Moderate involvement in sports is related to lower depression levels among adolescents

Adolescence. 2000 Winter;35(140):793-7.

Abstract

Sports involvement has been found to be related to social and psychological well-being in Icelandic adolescents. The present study investigated whether similar relationships exist for American adolescents. A group of 89 high school seniors completed a questionnaire that gathered data on sports involvement, depression, intimacy with parents and friends, and grade point average. It was found that the moderate sports involvement group (3 to 6 hours per week) had lower depression scores than did the low sports involvement group (2 hours or less per week). The findings are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Depression / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sports*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires