Date of Award
5-12-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Education
Program
Trauma and Resilience in Educational Settings
Capstone Instructor
Timothy Hasser
Second Reader
Theresa Marty
Keywords
trauma, resilience, adverse childhood experiences, sports, youth
Abstract
Research has indicated that resilience was an essential skill necessary for facing life’s adversities. The completion of 15 qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovakia, and The United States determined that sports provided numerous benefits in childhood and into adulthood. Based on this research, sports offered a stable, supportive environment with positive interpersonal relationships that fostered resilience and supported youth when faced with setbacks, giving them skills they would use well into their futures. With a growing number of youths impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), protective factors such as resilience and sports were increasingly necessary. Equipping youth with resiliency would empower them to thrive and grow through stress and uncertainty throughout life. Due to a lack of athletic opportunities, research demonstrated a need for breaking barriers for sport participation among disadvantaged youth and those with ACEs exposure. However, positive, secure, and safe interpersonal relationships between peers and coaches provided a solid foundation of support in fostering resiliency and mitigating the effects of ACEs. Sports had a profound impression in the lives of children, encouraging them to face challenges resiliently and adapt through adversity.