Title
Associations between organised leisure-time activities and mental health problems in children
Author
Boelens, M.
Smit, M.S.
Windhorst, D.A.
Jonkman, H.J.
Hosman, C.M.H.
Raat, H.
Jansen, W.
Publication year
2022
Abstract
Previous studies conducted mainly among adolescents have found associations between participation in sport organised leisure-time activities (OLTAs) and mental health problems (MHP). Fewer research studies have been performed to primary school-aged children and to organised non-sport OLTAs. Therefore, the objective is to examine whether there is an association between participation in sport and non-sport OLTAs and a high risk of MHP in 4- to 12-year-olds. Data were used on 5010 children from a cross-sectional population-based survey conducted between May and July 2018 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Associations between sport OLTAs, non-sport OLTAs and breadth of OLTAs and a high risk of MHP were explored using logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, stressful life events and physical activity. Of all children, 58% participated in sport OLTAs and 22% in non-sport OLTAs. The proportion of children with high risk of MHP among participants in sport OLTAs is smaller than among non-participants (OR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.81). The proportion of children with high risk of MHP among participants in non-sport OLTAs is smaller than among non-participants (OR 0.69, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.91). The proportion of children with a high risk of MHP among participants in 1 category of OLTAs (OR 0.61, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.76) and in 2–5 categories of OLTAs (OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.71) is smaller than among non-participants. Conclusion: The proportion of children with high risk of MHP among participants in OLTAs is smaller than among non-participants.
Subject
Extracurricular
Leisure
Psychosocial
Sports
Structured activities
Well-being
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:aedfea18-6446-424f-9715-7a7d9a403ae9
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-022-04591-9
TNO identifier
976635
Source
European Journal of Pediatrics, 181 (181), 3867-3877
Document type
article