Research shows that low levels of social acceptance, body satisfaction, and athletic competence increase risks for depressive symptoms among both girls and boys (Harter, Marold, & Whitesell, 1992). Little is known, however, about factors that can mediate these risks. To better understand how sports involvement may mediate risks for depressive symptoms, this study uses a multivariate structural model to examine how the qualitative nature of team sports involvement operates to influence risks for depressive symptoms. Participants were 455 students from a high school in a moderately-sized city. Girls reported lower mean levels of body satisfaction and athletic engagement and tended have higher levels of depressive symptoms. No sex differences were observed in experiences of positive team sports involvement. Structural equation modeling showed that the mediating model fit the data well. Implications for community- and school-based sports programs are discussed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uvic.ca/oai:dspace.library.uvic.ca:1828/455 |
| Date | 10 April 2008 |
| Creators | Boone, Erin Margaret. |
| Contributors | Leadbeater, Bonnie J. Ross |
| Source Sets | University of Victoria |
| Detected Language | English |
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