Abstract
Background:
Rates of physical activity decline throughout adolescence and evidence indicates that this has an adverse impact on psychological health. This paper aims to synthesise available evidence for physical activity interventions on the mental health and well-being of young people (11 – 19 years) from the general population.
Method:
Nine databases were searched to identify studies published between January 2005 and June 2020: Web of Science, ProQuest Psychology Journals, PsycINFO, Pub Med, ASSIA, CINHAL PLUS, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE and Wiley Online Library. Key search terms included “physical activity intervention”, “mental health”, and “adolescen*”. Eligible studies were independently screened by two authors based on inclusion/exclusion criteria.
Results:
Twenty-eight interventions were narratively synthesised in four categories: Quality of Life (QOL), self-esteem, psychological well-being, and psychological ill-being (e.g., depression, stress). A large proportion (67.9%) of interventions were multicomponent and combined physical activity with other features such as health education (e.g. nutrition). However, only a limited number (N = 5) specifically addressed mental health. Findings suggest that interventions are useful in improving psychological well-being and QOL, yet evidence for self-esteem is mixed.
Conclusions:
Although effectiveness in improving well-being is evident, evidence for a reduction in the frequency and severity of mental health problems is less clear. A summary of the overall impact of physical activity interventions on the mental health of young people is presented.
Key Practitioner Message
• The impact of physical activity on youth mental health is evident and further support has been provided for the effect of physical activity interventions on QOL and psychological well-being.
• Findings illustrate a lack of interventions combining physical activity and mental health promotion in a multicomponent framework and identifies a pathway for future development and research.
Rates of physical activity decline throughout adolescence and evidence indicates that this has an adverse impact on psychological health. This paper aims to synthesise available evidence for physical activity interventions on the mental health and well-being of young people (11 – 19 years) from the general population.
Method:
Nine databases were searched to identify studies published between January 2005 and June 2020: Web of Science, ProQuest Psychology Journals, PsycINFO, Pub Med, ASSIA, CINHAL PLUS, SPORTDiscus, EMBASE and Wiley Online Library. Key search terms included “physical activity intervention”, “mental health”, and “adolescen*”. Eligible studies were independently screened by two authors based on inclusion/exclusion criteria.
Results:
Twenty-eight interventions were narratively synthesised in four categories: Quality of Life (QOL), self-esteem, psychological well-being, and psychological ill-being (e.g., depression, stress). A large proportion (67.9%) of interventions were multicomponent and combined physical activity with other features such as health education (e.g. nutrition). However, only a limited number (N = 5) specifically addressed mental health. Findings suggest that interventions are useful in improving psychological well-being and QOL, yet evidence for self-esteem is mixed.
Conclusions:
Although effectiveness in improving well-being is evident, evidence for a reduction in the frequency and severity of mental health problems is less clear. A summary of the overall impact of physical activity interventions on the mental health of young people is presented.
Key Practitioner Message
• The impact of physical activity on youth mental health is evident and further support has been provided for the effect of physical activity interventions on QOL and psychological well-being.
• Findings illustrate a lack of interventions combining physical activity and mental health promotion in a multicomponent framework and identifies a pathway for future development and research.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 12485 |
| Pages (from-to) | 357-368 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Child and Adolescent Mental Health |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 9 Jun 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2021 |
Keywords
- physical activity intervention
- mental health
- well-being
- adolescent
- young people
