The Impact of Team Sports Participation on the Mental Health of Adolescent Girls in Non-elite Sports: A Cross-sectional Study
Date of Award
Summer 6-26-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Exercise Science
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Dr. Denise Howard
Abstract
Adolescent girls between the ages of 10-19 years old begin navigating many physical and emotional changes related to their changing bodies and other societal dynamics. Mental health can become a factor in the lives of girls in this age group as early as 14 years old, and many in this part of life demonstrate issues with the management of stress and anxiety. Participation in team sports has emerged as a way to help mitigate the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Qualitative data would be collected from a five open-ended question survey to assess whether or not girls have started exhibiting symptoms of stress and anxiety. Quantitative information will be collected through the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7). It is believed that these data-collecting tools would determine that adolescent girls are feeling the effects of stress and anxiety. Participation in team sports would prove to provide a means to help them manage these effects and lower their instances of stress and anxiety. Team sports participation cannot be overlooked as a viable way to help adolescent girls manage the effects of mental health. The positive effects of sports participation help this age group manage stress and anxiety not just in this small portion of their lives but throughout adulthood.
Keywords: Adolescents, Stress, Anxiety, Team Sport Participation, Physical Activity