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Psychosocial outcomes Policies favoring school sports programs can influ-
ence factors in students that play a role in their success as adults, including 
competence (Anderson et al., 2009; Greenleaf et al., 2009), self-concept and 
self-esteem (Harrison and Narayan, 2003; Dishman et al., 2006), and body 
image (Greenleaf et al., 2009) (see Chapter 3). Involvement in sports also 
confers unique psychosocial benefits that protect adolescents against suicide 
(Taliaferro et al., 2011) and depressive symptoms (Dishman et al., 2006; 
Johnson and Taliaferro, 2011). In addition, participation in sports may 
enhance school connectedness, social support, and bonding among friends 
and teammates (Weintraub et al., 2008). There are developmental benefits 
as well; involvement in school sports may enhance initiative, goal setting, 
and emotional control (Gould and Carson, 2008), along with general well-
being (Greenleaf et al., 2009).