Understanding how athlete engagement is associated with adolescent mental health: Evidence from a longitudinal...

This study aims to examine the potential pathways linking athlete engagement and adolescent mental health within the Dual-Factor Model of mental health.

A longitudinal survey was conducted among Chinese adolescents at three time points: baseline (Time 1; n = 794), three months later (Time 2; n = 684), and six months later (Time 3; n = 615). Athlete engagement in football was assessed with the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire. Adolescents' mental health was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Self-Rating Depression Scale. Cross-Lagged Panel Models were estimated to test bidirectional associations, longitudinal mediation and gender difference.

The analyses revealed significant bidirectional associations between athlete engagement and both self-esteem and depression. Self-esteem mediated the bidirectional association between athlete engagement and depression, and depression mediated the bidirectional association between athlete engagement and self-esteem. Multi-group analyses showed clear gender differences. Among males, depression fully mediated the bidirectional association between athlete engagement and self-esteem. Among females, self-esteem fully mediated the bidirectional association between athlete engagement and depression.

The traditional Cross-Lagged Panel Models does not isolate within-person effects. Reliance on self-reports and a single regional sample may limit generalizability.

These findings indicate multiple bidirectional pathways which differed by gender between athlete engagement and both the positive and negative dimensions of adolescent mental health. This supports gender-specific interventions for adolescent mental health and to foster a positive cycle in which sports supports well being.