The Benefits and Barriers of Sport for Children From Low-Income Settings: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

The purpose of this integrative review was to examine the existing literature about the emotional and social benefits, as well as barriers and facilitators to sport participation for children from low-income settings. Thematic analysis was performed yielding three major themes: (1) emotional benefits of sport participation; (2) social benefits of sport participation; and (3) barriers and facilitators to sport participation. Overall, the thirteen studies showed positive emotional and social benefits for sport participation; however, one study found decreased mental health and one reported no significant findings. Facilitators such as psychological safety and social support are needed to encourage sport participation as significant barriers to sport participation continue to exist for children from low-income settings. Future areas of research include more longitudinal studies related to the role of sport, the environment, coaching style, and investigation into why participation rates continue to be decreased for children from low-income settings despite added social supports.

Integrating Constructivist Grounded Theory with a Patient-Oriented Research Approach to Enhance Health Promotion Research

“…As part of the analysis, the social problem the participants were experiencing was defined and found to be lack of opportunity to belong. Then, a BSP was created and formed the core of the substantive theory created in the study titled: "Finding Belonging through Sport Participation for Children from Low-Income Settings: A Grounded Theory" (Nelson et al, 2023). The BSP described the ways in which participants attempted to solve their perceived lack of opportunity to belong.…”

“…The research purpose, objectives, and questions were informed by constructivist GT methodology and a POR approach. The overall purpose of the research was to explore the benefits and barriers of traditional karate participation for children from low-income settings with particular focus on social and emotional benefits (Nelson et al, 2023). Objective one was to understand the social and emotional benefits of traditional karate and was based on the information from the initial parent advisory group meetings and stakeholder meetings.…”

“…Objective one was to understand the social and emotional benefits of traditional karate and was based on the information from the initial parent advisory group meetings and stakeholder meetings. Whereas objectives two and three which examined the social process and created a substantive theory aligned closely with all GT approaches (Nelson et al, 2023). The objectives led to the development of the research questions that guided this inquiry which reflected the constructivist GT methodology and POR.…”

“…The substantive grounded theory Finding Belonging through Sport (Nelson et al, 2023) was created through the use of both constructivist GT and POR. Through the constructivist GT process, Finding Belonging through Sport was developed which was not obvious at the start of the research.…”

The effects of a combined physical activity and health education program on health knowledge and well‐being of socially vulnerable children

“…Furthermore, children and adolescents with a residential stay at the DCSH had a higher degree of physical or mental difficulties compared to other children of the same gender and age; a larger percentage live in homes with only one parent; 18 97% of children at the DCSHs have either overweight or obesity problems; 17 and 73% of the children report having a low quality of life prior to their residential stay 17 . For children from low‐income settings to attain social benefits from sports participation, the setting must provide social support and psychological safety, 19 and sports participation is recommended to enhance psychosocial health outcomes 20 . Especially, team‐sport activities positively impact everyday social health outcomes 20 …”