Team sports as a protective factor against mental health problems and suicidal ideation in adolescents

Abstract

Introduction. Adolescents who practice sports have better mental health indicators. Objective. To analyze the association between different types of physical activity (systematized exercise, individual, and collective sports), mental health, and suicidal ideation in adolescents. Method. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 666 Brazilian adolescents (14-19 y.o.) attending high schools and selected using random cluster sampling. The mental health indicators analyzed were evaluated through the Self Reporting Questionnaire and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, including suicidal ideation. We also obtained physical activity information through questionnaires. Results. There was a higher prevalence related to mental disorders (54.2% vs. 32.5%), difficulties related to mental health (79.6% vs. 48.4%), and suicidal thoughts (22.9% vs. 11.4%) in girls than in boys (p () .001 for all). The boys engaged in more team sports (41.0 vs. 23.8), whereas girls performed more exercise (45.1 vs. 26.5; p () .001). Discussion and conclusion. The practice of team sports helps develop the collective spirit, stimulates social interaction, and develops reasoning and emotional intelligence. Boys who play team sports have fewer symptoms of common mental disorders, lower mental health problems, and less suicidal ideation than physically inactive boys.

Team Sports as Catalysts for Holistic Student Wellness: Insights from a General Review

“…However, the results content did not show a notable impact. The study concluded that social identity plays a critical role in the functioning and success of sports teams, although the significance of social identity can change based on the team's values and objectives [36,37]. Further research indicated that boys participating in team sports exhibited fewer symptoms of common mental disorders and had lower levels of mental health issues than their physically inactive peers [32].…”

“…Adolescent engagement in team sports has been positively linked to mental health improvements. Research conducted by Machado-Oliveira et al demonstrates that boys participating in team sports exhibit reduced symptoms of mental disorders, have fewer mental health issues, and show lower instances of suicidal thoughts than those who are not active [37]. Further, Larocca et al's study indicates that involvement in team sports decreases the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts across all youths, including LGBTQ individuals.…”

“…The challenges and strategic thinking inherent in sports play enhance intellectual wellness by developing problem-solving skills and cognitive function [38,40,41]. Moreover, team sports' shared goals and collective effort enrich spiritual wellness by fostering a sense of purpose and belonging [37,48,49,51]. At the same time, the collaborative skills developed are transferable to academic and professional environments, thereby bolstering occupational wellness [52][53][54].…”

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

“…Additionally, school-based team sports and sports clubs provide vital social and psychological support for mental health [34,35]. Research on youth athletes revealed that strong group identification enhances self-worth, commitment, and effort [36,37]. Boys in team sports exhibited fewer mental health issues than inactive peers, underscoring the positive impact of team sports on mental health [32].…”