Examining the Association Between Sports Participation and Mental Health of Adolescents

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2022 Dec 23

PMID 36554958

Authors

Asaduzzaman Khan

Kazi R Ahmed

Tarissa Hidajat

Elizabeth J Edwards

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Sports participation has been linked to various health outcomes; however, there is scant literature exploring this relationship in developing countries. We used a mixed method approach to examine the association between sports participation and mental health of Bangladeshi adolescents ( = 320; 13-17 years; 59% boys) and to explore sports preferences and barriers to sports participation across genders. A survey collected team and non-team sports participation, depression, and life satisfaction. Focus groups (16 boys, 16 girls) explored preferences for, and barriers to, sports participation. Regression analysis showed that higher team and non-team sports participation were associated with lower depressive symptoms in boys (β = -1.22, 95% CI:-2.55 to -0.10; β = -2.50, 95% CI:-3.83 to -1.16, respectively), while greater participation in team sports was associated with less depression in girls (β = -2.44, 95% CI:-4.63 to -0.24). Participation in team and non-team sports was positively associated with life satisfaction for boys and girls. Boys reported preferences for playing football and cricket, while girls favored skipping and running. Prolonged time on electronic devices was reported as barriers to sports participation in both genders. Furthermore, household chores, family restrictions, and unsafe environment were reported by girls. Participation in team sports may provide mental health benefits for both genders, while non-team sports may be more beneficial to boys than girls.

Citing Articles

The relationship between physical education teachers' competence support and middle school students' participation in sports: A chain mediation model of perceived competence and exercise persistence.

Liu Y, Yan J, Li J PLoS One. 2025; 20(1):e0314338.

PMID: 39775358 PMC: 11706385. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314338.

The Psychology Behind the Efficacy of a Buddy System for Enhancing Retention in Dermatological Clinical Trials.

Frasier K, Herrick G, Patel H, Kakarla S, Danial L, Konagalla S Cureus. 2024; 16(11):e72986.

PMID: 39640154 PMC: 11617496. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72986.

Nutrition for Children and Adolescents Who Practice Sport: A Narrative Review.

Capra M, Stanyevic B, Giudice A, Monopoli D, Decarolis N, Esposito S Nutrients. 2024; 16(16).

PMID: 39203939 PMC: 11357223. DOI: 10.3390/nu16162803.

School-Based Team Sports as Catalysts for Holistic Student Wellness: A Narrative Review.

Kang X, Meng Q, Su C Behav Sci (Basel). 2024; 14(7).

PMID: 39062351 PMC: 11274076. DOI: 10.3390/bs14070528.

Pulmonary contusion with hemoptysis from lacrosse ball strike: A case report.

Marin E, Ozair A, DeRosimo J, Candela J, McDermott M Heliyon. 2024; 10(12):e33128.

PMID: 39005896 PMC: 11239582. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33128.

References

Hopkins C, Hopkins C, Kanny S, Watson A . A Systematic Review of Factors Associated with Sport Participation among Adolescent Females. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(6). PMC: 8950299. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063353. View

Nabkasorn C, Miyai N, Sootmongkol A, Junprasert S, Yamamoto H, Arita M . Effects of physical exercise on depression, neuroendocrine stress hormones and physiological fitness in adolescent females with depressive symptoms. Eur J Public Health. 2005; 16(2):179-84. DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cki159. View

Kvaskova L, Recka K, Jezek S, Macek P . Time Spent on Daily Activities and Its Association with Life Satisfaction among Czech Adolescents from 1992 to 2019. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(15). PMC: 9367733. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159422. View

Hossain M, Ahmed H, Chowdhury W, Niessen L, Alam D . Mental disorders in Bangladesh: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry. 2014; 14:216. PMC: 4149198. DOI: 10.1186/s12888-014-0216-9. View

Uddin R, Burton N, Maple M, Khan S, Khan A . Suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempts among adolescents in 59 low-income and middle-income countries: a population-based study. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2019; 3(4):223-233. DOI: 10.1016/S2352-4642(18)30403-6. View

Ibrahim M, Wan Ismail W, Nik Jaafar N, Mohd Mokhtaruddin U, Ong H, Abu Bakar N . Depression and Its Association With Self-Esteem and Lifestyle Factors Among School-Going Adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Front Psychiatry. 2022; 13:913067. PMC: 9218174. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.913067. View

Slater A, Tiggemann M . Gender differences in adolescent sport participation, teasing, self-objectification and body image concerns. J Adolesc. 2010; 34(3):455-63. DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.06.007. View

Khan A, Ahmed R, Burton N . Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in secondary school children in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Ethn Health. 2017; 25(1):34-46. DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2017.1398313. View

Malm C, Jakobsson J, Isaksson A . Physical Activity and Sports-Real Health Benefits: A Review with Insight into the Public Health of Sweden. Sports (Basel). 2019; 7(5). PMC: 6572041. DOI: 10.3390/sports7050127. View

10.

Badura P, Geckova A, Sigmundova D, van Dijk J, Reijneveld S . When children play, they feel better: organized activity participation and health in adolescents. BMC Public Health. 2015; 15:1090. PMC: 4619483. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-2427-5. View

11.

OBrien W, Coppinger T, Hogan I, Belton S, Murphy M, Powell C . The Association of Family, Friends, and Teacher Support With Girls' Sport and Physical Activity on the Island of Ireland. J Phys Act Health. 2021; 18(8):929-936. DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2020-0386. View

12.

Lorenzetti V, Allen N, Fornito A, Yucel M . Structural brain abnormalities in major depressive disorder: a selective review of recent MRI studies. J Affect Disord. 2009; 117(1-2):1-17. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2008.11.021. View

13.

Ahmed K, Kolbe-Alexander T, Khan A . Effectiveness of a school-based intervention on physical activity and screen time among adolescents. J Sci Med Sport. 2021; 25(3):242-248. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.10.007. View

14.

Briere F, Yale-Souliere G, Gonzalez-Sicilia D, Harbec M, Morizot J, Janosz M . Prospective associations between sport participation and psychological adjustment in adolescents. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2018; 72(7):575-581. DOI: 10.1136/jech-2017-209656. View

15.

Knubben K, Reischies F, Adli M, Schlattmann P, Bauer M, Dimeo F . A randomised, controlled study on the effects of a short-term endurance training programme in patients with major depression. Br J Sports Med. 2006; 41(1):29-33. PMC: 2465130. DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2006.030130. View

16.

Paluska S, Schwenk T . Physical activity and mental health: current concepts. Sports Med. 2000; 29(3):167-80. DOI: 10.2165/00007256-200029030-00003. View

17.

Khan K, Thompson A, Blair S, Sallis J, Powell K, Bull F . Sport and exercise as contributors to the health of nations. Lancet. 2012; 380(9836):59-64. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60865-4. View

18.

Fromel K, Kudlacek M, Groffik D, Svozil Z, Simunek A, Garbaciak W . Promoting Healthy Lifestyle and Well-Being in Adolescents through Outdoor Physical Activity. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017; 14(5. PMC: 5451984. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14050533. View

19.

Widyastari D, Saonuam P, Pongpradit K, Wongsingha N, Choolers P, Kesaro S . Results from the Thailand 2022 report card on physical activity for children and youth. J Exerc Sci Fit. 2022; 20(4):276-282. PMC: 9241088. DOI: 10.1016/j.jesf.2022.06.002. View

20.

Hoffmann M, Barnes J, Tremblay M, Guerrero M . Associations between organized sport participation and mental health difficulties: Data from over 11,000 US children and adolescents. PLoS One. 2022; 17(6):e0268583. PMC: 9159603. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268583. View