Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adolescent mental health has become an important issue of global concern. Participation in sports, particularly team sports, is closely associated with improved adolescent mental health. However, the relationship between team sports participation and mental health is complex and varies across individuals. The current study was not able to clearly identify the mental health benefits associated with team sports among different individuals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted across 64 schools in China, involving a total sample of 1,659 adolescents (M age = 12.51 years, SD = 2.285). Athlete engagement was assessed using the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire (AEQ), which measures four dimensions: self-confidence, vigor, dedication, and enthusiasm. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was employed to identify distinct athlete engagement profiles in football. In addition, the association between the identified latent profiles and major demographic characteristics was examined using the robust three-step method (R3STEP). Based on the Dual-Factor Model (DFM) of mental health, adolescents; mental health status was assessed using the Self-Esteem Scale and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Finally, the relationship between different athlete engagement profiles and mental health outcomes was analyzed using the three-step Bolck-Croon-Hagenaars (BCH) method. RESULTS: Latent Profile Analysis revealed that a three-profile model was most suitable: high engagement profile (Class 1, 46.2%, n = 766), moderate engagement profile (Class 2, 41.7%, n = 692), and low engagement profile (Class 3, 12.1%, n = 201). Furthermore, gender, level of school, and residence were key demographic predictors of profile membership. However, weekly training duration and years of football experience were not predictors of profile differences. Moreover, compared to the moderate and low engagement profiles, the high engagement profile exhibited the highest self-esteem and lowest depression symptoms. CONCLUSION: Application of LPA allows for a more differentiated understanding of how football participation impacts adolescent mental health within homogeneous subgroups. This, in turn, provides a theoretical basis for formulating personalized and multi-level intervention measures.