Journal of Research on Adolescence · 2001 · 127 citations · 0 references
Sports InvolvementMental HealthExercise PsychologyPsychologyPhysical HealthExtracurricular ActivitiesMood SymptomProtection FrameworkYouth Well-beingSport ScienceHealth SciencesSport ParticipationSport Injury PreventionPsychiatrySchool PsychologyDepressionAdolescent PsychologyPsychosocial FactorDepressed MoodAthletic TrainingTeam Sports InvolvementPsychological BenefitsMood DisordersSport PsychologyMedicineSport-related Injuries
This study examines the protective influence of team sports involvement on adolescent depressed mood within a risk and protection framework. The objective was to determine whether sports involvement independently contributes to mental health beyond parental and peer support and whether it moderates depressive effects of family, peer, and school‑based risk factors. Analyses used data from 1,036 high school‑aged youth interviewed at two time points. Regression analysis showed a significant association between team sports involvement and depressed mood for both sexes, but this association became non‑significant after controlling for other protective factors; however, an interaction revealed that for females, sports participation protected against depressed mood linked to poor school performance, highlighting a gender‑specific protective role.
Working within a risk and protection framework, this research brief examines the protective inÃuence of team sports involvement on adolescent depressed mood. The objective was to understand whether sports involvement positively contributes to mental health independent of the effects of other known protective factors (parental and peer support); and whether it moderates the depressive effects of family, peer, and school‐based risk factors. Analyses focused on 1,036 high school‐aged youth interviewed at two time points. Regression analysis results indicated a signiÃcant association between team sports involvement and depressed mood among both males and females, which was reduced to insigniÃcance after controlling for the other protective factors. One interaction effect was observed: for females, but not males, team sports involvement was shown to protect against depressed mood associated with poor school performance (low grade point average). Thus, the role of sports involvement as a positive instrumental activity for females is discussed.