“…There are several empirical studies suggesting positive effects of PA on mental health among children and adolescents [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], however, contradictory results have also been published [ 33 , 34 ]. In a cross-sectional study, O’Brien et al investigated the relationship between PA and the risk of psychological problems among early school-aged children and found no significant association [ 35 ].…”
Physical activity (PA) may have positive effects on mental health in children and adolescents. This post hoc study aimed to further investigate the relationship between different frequency levels of PA and general mental health as well as specific hyperactivity/inattention symptoms in children and adolescents. Methods: The analyses were based on data drawn from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) study, a regularly conducted large-scale, epidemiological investigation of somatic and mental health of children and adolescents in Germany. Parents were asked about their children’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) records and answered questionnaires concerning any mental health problem behavior of the children and adolescents using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The overall problem score as well as the hyperactivity/inattention symptoms subscale (SDQ-H/I) were entered as outcomes in a regression model controlling for parental socio-economic status and participants’ sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Cross-sectional analyses were conducted at three time points of the KiGGS study (baseline, wave 1, and wave 2) using general linear models (GLM). This was performed for different age groups (4–5, 6–9, 10–17 years). Results: Significant negative relationships were found between PA and general mental health problems. For the relationship between PA and SDQ-H/I, different patterns emerged at the three time points. There was no interaction between PA frequency levels and diagnosis of ADHD (ADHD vs. non-ADHD controls) regarding the SDQ total score. Conclusion: This study underlines the importance of a high frequency level of PA for a good mental health status among children and adolescents, irrespective of the diagnosis of ADHD.
“…There are several empirical studies suggesting positive effects of PA on mental health among children and adolescents [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], however, contradictory results have also been published [ 33 , 34 ]. In a cross-sectional study, O’Brien et al investigated the relationship between PA and the risk of psychological problems among early school-aged children and found no significant association [ 35 ].…”
Physical activity (PA) may have positive effects on mental health in children and adolescents. This post hoc study aimed to further investigate the relationship between different frequency levels of PA and general mental health as well as specific hyperactivity/inattention symptoms in children and adolescents. Methods: The analyses were based on data drawn from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) study, a regularly conducted large-scale, epidemiological investigation of somatic and mental health of children and adolescents in Germany. Parents were asked about their children’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) records and answered questionnaires concerning any mental health problem behavior of the children and adolescents using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The overall problem score as well as the hyperactivity/inattention symptoms subscale (SDQ-H/I) were entered as outcomes in a regression model controlling for parental socio-economic status and participants’ sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Cross-sectional analyses were conducted at three time points of the KiGGS study (baseline, wave 1, and wave 2) using general linear models (GLM). This was performed for different age groups (4–5, 6–9, 10–17 years). Results: Significant negative relationships were found between PA and general mental health problems. For the relationship between PA and SDQ-H/I, different patterns emerged at the three time points. There was no interaction between PA frequency levels and diagnosis of ADHD (ADHD vs. non-ADHD controls) regarding the SDQ total score. Conclusion: This study underlines the importance of a high frequency level of PA for a good mental health status among children and adolescents, irrespective of the diagnosis of ADHD.
“…For example, Chen (2005) found that Japanese children were more likely to possess higher health-related quality of life (HRQOL) or what we might also term wellbeing. More recently, Breslin et al, (2016) who explored connections between moderate to vigorous intensity physical exercise (MVPA) and the wellbeing of 673 children aged 8 and 9 in Ireland from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, found:…”
Purpose
A peer-mentoring scheme was implemented in a secondary school using a physical activity (PA) intervention to improve mental health outcomes of students who were at risk of developing mental ill health. These students are referred to as mentees. The evaluation was a qualitative design using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The participants reported an increase in PA in both peer mentors and mentees. By the end of the project many of the mentees recognised that they had increased their levels of PA, they were more aware of the benefits of PA and the relationship between PA and their mental health. In addition, mentees reported feeling more confident and were more confident in forming social relationships. Peer mentors reported developing many leadership skills during the project. These included improved communication, confidence, empathy for others, relationship building and improved self-awareness. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative data were primarily collected from nine case study schools. Each visit included interviews with peer mentors, mentees and the Wellbeing Champion.
Findings
Mentees developed improved social confidence and were generally more positive after completing the intervention. Mentors developed leadership skills and greater empathy for their peers.
Originality/value
There is limited research on school-based PA interventions using peer mentoring to improve students’ mental health.
“…Physical activity can enhance social and emotional functioning, health‐related quality of life, and develop protective factors, including self‐esteem, positive social relationships and well‐being (Fraser‐Thomas and Côté, 2009; Holt, 2016; Holt et al , 2017). Breslin et al (2016) explored connections between moderate‐ to vigorous‐intensity physical activity (MVPA) and the well‐being of children aged 8 and 9 in Ireland from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. They concluded that:‘Children who met the MVPA guidelines had higher well‐being scores than those children who did not.…”
Section: The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Healthmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…They concluded that:‘Children who met the MVPA guidelines had higher well‐being scores than those children who did not. Specifically, every dimension of well‐being was significantly associated with MVPA; physical well‐being, psychological well‐being, parent relations and autonomy, social support and school environment’ (Breslin et al , 2016, p. 12).…”
Section: The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Healthmentioning
This research is an evaluation of a six‐week mental health literacy programme, referred to as the Cambridge United Community Trust’s ‘Mind Your Head’ programme, which was delivered by sports professionals to secondary school students (11‐16) in Cambridge, England, during 2017–18. A Mental Health Literacy Scale was used to measure students’ knowledge of mental health issues pre‐ and post‐intervention. Statistical data from these surveys were analysed using an independent samples t‐test. Focus groups were held with students in each school, and individual semi‐structured interviews were conducted with one lead teacher in each school. The statistical data indicate that statistically significant improvements in mental health literacy were achieved, and this occurred across all genders and ethnicities. The qualitative data suggest that this programme resulted in positive attitudes towards mental health and improved knowledge of how to seek help. The data indicate that investment in similar programmes would be beneficial for schools in improving students’ knowledge of mental health and reducing stigma.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
