A Feasibility Study into How Sports Empower Disadvantaged Youth

Research Line: Healthy Start / Seed Call: i4PH October 2023

While sports participation has been linked to positive mental health outcomes in youth, including improved self-esteem and confidence, certain subgroups, such as those from low-income families or with social and behavioural challenges, participate less in sports. However, limited research specifically explores the impact of sports on the mental health of these disadvantaged youth, hindering evidence-based strategies to promote sports participation and address inequalities.

Objectives and Route to Impact

The project aims to conduct a feasibility study to assess the viability of a large-scale longitudinal study on the effects of sports participation on positive mental health outcomes in disadvantaged youth.

Key objectives include:

• Identifying feasibility factors: Determine suitable recruitment strategies, consent procedures, research designs, and data collection tools for studying sports participation and mental health in real-life sports contexts.
• Engaging stakeholders: Involve disadvantaged youth, parents, sports coaches, teachers, and youth workers in a participatory approach to gather insights and feedback.
• Study settings: Utilize two sports participation programmes, Life Goals and ClubCoach, as study settings to understand the context of sports participation among disadvantaged youth.

The project sets the stage for a larger longitudinal study to explore the impact of sports participation on mental health in disadvantaged youth. By engaging stakeholders and addressing feasibility factors, the project aims to inform evidence-based strategies to promote sports participation and improve mental health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Methods

The feasibility study will span eight months and employ the following methods:

• Scoping review: Conduct a scoping review to learn from previous research on sports participation and mental health in disadvantaged youth.
• Stakeholder engagement: Conduct individual interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders in the Life Goals and ClubCoach programs to gather insights and feedback.
• Grant preparation: Use the findings to inform the preparation of a grant application for a larger longitudinal study, including research design, recruitment procedures, and data collection tools.

Contribution to Cross-EWUU Collaboration

The project involves researchers from all alliance partners with diverse expertise in public health, health psychology, technology, and social sciences. Through collaboration, the project aims to bridge gaps in research and develop innovative approaches to studying sports participation and mental health. The project builds on previous collaborations and partnerships within the EWUU alliance, leveraging existing networks and expertise.

Project Team

• Dr. Lonneke van Leeuwen – UMCU, Global Public Health and Bio Ethics
• Dr. Kirsten Verkooijen – WUR, Social Sciences
• Dr. Daniel Tetteroo – TU/e, Industrial Design
• Prof. Dr. Gonneke Stevens – UU, Interdisciplinary Social Science