health and
well-being exist.
As to gender issues, Roothman, Doret, Kirsten and Marie P. (2003) aimed to examine
whether men and women differ with regard to aspects of health and psychological
wellbeing. The participants completed 13 scales that measure psychological wellbeing in
affective, physical, cognitive, spiritual, self, and social aspects. According to the research
findings, men scored higher on physical self-concept, automatic thoughts (positive),
constructive thinking, and cognitive flexibility, whereas women scored higher on the
expression of affect, somatic symptoms, and religious wellbeing. The researchers
concluded that no significant gender differences were found regarding coherence, life
satisfaction, affect balance, and emotional intelligence, as results are in line with gender
stereotypes and traditional socialization practices, and possibly reflect the impact of
longstanding social inequality between men and women. Gender differences regarding
physical activity and different aspects of health and well-being including physical, mental,
social, emotional and spiritual dimensions, are also emphasized by other studies (Carmel
& Bernstein, 2003; Hammermeister, Flint, El-Alayli, Ridnour, & Peterson, 2005; Savoye,
Moreau, Brault, Levêque & Godin, 2015).
Among recent studies, those that gained attention were on women’s wellbeing across
different disciplines. These researches take into account the relationship between
psychological wellbeing and major life transitions, including marriage. However, there are
not enough studies on the nature of the relationship between marital status and
psychological wellbeing, as most of the studies on marital transition and psychological
wellbeing were conducted in a developed country setting (e.g. Pearlin & Johnson, 1977;
Gerstel, Riessman & Rosenfield, 1985; Diener, 1984; Horwitz, White & Howell-White,
1998). Pearlin and Johnson (1977) reported that those who are married are less
susceptible to depression, even after controlling for important characteristics such as sex,
age, and race. Their study also reveals that separated individuals are the most burdened
by depression, while widowed and divorced individuals are troubled with it only to a
moderate degree. Gerstel, Reissman and Rosenfield (1985) also found evidence
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
77Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

associating marital dissolution with psychological distress and showed gender differences
in this association. For women, psychological distress following marital dissolution tends to
be associated with material circumstances (i.e. those concerning income and other
parental obligations), whereas for men the consequence is strongly felt in the loosening of
social networks. Horwitz, White, and Howell-White (1998), however, do not show similar
gender differences for younger cohorts. They report that young married men and women
derive equal benefits from marriage and experience increased levels of wellbeing in terms
of, e.g., reduced psychosomatic symptoms and less alcohol intake.
The perception of health and wellbeing by students, as affected by gender and marital
status, is also studied by Pandey (2009/10). Through cross-sectional studies, interaction
between marital status and health-and-wellbeing, shows that married people report higher
scores on their health and wellbeing. Such findings have been shown also in the study of
Mookherjee (1997). Marriage was seen to have raised a higher level of perception of health
and wellbeing for men and women, though married women have reported more satisfaction
than men. This has been emphasized and explained by other studies. According to Soulsby
and Bennett (2015), married people report consistently better levels of psychological health
than unmarried through perception of social support. Based on the findings, married people
perceive a higher social support and so, they report for a better psychological and general
health and wellbeing. On the other hand, the unmarried, divorced and the widows, have
reported a lower psychological health and wellbeing.
Worldwide, studies make clear enough the importance of physical activity for good health
and wellbeing. On the other hand, they also emphasize gender differences and marital
status in health and wellbeing. Scientific data about these variables are very limited in
Kosovo. A study done by Tishukaj, Shalaj, Gjaka, Ademi Ahmetxhekaj, Bachl, Tschan and
Wessner (2017), aimed to examine anthropometric and physical fitness parameters in 14
to 15 year old kosovar adolescents living in rural and urban areas. Research findings
showed association of physical performance with overweight and obesity. In other words,
worse physical performance was associated with a higher risk for overweight and obesity
among kosovar adolescents (Tishukaj, Shalaj, Gjaka, Ademi Ahmetxhekaj, Bachl, Tschan
and Wessner, 2017). The study underlines the importance of physical performance,
though, data on health and wellbeing of adults with regular physical activity, from a gender
perspective and civil status, are missing in Kosovo. The current study is thought to be an
initial basis for the health and wellbeing of people with regular physical activity. To the
authors’ knowledge, this study, is the first to provide information about health and wellbeing
among Kosovar adult with regular physical activity.
The overall goal of this study is to understand the level of health and wellbeing of students
at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, University of Prishtina, "Hasan Prishtina",
who have regular physical activity on a daily basis. The study also attempts to provide data
on the consumption of prescribed psychoactive substances. Additionally, the study will
analyze the status of students on their health and wellbeing in terms of gender and marital
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
78Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

status. Furthermore, the specific objective of the study is focused on trying to understand
if there are differences in health and wellbeing between females and males, married,
unmarried, divorced and widows students. Research findings will provide firm ground for
the development of strategies and pre-university and university education practices with
the aim of motivating people to include in physical activities. The findings from this study
will also be a good basis for further studies.
Methods
Sample
The study was conducted with 428 students from the Faculty of Physical Education and
Sport, in their first, second, third, and fourth year of studies, with an average age of 20.6.
Regarding gender, 182 were women (42.5%) and 246 were men (57.5%). Sixty-one
percent of the sample were unmarried, 33.5% married, 3.2 divorced, and 2.3 widowers.
The sample was intentional on the basis of the intention to bring people who are regular in
physical activity, who were then selected through stratified random sampling.
Instruments
Part of the demographic data. The questionnaire has contained questions about the
demographic data of the participants, such as gender, age, residence, educational level
and civil status.
The questionnaire on health and wellbeing. It was designed specifically for this study
and contains 23 items that measure aspects of health and wellbeing, involvement in
physical activity, and consumption of tobacco and beverages containing alcohol. It was
designed to support a five-dimensional model (G. Masters 2004), including within itself
questions related to the physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions. For
the physical dimension, questions were related to nutrition, exercise, and healthy habits.
The emotional dimension contained items associated with feelings and the awareness and
acceptance of feelings; the mental part consisted of items related to coping with daily
problems and demands. Items concerning relationships and interactions with others were
drawn to the social dimension, and items regarding beliefs and values to the spiritual
dimension.
Pilot instrument was subjected to test its credibility. We tested 50 respondents; the survey
resulted in a coefficient of Cronbach's Alophes of α.824.
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
79Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

Research design
Health and wellbeing of students were criterion variables in this study, and will be analyzed
in terms of their general perspective. The variables in question, except in terms of the level
of presentation according to students` reports, will be analyzed for gender and marital
status. The study initially consists of descriptive and explorative design and provides basic
data on the health and well-being of Sports students. In line with its specific objectives, the
study then moves into inferential statistics with the aim of analyzing data from a civil status
and gender perspective. In terms of time, it is a cross-sectional study design. Since the
sample includes only students, it is a single cross-sectional design.
Procedure
With approval of the request for research, the management of the academic unit has
agreed to administer the questionnaires with leaders of study programs within the Faculty
of Physical Education and Sports. At least two weeks before administration, selected
students for the study were informed that on a certain date they would be invited to fill in
questionnaires regarding perceptions of their health and wellbeing. Awareness has been
adapted for research, including information about a) the purpose of the research,
anticipated duration and procedures; b) the right to refuse participation and the opportunity
to withdraw after the research began; c) any benefit from the research in the future.
Analysis
Percentages were used to understand the levels of health and wellbeing in all dimensions,
physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual health and wellbeing. Shapiro Wilk’s test
was used to check if the data were normally distributed. Data found to be non-normally
distributed and therefore non - parametric tests were used. Mann Whitney U was used to
investigate the differences for health and well-being among males and females students.
While, for understanding the health and wellbeing and the differences between married,
unmarried, divorced and widows, Kruskal wallis was used. All analyses were conducted
using the Social Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, v.20.
Results
Through frequencies, the perceptions of students are analyzed on the level of their health
and wellbeing. In general aspects of health and wellbeing, findings show that 72.96% of
students reported an excellent level, 21.73% reported health and wellbeing at moderate
levels, and 5.31% of students reported poor health and wellbeing. Regarding the analysis
of health and wellbeing in specific dimensions, 75.93% of students reported an excellent
and high level, 19.96% reported a moderate level, and 31.4% of students reported poor
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
80Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

health and physical wellbeing. Regarding health and wellbeing in social terms, 73.32% of
students reported excellent and high levels, 20.92% a moderate level, and 5.76% of
students reported poor health and social wellbeing. Sixty-nine percent of students reported
emotional health and wellbeing at a high and excellent level, 24.64% reported moderate
levels, and 6.36% reported a weak emotional level. Regarding health and wellbeing in the
mental dimension, 68.73% of students reported a high and excellent level, 20.12% of
students reported a moderate level, while 11.15% reported a weak level of mental health
and wellbeing. Regarding the spiritual dimensions, 66.87% of students reported high and
excellent levels of their spiritual health and wellbeing, 24.66% reported moderate levels of
this dimension, and 8.47% of the students reported a poor level of health in terms of
spiritual wellbeing. In all dimensions, the majority of participants reported high levels of
health and well-being.
Findings emerged from a frequency analysis to show the levels of tobacco consumption
among students in the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports. Regarding this issue,
7.01% of the students reported that they smoke on a daily basis; 7.01% reported smoking
occasionally, while 85.75% reported that they have never smoked. Regarding the
consumption of beverages containing alcohol, the highest percentage of students also
reported that they have never tried; respectively, 60.28% of them reported that they have
not consumed liquor, 33.19% of them reported having consumed an occasionally drink
containing alcohol, and 6:54% of students reported consuming alcohol on a daily basis.
These percentages show that most of the students of the Faculty of Physical Education
and Sports who have regular physical activity do not consume unhealthy and psychoactive
substances.
Besides the abovementioned percentages that correspond to a general objective of the
study, there are also statistics comparing means to respond to other specific objectives of
the study. Through the normality test of Shapiro Wilk, it is seen that the data distribution is
non- normal (statistic .946, df .321, sig.000). Therefore, to understand whether significant
differences exist in the health and wellbeing of females and males, the Mann-Whitney U
test is used.
Table 1. The health and wellbeing of women and men
_____________________________________________________________________
Gender N Mean Mann Whitney U \Sig
_____________________________________________________________________
Women 182 188.87 11820.000 .004
Men 246 143.63
_____________________________________________________________________
Note: Means for health and wellbeing according to gender, values and Mann Whitney U and Significance.
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
81Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

Based on the findings presented in Table Number 1, Mean for health and wellbeing of
females is M 188.87, while for males is M 143.63. Mann Whitney U value has come to be
11820.00 and sig. .004. As it is assumed, significant differences have been found between
females and males for health and wellbeing. Regarding the means values, females
reported better health and wellbeing.
To analyze differences in health and wellbeing among students with the civil status of
single, married, divorced, and widowed, Kruskal Wallis is used. The results obtained from
this analysis are presented in Table Number 2.
Table 2.
Health and wellbeing of those married, single, divorced, and widowed.
_____________________________________________________________________
Civil Status N Mean Kruskal Wallis \Sig
_____________________________________________________________________
Not married 220 99.96
Married 190 110.78
Divorced 13 87.17
Widowed 5 66.97
13.704 .003
_____________________________________________________________________
Note. Means for health and wellbeing according to civil status, Kruskal Wallis Values and Significance
On the basis of results derived and presented in Table 2, it may be noted that health and
wellbeing Mean for participants with the civil status of unmarried is M 99.96; for married
participants M 11.78; for divorced, M 87.17, and for widowed participants, M 66.97. The
Kruskal Wallis score for statistics has come to be 13,704 worth of significances of sig.003.
Significant differences in health and wellbeing have emerged among the participants of
different civil status. The highest average of good health and well-being, is shown by
participants who are married, followed by the unmarried participant. Lowest means for
health and wellbeing, were reported by the participants who were divorced and widows.
Discussion
The overall aim of this study was the examination and analysis of the health and wellbeing
of students in the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports. The outcomes through
descriptive statistics and frequency respectively, have provided an overview for levels of
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
82Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

health and wellbeing according to perception and reporting by the participants. The
outcomes on levels of health and wellbeing in the general framework, show that most of
the students of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports have excellent health
(72.96%), 21.73% are shown to have moderated levels of health and wellbeing, while
31.5% have reported poor health and wellbeing. The health and wellbeing of students
participating is found to be excellent for the majority of students and for the analysis of
specific dimensions. Most of the students, or 75.93%, have reported excellent physical
health, 19.76% reported moderate health, and 4:31% poor physical health. In the social
dimension, 73.32% of the students participating have talked about excellent social health,
while 20.92% reported a moderate level, and 5.76% poor wellbeing, poor health and poor
social health as well. Regarding the dimension of health and emotional wellbeing, 69% of
participating students have reported excellent health, 24.64% of them reported a moderate
level, and 6.36% a weak level of emotional wellbeing. For health and wellbeing in the
mental dimension, 68.73% of students have reported a high and excellent level, 20,12% of
students reported a moderate level, while 11.15% of them reported a weak level of mental
health and wellbeing. On the spiritual dimension, 66.87% of students have reported high
and excellent levels of health and spiritual wellbeing, 24.66% reported moderate levels,
and 8:47% of the students reported a poor level of health and wellbeing in this dimension.
These findings confirm the importance of regular physical activity for high levels of health
and wellbeing.
In general, the findings of this study in Kosovo are consistent with the findings of many
other studies worldwide. The excellent levels of health and wellbeing among students in
the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport are in line with the findings of other studies.
The importance of physical activity on general health and wellbeing is also found in study
of Marchi and Uzoniche, (2010; in Olubayo-Fatiregun, Ayodele, & Olorunisola 2014),
according to which, involvement in activities such as regular sports improves the health
and wellbeing of persons at any age. According to them (Marchi & Uzoniche 2010 in
Olubayo-Fatiregun, Ayodele, & Olorunisola, 2014), engagement in physical activities
prevents many diseases such as cardio-vascular and coronary artery disease, diabetes,
obesity, and some forms of cancer. Emphasizing the association of physical activity and
health, current research findings are consistent with the findings of other studies (Tishukaj,
Shalaj, Gjaka, Ahmetxhekaj, Bachl, Tschan, 2017; Rendi, Szabo, Szabo, Velenczeei and
Kovacs, 2008).
Regarding the specific objectives of the study, the results provide data also in regard to the
specific research questions. Regarding the gender perspective, the results obtained
through the Mann-Whitney U (11820.000, sig. Of .004) show significant differences for
health and wellbeing between females and males. On the basis of this, it can be concluded
that significant differences exist between females and males for health and wellbeing,
where females have reported the higher mean that for better health and wellbeing.
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
83Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

Significant differences from the perspective of gender when it comes to health and
wellbeing are found by other studies, some at the global level, while in some others,
differences between men and women were found among the various dimensions of health
and wellbeing (Graham and Chattopadhyay, 2012; Roothman, Kirsten and Marie, 2003;
Horwitz, White and Howell-White 1996; Carmel & Bernstein, 2003; Hammermeister, Flint,
El-Alayli, Ridnour, & Peterson, 2005; Savoye, Moreau, Brault, Levêque & Godin, 2015).
Significant differences for health and wellbeing are found even between married students
and unmarried, divorced, and widowed. Based on the results obtained by Kruskal Wallis
(M 110.78 to married, unmarried M 99.96, 87.17 Kruskal Wallis with sig. of .003), married
participant students have shown the highest mean of good health and wellbeing. These
findings are consistent with the findings of other studies which emphasize the importance
of marriage in the health and wellbeing of women and men (Pearlin & Johnson, 1977;
Gerstel, Riessman &Rosenfield, 1985; Doherty, Su & Needle, 1989; Horwitz, White &
Howell-White, 1996; e Pandey 2009/10; Mookherjee, 1997). This can be explained by the
benefits of marriage (Stanton, 2012) and people who are married enjoy better health in the
physical aspect and also in the mental one. According to Stanton (2012), married
individuals are more likely to be happy, avoid acute diseases, and care more about
themselves; they also avoid risky behaviors. Similar findings were reported in the study of
Kulikova and Llull (2014), according to whom married people enjoy significantly better
health than the unmarried ones and married people report social support, which then
affects psychological health and well-being (Soulsby and Bennett, 2015). Such findings are
also explainable in the Kosovo context, where marriage is perceived among the most
important life matters.
Conclusion
Regarding overall purpose and specific objectives, this study raises important issues
concerning health and wellbeing, especially in a population for which we do not have
scientific data. Students at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports have shown high
levels of health and excellent wellbeing. Students involved in regular physical activities, to
a great extent report not consuming unhealthy substances. Although differences in the
means for health and wellbeing of females and males are not large, they are significant.
Women have reported the highest level of good health and wellbeing. Also, high and
excellent levels of health and wellbeing showed more participants who were married than
unmarried, divorced, or widowed. Differences in health and wellbeing for the civil status,
have shown to be significant. Results of the study are in line with other studies, and may
have theoretical but also practical implications.
Finally, the findings of this study provide the first evidence that the health and well-being of
sports students doing regular physical activities are at a high level, both in terms of general
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
84Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

and specific dimensions. Physical activity represent a vital factor for health and wellbeing.
Based on the findings of this study, further studies may focus on other variables that may
correlate with the health and wellbeing of the population in Kosovo. Future studies would
be better to include other students from different academic units in order to analyze and
compare health and wellbeing of students in different faculties and, based on the findings,
more specific recommendations would come up. These findings provide an initial and good
basis for the development of strategies and programs at education system for adequate
integration of physical education and sports. On the basis of this study and others that may
take place later, awareness programs can be developed on the importance of physical
activity for overall health and wellbeing of the population of Kosovo, all ages included.
References
Brett Roothman, Doret K. Kirsten and Marie P.,Gender. differences in aspects of psychological wellbeing,
Wissing School of Psychological Behavioural Sciences, Potchefstroom University for CHE, South
Africa.
Brooks F ( 2013). Chapter 7: Life stage: School Years, in Chief Medical Officer's annual report 2012: Our
Children Deserve Better: Prevention Pays, ed. Professor Dame Sally C Davies. London: DH
Carmel, S. & Bernstein, J. (2003). Gender differences in physical health and psychosocial well
being among four age-groups of elderly people in Israel. International Journal of Aging &
Human Development, 56(2), 113-
131
Carol Graham and Soumya Chattopadhyay (2012). Gender and Wellbeing Around the World: Some Insights
from the Economics of Happiness. Working Papers from Human Capital and Economic Opportunity
Working Group.
Diener, Ed. 1984. "Subjective Wellbeing." Psychological Bulletin 95: 542–575. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-
2909.95.3.542
Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The Satisfaction With Life Scale. Journal of
Personality Assessment, 49, 71–75
Fedewa AL, Ahn S. (2011). The effects of physical activity and physical fitness on children’s achievement
and cognitive outcomes: a meta-analysis.Res Q Exerc Sport. 2011;82(3):521-535.
Gerstel, Naomi, Catherine Kohler , and Sarah Rosenfield. 1985. “Explaining the Symptomatology of
Separated and Divorced Women and Men: The Role of Material Conditions and Social Networks.”
Social Forces 64: 84–101
Hammermeister, J., Flint, M., El-Alayli, A., Ridnour, H & Peterson, M. (2005). Gender differences in spiritual
wellbeing: Are females more males spiritually – well than males? American Journal of Health Studies.
2005, Vol. 20 Issue 1/2, p80-84. 5p.
Horwitz, Allan V., Julie McLaughlin, and Helene Raskin White. 1997. “How the Negative and Positive Aspects
of Partner Relationships Affect the Mental Health of Young Married People.” Journal of Health and
Social Behavior 39: 124–136.
Masters G, 2004 Conceptualising and researching student wellbeing
http://www.acer.edu.au/documents/RC2004_Proceedings_001.pdf
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
85Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu

Martin, M. M., & Rubin, R. B. (1995). A new measure of cognitive flexibility. Psychological Reports, 76, 623–
626
Mookherjee, Dilip. “Informational Rents and Property Rights in Land.” In Property Relations, Incentives and
Wellbeing, edited by John E. Roemer. New York: Macmillan, 1997
Olubayo-Fatiregun, M. A., Ayodele R.B, &.Olorunisola, H.K (2014). Health, Fitness and Physical Activity: A
Key to Enhancing Wellness for All Ages in Building a Vibrant Nation. Asian Journal of Humanities and
Social Sciences (AJHSS) Volume 2—Issue 1, February, 2014 ISSN: 2320-9720
Olubayo-Fatiregun, Ayodele, & Olorunisola (2014). Health, Fitness and Physical Activity: A Key to
Enhancing Wellness for All Ages in Building a Vibrant Nation . Asian Journal of Humanities and Social
Sciences (AJHSS) Volume 2—Issue 1, February, 2014 ISSN: 2320-9720
Pandey, M.K. (2009/10). Association between Marital Status and Health: Examining the Role of Age and
Gender1 .ASARC Working Paper
Pearlin, Leonard I. and Joyce S. Johnson. 1977. “Marital Status, Life Strains and Depression.” American
Sociological Review 42: 704–715.
Rendi, M., Szabo, A., Szabó, T., Velenczei, A., & Kovács, Á. (2008). Acute psychological benefits of aerobic
exercise: A field study into the effects of exercise characteristics. Psychology, Health & Medicine,
13(2), 180-184. doi:10.1080/13548500701426729
Roothman, B., Kirsten, D. & Wissing, P. (2003). Gender differences in aspects of psychological
wellbeing. Periodical | South African Journal of Psychology, Vol 33, Issue 4, p. p.212-218.
Savoye, I., Moreau, N., Brault, M.Ch., Levêque , A & Godin, I. (2015). Well-being, gender, and psychological
health in school-aged children. v.73; PMC4685636. Arch Public Health.
Soulsby, L. K., & Bennett, K. M. (2015). Marriage and Psychological Wellbeing: The Role of Social Support.
Psychology, 6, 1349-1359. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/psych.2015.611132
Stephens T, Dulberg C, Joubert N (1999). Mental health of the Canadian population: a comprehensive
analysis. Chronic Diseases in Canada, 20(3): 118–126.
Strong WB, Malina RM, Blimkie CJ (2005). Evidence based physical activity for school-age youth. J
Pediatr;146(6):732-737.
Suominen S, Helenius H, Blomberg H, Uutela A, Koskenvuo M. Sense of coherence as a predictor of
subjective state of health. Results of a 4-year follow-up of adults. J Psychosom Res. 2001; 50: 77–
86. Google Scholar Medline
Tishukaj, F., Shalaj, I., Gjaka, M., Ahmetxhekaj, A., Bachl, N., Tschan, H., & B. (2017). Physical fitness and
anthropometric characteristics among adolescents living in urban or rural areas of Kosovo. BMC Public
Health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4727-4
World Health Organization. WHO definition of Health, Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health
Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19–22 June 1946; signed
on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization,
no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948. In Grad, Frank P. (2002). "The Preamble of the
Constitution of the World Health Organization". Bulletin of the World Health Organization. 80 (12): 982.
World Health Organization. (2006). Constitution of the World Health Organization – Basic Documents, Forty-
fifth edition, Supplement, October 2006.
International Journal of Teaching and Education Vol. VI, No. 2 / 2018
86Copyright © 2018, SHQIPE BAJCINCA - BRESTOVCI et al., shqipe.bajcinca@uni-pr.edu