| Whereas sports participation has generally been associated with positive psychosocial outcomes, little research has been conducted on the interplay between child characteristics and sport participation. The purpose of the current study was to examine organized sports participation as a protective factor against the negative correlates of shyness, both concurrently and longitudinally. As a comparison group, children's aggressive behaviour was also examined. Participants were 355 children in grades 4 and 5; 201 (56%) were retained at Time 2. Children completed assessments at both Time 1 and Time 2 regarding their social behaviour (shyness, aggression), sports participation, social anxiety, self-esteem, coping strategies, loneliness, positive and negative affect, and well-being. Parents also completed a measure of their child's social skills. The results revealed that sports participation was related to greater social skills, self-esteem, and positive adjustment for all children. Children who participated in organized sports were also found to exhibit fewer externalizing problem behaviours. Shyness was associated with social skill deficiencies, internalizing problems, and the use of an anxious coping style. Aggression was found to be related to social skill deficits, more negative coping styles, as well as both internalizing and externalizing difficulties. Unique to the current study were the findings that organized sports participation was found to be particularly beneficial for children with peer relations difficulties. As compared to their "average" peers, shy and aggressive sports participants reported significantly higher general self-esteem than did non-sports participants. In addition, shy children who participated in sport over time reported a significant decrease in anxiety. Results are discussed in terms of the role of sports as a social context in which children have not only the opportunity to engage in physical activity but also to enhance peer relations. Moreover, the unique contribution of sport to the psychological well-being of shy children was explored. |
