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Some have suggested that, due to the positive mental attributes to be gained from martial arts training, that such training may be of use in improving the mental health of individuals at risk. In fact, one study has shown that adolescents identified as juvenile delinquents may benefit from traditional Taekwondo training, showing less aggression, less anxiety, increased self-esteem, increased social adroitness , such as improved social skills, and an increase in value orthodoxy, such as a greater awareness of moral and social obligation.
Although there have been numerous studies investigating other aspects of mental health derived from training in other martial arts, psychological research literature devoted solely to Taekwondo is minimal, For those so inclined, there is ample opportunity for research into the benefits of Taekwondo.
Sources
- American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Ed. Washington, DC.
- Chapman, C.; Lane, A. M.; Brierly, J. H.; and Terry, P. C. (1997). Anxiety, self-confidence and performance in Tae Kwon-do. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 85, 1275-1278.
- Finkenburg, M. E.(1990). Effect of participation in Taekwondo on college women's self-concept. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 71, 891-894.
- Finkenburg, M. E.; Dinucci, J. M.; McCune, E. D.; and McCune, S. L. (1992). Analysis of the effect of competitive trait anxiety on performance in Taekwondo competition. Perceptual Motor Skills, 75, 239-243.
- Foster, Y. A. (1997). Brief Aikido training versus karate and golf training and university students' scores on self-esteem, anxiety, and expression of anger. Perceptual Motor Skills, 84, 609-610.
- Gershman, L. and Stedman, J. M. (1971). Oriental defense exercises as reciprocal inhibitors of anxiety. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 2, 117-119.
- Gradisar, M. (2000). Psychology Articles. Hodge, T. and Deakin, J. M. (1998). Deliberate practice and expertise in the martial arts: The role of context in motor recall. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 20, 260-279.
- Iso-Ahola, S. E. and Park, C. J. (1996). Leisure-related social support and self-determination as buffers of stress-illness relationship. Journal of Leisure Research, 28, 169-187.
- Kurian, M.; Caterino, L. C.; and Kulhavy, R. W. (1993). Personality characteristics and duration of ATA Taekwondo training. Perceptual Motor Skills, 76, 363-366.
- Kurian, M.; Verdi, M. P.; Caterino, L. C.; and Kulhavy, R. W. (1994). Relating scales on the Children's Personality Questionnaire to training time and belt rank in ATA Taekwondo. Perceptual Motor Skills, 79, 904-906.
- Lamarre, B. W. and Nosanchuk, T. A. (1999). Judo - the gentle way: A replication of studies on martial arts and aggression. Perceptual Motor Skills, 88, 992-996.
- Skelton, D. L.; Glynn, M. A.; and Berta, S. M. (1991). Aggressive behavior as a function of Taekwondo ranking. Perceptual Motor Skills, 72, 179-182.
- Trulson, M. E. (1986). Martial arts training: A novel "cure" for juvenile delinquency. Human Relations, 39, 1131-1140.
- Wilkinson, L. K. (1996). The martial arts: A mental health intervention? Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2, 202-207.
