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Session 4. Sport and the prevention of substance use problems. Benefits associated with sports. W Brettschnneider, 1999 Strong evidence that competitive sport results in more positive self esteem; Found in physical, social and intellectual realms; Greater resistance to stress.
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Session 4 Sport and the prevention of substance use problems
Benefits associated with sports • W Brettschnneider, 1999 • Strong evidence that competitive sport results in more positive self esteem; • Found in physical, social and intellectual realms; • Greater resistance to stress.
Benefits associated with sports • Page et al., 1998 surveyed 12,000 high school students (Gr. 9-12) • No difference with non-athletes re drinking and binge drinking; • Significantly less likely to have ever used tobacco, cannabis, cocaine (M/F); • Increased risk for steroid use and smokeless tobacco use (M); • Participation in school sports increases opportunities to bond in positive way with peers and school.
Benefits associated with sports • Bush, L, 2001 surveyed 400 inner city young teens (Gr. 7). Those that participated in coached team sports: • Had stronger self esteem (M/F); • Didn’t show any more aggression; • Used less cannabis (13 yr old M). • Conclusion: generally team sports meant positive behaviours; need to be concerned with the very small number of girls playing organized sport.
Summary on benefits associated with sports • Better self –esteem; • More resistance to stress; • Better academic performance; • Better relationships with family.
When sport is not preventative • J Leichliter, 1998 surveyed 51,000 US college students: • Athletes drank more per week (7.8 vs. 4.1 drinks); • More likely to binge drink (54% of athletes vs. 36% non); • Team leaders drank more, more problems; • Same for female athletes. • Conclusion: athletes work hard, play hard; feel they are indestructible.
Sport is associated with advertising of licit substances • Sport is NOT associated with lower use rates with regard to alcohol and smokeless tobacco. • Both substances are marketed through sports events and professional athletes.
When sport is not preventative • T Crabb, 2000 • “Soccer for too many young people in the UK is part of a whole weekend leisure culture - where the boundaries between sporting activity, deviance and drug use become blurred or even completely dissolved.”
When sport is not preventative • T Crabb, 2000 (continued) • “What makes sport attractive to many youth is the uncertainly, unpredictability, threat, fear and anxiety that go with it.” • Conclusion: for this reason, games may quickly lose their charm if they are forced into the service of education, character development or social improvement.
Therefore … • Participation in sport activities is not preventive on its own. • Still, sport activities have been used successfully as a substance abuse prevention strategy. • What are the necessary elements? • Let us discuss together!!!