38 • NIRSA Journal • Vol 25 • No 2 John R. Collins, Jr., Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Kinesiology, Health Promo- tion, and Recreation, Laura Valerius, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor and Acting Chair in Kinesioogy, Health Promotion, and Recreation at the University of Texas. Teresa King, M.S., is an Evaluation Specialist at Texas A&M University, and Aprill P. Graham, M.S., is Area Coordinator with Residence Life and Dining services at the University of Wyoming. The Relationship between College Students’ Self-Esteem and the Frequency and Importance of Their Participation in Recreational Activities by John R. Collins, Laura Valerius, Teresa C. King, and Aprill P. Graham College students are bombarded with expectations to perform and achieve in both the classroom and the social world associated with college life. Complet- ing course work, developing a social network, and adjusting to independent living are just a few of the demands on students. Unfortunately, when a stu- dent is unable to successfully manage these life stage challenges, the student’s emotional health and psychological well-being may degenerate and lead to feelings of frustration, being overwhelmed, and even low self-esteem (Astin, 1993). One mechanism for coping with the constant demands related to col- lege life is through participation in recreational activities, which has been shown to play an important role in helping students balance and improve the quality of their lives (Iso-Ahola, 1989). One of the most basic benefits recreation participation affords the student is momentary relief or escape from the need to attend to daily affairs. Even more beneficial are those recreational engagements that offer the college student an opportunity to develop and enhance his or her physical, mental, or emotional capacity. Participation in recreational activities can also provide a kind of “shelter” within which the student can explore and clarify social norms (Kleiber &