Psychology Month 2026
Psychology Month(ish) 2026
Throughout February and March, many Canadians were and will be glued to their TVs as they take in the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy. Major events like these, and sports more broadly, occupy an interesting and complicated place in our culture as they provide opportunities to build connection, celebrate achievement, and foster national identity, but there can be harmful effects as well. In recognition of the areas in our lives that have been shaped and enhanced by psychological science and clinical practices, let’s take the opportunity to consider the roles that sports have in our society.
In addition to the well-understood physical health benefits, there are many social benefits to participating in sports. Sports can be a great way to build what is referred to as “social capital” – the social networks, interpersonal awareness and understanding, and points of common connection that help communities thrive. Participating in sports can provide opportunities to interact with different social groups, which is one of the best ways to reduce bias and stigma and has been a staple feature of programs designed to reduce mental health stigma1. People who participate in organized sports as children are more likely to be involved in their community as adults2. For people living with disabilities, those who participate in sports have better integration into their communities than non-participants3. Sports participation is even linked to lower rates of criminal behaviour, including drunk driving and drug use4.
Major events like the Olympics and Paralympics are one factor that contribute to sport participation. For example, recent research into the effects of the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Summer Olympics showed a small but noticeable effect where the Games triggered inspirational feelings that led people to participate in sports, a trend that has persisted since the Games5.
One of the best parts of major Games is getting to celebrate the athletes’ remarkable achievements and all of the hard work it takes to get there. These athletes can become role models for their community, demonstrating values like hard work, determination, courage, resilience, and sportsmanship. Psychology research tells us that seeing other people demonstrate certain behaviours and values is a key process through which we develop the same behaviours, and youth sport programs provide opportunities for character development, provided they are deliberate about doing so6,7
These effects, among others, both improve subjective well-being and are protective against mental health problems. However, while sport undeniably has many positive impacts on society, there are negative consequences as well. For instance, although sport participation is associated with less crime, it is also associated with higher alcohol use8. The positive youth development that can happen through sport (such as learning teamwork, respect for others, integrity, etc.) is not guaranteed and needs to be taught intentionally, which some sport programs neglect to do. Major Games can be used foster patriotic attitudes and help develop national identity but are heavily influenced by sports media and can instead be used for “sportswashing”9 and promoting nationalism and militarism10. While mega-events like the Olympics are often sold as having positive economic effects for the host cities, the evidence to support this is unclear11 and can disproportionately harm communities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds12,13.
As with many things in life, sports potentially can have significant positive impacts for individuals and communities, but these benefits are not guaranteed. Environments, systems, and interactions must be thoughtful and handled with care if we want to reap the benefits of sport participation.
Thanks to CSCM’s Kevin Kristjanson for compiling this reflection on the roles of sport in society.
References
1Gronholm, P. C., Henderson, C., Deb, T., & Thornicroft, G. (2017). Interventions to reduce discrimination and stigma: the state of the art. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 52(3), 249-258.
2Perks, T. (2007). Does sport foster social capital? The contribution of sport to a lifestyle of community participation. Sociology of sport journal, 24(4), 378-401.
3Hanson, C. S., Nabavi, D., & Yuen, H. K. (2001). The effect of sports on level of community integration as reported by persons with spinal cord injury. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55(3), 332-338.
4Nelson, M. C., & Gordon-Larsen, P. (2006). Physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns are associated with selected adolescent health risk behaviors. Pediatrics, 117(4), 1281-1290.
5Chen, S., Liang, X., Hu, X., & Xing, X. (2024). Long-term sport participation after the Olympic Games: from ‘inspirational feelings’ to ‘inspirational effects’. Sport in Society, 27(4), 555-577.
6Holt, N. L., & Neely, K. C. (2011). Positive youth development through sport: A review. Revista iberoamericana de psicología del ejercicio y el deporte, 6(2), 299-316.
7Fraser-Thomas, J. L., Côté, J., & Deakin, J. (2005). Youth sport programs: An avenue to foster positive youth development. Physical education & sport pedagogy, 10(1), 19-40.
8Terry‐McElrath, Y. M., & O’Malley, P. M. (2011). Substance use and exercise participation among young adults: Parallel trajectories in a national cohort‐sequential study. Addiction, 106(10), 1855-1865.
9Boykoff, J. (2022). Toward a theory of sportswashing: Mega-events, soft power, and political conflict. Sociology of sport journal, 39(4), 342-351.
10Chaeroni, A., Muspardi, M., Mottakin, M., Talib, K., Orhan, B. E., Lani, M. N., … & Kurnaz, M. (2024). Sports as an instrument of nationalism and patriotism: systematic literature review on the role of sports in shaping national identity in various countries. Retos: nuevas tendencias en educación física, deporte y recreación, (61), 1038-1049.
11Scandizzo, P. L., & Pierleoni, M. R. (2018). Assessing the Olympic Games: The economic impact and beyond. Journal of economic surveys, 32(3), 649-682.
12Liang, X., Quinton, M., Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J., Duan, Z., Zoob Carter, B., Heyes, A., … & Chen, S. (2024). Legacies and impacts of major sporting events for communities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds: A systematic review. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal.
13Freiler, A., & Holden, M. (2012). Homelessness in the Livable City: Public Space Regulation in Olympic City, Vancouver’s Poorest Neighborhood. Critical Planning, 19.
