Can participation in organized sports help adolescents refrain from self-harm? An analysis of underlying mechanisms. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Latina, Delia; Jaf, Darun; Alberti, Ramona; Tilton-Weaver, Lauree
• Is Part Of: Psychology of sport and exercise. Volume 59(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Organized sport activities -- Self-harming behaviors -- Mechanisms -- Adolescence; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; Psychology; Sports; Exercise; Societies, Medical; Sports -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; Exercice -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; 613.71019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102133
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1469-0292

Abstract

Abstract: Research has rarely focused on what might make adolescents less likely to engage in deliberate self-harm. Because the sports domain is an important context promoting positive adjustment, we proposed that engaging in organized sport activities could help adolescents refrain from self-harming through affecting their psychosocial well-being. Using two annual waves of longitudinal data from 998 Swedish adolescents in grades 7 and 8 (52% boys), we tested whether depressive symptoms and self-esteem mediated the link between organized sport activities and self-harm. Results showed that self-esteem, but not depressive symptoms, mediated the association between organized sport activities and lower self-harm. Our findings reinforce the idea that organized sport activities could be a viable way of promoting mental health, laying the foundation for future interventions. Highlights: Current limited understanding of the link between participation in organized sports and adolescents' self-harm. Self-esteem mediates the association between organized sports and lower self-harm. Depressive symptoms does not mediate the association between organized sports and lower self-harm. Our findings reinforce the idea that organized sports could be a viable way of promoting mental health.