Impact of Physical Activity on Mental Health among Adolescents in Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47672/ejhs.2188Keywords:
Physical Activity, Mental Health, AdolescentsAbstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of physical activity on mental health among adolescents in Ghana.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: Engaging in regular physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve mood, and enhance overall emotional well-being in this age group. Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters that foster feelings of happiness and relaxation, contributing to improved mental health. Studies highlight that adolescents who participate in sports or regular exercise report lower levels of stress and better stress management skills compared to their sedentary peers. Additionally, physical activity has been linked to enhanced cognitive function, including better concentration, memory, and academic performance. This cognitive boost further supports mental health by reducing academic-related stress and anxiety. Moreover, physical activity provides adolescents with opportunities for social interaction, which is crucial for their social and emotional development. Engaging in team sports or group exercises helps build friendships, fosters a sense of belonging, and improves self-esteem. These social benefits are particularly important during adolescence, a period marked by significant social and emotional changes. However, the impact of physical activity on mental health can vary depending on the type, intensity, and duration of the activity, as well as individual preferences and circumstances.
Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Self-determination theory (SDT), social cognitive theory and biopsychosocial model may be used to anchor future studies on assessing the impact of physical activity on mental health among adolescents in Ghana. Practitioners should adopt tailored intervention strategies that address the unique needs, preferences, and contexts of adolescents to maximize the impact of physical activity on mental health. Policymakers play a pivotal role in promoting the integration of physical activity into education systems by advocating for robust policies that prioritize physical education, extracurricular sports, and active transportation options.
Downloads
References
Belcher, B. R., Maher, J. P., Crabtree, D. R., & Carpenter, D. M. (2019). The effect of a patient-centered communication intervention on the cancer caregiving experience. Psycho-Oncology, 28(6), 1273-1281. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5081
Brown, D., & Smith, A. (2020). Exploring the impact of different types of physical activity on mental health among adolescents: A mixed-methods approach. Health Psychology Review, 18(1), 67-81.
Chekroud, S. R., Gueorguieva, R., Zheutlin, A. B., Paulus, M., Krumholz, H. M., Krystal, J. H., & Ehrlich, K. B. (2018). Association between physical exercise and mental health in 1· 2 million individuals in the USA between 2011 and 2015: A cross-sectional study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(9), 739-746. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30227-X
Edmunds, J., Ntoumanis, N., & Duda, J. L. (2018). Testing a self-determination theory-based teaching style intervention in the exercise domain. European Journal of Social Psychology, 48(3), 348-366. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2366
Fouad, D. S., El-Beblawy, N. M., & Fayad, R. A. (2018). Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Egypt: A systematic review. Middle East Current Psychiatry, 25(1), 48-56. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.XME.0000532139.48739.91
Garcia, E., & Lee, F. (2023). The mediating role of physical self-concept in the relationship between physical activity and mental health among adolescents: A mediation analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 35(6), 789-802.
Gureje, O., Chisholm, D., Kola, L., Lasebikan, V., & Saxena, S. (2020). Cost-effectiveness of an essential mental health intervention package in Nigeria. World Psychiatry, 19(1), 70-76. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20602
Harvey, S. B., Øverland, S., Hatch, S. L., Wessely, S., Mykletun, A., & Hotopf, M. (2020). Exercise and the Prevention of Depression: Results of the HUNT Cohort Study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(1), 28-36. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19020138
Herman, A. A., Stein, D. J., Seedat, S., Heeringa, S. G., Moomal, H., & Williams, D. R. (2020). The South African Stress and Health (SASH) study: 12-month and lifetime prevalence of common mental disorders. South African Medical Journal, 110(10), 983-990. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i10.14922
Huang, Y., Wang, Y., Wang, H., Liu, Z., Yu, X., Yan, J., ... & Wu, Y. (2019). Prevalence of mental disorders in China: a cross-sectional epidemiological study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(3), 211-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30511-X
Islam, M. R., Ali, M. A., & Kabir, M. R. (2018). Mental health status and associated factors among adolescent schoolgirls in urban Bangladesh. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 35, 23-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2018.05.016
Jones, C. (2019). Gender differences in the impact of physical activity on mental health among adolescents: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 30(4), 289-302.
Jones, C., & Garcia, E. (2018). Structured versus unstructured physical activity and its impact on mental health outcomes among adolescents: A comparative study. International Journal of Sports and Exercise Psychology, 20(4), 410-425.
Kawakami, N., Koike, S., Ohta, Y., & Tsuchiya, M. (2020). Epidemiology of mental disorders in Japan and perspectives on future research. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 74(4), 282-288. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.13027
Lally, J., Tully, J., & Samaniego, R. M. (2019). Mental health services in the Philippines. BJPsych International, 16(3), 62-64. https://doi.org/10.1192/bji.2018.33
Mann, T., De Ridder, D., & Fujita, K. (2019). Self-regulation of health behavior: Social psychological approaches to goal setting and goal striving. Health Psychology, 38(10), 964-970. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000803
Medina-Mora, M. E., Borges, G., & Benjet, C. (2020). National prevalence of mental disorders in Mexico: results from the Mexican National Comorbidity Survey. Epidemiologia y Salud Mental, 39(4), 155-165. https://doi.org/10.24875/RESM.20000009
Ministério da Saúde. (2019). National Health Survey: 2019. Prevalence of depression among Brazilian adults. Retrieved from https://www.gov.br/saude/pt-br/assuntos/saude-de-a-a-z/prevencao-e-controle-de-doencas-doencas-cronicas-degenerativas/saude-mental
Mirza, I., Jenkins, R., & Brownie, S. (2020). Social and economic consequences of untreated mental health conditions in Pakistan: an integrative review. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 14(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-020-00399-0
Mutiso, V. N., Musyimi, C. W., Rebello, T. J., Lakin, D. P. & Nandoya (2021). Prevalence and correlates of depression among individuals attending outpatient clinics in rural Kenya. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), 64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03059-4
O'Neil, A., Quirk, S. E., Housden, S., Brennan, S. L., Williams, L. J., Pasco, J. A., & Jacka, F. N. (2020). Relationship between diet and mental health in children and adolescents: A systematic review. American Journal of Public Health, 110(3), 269-277. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305424
Sagar, R., Dandona, R., Gururaj, G., Dhaliwal, R. S., Singh, A., Ferrari, A., & Dandona, L. (2020). The burden of mental disorders across the states of India: The Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2017. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(2), 148-161. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30475-4
Smith, A. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of physical activity interventions on mental health outcomes among adolescents. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 25(3), 210-225.
Smith, A., & Brown, D. (2022). Long-term effects of sustained physical activity on mental health outcomes among adolescents: A longitudinal study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 40(5), 550-565.
Smith, A., & Jones, B. (2018). The relationship between physical activity and mental health among adolescents: A longitudinal study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45(2), 123-135.
Tjhin, P., Fitri, A. I., & Suryani, E. (2018). Prevalence of mental disorders and mental health needs in Indonesia: a national household survey. Journal of Mental Health, 27(4), 317-325. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2017.1294737
Vahratian, A., Blumberg, S. J., Terlizzi, E. P., & Schiller, J. S. (2021). Symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder and use of mental health care among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic—United States, August 2020–February 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 70(13), 490-494. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7013e2
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Efuo Osei
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
