Jiu-Jitsu and Society: Male Mental Health on the Mats

Abstract

The growth in mixed martial arts (MMA) gyms worldwide, along with adjunct media discourse has been matched by the number of participants, characterized by the dedication and sacrifice imbued. These factors catalyzed this research which sought initially to understand the motivations of MMA gym members and the role that the training plays in their lives. Through an immersive participant ethnography lasting 3 years, the author trained, socialized, fought, and competed with members of an urban MMA gym in the United Kingdom. The findings focus on the subculture of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu existing within and alongside MMA and where men of diverse ages and creeds follow a path to improved mental health. Drawing from the salutogenic health model and the sociology of health literature, this paper shows that through membership of an MMA gym and dedication to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, participants embody a version of health that is closely aligned with Antonovsky’s theory of salutogenesis. This theory of health helps explain not only the dedication of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners and the growth of MMA more broadly but also posits a fresh perspective on the role of alternative physical activities in male mental health redress.

Integrating Rough-and-Tumble Play in Martial Arts: A Practitioner’s Model

“…In sociological literature, several scholars have engaged in MA practice to understand it further. Drawing on a three-year ethnography, Sugden (2021) trained and competed in MA and found that it had great implications for mental health. Specifically, Sugden (2021) highlighted how students needed to endure training to acquire new techniques, test them, and engage in a trial-and-error process, which is heavily time-consuming.…”

“…Drawing on a three-year ethnography, Sugden (2021) trained and competed in MA and found that it had great implications for mental health. Specifically, Sugden (2021) highlighted how students needed to endure training to acquire new techniques, test them, and engage in a trial-and-error process, which is heavily time-consuming. In addition, facing several setbacks as a novel student (e.g., losing to lesser opponents), MA entails developing resilience and self-regulation not only in the immediate situational context.…”

“…Thus, one is faced with one’s ego in a very confrontational manner. This confrontational and demanding nature of MA has several consequences, one of which is that attrition is high ( Sugden, 2021 ). The need to self-regulate and endure training is thus a consequence of MA training but can also be a significant barrier to sustained participation.…”

“…Recently, it has been shown how sparring, even tough and semi-competitive sparring, can serve as the basis for friendship by developing respect for one another’s skill and willpower (Blomqvist Mickelsson, submitted). Indeed, according to Sugden (2021) , the basis for prosocial encounters lies in conjunction with sparring. In the immediate aftermath of sparring, one is given the opportunity to reconcile and contemplate on the sparring with one’s partner.…”

“…In conclusion, MA practitioners learn to respect and care for one another while simultaneously pushing each other’s mental and physical boundaries ( Chinkov and Holt, 2016 ; Sugden, 2021 ). Practitioners not only care for each other out of respect for a partner’s physical health, but also to nurture the social relationships that exist on the mat.…”