SPORTS BETTING, GENDER AND RESILIENCE AS PREDICTORS OF ACADEMIC STRESS AMONG POSTGRADUATE STUDENT IN NIGERIA
In several low and middle income countries like Nigeria, academic stress has become a prevalent concern among postgraduate students emanating from the pressure to excel academically amid relatively unstable academic calendar in Nigeria University system. This research investigated the predictive relationship between sports betting, gender, resilience, and academic stress among postgraduate students in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data at a single point in time, allowing for the assessment of the variables and their influence on academic stress levels. The research employed a random sampling technique to select a 300 representative sample of postgraduate students from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, ensuring a diverse representation of genders. Three instruments were administered to the participants for data collection, namely: The South Oaks Gambling Screen, The Brief Resilience Scale and The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Multiple Regression Analysis was used as statistics to provide insights into the unique contribution of each predictor on academic stress among postgraduate students. Results are interpreted and findings discussed. The findings of this study can inform educational institutions, policymakers, and mental health practitioners about the potential impact of these variables on postgraduate students' academic stress levels, and inform evidence-based strategies to promote student well-being and academic success, thus facilitating the development of targeted interventions and support mechanisms.