Cited by 202Youth Development and Social SupportPhysical Activity and HealthRecreational Sport and Physical Activity

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 71 of the 72 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Adolescent Sport Participation and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Open access

Panza, Michael J., Graupensperger, Scott, Agans, Jennifer P., Doré, Isabelle, Vella, Stewart A., Evans, Michael Blair·2020·Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

DOI 10.1123/jsep.2019-0235PMC PMC7679280

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

Sport may protect against symptoms of mental disorders that are increasingly prevalent among adolescents. This systematic review explores the relationship between adolescent organized sport participation and self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. From 9,955 records screened, 29 unique articles were selected that included 61 effect sizes and 122,056 participants. Effects were clustered into four categories based on the operationalization of sport involvement: absence or presence of involvement, frequency of involvement, volume of involvement, and duration of participation. Results from the random-effects meta-analyses indicated that symptoms of anxiety and depression were significantly lower among sport-involved adolescents than in those not involved in sport, although this effect size was small in magnitude. Meta-regression was used to identify how age and sex explained heterogeneity in effects. Although these results do not signify a causal effect, they do support theorizing that sport participation during adolescence may be a protective environment against anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1123/jsep.2019-0235

Cites

71 of 71 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

We couldn’t retrieve this paper’s full text, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & for the PRISMA Group (2009) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.b2535 · Cited by 83,823
Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test
Egger, M., Smith, G. D., Schneider, M., & Minder, C. (1997) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.315.7109.629 · Cited by 56,722
The CES-D Scale: A Self-Report Depression Scale for Research in the General Population
Radloff, L. S. (1977) · Applied Psychological Measurement · doi:10.1177/014662167700100306 · Cited by 53,267 · cited 3×
“The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977) was the most common measure; being included in 10 studies.”
BackgroundInfluential
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA Statement.
(2009) · PubMed Central · Cited by 44,859
A Coefficient of Agreement for Nominal Scales
Cohen, J. (1960) · Educational and Psychological Measurement · doi:10.1177/001316446002000104 · Cited by 42,398
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & the PRISMA Group* (2009) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135 · Cited by 37,554
Rayyan-a web and mobile app for systematic reviews.
Ouzzani, M., Hammady, H., Fedorowicz, Z., & Elmagarmid, A. (2016) · Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4 · Cited by 26,092
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.
Carter, M. J. (2014) · Therapeutic Recreation Journal · Cited by 15,154
The Epidemiology of Major Depressive Disorder: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R)
Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Koretz, D., Merikangas, K. R., Rush, A. J., Walters, E. E., & Wang, P. S. (2003) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.289.23.3095 · Cited by 7,988
A basic introduction to fixed-effect and random-effects models for meta-analysis
Borenstein, M., Hedges, L. V., Higgins, J. P. T., & Rothstein, H. R. (2010) · Research Synthesis Methods · doi:10.1002/jrsm.12 · Cited by 6,793

Show all 72 references

Research works printed but not linked: 67

Egger, 1997, Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test, British Medical Journal,, 315,, 629, 10.1136/bmj.315.7109.629 · DOI · Paper page
Dolenc, 2015, Anxiety, self-esteem and coping with stress in secondary school students in relation to involvement in organized sports, Slovenian Journal of Public Health,, 54,, 222, 10.1515/sjph-2015-0031 · DOI
Robertson, 2019, Do participant reporting practices in youth sport research adequately represent the diversity of sport contexts?, Psychology of Sport and Exercise,, 45, 10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101559 · DOI
Evans, 2017, Are all sport activities equal? A systematic review of how youth psychosocial experiences vary across differing sport activities, British Journal of Sports Medicine,, 51,, 169, 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096725 · DOI · Paper page
Duncan, 2015, Sports participation and positive correlates in African American, Latino, and White girls, Applied Developmental Science,, 19,, 206, 10.1080/10888691.2015.1020156 · DOI
Agans, 2012, Trajectories of participation in athletics and positive youth development: The influence of sport type, Applied Developmental Science,, 16,, 151, 10.1080/10888691.2012.697792 · DOI
Rathbone, 2015, Better duplicate detection for systematic reviewers: Evaluation of systematic review assistant-deduplication module, Systematic Reviews,, 4,, 6, 10.1186/2046-4053-4-6 · DOI · Paper page
Jewett, 2014, School sport participation during adolescence and mental health in early adulthood, Journal of Adolescent Health,, 55,, 640, 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.04.018 · DOI
Graupensperger, 2018, A meta-analytic review of studies using the prosocial and antisocial behavior in sport scale: Associations among intergroup moral behaviors, Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology,, 7,, 186, 10.1037/spy0000121 · DOI
Merglen, 2014, Weekly sport practice and adolescent well-being, Archives of Disease in Childhood,, 99,, 208, 10.1136/archdischild-2013-303729 · DOI
Headey, 1993, Dimensions of mental health: Life satisfaction, positive affect, anxiety and depression, Social Indicators Research,, 29,, 63, 10.1007/BF01136197 · DOI
Jaycox, 2009, Impact of teen depression on academic, social, and physical functioning, Pediatrics,, 124,, 596, 10.1542/peds.2008-3348 · DOI
Schmidt, 2014, Methods of meta-analysis: Correcting error and bias in research findings
Dahlke, 2019, psychmeta: An R package for psychometric meta-analysis, Applied Psychological Measurement,, 43,, 415, 10.1177/0146621618795933 · DOI
Fraser-Thomas, 2005, Youth sport programs: An avenue to foster positive youth development, Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy,, 10,, 19, 10.1080/1740898042000334890 · DOI · Paper page
Wang, 2017, Who wants to play? Sport motivation trajectories, sport participation, and the development of depressive symptoms, Journal of Youth and Adolescence,, 46,, 1982, 10.1007/s10964-017-0649-9 · DOI
Eime, 2013, A systematic review of the psychological and social benefits of participation in sport for children and adolescents: Informing development of a conceptual model of health through sport, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity,, 10,, 98, 10.1186/1479-5868-10-98 · DOI · Paper page
Umberson, 2010, Social relationships and health: A flashpoint for health policy, Journal of Health and Social Behavior,, 51,, 54, 10.1177/0022146510383501 · DOI · Paper page
Evans, 2012, Seeing the “we” in “me” sports: The need to consider individual sport team environments, Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne,, 53,, 301, 10.1037/a0030202 · DOI
Kieling, 2011, Child and adolescent mental health worldwide: Evidence for action, The Lancet,, 392,, 1515, 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60827-1 · DOI · Paper page
Brière, 2018, Prospective associations between sport participation and psychological adjustment in adolescents, Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health,, 72,, 575, 10.1136/jech-2017-209656 · DOI
Babiss, 2009, Sports participation as a protective factor against depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents as mediated by self-esteem and social support, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics,, 30,, 376, 10.1097/DBP.0b013e3181b33659 · DOI
Zarrett, 2009, More than child’s play: Variable-and pattern-centered approaches for examining effects of sports participation on youth development, Developmental Psychology,, 45,, 368, 10.1037/a0014577 · DOI
Schmidt, 2009, Fixed- versus random-effects models in meta-analysis: Model properties and an empirical comparison of differences in results, British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology,, 62,, 97, 10.1348/000711007X255327 · DOI
Ashdown-Franks, 2017, Sport participation in high school and anxiety symptoms in young adulthood, Mental Health and Physical Activity,, 12,, 19, 10.1016/j.mhpa.2016.12.001 · DOI
Ouzzani, 2016, Rayyan—A web and mobile app for systematic reviews, Systematic Reviews,, 5,, 210, 10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4 · DOI · Paper page
Lerner, 2007, Handbook of child psychology: Theoretical models of human development, 1
Jaworska, 2015, Adolescence as a unique developmental period, Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience,, 40,, 291, 10.1503/jpn.150268 · DOI · Paper page
Fredrickson, 1997, Objectification theory: Toward understanding women’s lived experiences and mental health risks, Psychology of Women Quarterly,, 21,, 173, 10.1111/j.1471-6402.1997.tb00108.x · DOI · Paper page
Masten, 2014, Invited commentary: Resilience and positive youth development frameworks in developmental science, Journal of Youth and Adolescence,, 43,, 1018, 10.1007/s10964-014-0118-7 · DOI
Teubert, 2011, A meta-analytic review on the prevention of symptoms of anxiety in children and adolescents, Journal of Anxiety Disorders,, 25,, 1046, 10.1016/j.janxdis.2011.07.001 · DOI · Paper page
Radloff, 1977, The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population, Applied Psychological Measurement,, 1,, 385, 10.1177/014662167700100306 · DOI · Paper page
Patel, 2007, Mental health of young people: A global public-health challenge, The Lancet,, 369,, 1302, 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60368-7 · DOI · Paper page
Eccles, 2009, Who am I and what am I going to do with my life? Personal and collective identities as motivators of action, Educational Psychologist,, 44,, 78, 10.1080/00461520902832368 · DOI · Paper page
Lim, 2008, Human thermoregulation and measurement of body temperature in exercise and clinical settings, Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore,, 37,, 347, 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.V37N4p347 · DOI
Côté, 2014, The dynamic process of development through sport, Kinesiologia Slovenica,, 20,, 14
Fredricks, 2006, Extracurricular involvement and adolescent adjustment: Impact of duration, number of activities, and breadth of participation, Applied Developmental Science,, 10,, 132, 10.1207/s1532480xads1003_3 · DOI
Galderisi, 2015, Toward a new definition of mental health, World Psychiatry,, 14,, 231, 10.1002/wps.20231 · DOI
Slater, 2011, Gender differences in adolescent sport participation, teasing, self-objectification and body image concerns, Journal of Adolescence,, 34,, 455, 10.1016/j.adolescence.2010.06.007 · DOI
Cohen, 1960, A coefficient of agreement for nominal scales, Educational and Psychological Measurement,, 20,, 37, 10.1177/001316446002000104 · DOI · Paper page
Cruwys, 2013, Social group memberships protect against future depressions, alleviate depression symptoms and prevent depression relapse, Social Science & Medicine,, 98,, 179, 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.09.013 · DOI · Paper page
Merikangas, 2010, Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in U.S. adolescents: Results from the national comorbidity survey replication-adolescent supplement (NCS-A), Journal of the American Academy of Child &Adolescent Psychiatry,, 49,, 980, 10.1016/j.jaac.2010.05.017 · DOI · Paper page
Lerner, 2007, Handbook of child psychology: Theoretical models of human development, 1
Balish, 2014, Correlates of youth sport attrition: A review and future directions, Psychology of Sport and Exercise,, 15,, 429, 10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.04.003 · DOI
Ahn, 2011, A meta-analysis of the relationship between children’s physical activity and mental health, Journal of Pediatric Psychology,, 36,, 385, 10.1093/jpepsy/jsq107 · DOI · Paper page
Korczak, 2017, Children’s physical activity and depression: A meta-analysis, Pediatrics,, 139, e20162266, 10.1542/peds.2016-2266 · DOI
Larson, 2000, Toward a psychology of positive youth development, American Psychologist,, 55,, 170, 10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.170 · DOI
McMahon, 2017, Physical activity in European adolescents and associations with anxiety, depression and well-being, European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,, 26,, 111, 10.1007/s00787-016-0875-9 · DOI · Paper page
Gorham, 2019, Involvement in sports, hippocampal volume, and depressive symptoms in children, Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging,, 4,, 484
Brown, 1997, Psychometric properties of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) in clinical samples, Behaviour Research and Therapy,, 35,, 79, 10.1016/S0005-7967(96)00068-X · DOI · Paper page
Doré, 2018, The longitudinal association between the context of physical activity and mental health in early adulthood, Mental Health and Physical Activity,, 14,, 121, 10.1016/j.mhpa.2018.04.001 · DOI
Boone, 2006, Game on: Diminishing risks for depressive symptoms in early adolescence through positive involvement in team sports, Journal of Research on Adolescence,, 16,, 79, 10.1111/j.1532-7795.2006.00122.x · DOI
Borenstein, 2017, Basics of meta-analysis: I2 is not an absolute measure of heterogeneity, Research Synthesis Methods,, 8,, 5, 10.1002/jrsm.1230 · DOI · Paper page
Biddle, 2018, Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: An updated review of reviews and an analysis of causality, Psychology of Sport and Exercise,, 42,, 146, 10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.011 · DOI · Paper page
Kandel, 1991, Suicidal ideation in adolescence: Depression, substance use, and other risk factors, Journal of Youth and Adolescence,, 20,, 289, 10.1007/BF01537613 · DOI · Paper page
Brunet, 2013, The association between past and current physical activity and depressive symptoms in young adults: A 10 year prospective study, Annals of Epidemiology,, 23,, 25, 10.1016/j.annepidem.2012.10.006 · DOI
Asmundson, 2013, Let’s get physical: A contemporary review of the anxiolytic effects of exercise for anxiety and its disorders, Depression & Anxiety,, 30,, 362, 10.1002/da.22043 · DOI · Paper page
MacDonald, 2012, Psychometric properties of the youth experience survey with young athletes, Psychology of Sport and Exercise,, 13,, 332, 10.1016/j.psychsport.2011.09.001 · DOI
Sabiston, 2016, Number of years of team and individual sport participation during adolescence and depressive symptoms in early adulthood, Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology,, 38,, 105, 10.1123/jsep.2015-0175 · DOI
Paluska, 2000, Physical activity and mental health, Sports Medicine,, 29,, 167, 10.2165/00007256-200029030-00003 · DOI · Paper page
Kessler, 2003, Mood disorders: Bipolar and major depressive disorders, JAMA,, 289,, 3095, 10.1001/jama.289.23.3095 · DOI · Paper page
Kremer, 2014, Physical activity, leisure-time screen use and depression among children and young adolescents, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport,, 17,, 183, 10.1016/j.jsams.2013.03.012 · DOI · Paper page
Fatiregun, 2014, Prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among in-school adolescents in a rural district in southwest Nigeria, Journal of Adolescence,, 37,, 197, 10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.12.003 · DOI
Uchino, 2006, Social support and health: A review of physiological processes potentially underlying links to disease outcomes, Journal of Behavioral Medicine,, 29,, 377, 10.1007/s10865-006-9056-5 · DOI · Paper page
Lerner, 2005, Positive youth development, participation in community youth development programs, and community contributions of fifth-grade adolescents: Findings from the first wave of the 4-H study of positive youth development, Journal of Early Adolescence,, 25,, 17, 10.1177/0272431604272461 · DOI · Paper page
Liddle, 2019, A brief sports-based mental health literacy program for adolescent males: A cluster-randomized controlled trial, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 10.1080/10413200.2019.1653404 · DOI
Huizenga, 2011, Testing overall and moderator effects in random effects meta‐regression, British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology,, 64,, 1, 10.1348/000711010X522687 · DOI

Sorted by citations

Associations between organized sport participation and mental health difficulties: Data from over 11,000 US children and adolescents
Hoffmann, M. D., Barnes, J. D., Tremblay, M. S., & Guerrero, M. D. (2022) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0268583 · Cited by 129
“One factor that may protect against the development of mental health difficulties is participation in organized youth sport [3,4].”
BackgroundResultInfluential
A systematic review and meta-synthesis of mental health position statements in sport: Scope, quality and future directions
Vella, S. A., Schweickle, M. J., Sutcliffe, J., & Swann, C. (2021) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.101946 · Cited by 123
Self-citation
Prospective Associations between Sport Participation and Indices of Mental Health across Adolescence
Graupensperger, S. A., Sutcliffe, J., & Vella, S. A. (2021) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-021-01416-0 · Cited by 89
“Altogether, there is mounting evidence that sport participation is associated with mental health among youth (see review Panza et al., 2020), and this should be of primary focus for researchers in recreational sport domains (Vella & Swann, 2020).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citation
The effects of physical activity on the mental health of typically developing children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Fu, Q., Li, L., Li, Q., & Wang, J. (2025) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-025-22690-8 · Cited by 145
“These findings are consistent with previous systematic reviews, such as those by Biddle and Panza, which reported that physical activity interventions can reduce anxiety and depression while improving overall positive mental health in children and adolescents [77, 78].”
Contributing Factors to the Rise in Adolescent Anxiety and Associated Mental Health Disorders: A Narrative Review of Current Literature
Anderson, T., Valiauga, R., Tallo, C., Hong, C. B., Manoranjithan, S., Domingo, C. N., Paudel, M., Untaroiu, A., Barr, S., & Goldhaber, K. (2024) · Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing · doi:10.1111/jcap.70009 · Cited by 124
Impact of organized activities on mental health in children and adolescents: An umbrella review
Boelens, M., Smit, M. S., Raat, H., Bramer, W. M., & Jansen, W. (2022) · Preventive Medicine Reports · doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101687 · Cited by 65
“Results from this review showed that there was evidence for an impact on mental health outcomes but with a negligible magnitude of effect and high heterogeneity (Panza et al., 2020).”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
The Value of Sport: Wellbeing Benefits of Sport Participation during Adolescence
Wilson, O. W. A., Whatman, C., Walters, S., Keung, S., Enari, D., Rogers, A., Millar, S.-K., Ferkins, L., Hinckson, E., Hapeta, J., et al. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19148579 · Cited by 55
Health-related outcomes of youth sport participation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Bengtsson, D., Svensson, J., Wiman, V., Stenling, A., Lundkvist, E., & Ivarsson, A. (2025) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/s12966-025-01792-x · Cited by 75
“Although causal claims are rarely made explicitly, prior observational studies and meta-analyses (e.g., [5–10]) have investigated the potential effects of sport participation (i.e., the exposure) on health-related outcomes, and with comparison groups (e.g., [5, 9, 10]), thereby implicitly invoking…”
Influential
Mental Health in Youth Athletes
Walton, C. C., Rice, S., Hutter, V., Currie, A., Reardon, C. L., & Purcell, R. (2021) · Advances in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health · doi:10.1016/j.ypsc.2021.05.011 · Cited by 63
“20 In line with this, Weber and colleagues 21 were classified as ‘possible’ and ‘probable’ cases for anxiety, respectively, with these figures at 9.5% and 3.7% for depression.”
BackgroundInfluential
A Bird's-Eye View of Exercise Intervention in Treating Depression Among Teenagers in the Last 20 Years: A Bibliometric Study and Visualization Analysis
You, Y., Wang, D., Wang, Y., Li, Z., & Ma, X. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.661108 · Cited by 54
Does organized sports participation in childhood and adolescence positively influence health? A review of reviews
Bjørnarå, H. B., Westergren, T., Sejersted, E., Torstveit, M. K., Hansen, B. H., Berntsen, S., & Bere, E. T. (2021) · Preventive Medicine Reports · doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101425 · Cited by 48
Mental health interventions in non-elite sport: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Sutcliffe, J., Graupensperger, S. A., Schweickle, M. J., Rice, S., Swann, C., & Vella, S. A. (2021) · International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/1750984x.2021.2001839 · Cited by 40
“…adult populations (Mojtabai et al., 2016), and the association between participation in organised sport and lower depressive symptoms (Graupensperger et al., 2021; Panza et al., 2019), there is substantial opportunity for researchers to address this through well-designed community sport programs.”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Effect of mass sports activity on prosocial behavior: A sequential mediation model of flow trait and subjective wellbeing
Duan, X., Wang, X. H., Li, X., Li, S., Zhong, Y., & Bu, T. (2022) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.960870 · Cited by 44
Cross-sectional associations between physical activity pattern, sports participation, screen time and mental health in Swedish adolescents
Kjellenberg, K., Ekblom, O., Ahlen, J., Helgadóttir, B., & Nyberg, G. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061929 · Cited by 38
Mental Health in the Youth Athlete
Daley, M., & Reardon, C. L. (2023) · Clinics in Sports Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.csm.2023.06.003 · Cited by 36
Gamified devices for stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review
Sánchez-Gil, J. J., Sáez, A., López-Luque, R., Ochoa-Sepúlveda, J. J., & Cañete, E. (2024) · Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine · doi:10.1016/j.cmpb.2024.108476 · Cited by 35
Results from Aotearoa New Zealand's 2022 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth: A call to address inequities in health-promoting activities
Wilson, O. W. A., Ikeda, E., Hinckson, E. A., Mandic, S., Richards, J. A., Duncan, S., Kira, G., Maddison, R., Meredith-Jones, K. A., Chisholm, L., et al. (2022) · Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness · doi:10.1016/j.jesf.2022.10.009 · Cited by 41
The impact of sports participation on psychological health and social outcomes in children and adolescents: a systematic review and update to the “Mental Health through Sport” conceptual model
Wade, L., Eime, R., Pankowiak, A., Vella, S. A., Robinson, K. J., Kennedy, S. G., Parkes, R., & Eather, N. (2026) · Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1186/s13643-026-03104-1 · Cited by 52
Self-citation
Urban Environment, Green Urban Areas, and Life Quality of Citizens—The Case of Warsaw
Stangierska, D., Kowalczuk, I., Juszczak, K., Widera, K., & Ferenc, W. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph191710943 · Cited by 28
“Sport may also protect against symptoms of mental disorders that are increasingly prevalent among adolescents [63].”
Background
Examining the Association between Sports Participation and Mental Health of Adolescents
Khan, A., Ahmed, K. R., Hidajat, T. J., Kolbe-Alexander, T. L., & Edwards, E. J. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192417078 · Cited by 28
“opportunities for social interactions [9,33].”
Reflections on the Field of Mental Health in Sport: Critical Issues and Ways of Moving Forward
Vella, S. A., Swann, C., & Tamminen, K. A. (2020) · Journal of Applied Sport Psychology · doi:10.1080/10413200.2020.1854898 · Cited by 31
Self-citation
The Association of Sports Participation With Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents
Chi, G., & Wang, L. (2022) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.860994 · Cited by 31
“For example, a recent systematic review identified the negative association of a higher frequency of sports participation with depressive symptoms and anxiety disorders among adolescents (14).”
BackgroundResult
The Social Side of Sleep: A Systematic Review of the Longitudinal Associations between Peer Relationships and Sleep Quality
Lise, F. D., Bacaro, V., & Crocetti, E. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20032017 · Cited by 35
“, peer victimization) factors for their health [15,16].”
Background
Depression and anxiety: A systematic review on comparing ecotherapy with cognitive behavioral therapy
Rueff, M., & Reese, G. (2023) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102097 · Cited by 30
Supporting Mental Health in Youth Sport: Introducing a Toolkit for Coaches, Clubs, and Organisations
Walton, C. C., Carberry, S., Wilson, M., Purcell, R., OLIVE, L. S., Vella, S. A., & Rice, S. (2021) · International Sport Coaching Journal · doi:10.1123/iscj.2021-0042 · Cited by 25
Self-citation
A mixed-method analysis of the contribution of informal sport to public health in Australia
Jeanes, R., O’Connor, J. P., Penney, D., Spaaij, R., Magee, J., O’Hara, E., & Lymbery, L. (2024) · Health Promotion International · doi:10.1093/heapro/daae048 · Cited by 21
“The findings point to the potentially important contribution informal sport such as Parkrun can make to public health and in addressing inequalities that arise from a lack of access to affordable physical activity opportunities.”
Background
Exploring Adolescents’ Social Anxiety, Physical Activity, and Core Self-Evaluation: A Latent Profile and Mediation Approach
Wan, H., Huang, W., Zhang, W., & Hu, C. (2025) · International Journal of Mental Health Promotion · doi:10.32604/ijmhp.2025.070457 · Cited by 23
“Panza et al. [29] also pointed out that regular physical activity in schools can significantly improve adolescents’ anxiety and depression.”
Physical exercise, depression, and anxiety in 2190 affective disorder subjects
D'Angelantonio, M., Collins, J. L., Manchia, M., Baldessarini, R. J., & Tondo, L. (2022) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.079 · Cited by 20
Neuromotricidad como recurso interdisciplinar. Justificación teórico-práctica a través del método BAPNE (Neuromotricity as an interdisciplinary resource. Theoretical-practical justification through the BAPNE method)
Naranjo, F. J. R., & Cabrera, E. A. (2023) · Retos · doi:10.47197/retos.v49.98903 · Cited by 20
Better to Have Played Than Not Played? Childhood Sport Participation, Dropout Frequencies and Reasons, and Mental Health in Adulthood
Upenieks, L., Ryan, B. M., & Knoester, C. (2024) · Sociology of Sport Journal · doi:10.1123/ssj.2023-0165 · Cited by 21
A Systems Theory of Mental Health in Recreational Sport
Vella, S. A., Schweickle, M. J., Sutcliffe, J., Liddelow, C., & Swann, C. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192114244 · Cited by 28
Self-citation
Exercise as Treatment for “Stress-Related” Mental Disorders
Bendau, A., Petzold, M. B., Kaminski, J., Plag, J., & Ströhle, A. (2023) · Current Neuropharmacology · doi:10.2174/1570159x22666230927103308 · Cited by 21
The effectiveness of child and adolescent sports engagement in China: an analysis of China’s results for the 2016–2022 Global Matrix report cards on physical activity
Xiang, C., Zhao, J., Kamalden, T. F. T., Dong, W., Luo, H., & Ismail, N. (2023) · Humanities and Social Sciences Communications · doi:10.1057/s41599-023-02466-4 · Cited by 21
Exploring the Association Between Sport Participation and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in a Sample of Canadian High School Students
Murphy, J., Patte, K. A., Sullivan, P., & Leatherdale, S. T. (2021) · Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology · doi:10.1123/jcsp.2020-0048 · Cited by 21
“Both frequency (Eime et al., 2013; Panza et al., 2020) and involvement in other types of activities (Oberle et al.”
Background
Benefits and underlying mechanisms of organized sport participation on mental health among socially vulnerable boys. A qualitative study on parents’ perspective in the sport-based Icehearts programme
Appelqvist‐Schmidlechner, K., Haavanlammi, M., & Kekkonen, M. (2021) · Sport in Society · doi:10.1080/17430437.2021.1996348 · Cited by 19
“Further, a systematic review by Panza et al. (2020) suggested that sport participation during adolescence may be a protective environment against anxiety and depressive symptoms.”
Background
Alleviating Doctors’ Emotional Exhaustion through Sports Involvement during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediating Roles of Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy and Perceived Stress
Wang, H., Zheng, X., Liu, Y., Xu, Z., & Yang, J. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph191811776 · Cited by 18
“Regarding the association between sports involvement and regulatory emotional self-efficacy, there is some evidence that sports involvement can help improve emotions more positively [45], adolescent health [46], and participant sports can use for depression treatment [47].”
Background
The impact of family socioeconomic status on adolescent mental and physical health: the mediating role of parental involvement in youth sports
Yang, W., Xiang, Z., Hu, H., Zheng, H., & Zhao, X. (2025) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2025.1540968 · Cited by 15
Differences in athletic identity, sport participation, and psychosocial factors following anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation in youth athletes
McGinley, J. J., Stapleton, E. J., Gale, E. B., Worrall, H. M., Podvin, C. C., Ellis, H. B., Wilson, P. L., & Ulman, S. M. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1303887 · Cited by 14
Do Patterns of Adolescent Participation in Arts, Culture and Entertainment Activities Predict Later Wellbeing? A Latent Class Analysis
Thornton, E., Petersen, K. J., Marquez, J., & Humphrey, N. (2024) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-024-01950-7 · Cited by 17
“Importantly, such activity can promote mental health in addition to the more obvious physical health ben-e ﬁ ts (Panza et al., 2020).”
Background
Caring coaching climates emerge as key factor in promoting high school athletes’ well-being and motivation, complimented by a task-involving climate
Hogue, C. M. (2026) · International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/1612197x.2024.2437481 · Cited by 14
“A recent meta-analysis that included over 100,000 participants revealed that adolescent athletes have lower symptoms of anxiety and depression than non-athletes (Panza et al., 2020).”
The Role of Psychologists in Sport Medicine Practice
Jasser, J., Patel, D. R., & Beenen, K. T. (2022) · Pediatric Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2022.05.010 · Cited by 13
Effects of physical activity on internalizing problems in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: the chain mediating effects of sport friendship quality and social-emotional competence
Zhu, Y., Li, X., & Du, Z. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1626831 · Cited by 14
Perceived barriers to sports participation among adolescent girls from low socioeconomic status neighbourhoods
Ljungmann, C. K., Christensen, J. H., Johnsen, H. R., Klinker, C. D., & Pawlowski, C. S. (2023) · Sport in Society · doi:10.1080/17430437.2023.2286013 · Cited by 17
“Organized sports participation can make contributions to adolescents reaching the recommended amount of daily PA (Silva et al. 2013) as well as promoting psychosocial health (Panza et al. 2020; Doré et al. 2019).”
Background
Sport Participation and Psychosocial Factors Which Influence Athletic Identity in Youth Athletes With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
McGinley, J. J., Stapleton, E. J., Worrall, H. M., Ellis, H. B., Wilson, P. L., & Ulman, S. M. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.906300 · Cited by 12
“Sports may confer strong benefits to the participant in the avenues of physical health, teamwork development, and mental improvement (Panza et al., 2020).”
Background
Bewegung, körperliche Aktivität und Sport bei depressiven Erkrankungen
Bendau, A., Petzold, M. B., & Ströhle, A. (2022) · NeuroTransmitter · doi:10.1007/s15016-021-9343-y · Cited by 12
“Körperliche Aktivität in der Prävention Zahlreiche korrelative Beobachtungsstudien, Reviews und Meta analysen haben den Zusammenhang körperlicher Akti vität mit der kategorialen Prävalenz sowie dem dimensionalen Schweregrad depressiver Erkrankungen untersucht [2, 4, 6, 7, 8].”
Background
Can participation in organized sports help adolescents refrain from self-harm? An analysis of underlying mechanisms
Latina, D., Jaf, D., Alberti, R., & Tilton‐Weaver, L. C. (2022) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102133 · Cited by 15
Association Between Sports Participation and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Australian Children: An 8-year Longitudinal Study
Khan, A., Werner‐Seidler, A., Hidajat, T. J., Feng, J., Huang, Y., & Rosenbaum, S. (2023) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.07.011 · Cited by 15
Beyond the scoreboard: school-based sport experiences and high school student-athlete well-being
Bates, S. M., Mack, S., & Nothnagle, E. A. (2024) · Sport Education and Society · doi:10.1080/13573322.2024.2338402 · Cited by 17
“Researchers have theorized that student-athlete experiences in sport influence their stress levels, overall well-being, and risks for burnout (Eime et al., 2013; Larson et al., 2020; Panza et al., 2020).”
Mobile phone addiction and self-injury in adolescents with MDD: mediation by self-esteem and depression, and the failure of usage restrictions
Liu, X., Yan, N., Wang, L., He, K., Zhang, W., Zhang, X., Lan, T., Wang, J., & Zhou, Y. (2024) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-024-06184-2 · Cited by 14
“Previous studies have shown that physical exercise can effectively reduce MPA [49], boost self-esteem [50] and lower levels of depression [51].”
Background
The Relationships among Sport Participation Level, Flow Experience, Perceived Health Status and Depression Level of College Students
Lin, S.-T., Hung, Y.-H., & Yang, M.-H. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20010251 · Cited by 11
“[26] employed a systematic review and meta-analysis related to 29 adolescents’ organized sport participation and self-reported symptoms of depression.”
Method
Mental Health in Youth Elite Athletes
Walton, C. C., Rice, S., & Purcell, R. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-08364-8_22 · Cited by 11
Effects of wrestling training on psychological well-being, anxiety, and resilience in adolescent boys
ÖZKAN, R., Yılmaz, C., Uzun, R. N., Bayrakdaroğlu, S., Akar, Ö. O., Öz, F., Çiçekli, A., Çiçekli, A., Dal, S., Ursu, V. E., et al. (2026) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-026-03962-3 · Cited by 10
“Regarding sport anxiety, reductions in both cognitive and somatic components are consistent with studies demonstrating that participation in organized sports is linked to lower anxiety and depressive symptoms among youth [40].”
Progression in training volume and perceived psychological and physiological training distress in Norwegian student athletes: A cross-sectional study
Hagum, C. N., Tønnessen, E., & Shalfawi, S. A. I. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263575 · Cited by 10
“However, additional research is needed to test different variables that explain potential gender differences and mental health relationships in sports [76].”
Background
The benefits of chronic sport participation and acute exercise on mental health and executive functioning in adolescents
Pasquerella, L., Aychman, M. M., Tasnim, N., Piccirillo, A., Holmes, V., & Basso, J. C. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-88427-0 · Cited by 10
Team sports as a protective factor against mental health problems and suicidal ideation in adolescents
de Oliveira, L. M. F. T., da Silva, A. O., Farah, B. Q., Leão, I. C. S., de Souza, F. T. C., Santiago, F. L., Machado, L., & Diniz, P. R. B. (2023) · Salud Mental · doi:10.17711/sm.0185-3325.2023.022 · Cited by 12
“Thus, it is still unclear how group and individual sports relate to mental health and suicidal ideation (Panza et al., 2020).”
Symptoms of depression and anxiety among elite high school student-athletes in Sweden during the COVID-19 pandemic: A repeated cross-sectional study
Andersson, M. J., Kenttä, G., Moesch, K., Borg, E., Claesdotter‐Knutsson, E., & Håkansson, A. (2023) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640414.2023.2241783 · Cited by 11
“…social connection, and social support are important protective factors mediating the relationship between high school sports participation and the onset of internalizing symptoms such as depression and anxiety in adolescents (Armstrong et al., 2015; Harvey et al., 2018; Panza et al., 2020).”
Background
The Mediating and Moderating Role of Social–Emotional Skills in the Relationship between Sports Participation and Test Anxiety
Wang, K., & Qian, J. (2024) · Behavioral Science · doi:10.3390/bs14060512 · Cited by 12
“…the World Health Organi-Behav zation (WHO) [10], sports participation, as a non-invasive and easily accessible method, effectively alleviates anxiety by aiding individuals in managing and coping with their anxious emotions [11,12], including test anxiety [13,14], enhancing their well-being [15,16].”
Background
Sports Team Participation, Bias-Based Bullying, and Mental Health Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents
Kaja, S. M., Gower, A. L., Parchem, B., Adler, S. J., McGuire, J. K., Rider, G. N., & Eisenberg, M. E. (2025) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.2025.2465702 · Cited by 9
“It could also be that the factors that cause sport to be related to lower depressive symptoms (i.e., social connection) do less to alleviate anxiety (Babiss & Gangwisch, 2009; Panza et al., 2020).”
How do sports participation and sports settings influence the mental health of children and adolescents? A systematic review of qualitative studies
Ooms, L., van Stam, W., Sevdalis, V., Overbye, M., Algurén, B., Heck, S., & Hoye, A. V. (2025) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-025-25916-x · Cited by 13
“This need applies to sports participation in general, across different stages of development, and particularly among children and adolescents [20, 21, 24, 36, 37].”
School belonging and depressive symptoms: the mediating roles of social inclusion and loneliness
Barzoki, M. H. (2024) · Nordic Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1080/08039488.2024.2304067 · Cited by 10
“…in adolescence largely predict major depression in adulthood [3], which is associated with many consequences, including, but not limited to, anxiety [4,5], maladaptive outcomes [6], psychosocial outcomes such as failure to complete secondary school, unemployment [7], and suicidal behaviors [4,8].”
Background
Associations between organised leisure-time activities and mental health problems in children
Boelens, M., Smit, M. S., Windhorst, D. A., Jonkman, H., Hosman, C. M. H., Raat, H., & Jansen, W. (2022) · European Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1007/s00431-022-04591-9 · Cited by 12
“However, most did not adjust for physical activity [16, 42, 43].”
Background
Prevalence of potential risk of eating disorders among young, unprofessional European athletes: results of the ERASMUS+ project SCAED
Jovanović, G. K., & Čulina, T. (2024) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1398464 · Cited by 8
Sports participation, frequency, and competence differentially impact youth depressive, anxious, and somatic symptoms: Gender, neighborhood, and sports type effects
Carter, J. S., McNair, G., Bushnell, A., Saldana, L., & Grant, K. E. (2023) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2023.100562 · Cited by 7
Depressive symptoms and activity engagement in autistic adolescents and those with other developmental disabilities
Wiggins, L. D., Daniels, J. L., Overwyk, K. J., Croen, L., DiGuiseppi, C. G., Bradley, C., Powell, P. S., Dichter, G. S., Moody, E. J., & Pazol, K. (2024) · Disability and health journal · doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2024.101633 · Cited by 7
The Relationship Between Soccer Participation and Team Cohesion for Adolescents: A Chain-Mediated Effect of Athlete Engagement and Collective Self-Esteem
Zhao, Z., Che, X., Wang, H., Zheng, Y., Ma, N., Gao, L., & Shui, Y. (2025) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs15020155 · Cited by 7
“Furthermore, it has been shown that anxiety and depression symptoms are significantly lower among adolescents participating in sports than among those who do not participate in sports (Panza et al., 2020).”
Effect of team-building sports games on the resilience of Chinese rural children: evidence from Nanxian county, Hunan province
Liu, B., You, J., Fan, Y., Xia, Y., Wang, H., Zhang, X., & Zhang, Y. (2025) · Frontiers in Pediatrics · doi:10.3389/fped.2025.1552597 · Cited by 9
Bidirectional Relationship Between Mental Health and Sports Injury in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Chow, A. R. W., Zaneva, M., Rashid, L., Wheatley, C., Coussios, C. C., Hepach, R., & Bowes, L. (2026) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-025-02379-z · Cited by 13
“You Get to…” a Qualitative Study of Perceived Influence of Physical Activity and Sport on Mental Wellbeing among Adolescent Girls
Murphy, J. M., Coulter, M., Sweeney, M. R., & McGrane, B. (2022) · Advances in Physical Education · doi:10.4236/ape.2022.122008 · Cited by 10
Assessing the Role of Sports Participation on Depression, Suicide Ideation, and Suicide Behaviors Among Adolescents Before and During COVID-19
Veliz, P. T., & Mutumba, M. (2023) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.2022-0635 · Cited by 8
A National Survey on the Relationship of Youth Sport Specialization Behaviors to Self-Reported Anxiety and Depression in Youth Softball Players
Zeller, A. M., Lear, A., Post, E. G., McNulty, S., & Bentley, B. C. (2024) · Sports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach · doi:10.1177/19417381241228539 · Cited by 10
Mental health profiles among 13-16-year-Old Norwegian talent and mainstream students - A prospective person-centered analytical approach
Stornæs, A. V., Sundgot-Borgen, J. K., Pettersen, G., Rosenvinge, J. H., & Nordin‐Bates, S. M. (2023) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102474 · Cited by 7
Does sports participation affect the mediating role of impulsivity in the association between adverse childhood experiences and aggression?
Janković, M., Boxtel, G. J. M. V., & Bogaerts, S. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1234910 · Cited by 10
Journey to the top: The non-linear path of identity foreclosure and exploration and its implications for mental health in female professional athletes
Farello, A., Trajkovski, M., & Massey, W. V. (2025) · Journal of Applied Sport Psychology · doi:10.1080/10413200.2024.2413999 · Cited by 6
“While no one is completely immune to experiencing mental health struggles, there is a growing body of literature supporting the positive relationship between sport participation and mental health benefits from childhood to later adulthood (Massey et al., 2024; Panza et al., 2020).”
Understanding significant experiences of adolescent athletes’ participation in competitive sports life: a systematic review
Dongoran, M. F., Setyawati, H., Kristiyanto, A., Raharjo, H. P., & Setiawan, C. (2025) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2025.1515200 · Cited by 6
A Preliminary Study on the Effect of an Intervention Based on Green Exercise on Mental Health and Physical Fitness of Adolescents
Gómez-Paniagua, S., Galán-Arroyo, C., Castillo-Paredes, A., & Rojo-Ramos, J. (2025) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare13070809 · Cited by 9
“Panza and colleagues [2] identified a significant increase in the prevalence of adolescent anxiety disorders and depression in recent years.”
Associations of Sport Participation with Depression and Anxiety among Chinese Minority Adolescents
Xiao, Z., Doig, S. R., Wu, H., & Wang, L. (2022) · International Journal of Mental Health Promotion · doi:10.32604/ijmhp.2022.019395 · Cited by 7
Interactions between genetic risk for 21 neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders and sport activity on youth mental health
Misztal, M. C., Tio, E. S., Mohan, A., & Felsky, D. (2023) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115550 · Cited by 8
“…further suggests that the benefits of sports participation in youth are dependent on the frequency and type of sport played (Dor ´ e et al., 2016; Panza et al., 2020; Sabiston et al., 2016; Vella et al., 2017); for example, Sabiston et al. found that young high school-aged adults who…”
Background
Role of Sports Motivation and Basic Psychological Needs in the Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Psychological Adaptation in Adolescents
Rodrigue, C., Bőthe, B., & Dion, J. (2024) · Child Maltreatment · doi:10.1177/10775595241267964 · Cited by 6
“In a recent meta-analysis, Panza et al. (2020) concluded that a negative relationship exists between sports participation and depressive and anxiety symptoms.”
Associations between 24-h movement guidelines compliance and anxiety and depression among youth receiving special education services in the US
Zimmerman, S. P., Nowland, L. A., Zhu, X., Haegele, J. A., & Ross, S. M. (2023) · Disability and health journal · doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2023.101541 · Cited by 6
Playing for more than winning: Exploring sports participation, physical activity, and belongingness and their relationship with patterns of adolescent substance use and mental health
Halladay, J., Ogrodnik, M., Alla, J. F., Sunderland, M., Gardner, L. A., & Georgiades, K. (2023) · Drug and Alcohol Dependence · doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111039 · Cited by 6
Pediatric Sports: The Mental Health and Psychological Impact of Sport and Injury
Xu, E., Greif, D. N., Castle, P., & Lander, S. T. (2025) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm14124321 · Cited by 6
The benefits of undergraduate medical students delivering free preparticipation physical evaluations in collaboration with a K-12 school district
Cappetto, K. D., Ehrlich, B., Anderson, E. A., Huynh, A. T., Tran, J., & Hudon, K. D. (2024) · BMC Medical Education · doi:10.1186/s12909-024-05806-3 · Cited by 5
“Research has shown organized sport participation can be protective against symptoms of anxiety and depression [28].”
Background
Impact of structured physical activity on youth’s mental health: A review of umbrella reviews
Ciacchella, C., Collacchi, B., Fiorillo, A., Sampogna, G., & Cirulli, F. (2025) · International Journal of Social Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/00207640251342425 · Cited by 5
“…externalizing (conduct dysregulation, risky behavior, school truancy, and delinquency) problems in this target group (Ashdown-Franks et al., 2020; Boelens et al., 2022; Dale et al., 2019; Firth et al., 2020; Lynch et al., 2013; Nelson & Gordon-Larsen, 2006; Panza et al., 2020; Wegner et al., 2020).”
Extracurricular Activity Participation Among Autistic Children and Adolescents: Buffer for Internalizing Conditions and Foundation for Friendship?
Pappagianopoulos, J. E., Rouch, E. F., & Mazurek, M. O. (2023) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-023-06158-5 · Cited by 7
“…Consistent with hypotheses and prior findings among TD youth and one study with a small sample of autistic adolescents (Bohnert et al., 2019; Eime et al., 2013; Panza et al., 2020), adolescents who participated in sports were significantly less likely to have a current depression diag - nosis.”
Participation in club sport in childhood is associated with mental health in preterm and term born adolescents
Spiegler, J., EL‐Awad, U., Baumann, N., Lemola, S., & Dieter Wolke, C. (2024) · European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s00787-023-02365-8 · Cited by 5
“Investigations of the association between club sport participation (CSP) and mental health problems have been limited to cross-sectional and retrospective studies [11, 15, 27].”
Background
Moderated by personal perception: The preventive relationship between home HIIT dance and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in China
Hu, Y., Son, K., Yang, Z., & Mao, Y. (2023) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1117186 · Cited by 6
Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing of Irish Adolescents During Covid-19 Restrictions. A Re-Issue of the Physical Activity and Wellbeing Study (PAWS)
Murphy, J. M., McGrane, B., & Sweeney, M. R. (2021) · Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.5334/paah.127 · Cited by 12
Sports coaches’ depression literacy, and engagement in prevention and early intervention behaviors: A moderated mediation analysis
O’Leary, C., Rooney, B., Donohue, B. C., & Matthews, J. J. (2022) · Journal of Applied Sport Psychology · doi:10.1080/10413200.2022.2126908 · Cited by 5
“Recent research has suggested a positive relationship between sport participation and mental health in young people (Panza et al., 2020).”
Background
The persisting influence of organized sports participation on mental health and wellness: a longitudinal repeated measures study of adolescent female athletes
Meyers, R., Brna, M., Hogg-Cornejo, V., Donahue, C. C., Sweeney, E. A., Armento, A., & Howell, D. R. (2025) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2025.1527622 · Cited by 4
Association between outdoor physical activity and positive mental health in adolescence: estimating the mediation effect of autonomy, competence and relatedness
Drapeau, C., Lenze, L., Montiel, C., Gallant, F., Bélanger, M. F., & Doré, I. (2025) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/s12966-025-01847-z · Cited by 6
“Specifically, physical activity among adolescents is associated with reduced anxiety [50] and depressive symptoms [6, 10, 46, 50], reduced occurrence of depression disorder [3, 6, 10], and reduced stress, negative affect and psychological distress [54].”
Self-citation
Can Physical Activity Protect Young Adolescents With Difficult Temperaments and Exposed to Family Adversity From Internalizing and Externalizing Problems? Yes, But…
Alawie, F., Olivier, E., & Dupéré, V. (2024) · Journal of Early Adolescence · doi:10.1177/02724316231224812 · Cited by 5
“These results are consistent with the conclusions of previous systematic reviews that have demonstrated the bene ﬁ ts of PA in reducing symptoms of depression in the general adolescent population (Biddle et al., 2019; Panza et al., 2020).”
General Self-Efficacy as a Mediator of Physical Activity’s Impact on Well-Being Among Norwegian Adolescents: A Gender and Age Perspective
Fossli, K., & Lorentzen, C. (2025) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs15091239 · Cited by 7
“…settings may facilitate the development of social skills, such as collaboration and leadership, and offer access to peers and adults who can serve as successful role models and provide support and encouragement (Evans et al., 2017; Oberle et al., 2019; Panza et al., 2020; Zuckerman et al., 2021).”
General lifestyle factors explain young athletes’ mental health more than perceived coach autonomy support: a cross-sectional study on basketball players and gymnasts aged 10–22
Lundqvist, C., Asratian, A., & Dahlström, Ö. (2023) · BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine · doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001648 · Cited by 9
Physical Activity as a Buffer in the Association Between Perceived Ethnic‐Racial Discrimination and Latinx Adolescent Mental Health
Zhang, Y., & Halgunseth, L. C. (2024) · Mental Health Science · doi:10.1002/mhs2.98 · Cited by 4
Are There Common Correlates of Adolescents’ Sport Participation and Screen Time?
Parker, K. E., Brown, H. L., & Salmon, J. (2022) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.2021.1998305 · Cited by 4
“…social interactions and social competence) and physical health (e.g., improved cardio-metabolic health and peak bone mass) (Logan et al., 2020; Panza et al., 2020; Tenforde & Fredericson, 2011), as well as a contribution to the development of physical literacy elements that are essential for…”
Background
Sport practice and depression during adolescence: Special emphasis on performance level and sport discipline
Sitko, S., Francín-Gallego, M., Pano-Rodríguez, Á., Oviedo‐Caro, M. Á., Mayolas-Pi, C., & Legaz‐Arrese, A. (2024) · Journal of science and medicine in sport · doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2024.07.009 · Cited by 3
Exploring the sports participation, muscle-strengthening exercise and active commuting with comorbidity of depression and anxiety among Chinese children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Feng, B., Luo, F., Chen, Y., Zhao, Y., Wang, P., & Bao, R. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1338190 · Cited by 6
Physical activity and anxiety in the adolescence: special emphasis on sport type and performance level
Francín-Gallego, M., Oviedo‐Caro, M. Á., Sitko, S., Legaz‐Arrese, A., Pano-Rodríguez, Á., Munguía‐Izquierdo, D., Masià, J. R., & Mayolas-Pi, C. (2024) · Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1007/s10389-024-02358-0 · Cited by 3
“Previous studies have shown that sports participation during adolescence may represent a protective environment against anxiety (Panza et al. 2020).”
Relationship with Adults in Organized Sports and Non-Sports Activities and Links with Psychological Adjustment in Adolescence: A 6-Year Longitudinal Study
White‐Gosselin, C., Poulin, F., & Denault, A. (2024) · Journal of Youth and Adolescence · doi:10.1007/s10964-024-02126-z · Cited by 3
“If this is the case, it could be explained by the fact that sport activities in general are widely recognized as having bene ﬁ ts for adolescents (Panza et al., 2020).”
“That's not fair on my kid”: Carers' perspectives on sport participation and experiences for children in out-of-home care
Simpson, A., Jackson, B., Willis, C., Lin, A. P., Thornton, A., Furzer, B. J., Dimmock, J. A., Jeftic, I., Rosenberg, M., & Budden, T. (2025) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102802 · Cited by 3

Authors: Panza, M. J., Graupensperger, S., Agans, J. P., Doré, I., Vella, S. A., & Evans, M. B.
Affiliations: Pennsylvania State University (US)
University of Washington (US)
Université de Montréal (CA)
University of Wollongong (AU)
ORCID: Graupensperger, Scott
Agans, Jennifer P.
Doré, Isabelle
Vella, Stewart A.
Evans, Michael Blair
Venue: Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Publisher: Human Kinetics
Published: 2020-06-01
Volume: 42
Issue: 3
Pages: 201-218
ISSN: 0895-2779 (ISSN-L)
1543-2904
DOI: 10.1123/jsep.2019-0235
PMC: PMC7679280
OpenAlex: W3026226008
Cited by: 202
References: 72
Citations by year: 2026: 36 · 2025: 49 · 2024: 40 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 1
FWCI: 3.74
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Locations: Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
Funders: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (F31AA027685)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (T32DA017629)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Youth Development and Social Support
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
Social Sciences › Life-span and Life-course Studies › Recreational Sport and Physical Activity
Keywords: youth sport participation, organized sport, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, mental health, protective factors, sex differences, age differences

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Adolescent Sport Participation and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Overview

Integrity signals

Verification

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Citations

Cites

Cited by

Related

Metadata

Record

About these checks