New report finds supportive sports environments reduce depression and anxiety in girls

A new study conducted by the Women's Sports Foundation reveals that mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can be significantly reduced when girls participate in a supportive sports environment. . The report, Thriving Through Sport: The Transformative Impact on Girls' Mental Health, explores not only the relationship between sports participation and mental health, but also the types of sports environments that provide the greatest mental health benefits for participants. An investigation is underway.

Karen Isokson-Silver, vice president of research and education at the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF), said the motivation behind this study was primarily due to the lack of prior research and the significant increase in mental health issues among young people. he said. She says: “There has been some existing research on the link between sport participation and mental health, but it has been limited. The Women's Sport Foundation has Importantly, we wanted to delve deeper into this topic to gain a deeper understanding and learn more about how different situations within the sports environment affect mental health, and to provide a more holistic view of girls. We wanted to be able to provide data-driven insights on how to support our customers.”

Main findings

Overall, the results of this study strongly suggest that engaging in sport in a high-quality environment can reduce depression and anxiety, strengthen relationships with peers, and provide a sense of purpose and meaning. I am. Ixson-Silver said: “This new report makes clear that sport is not a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. The data shows that sport plays a powerful role in improving mental health. Some key findings from the study include:

• Girls who have ever played sports are approximately 1.5 to 2.5 times less likely to develop mental health disorders than girls who have never played sports.
• Symptoms of moderate to severe depression were found in 29% of girls who had never played sports, compared with 17% of girls who currently played sports.
• Among girls who have never participated in sports, 21% experience moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, compared to 11% of girls who currently play sports.
• Sports environments that emphasize effort, improvement, and teamwork have significantly lower symptoms of depression (9.3%) compared to environments where winning is a priority and success is measured by outperforming others (24.7%) ).
• Girls who currently play sports are about 1.5 times more likely to score moderate to high on peer relationships and feelings of meaning and purpose than girls who have never participated in sports.
• Compared to girls who only participate in non-sport activities, girls who participate in sports have lower levels of depression and anxiety, even when factors such as number of activities and years of engagement are taken into account. , exhibiting higher levels of peer relationships and a sense of meaning and purpose. , hours of participation per week.

supportive sports environment

The study also identified important factors within the sport environment that contribute to positive outcomes for girls, such as the level of autonomy and the nature of the relationship with the coach. According to Isochson-Silver, “When girls have the opportunity to have 'voice and choice' – to express themselves and share their ideas, interests and concerns – they are encouraged to express themselves and share their ideas, interests and concerns, and this is in keeping with their spirit.” ” Athletes improve when they prioritize skill improvement over time and personal goal setting and encourage athletes to learn from their mistakes. This is in contrast to the sporting world, where the focus is on winning above all else, and where social comparison dominates the culture and atmosphere. ”

Previous research has highlighted the negative effects of a win-at-all-costs mentality among coaches. Environments driven by coaches' relentless pursuit of winning often create narcissistic leadership behaviors that negatively impact both employees and players. This previous research shows that when winning becomes the sole focus, leadership adopts harmful practices and prioritizes winning over all other organizational and personal goals. Considering the findings of the WSF report, it is clear that athletes, including young girls, are at increased risk of mental health problems due to this harmful 'win at all costs' culture. This could increase the possibility of strained relationships with players. Coaches.

As Isokson-Silver pointed out, “Strong relationships foster confidence and overall well-being in girls. Above all, an environment that is inclusive, welcoming, and creates a sense of belonging greatly supports positive mental health.When coaches emphasize the small wins that occur every day, not just the results of competition. Confidence is developed and strengthened. Coach training in promoting mental health is essential. I want it to be.”

policy and practice

Insights from this study provide important avenues for policy and practice recommendations. According to Isokson-Silver, “All sports programs, regardless of level of play, must prioritize the health of their players, both from a physical and mental health perspective… [the] WSF's advocacy and community impact efforts advance this message by supporting programs through grant funding, leadership training, and capacity building. A great example of that effort is his WSF's Sports 4 Life program, a national initiative co-founded by ESPN and now also supported by Gatorade. The program aims to increase participation and retention in sports among Black, African American, Hispanic and Native American girls and improve their physical and mental health and leadership skills. This year, Sports4Life celebrates its 10th anniversary, and the program's results reflect strong data in new research. It turns out that if the sports program is carried out properly, the girl will grow. ”

In addition to policy adjustments, role modeling opportunities have expanded in recent years in the women's sport landscape, which is likely to increase awareness and participation in sport. Viewership and spectator numbers for women's sports are rapidly increasing, and the coming years are likely to further increase female participation in a variety of sports. Young girls today may find it hard to remember a time when it was difficult to access their favorite teams on terrestrial or streaming TV networks. With this growth spurt, sports participation opportunities must consistently prioritize inclusivity, personal growth, and encouragement for all participants. The clear benefits of high-quality sports experiences require organizations and leaders to focus on creating supportive environments for girls to maximize their benefits.