A1 Journal article (refereed)
Sport Participation Trajectories and Loneliness : Evidence From the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (2024)
Owen, K. B., Manera, K. E., Clare, P. J., Lim, M. H., Smith, B. J., Phongsavan, P., Lubans, D. R., Qualter, P., Eime, R., & Ding, D. (2024). Sport Participation Trajectories and Loneliness : Evidence From the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 21(12), 1341-1350. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0319
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Owen, Katherine B.; Manera, Karine E.; Clare, Philip J.; Lim, Michelle H.; Smith, Ben J.; Phongsavan, Philayrath; Lubans, David R.; Qualter, Pamela; Eime, Rochelle; Ding, Ding
Journal or series: Journal of Physical Activity and Health
ISSN: 1543-3080
eISSN: 1543-5474
Publication year: 2024
Publication date: 19/09/2024
Volume: 21
Issue number: 12
Pages range: 1341–1350
Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers
Publication country: United States
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0319
Publication open access: Not open
Publication channel open access:
Abstract
Methods: We analyzed data from 4241 young people, from waves 3 (8-9 y) to 9 (20-21 y) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. We conducted latent class analyses to identify overall and team versus individual sport participation trajectories and used adjusted log-Poisson regression models to examine the associations between these trajectories and loneliness at wave 9.
Results: Latent class analyses identified 4 distinct overall sport participation classes which were labeled: nonparticipants (24%), dropouts (42%), initiators (7%), and consistent participants (27%). Compared with nonparticipants, consistent participants had a lower risk of loneliness (risk ratios = 0.69; 95% CIs, 0.59-0.81). Latent class analyses also identified 4 distinct team versus individual sport participation classes: team and individual sport nonparticipants (38%), individual sport participants (14%), moderate team sport participants (14%), and high team sport participants (34%). Compared with the team and individual sport nonparticipants, the high team sports participants had a lower risk of loneliness (risk ratios = 0.70; 95% CIs, 0.53-0.92).
Conclusions: Young people who continued participating in sport in general, and particularly in team sport, had a reduced risk of loneliness. Continued participation in sports should be promoted to improve a range of physical, mental, and social health benefits. Furthermore, team-based sport can provide additional health and well-being benefits, including reduced loneliness due to the group nature of participation.
Keywords: young people; children (age groups); individual sports; team sports; mental well-being; loneliness; longitudinal research
Free keywords: adolescents; individual sport; social health; team sport
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1