Association Between Participating in Noncompetitive or Competitive Sports and Mental Health among Adolescents – a Norwegian Population-based Cross-sectional Study

Breistøl, Sara; Clench‐Aas, Jocelyne; Roy, Betty Van; Raanaas, Ruth Kjærsti

doi:10.21307/sjcapp-2017-003

Cited by 22 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…A recent study on the effects of participating in competition in adolescence [ 50 ] found the same positive effect on mental health as our study of children. Despite the fact that children do not always win such competitive sports matches, they do offer the opportunity to experience success and might therefore improve self-esteem [ 51 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Sports participation and psychosocial health: a longitudinal observational study in children

et al. 2018

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BackgroundIt is well known that sports participation is positively associated with psychosocial health in children, but details about this association over time are lacking. This study aimed to explore longitudinal associations between several characteristics of sports participation and three aspects of psychosocial health (internalizing problems, externalizing problems and prosocial behaviour) in Dutch children aged 10–12 years.MethodsData from 695 fourth-grade primary school children were included at baseline; 10–13 months later, 487 children (response rate 70.1%) were retained. At both time points, children reported on their sports participation (Move and Sports Monitor Questionnaire – Youth Aged 8–12 Years) and psychosocial health (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire). Longitudinal associations between several characteristics of sports participation and the three aspects of psychosocial health were analysed using linear mixed models, both clustering the repeated measures within children and clustering the children within schools. In addition to crude analyses, analyses were performed adjusting for sex, age, BMI, household composition, SES and frequency of sports participation.ResultsMembership in a sports club, moderate or high frequency of sports participation, performing team sports, performing outdoor sports, performing contact sports and involvement in competition were longitudinally associated with fewer internalizing problems. The longitudinal association of higher frequency of sports participation with fewer internalizing problems was stronger as a child’s BMI increased. The association of performing team sports with fewer internalizing problems was only observed for boys. Membership in a sports club and moderate or high frequency of sports participation were also longitudinally associated with better prosocial behaviour. These associations with prosocial behaviour were stronger for girls. None of the characteristics of sports participation examined were longitudinally associated with externalizing problems.ConclusionsThis study shows that from a longitudinal perspective, fewer internalizing problems and better prosocial behaviour were seen in children who were active in sports. Fewer internalizing problems were also associated with the kind of sports participation; for example, with performing outdoor sports. No associations were found for externalizing problems. Future research should preferably take the form of an intervention to investigate whether the observed statistical associations are of a causal nature.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Sports participation and psychosocial health: a longitudinal observational study in children

et al. 2018

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“…Although some studies have shown statistical associations between PA and various mental health outcomes (see e.g. Breistøl et al, 2017; Doré et al, 2018; McDowell et al, 2016), many have considerable methodological weaknesses. In addition, these studies are limited in the extent to which they can explain any associations in terms of causal mechanisms, which requires a much more careful and detailed process of inference.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Even if you don’t care…you do care after all’: ‘Othering’ and physical education in Norway

Røset

Green

Thurston

2020

European Physical Education Review

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In the past decade or more, improving young people’s mental health has been identified as a priority for policy-makers in many countries, including Norway. Physical education, as a setting for physical activity, is increasingly viewed as having a potentially significant role to play in addressing mental health among the young. This paper reports the findings from a study of 148 Norwegian youngsters (68 girls and 80 boys) from the 10th grade (15–16 years old) in eight secondary schools in Norway in 2017. It explores Norwegian youngsters’ experiences of physical education in relation to aspects of their mental health – specifically, being judged and, by extension, ‘othered’. The findings suggest that physical education may undoubtedly serve to generate positive feelings associated with physical activity and games and, in doing so, bolster some youngsters’ self-esteem and self-identities. On the other hand, however, for those less competent in sporting terms, and whose bodily self-image is not particularly positive, the public nature of physical education and the nature of the activities that constitute the subject can give rise to unplanned and unintended harm to some youngsters’ mental health – especially in countries, such as Norway, where sport is a significant aspect of the group habitus and collective ‘we-group’ identity.

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“…Involvement in different organized activities has been associated with increased academic achievements, social relationships, life satisfaction and better mental health (Badura, Madarasova Geckova, Sigmundova, van Dijk, & Reijneveld, 2015; Breistøl, Clench‐Aas, Van Roy, & Kjærsti Raanaas, 2017; Eime, Young, Harvey, Charity, & Payne, 2013). Playgrounds and sports fields in the neighbourhood have been pointed out as the strongest predictor for active participation with friends and peers (Nordbø, Raanaas, et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safe environments—Through the eyes of 9‐year‐old schoolchildren from a socially vulnerable area in Sweden

Enskär

Isma

Rämgård

2020

Child

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Background: Children are more vulnerable than adults to environmental risks. Also, children have little control over their environment. Unlike adults, they may be both unaware of risks and unable to make choices to protect their health. Children living in especially vulnerable areas might be even more at risk due to socioeconomic factors, immigration and high crime rates. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the perceptions that schoolchildren from a socially vulnerable area have of safe environments. Methods: Fifty-two 9-year-old schoolchildren from a socially vulnerable area participated in this study. The data collection consisted of an environmental walk with photovoicing, followed by rating of the photos and a focus-group discussion elaborating on the photos and ratings. Six focus groups, with six to eight children in each group, were conducted and analysed using inductive content analysis. Results: The results show that, according to the children, places that they think are bright and beautiful, where they can do fun things with others and do not risk being exposed to danger, create safety. To increase safety, the children suggested cleaning up, making the environment beautiful with grass and flowers and painting it in nice colours. Furthermore, they suggested that building features that increase the opportunities to play and engage in activities together with others would improve safety and enhance protection and surveillance. Conclusions: All children have the right to protection and safety. Therefore, it is important to create safe environments for all children by listening to children's own voices.

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Association Between Participating in Noncompetitive or Competitive Sports and Mental Health among Adolescents – a Norwegian Population-based Cross-sectional Study

Cited by 22 publications

References 42 publications

Sports participation and psychosocial health: a longitudinal observational study in children

Sports participation and psychosocial health: a longitudinal observational study in children

‘Even if you don’t care…you do care after all’: ‘Othering’ and physical education in Norway

Safe environments—Through the eyes of 9‐year‐old schoolchildren from a socially vulnerable area in Sweden

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