The role of adolescents’ participation in physical education and leisure-time sport activity on their social connectedness, depression, and aggressive behaviour

ABSTRACT

The current study investigated the benefits of adolescents’ participation in physical activity (PA), including physical education (PE) and leisure-time sports activity (LTSA), on their subjective wellbeing (SWB), namely social connectedness, depression, and aggression. Specifically, the study explored the mediating role of social connectedness in the relationship between adolescents’ PA and depression/aggression. Data were collected from 358 middle-school students in Korea and analysed using structural equation modelling. Results indicated that adolescents’ participation in PE had a direct positive effect on social connectedness, while LTSA had a direct negative effect on depression. Social connectedness was negatively associated with both depression and aggression, while depression was positively associated with aggression. Consequently, the results indicated a full mediation effect of social connectedness between PE and adolescent SWB. The results also suggested meaningful gender differences. The effect of LTSA on depression was significant only for females, while the relationship between social connectedness and depression was stronger for females. Overall, the study suggests that PE is an effective way to enhance middle schoolers’ social connectedness, which can decrease the level of depression and aggression. Consequently, the health and education agencies should consider PE and LTSA as an effective strategy to promote Korean adolescents’ subjective wellbeing.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• physical education
• leisure-time sports activity
• subjective wellbeing
• mental health
• social connectedness
• self-determination theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Doyeon Won

Doyeon Won (Ph.D., Oho State University, USA) is a Professor of Sport Management at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Prior to TAMU-CC, he held faculty and administrative positions at Ohio University, University of Georgia, Yonsei University in Korea, and Liverpool John Moores University in England. His research interests focus on the development and promotion of sport at all levels.

Hyejin Bang

Dr. Hyejin Bang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling, Recreation, and School Psychology at Florida International University. Her primary research areas include sport participation and positive social, emotional, and behavioral development of children and adolescents, organizational behavior and human resource management in sport, and brand marketing in sport.

Liana Davis

Liana Davis (Ph.D., University of South Carolina) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She serves as program coordinator for the Early Childhood-Grade 12 Physical Education Certification track of the B.S. in Kinesiology degree program. Her research and areas of specialization include physical education teacher education, health and PE, and physical activity.

Sanghyun Park

Sanghyun Park (Ph.D., Yonsei University) is an assistant professor in the Department of Sports for All at Korea National Open University. His research interests focus on sport management and marketing, including adolescents’ behavior.