Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sport Psychiatry in Childhood and Adolescence: An Overview

  • Published:
Child Psychiatry and Human Development Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This review explores the importance and relevance of sport during childhood and adolescence, utilizing traditional stage theories of development. The literature supports the notion that sport is a necessary study as a health issue and a preventative tool in the field of psychiatry. Play and sport in childhood and adolescence enhance development physically, mentally, and socially. Participating in athletics encourages the development of leadership skills, self-esteem, muscle development and overall physical health. There is a lack of literature in the important area of sport psychiatry especially when considering beneficial, not deficit oriented youth athletic development. Child psychiatrists need to begin researching sport in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of how athletics can enhance the mental and physical health of youth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gardiner NE: Athletics of the Ancient World. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1930.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Berryman JW: The rise of highly organized sports for preadolescent boys. In: Children in Sport, eds. Magill RA, Ash MJ, Small FL.: Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, pp.3–16, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Adlaf EM, Smart RG: Characteristics of steroid users in an adolescent school population. J of Alcohol and Drug Educ 38(1): 43–49, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  4. VanHelder WP, Kofman E, Tremblay MS: Anabolic steroids in sport. Canadian J of Sport Sciences 16(4): 248–257, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Anshel MH: A survey of elite athletes on the perceived causes of using banned drugs in sport. J of Sport Behav 14(4): 283–310, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Pipe AL: Sport, science, and society: Ethics in sports medicine. Med & Sci in Sports and Exercise 25(8): 888–900, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Santrock Jw: Life-Span Development (2nd ed.). Dubuque, Iowa: Wm. C. Brown, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Martens R: Youth sport in the USA. In: Sport for Children and Youth, eds. Weiss RW, Gould D.: Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics, pp. 27–33, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Martens R: Joy and Sadness in Childrens Sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Danish SJ, Petipas AJ, Hale BD: Life development for athletes: Life skills through sport. The Counsel Psychol 21:353–385, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Arnstein RL: Emotional problems of adolesecnt athlete. In: Medical Care of The Adolescent, eds. Gallagher JR, Heald FP, Gavell DC.: New York: Appleton-Century-Croft, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Bessier AR: The Madness in Sports. New York: Appleton-Century-Croft, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Yates A, Leehay K, Shisslak CM: Running-an analogue of anorexia. New England J of Med 308:251–255, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Brower KJ, Eliopulos GA, Blow FC, Catlin DH, Breresford TP: Evidence for physical and psychological Dependence on anabolic androgenic steroids in eight weight lifters. Amer J of Psychiat 147:510–512, 1990.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Pope HG, Katz DL: Affective and psychotic symptoms associated with anabolic steroid use. Amer J of Psychiat 145:487–490, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Cureton TK: Improvement of psychological states by means of exercise fitness programs. J Assoc Phys Ment Rehab 17:14–17, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Kostrubala T: Running and therapy. In: Running as Therapy: An Integrated Approach., eds. Sachs ML, Fuggore GW.: Lincoln: University of Nebraska, 1984.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Greist JH, Klein MH, Eischens RR, Faris J, Gurman AS, Morgan WP: Running through your mind. J of Psychosom Res 22:259–294, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Begel D: An overview of sport psychiatry. Amer J of Psychiat 149:606–614, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Massimino JH: Sport Psychiatry. Annals of Sports Med 3:55–58, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Webster's New World Dictionary, 3rd ed. New York: Prentice Hall, 1994.

  22. Malina RM: Exercise as an influence upon growth. Clinical Pediatrics 8:16–26, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Rarick GL: Competitive sports in childhood and early adolescence. In: Children in Sport: A Contemporary Anthology, eds. Magill RA, Ash MS, Smoll FL.: Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics, pp. 113–128, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Ekbolm B: Effects of physical training in adolescent boys. J of Appl Psychol 27:350–355, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Brown CH, Harrower JR, Deeter MF: The effects of cross-country running on preadolescent girls. Med and Sci in Sports 4:1–5, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Erickson EH: Childhood and Society (2nd ed.). New York: Norton, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Smith RE, Smoll FL: Sport and the child conceptual and research perspectives. In: Psychological Perspectives in Youth Sports, eds. Smoll FL, Smith RE.: Washington: Hemisphere Publ, pp. 3–13, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Ambron SR, Brodzinsky D: Life Span Human Development. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Coakley J: When should children begin competing? A sociological perspective. In: Sport for Children and Youths, eds. Weiss MR, Gould D.: Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics, pp. 59–63, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Passer M: When should children begin competing? A psychological perspective. In: Sport for Children and Youths, eds. Weiss MR, Gould D.: Champaign Il: Human Kinetics, pp.55–58, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Passer M: Psychological issues in determining children's age-readiness for competition. In: Children in Sport (3rd edition), eds. Smoll FL, Magill RA, Ash MJ.: Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics p.69, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Lundsteen SW, Bernstein-tarrow NB: Guiding young children's learning. New York: Mcgraw-Hill, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Melnick MJ, Mookerjee S: Effects of advance weight training on body-cathexis and self-esteem. Percept and Motor Skills 72(3): 1335–1345, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Malina RM: Growth and maturation of young athletes: Biological and social considerations. In: Children in Sport (3rd ed)., eds. Smoll F, Magill R, Ash M.: Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  35. McPherson BD, Brown BA: The structure, process and consequences of sport for children. In: Children in Sport (3rd Ed.), eds. Smoll F, Magill R, Ash M.: Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics, pp. 265–286, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Seefeldt VD, Gilliam T, Blievernicht D, Bruce R: Scope of youth sport programs in the state of Michigan. In: Psychological perspectives in Youth Sports, eds. Smoll F, Smith R.: Washington: Hemisphere Publishing, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Cooper L: Athletics, activity, and personality: A review of the literature. Res Quart 40:17–22, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Melnick MJ, Sabo DF, Vanfossen B: Educational effects of interscholastic athletic participation on african-american and hispanic youth. Adolescence 27(106): 295–308, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Newton M, Duda J: Elite adolescent athletes' achievement goals and beliefs concerning success in tennis. J of Sport and Exercise Psychol 15(4): 437–448, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Thill E, Brunel P: Cognitive theories of motivation in sport. In: European perspectives on exercise and sport psychology, eds. Stuart JH and Biddle.: pp.195–217.

  41. Gould D: Promoting positive sport experiences for children. In: Sport Psychology: The psychological Health of the Athlete, eds. Mag JR, Asken MJ.: New York: PMA, pp. 77–79, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Bar-or O: The drop-out dilemma in youth sport. In, The Child and adolescent athlete. Encyclopedia of sports medicine Oxford, England: Blackwell Scientific Publications, Inc pp. 418–430, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Malina RM: Growth and maturation of young athletes: Biological and social considerations. In: Children in Sport (3rd. ed)., eds. Smoll F, Magill R, Ash M: Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Smoll FL, Smith RE: Developing a healthy philosophy of winning in youth sport. In: A Winning Philosophy for Youth Sport Programs, eds. Seefeldt V, Smoll FL, Smith RE, Gould D.: East Lansing: Michigan Institute for the study of Youth Sports, pp. 17–24, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Lever J: Sex differences in the complexity of children's play and games. Amer Social Rev 43:471–483, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Thomas JR, French KE: Gender differences across age in motor performance: A meta-analysis. Psychol Bull 98:260–282, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Wilmore JH: The female athlete. In: Children in Sport 2nd ed., eds. Magill RA, Ash MJ, Smoll FL.: Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics, pp. 106–117, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Cobb NJ: Adolescence: Continuity, Change, and Diversity (2nd edition). Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Shaffer TE: The young athlete. In: Children in Sport, eds. Magill RA, Ash MJ, Smoll FL.: Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics, pp.118–125, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Frydenberg E, Lewis, R: Boys play sport and girls turn to others: Age, gender and ethnicity as determinants of coping. J of Adol 16(3): 253–266, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Brown JD, Siegel JM: Exercise as a buffer of life stress: A prospective study of adolescent health. Health Psychology 7: 341–353, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Cummings GR: Medical comment. In: Child in Sport and Physical Activity, eds. Albinson JG, Andrew GM.: Baltimore: University Park, p. 75, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Bailey DA: Sport and the child: physiological considerations. In: Children in Sport, 2nd ed. eds. Magill RA, Ash MJ, Smoll FL.: Champaign, Il: Human Kinetics, pp. 77–104, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Feltz, Deborah L: The relevance of youth sport for clinical child psychology. The Clinical Psychologist 39(3): 74–77, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Dummer GM, Rosen LW, Heusener WW, Robers PJ, Counsilman JE: Pathogenic weight control behaviours of young competitive swimmers. The Physician and Sports Medicine 15(5): 75–84, 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Petrie TA, Stover S: The incidence of bulimia nervosa and pathogenic weight control behaviors in female collegiate gymnasts. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 64:238–241, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Black DR, Burckes-Miller ME: Male and female college athletes: Use of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa weight loss method. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 59:252–256, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Dishman RK: Exercise and sport psychology in youth 6 to 18 years of age, in Perspectives in exercise science and sports medicine: II Youth, exercise and sport eds. Gisulfi CV and Lamb DR.: Indianapolis: Bench Mark Press pp.47–97, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Fox KR: The self-esteem complex and youth fitness. Quest 40:230–246, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  60. The Wellness Encyclopedia: (From the editors of University of CA-Berkeley wellness letter). Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1991.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics, Columbia, Missouri, 65212

    Thomas D. Eppright

  2. Bernard Baruch College, CUNY, USA

    Julia A. Sanfacon

  3. University of Missouri, Columbia

    Niels C. Beck & J. Shane Bradley

Authors
  1. Thomas D. Eppright
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Julia A. Sanfacon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Niels C. Beck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Shane Bradley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Eppright, T.D., Sanfacon, J.A., Beck, N.C. et al. Sport Psychiatry in Childhood and Adolescence: An Overview. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 28, 71–88 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025189118334

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1025189118334

Search

Navigation