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Review
. 2025 Oct;34(4):673-682.
doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2025.05.010. Epub 2025 Jul 23.

Organized Sports and the Mental Health and Development of Boys

Erica Z Shoemaker  1 , Jonathan Y Liu  2 , Ariana Zargarian  2
Affiliations
Review

Organized Sports and the Mental Health and Development of Boys

Erica Z Shoemaker et al. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2025 Oct.

Abstract

There is substantial evidence that physical activity and participation in team sports is protective against anxiety, depression, and peer problems in children. Unfortunately, the social milieu of some sports teams or clubs can reinforce ideas that boys should be stoic, dominant, or even misogynistic. However, when parents select the right team or club environment for their son, the experience of playing team sports can support boys' development into healthy and flexible adult men.

Keywords: Anxiety; Boys; Competitive; Depression; Development; Misogyny; Peer; Sports.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures The authors have nothing to disclose.