Is School Sports Participation a Protective Factor Against Adolescent Health Risk Behaviors?

This study investigated the relationship between participation in school sports & adolescent health risk behaviours in a nationally representative sample of 12,272 American high school students. For both males & females, the likelihood of attempting suicide was reduced in those students who played on one or two teams compared to those not participating in school sports. One possible explanation for the findings of the study may be that participation in school sports increases opportunities for young people to bond in a prosocial way with peers & the school. The availability of bonding opportunities in the school may enhance an individual’s social bonding & reduce risk-taking behaviour. (14 refs.)