Sport Participation and Emotional Well-Being Among High School Students
Authors
Alpin Galo, Nada Kallciu
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Sport participation is increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to emotional well-being among adolescents. This systematic review examines the relationship between sport participation and emotional and psychological outcomes among high school students, with particular attention to school-based and organized sporting contexts. The review considered peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and September 2026, using evidence from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar. The focused on anxiety, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, self-efficacy, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and social connectedness. The reviewed studies generally indicated that sport participation was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms and more positive psychological and social outcomes. Findings also suggested that sport may support emotional well-being through skill development, self-confidence, peer relationships, cooperation, and a sense of belonging. However, the evidence was heterogeneous, and positive associations were not consistent across all studies and outcomes. The findings therefore suggest that inclusive sport opportunities may contribute to school-based efforts to promote adolescent emotional well-being, although sport should complement broader mental health support. Further research is needed to clarify how the type, frequency, duration, and quality of sport participation relate to emotional outcomes among high school students.
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Authors
Alpin Galo, Nada Kallciu
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References:
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