The impact of sport and exercise on young offenders’ mental health
Hannah Baumer
Research Proposal
Context
Academic research has focused on the positive impact of sport and exercise on mental health,
particularly that of psychiatric populations (Martinsen & Stephens, 1994), those with schizophrenia
(Chamove, 1986; Faulkner & Sparkes, 1999), clinical depression (Mutrie, 1988; Martinsen, 1993) and
alcohol misuse problems (Donaghy et al, 1991). A similar body of research has demonstrated the
benefits of sport in prisons on rehabilitation and behavioural change (Buckaloo et al, 2009; Nelson,
2006), particularly in promoting desistance, positive relationships, identity transformation and
education and employment opportunities (Meek, 2014), while researchers such as Mutrie (2000)
acknowledge the work which still needs to be done before exercise can be properly established as a
contributor to the treatment of mental health issues.
The treatment of mental health is an important issue amongst prison populations, in particular young
offenders. An estimated one third of children and young people in contact with the youth justice
system have mental health needs which are often undiagnosed and untreated (Fazel et al, 2008;
Harrington & Bailey, 2006); a significant statistic given that as of 31st March 2013 the population of 1520 year olds in prison in England and Wales was 7,463 (MoJ, 2013).
Literature has demonstrated that offenders in this 15-20 years age group are already at high risk of
health inequalities such as significant speech, language and communication needs (Bryan, Freer &
Furlong, 2007). These needs, without additional support, pose high risks of educational underachievement leading to offending behaviour, mental health problems and alcohol and drug misuse in
adulthood (Youth Justice Board, 2004), all of which impose major disadvantages in terms of social
mobility. Fuelled by an enthusiasm to identify and address these health inequalities and promote wellbeing, my proposed study will explore the relationship between sport and exercise and the mental
health of young offenders. Specifically the proposed research aims to identify the provision of the
currently limited mental health services across the criminal justice system, and to explore intermediate
and recidivism rates associated with mental health issues, in turn benefiting not just the offenders, but
society as a whole.
Methodology
Using a quasi-experimental design the study will seek to measure mental health outcomes for young
offenders aged 15-21 who take part in sport and regular physical activity against a matched sample of
those who do not. The general mental health of young offenders will be measured using the 12-item
General Health Questionnaire , whilst new self-administered measures will also be developed to focus
on two elements; the specific benefits of sport and exercise on mental health as outlined by existing
literature e.g. self-esteem, well-being, sleep patterns, anxiety etc (Faulkner & Sparkes, 1999), and
offenders’ own perceptions of exercise and its related mental health benefits e.g. being part of a team,
increased physical fitness etc. Levels of participation in sport or exercise including the frequency,
intensity and type will also be measured, alongside rates of (re)offending to allow for consideration of
longitudinal effects. This quantitative data will allow for an exploration of the relationship between
mental health issues, rates of offending and exercise frequency and type. By identifying the offenders’
own perceptions of exercise the research can begin informing current provision of exercise treatment
In order to obtain data which is representative of the young offender population across the UK this
study will aim to distribute approximately 5,000 questionnaires to 5-10 young offender institutions
(YOIs). Royal Holloway’s links with a number of YOIs will allow for ease of access, whilst gym
orderlies (offenders given the role of gym assistants in prisons) may be approached for assistance
with the distribution and completion of these questionnaires should offenders require literacy support.
Respondents will complete and return the questionnaires with a unique identifier to enable a follow-up
to be carried out at several time points-including post-release.
Subsequent to the collection of quantitative data the researcher will aim to conduct approximately 50
face to face interviews with young men in prison. Each interview is expected to last up to an hour and
will assume a semi-structured approach aimed at exploring the views and experiences of the
interviewees surrounding sport, exercise and wellbeing.
The impact of sport and exercise on young offenders’ mental health
Hannah Baumer
Due to the nature of the study’s work with offenders and its focus on mental health this proposal will
need to undergo a formal ethical review at departmental, NHS and MoJ level.
References
Bryan, K., Freer, J. & Furlong, C. (2007). Language and communication difficulties in juvenile
offenders. .International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders, 42, 505–520.
Buckaloo, B. J., Krug, K. S., & Nelson, K. B. (2009). Exercise and the low-security inmate: Changes in
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