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Mental Health in Recreational Sport
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Mental Health in Recreational Sport

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Mental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2022) | Viewed by 8498

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Andy Smith

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill Unversity, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK
Interests: mental health; mental illness; community and professional sport; education and work
Dr. Stewart A. Vella

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong NSW 2522, Australia
Interests: mental health in sport; sport psychology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is growing global interest in the mental health of individuals, communities, and in specific sectors such as sport. Although increasing attention has been focused on mental health and mental illness in elite and professional sport, relatively little systematic research exists on the role of community organisations (e.g., sports clubs, charities, voluntary bodies) in supporting the mental health of recreational sports participants. The mental health impacts on those who work or volunteer in recreational (or community) sport settings (e.g., coaches, officials, administrators, volunteers) are similarly limited. This Special Issue will address these gaps in knowledge, and high-quality papers that provide original theoretical, empirical and conceptual contributions are welcome on a range of topics, explored from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. These include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • Community sport, mental health and inequalities;
  • Effectiveness of community sport-based interventions;
  • Evaluations of community sport and mental health programmes;
  • Methods of implementation and engagement in community sport and mental health;
  • Organisational practice in community sport and mental health;
  • Partnership working in community sport and mental health;
  • Policy approaches to community sport and mental health. 

We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcome informal enquiries about these. 

Prof. Dr. Andy Smith
Dr. Stewart A. Vella
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • community sport
  • recreational sport
  • clubs
  • intervention
  • mental illness
  • programmes
  • stigma
  • wellbeing

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 752 KiB  
Article
The Effectiveness of Online Mental Health First Aid Training in Community Rugby: A Mixed-Methods Approach
by Suzanna Russell, Vincent Kelly, Remco Polman and Matthew Warren-James
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(7), 5391; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20075391 - 04 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2320
Abstract
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training exists to improve supportive behaviours towards peers, increase mental health literacy, and reduce stigma. Community sport clubs have potential to successfully deliver mental health programs. This study investigated the effectiveness of online MHFA training undertaken by members [...] Read more.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training exists to improve supportive behaviours towards peers, increase mental health literacy, and reduce stigma. Community sport clubs have potential to successfully deliver mental health programs. This study investigated the effectiveness of online MHFA training undertaken by members of the rugby community and evaluated the feasibility and usefulness of the online delivery mode and users’ engagement with it. A mixed-methods approach was used to provide depth of understanding through qualitative analysis, combined with quantitative outcomes. Online surveys examining participants’ knowledge and perceptions were administered pre- and post-MHFA training. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) across all assessed domains were observed post- compared to pre-MHFA training. A large effect size was identified in relation to advice giving and sign and symptom identification. A moderate effect size pre- to post-improvement was identified for users’ perceptions of therapy’s effectiveness, the ability of people with severe mental health conditions to recover, and benefit of a healthcare professional. Participants endorsed the MHFA program to improve mental health literacy, advance non-technical skills, and improve confidence. MHFA training can increase the awareness and knowledge of mental health issues in key individuals in community sport clubs and enable them to aid people with mental health concerns. Online MHFA training is associated with improved mental health literacy and may be a suitable and economically sustainable model for community sport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Recreational Sport)
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12 pages, 333 KiB  
Article
Embedding Physical Activity into Community-Based Peer Support Groups for those Severely Affected by Mental Illness
by Laura C. Healy, Adam Benkwitz, Zoe McVinnie, Mustafa Sarkar, Mel Islin, Andy Brinded, B. Dodge, Sofija Opacic, Zoe Swithenbank, Shanika Ranasinghe, Jennie Oliver, Maria Karanika-Murray and Mary E. Nevill
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2291; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20032291 - 27 Jan 2023
Viewed by 1937
Abstract
Despite a growing evidence base on the effectiveness of community-based physical activity interventions for mental health, there is a lack of studies that focus on those affected by severe mental illness (SMI), who often experience poorer physical health, and are less physically active [...] Read more.
Despite a growing evidence base on the effectiveness of community-based physical activity interventions for mental health, there is a lack of studies that focus on those affected by severe mental illness (SMI), who often experience poorer physical health, and are less physically active than the wider population. The use of peer support groups in this context is also understudied, despite benefits being documented in other contexts. This study examined the impact and process of a nationwide project to embed physical activity into peer support groups for those affected by SMI. Following the embedding of physical activity within peer support groups, interviews and focus groups were conducted to explore the experiences of those involved with the project and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The key findings related to: 1) the social aspects of embedding physical activity in the groups; 2) the focus on peer support and informal physical activity (rather than organised sport) being beneficial; 3) doing things differently and lessons to learn; and 4) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, we found that peer support is an important feature to include in projects encouraging those severely affected by mental illness to become more physically active. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Recreational Sport)
18 pages, 837 KiB  
Article
“Virtual Surf Booth”: Assessment of a Novel Tool and Data Collection Process to Measure the Impact of a 6-Week Surf Programme on Mental Wellbeing
by Ariane Gerami, Charlie Foster and Joey Murphy
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16732; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192416732 - 13 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1572
Abstract
Surf therapy is increasingly used as a health intervention, but evidence of its mental health benefits remains unclear. This longitudinal mixed-method study assessed the usability and acceptability of a novel online data collection tool and process to measure the impact of a surf [...] Read more.
Surf therapy is increasingly used as a health intervention, but evidence of its mental health benefits remains unclear. This longitudinal mixed-method study assessed the usability and acceptability of a novel online data collection tool and process to measure the impact of a surf programme on acute and chronic mental wellbeing. Fifteen women attending a 6-week surf programme in the UK were asked to complete a tool consisting of video recordings, word association and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being scale (SWEMWBS). Usability and acceptability were assessed through focus groups and quantitative data. The data generated in the focus groups, video recordings and word association were analysed via reflexive thematic analysis, and SWEMWBS presented descriptively. Participants perceived the tool as easy to use due to the completion time and its functionalities, and useful for self-reflection. Facilitating conditions such as timing and location, areas for improvement such as increased privacy, accessibility, incentivisation, and factors impacting data generated were further identified. Data collected covered both acute and chronic mental wellbeing and showed a positive relationship between surf and mental wellbeing. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in diverse populations, identify potential moderators, and confirm the validity of this tool and process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Recreational Sport)
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13 pages, 1308 KiB  
Article
Profiles of Wellbeing in Soft and Hard Mountain Hikers
by Piotr Próchniak
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7429; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19127429 - 17 Jun 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1608
Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyze the wellbeing profiles in a group of Polish mountain hikers. The study involved 242 young people (M = 23.50; SD = 4.40) who completed various wellbeing scales: The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), Meaning of [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to analyze the wellbeing profiles in a group of Polish mountain hikers. The study involved 242 young people (M = 23.50; SD = 4.40) who completed various wellbeing scales: The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ), Meaning of Life Questionnaire (MLQ), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), Time Satisfaction Scale (TSS), Hope Scale, General Self-Efficiency Scale, Ego Resiliency Scale, Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), and Adventure-Seeking Behavior Scale. Cluster analyses revealed two types of mountain hikers: hard adventure hikers and soft adventure hikers, with different profiles of subjective wellbeing. Hard adventure hikers most often revealed high levels of life satisfaction, control of life, meaning of life, and positive emotions, along with low levels of negative emotions. Moreover, these hikers revealed high levels of satisfaction in various time perspectives (past, present, and future) and a high level of psychological capital. On the other hand, soft adventure hikers most often revealed an average level of satisfaction with life, control of life, and positive emotions, average satisfaction in the past and present time perspective, and average levels of psychological capital. Soft adventure hikers also revealed higher levels of negative emotions and satisfaction in the future time perspective. The present research indicated that mountain hikers are not a homogenous group. The profiles of wellbeing in the hikers varied depending on the type of stimulating behavior in a natural environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Recreational Sport)
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