Objectives

To determine the relationship between participation in high school athletic programs and depression, suicidal ideation, and substance use, and to study the high-risk behaviors of suicidal ideation and substance use.

Design

Survey.

Setting

A suburban public high school in Kentucky.

Participants

We received 823 (80%) responses from 1030 potential respondents. Athletes (ie, participation on a high school athletic team) were compared with non-athletes.

Measures

Depression was measured by the Children's Depression Inventory by an index of suicidal ideation by an indicator of a past suicide attempt, and by current use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine.

Results

Thirty percent of the sample participate in school athletic teams. Athletes are less depressed, have less suicidal ideation and attempts, and are less likely to currently smoke cigarettes or marijuana. The use of smokeless tobacco and cocaine was not related to athletic participation. After controlling for demographic characteristics, no difference in alcohol use was found between athletes and nonathletes.

Conclusions

Athletic participation is a marker for a decreased likelihood of depression and some high-risk behaviors in adolescents. Future research could help in creating alternative interventions beyond participation in varsity and junior varsity athletic teams.