Youth Perceptions of Participation in Organized Sports and Mental Health

Organized sports are among one of the most widespread activities in youth. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between youth perceptions of their participation in organized sports and mental health from the perspective of youth and their parents. Participants were 208 children ages 5 to 12 years. Children who endorsed elevated depressive symptoms scored significantly higher on the YES-S Negative Experiences Scale (mean = 19.00) compared to children who did not endorse elevated depressive symptoms (mean = 14.94; P < 0.01; d = 0.63). After controlling for the number of mental health diagnoses, there was a significant positive association between the YES-S Negative Experiences Scale and child self-reported depressive symptoms (standardized beta coefficient = 0.40; P < 0.001). Our findings underscore the importance of creating positive environments for organized youth sports and highlight the value of assessing both child and parent perspectives of child depressive symptoms in the context of organized sports participation.