Date of Award

Spring 2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

Public Health

Director of Thesis

Dr. Russell Pate

First Reader

Dr. Eva Monsma

Second Reader

Dr. Eva Monsma

Abstract

Well-being is an extremely multifaceted domain, as there are numerous factors that contribute to one’s way of life. Objective well-being focuses primarily on material factors such as access to food, housing, and a steady household income. Although these factors play a large role, it is important to analyze well-being from the perspective of the individual. Subjective well-being focuses on how one perceives one's own well-being. Physical activity has been well established as one factor associated with improvements within this domain for adolescents. This project investigates the role of one specific form of physical activity during adolescence: sport. The general assumption made is that sport increases physical activity levels which increases positive well-being outcomes. This project looks to analyze if there are unique benefits that stem from sport that are unrelated to an increase in physical activity. In other words, is participation in sport more beneficial than participation in other forms of physical activity for adolescents?

This project was executed in two parts. A literature review was conducted to provide an overview of this topic. The goal was to identify the key components of subjective well-being and summarize the current knowledge regarding sport’s unique impact. This serves as the appendix for this project. After investigation of the current knowledge base, a study was conducted using the 2022 edition of the NHIS Child. This study investigates the unique role of sport on adolescent mental health, which is one common determinant of subjective well-being. Overarching conclusions regarding the effect of sport on well-being are hard to identify. To eventually reach a firm understanding, the many aspects of the domain should be investigated individually. Although mental health is highly complex itself, this section of the project serves as an example of a feasible study that contributes to the knowledge surrounding the unique effect of sport on adolescent well-being.

First Page

1

Last Page

57

Rights

© 2024, Caleb M. Rogers

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