Sport and Offender Psychological Well-being
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Impact of Sport on the Psychological Well-Being of Offenders in a Northern Ireland Prison
IRAS ID
193702
Contact name
Gavin Breslin
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
The use of sport for development (SfD) amongst at-risk populations has been widely researched to date (Cameroon and McDougal, 2000; Coalter 2009 and Nichols, 2007). However, it is has been noted that academic examination of the effect of sport and exercise within prisons is sparse (Meek, 2014; Gallant, 2015). A study by Busby and Kremer (1994) that examined motivation for physical exercise and mood state in a long-term prison population in Northern Ireland, is the most recent study of this nature within Northern Ireland (NI).
Results from the research exploring traditional forms of exercise within prisons have shown that moderate intensity exercise for one hour per week reduces depression, anxiety, stress (Battaglia et al., 2014; Buckaloo, Krug and Nelson, 2009, Martos-Garcia et al., 2009) and hopelessness (Cashin, Potter and Butler, 2008).
With regard to structured sport for development programmes within prison, limited academic evidence is available. However, one recent study by Meek and Lewis (2014), examined the impact of a sports initiative. In this study, 79 young men, aged 18-21 years old reported perceived benefits of positive impact on prison life, preparation for release, improved attitudes toward offending, and in promoting desistance from crime. Statistically significant improvements were also observed in participant’s self-esteem.
Meek and Lewis (2014) when considering the results of their own study, comment that further research is required to establish the complexities of how such interventions are effective and a review of the wider literature would support this view. For example, there appears to be no meaningful exploration of the complexities of how such interventions are effective from a psychological perspective of behaviour change. It is proposed that examining SfD programmes through the application of behaviour change and motivation theories might afford useful insight, for example, Self-determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985).
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
16/NI/0047
Date of REC Opinion
11 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion