The mediating role of public belonging in the relationship between competitive sports participation, loneliness, and self-harm among adolescents

Bibliographic Data

ID15522353
AuthorsYan Liang (0000-0003-0072-7536, Shandong University), Yadong Liang, Chunming Chen (0000-0002-9173-5488, University of Nottingham Ningbo China), Shangguozi Liu (0009-0001-3034-0482, Guangzhou Sport University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume16
Pages1695190-1695190
Publication date2026-01-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1695190
PMID41601501
OpenAlexW7122581991
LanguageEN
References cited39

Findings indicate that competitive sports reduce adolescents' risk of self-harm primarily by enhancing their sense of public belonging. Evidence for buffering loneliness was weaker, implying that loneliness is shaped more directly by family, peers, and broader resources. Theoretically, this extends social identity and social capital frameworks in sport psychology. Practically, it cautions that focusing solely on performance may cause schools to overlook sports' social benefits, limiting long-term effectiveness. Promoting adolescent mental health will require integrating school-based sports with family support, community engagement, and psychological services to build a more sustainable system of care

Identity (music · Limiting · Loneliness · Mental health · Public health · Social capital · Social identity theory · Health disparities and outcomes · Resilience and Mental Health · Youth Development and Social Support

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