The Psychological Effects of Youth Sports

Sport psychology is a controversial issue. Some believe that participating in a sport, especially a full contact one such as American football, could possibly cause aggressive behavior. Others believe that those who are more aggressive seek to play more aggressive sports. Then there are others who think that sports allows for a productive way to let aggression out in a socially organized and controlled environment. Finally, there are those who claim that simply watching the sports could cause aggression in viewers.

The issues surrounding sports aggression and sport psychology are dynamic to say the least. These issues become doubly dynamic and the arguments for every side more emotionally driven when the arguments are applied to youth, however. The question is simple: Does participation in organized sports (or sports in general) create overtly aggressive young athletes?

The experts are split. In one study published by Michigan State University, Vern D. Seefeldt and Martha E. Ewing point out the longstanding tradition of bonding by playing sports. They even suggest that playing on a sports team is a healthy part of learning how to communicate while also commending organized sports for improving children’s physical attributes such as their motor skills.

Still, they also suggest that there are possible negative outcomes of organized sports when, for instance, an athletic youth cannot reach goals that are expected of him/her. This inability to compete with peers can lead to alienation, anger and, yes, aggression. Still, this aggression is not the sort of aggression that most think about when asking if sports—really, the violence of sports—cause violence in youth.

The other main problem that experts face when working in sport psychology is giving the term ‘aggression’ a definition. Aggression, like other abstract terms, is hard to identify and actually has many different definitions in the academic world. For instance, a volleyball player, although aggressively trying to win a point, would usually not be considered as aggressive as a football player or even a soccer player. Aggression is dynamic, because it is used for the benefit of the player but could, if unchecked, hinder the player’s progress resulting in penalties. Many experts, Seefeldt and Ewin included, would argue that sports actually teach youth how to channel their aggressive energy. Still, some are not convinced and would argue that playing sports actually teaches youth athletes to be violent.

So, the verdict is… inconclusive. It seems that sport psychology is as difficult to generalize as regular psychology. Really, each individual sports player is different and handles emotions differently.