Psychological Mechanisms Linking Movement-Based Games and Grit in Adolescents
Keywords:
adolescents, grit, movement-based games, perseverance, emotional regulation, peer relationships, socio-emotional competenceAbstract
This study aimed to explore the psychological mechanisms through which movement-based games foster grit in adolescents. A qualitative research design was employed with a purposive sample of 22 adolescents aged 13–18 years from Greece. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focusing on participants’ experiences with movement-based games, perseverance, and socio-emotional regulation. Recruitment continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software. Braun and Clarke’s six-step framework guided the coding process, ensuring a systematic approach to theme development. Trustworthiness of analysis was enhanced through peer debriefing and member checking. Four overarching themes emerged: (1) Motivation and engagement, including enjoyment, intrinsic motivation, peer influence, achievement orientation, and game immersion; (2) Emotional regulation, encompassing coping with frustration, stress relief, confidence development, resilience building, emotional expression, and self-control; (3) Social interaction and support, such as teamwork, social bonding, role models, and conflict resolution; and (4) Persistence and growth mindset, including overcoming challenges, goal setting, self-discipline, growth-oriented thinking, and long-term commitment. Illustrative quotations from participants revealed that games provided a safe environment to rehearse perseverance, manage emotions, and foster belonging. Peer dynamics were found to be central, as encouragement, competition, and collaboration directly reinforced adolescents’ grit. The findings align with prior literature highlighting grit as a socially embedded construct shaped by peer influence, socio-emotional competence, and belonging. Movement-based games serve as powerful developmental contexts for cultivating grit by promoting motivation, emotional regulation, and social belonging. These experiences allow adolescents to translate playful perseverance into long-term resilience across academic and personal domains. The study contributes to understanding grit as a dynamic, relational capacity and underscores the value of integrating structured play into youth development programs.
Downloads
References
1. Han YJ, Hwang Y. Does Grit Matter? The Relationship Between Grit and Drinking Behavior Among Adolescents: A Cross‐Sectional Study of a Nationally Representative Sample of Korean Adolescents. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 2025. doi: 10.1111/jnu.70007.
2. Barrientos PLM. Socio-Emotional Competence and Academic Grit Among Grade Ten Students of the Largest Comprehensive High School. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. 2025;IX(V):4947-57. doi: 10.47772/ijriss.2025.905000382.
3. Lim Y. Relationships Between Positive Parenting and Middle School Students’ Cooperative Competence: Mediation Effects of Peer Relationships and Grit. Korean Journal of Child Studies. 2021;42(1):61-74. doi: 10.5723/kjcs.2021.42.1.61.
4. Bravo A, Ruiz RO, Veenstra R, Engels M, Romera EM. Friendship Selection and Influence Processes for Popularity in Early and Mid‐adolescents. Journal of Adolescence. 2022;94(1):45-56. doi: 10.1002/jad.12004.
5. Zhang L, Qi H, Wang C, Wang T, Zhang Y. How Does Growth Mindset Affect Mental Health of High School Students During the COVID-19 Epidemic? The Role of Grit and Coping Strategies. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2022;13. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.969572.
6. Harrist AW, Criss MM. Parents and Peers in Child and Adolescent Development: Preface to the Special Issue on Additive, Multiplicative, and Transactional Mechanisms. Children. 2021;8(10):831. doi: 10.3390/children8100831.
7. Sultana S. Peer Group Dynamics and Smoking Behavior: Investigating Actual Social Norms in Adolescence. Scholars Journal of Economics Business and Management. 2025;12(02):66-74. doi: 10.36347/sjebm.2025.v12i02.001.
8. Renick J, Schaefer DR. Increasing Ties to Peers and Improving Social Emotional Outcomes: Insights From an Out-of-School Program Serving Latine Young Adolescents. The Journal of Early Adolescence. 2025. doi: 10.1177/02724316251330907.
9. Burgess LG, McNabb C, FitzGibbon L, Mulligan NF, Fancourt A, Riddell PM, et al. Friendship Networks and Academic Motivation: A Longitudinal Investigation Examining Selection and Influence Processes in Adolescents. 2020. doi: 10.31219/osf.io/ck9y4.
10. Wei J, Candini M, Menabò L, Guarini A, Rubini M, Frassinetti F. Belonging Matters: The Impact of Social Identification With Classmates, Friends, and Family on Interpersonal Distance and Bullying/Cyberbullying in Adolescence. Plos One. 2024;19(2):e0297370. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297370.
11. Li J, Chang W, Lu J. Peer Rejection and Internet Gaming Disorder: The Mediating Role of Relative Deprivation and the Moderating Role of Grit. Frontiers in Psychology. 2025;15. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1415666.
12. Ulubas IZ, Korhonen J, Björkqvist K. Peer Victimization, Ethnic Discrimination, and School Belonging Among Adolescents: A Mediation Analysis. 2022. doi: 10.31234/osf.io/w2n8b.
13. Morneau‐Vaillancourt G, Oginni O, Assary E, Krebs G, Thompson EJ, Palaiologou E, et al. A Cross‐lagged Twin Study of Emotional Symptoms, Social Isolation and Peer Victimisation From Early Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2023;64(11):1569-82. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.13847.
14. Miller‐Slough R, Zhu D, Dunsmore JC. Emotion Socialization, Peer Relations, and School Belonging During the High School Transition. The Journal of Early Adolescence. 2025. doi: 10.1177/02724316251343103.
15. Hansen MJ, Palakal M, White LJ. The Importance of STEM Sense of Belonging and Academic Hope in Enhancing Persistence for Low-Income, Underrepresented STEM Students. Journal for Stem Education Research. 2023;7(2):155-80. doi: 10.1007/s41979-023-00096-8.
16. Sonja Aicha Van Der P. How Relationships Impact Sense of Belonging in Schools Amongst Female Adolescents From Refugee Backgrounds. 2021:88-92. doi: 10.36315/2021end019.
17. Zaatari WE, Ibrahim A. What Promotes Adolescents’ Sense of School Belonging? Students and Teachers’ Convergent and Divergent Views. Cogent Education. 2021;8(1). doi: 10.1080/2331186x.2021.1984628.
18. Sevil-Gülen Ö, Demir A. Resilience in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Turkish Adolescents: An Ecological Perspective. Youth & Society. 2020;53(7):1132-51. doi: 10.1177/0044118x20959535.
19. Suprapto W, Harjanti D, Ginantha V. Measuring Entrepreneurial Intention Among University Students Through Informal Education and Entrepreneurial Mindset. 2020. doi: 10.4108/eai.5-8-2020.2301199.
20. Skymba HV, Joyce C, Telzer EH, Rudolph KD. Peer Adversity Predicts Interpersonal Needs in Adolescent Girls. Journal of Research on Adolescence. 2022;32(4):1566-79. doi: 10.1111/jora.12741.
21. Jahre H, Grotle M, Smedbråten K, Richardsen KR, Côté P, Steingrímsdóttir ÓA, et al. Low Social Acceptance Among Peers Increases the Risk of Persistent Musculoskeletal Pain in Adolescents. Prospective Data From the Fit Futures Study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022;23(1). doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-04995-6.
22. Varga V, Merkaš M, Selak MB, Žulec A. Peer-Influenced Purchases: An Exploration of Consumer Trends Among Adolescents in Croatia. Odgojno-Obrazovne Teme. 2024;7(1):71-88. doi: 10.53577/oot.7.1.5.
23. Salsabila AQF, Yuniardi MS. Social Media Addiction: Does It Affect the Grit of Generation Z? Scientia. 2024;3(1):111-6. doi: 10.51773/sssh.v3i1.261.
24. Zhao L. Evaluation of the Effect of Parental Participation on Chinese Adolescent Behavioral Development Through the Mediating Effect of Peers: A Moderated Mediation Model. Psychology Research and Behavior Management. 2024;Volume 17:1881-901. doi: 10.2147/prbm.s459742.
25. Zhang W, Zhu L. The Influence of Peers on Adolescents’ Risk-Taking Behavior and Its Mechanism. Advances in Psychological Science. 2021;29(8):1462-71. doi: 10.3724/sp.j.1042.2021.01462.
26. Zhang L, Zhao Q. Chinese Adolescents’ Attitudes and Beliefs About Shy, Unsociable, and Socially Avoidant Peers. Social Development. 2023;33(1). doi: 10.1111/sode.12704.
27. Liu W, Mark I, Korn CW, Rosenblau G. Social Context Matters - Characterizing Adolescent Cooperation Strategies When Perceiving the Other as a Peer Versus Computer Partner. 2024. doi: 10.31234/osf.io/jyqgn.
28. Lan Z, Liu H, Huang X, Wang Q, Deng F, Li J. The Impact of Academic Pressure and Peer Support on Adolescents’ Loneliness: A Polynomial Regression and Response Surface Analysis. Psychology Research and Behavior Management. 2023;Volume 16:4617-27. doi: 10.2147/prbm.s435977.
29. Kumari MSD, Biswas S. The Role of School Environment in Shaping Social Behaviors of Adolescents. International Journal of Humanities Engineering Science and Management. 2023;4(2):27-41. doi: 10.59364/ijhesm.v4i2.274.
30. Bodovski K, Lee Y, Ahn JB, Hu EH. Emotional Capital, Student’s Behavior and Educational Inequality. International Studies in Sociology of Education. 2021;31(4):467-89. doi: 10.1080/09620214.2021.1997350.
31. Rapee RM, Forbes MK, Oar EL, Richardson C, Johnco C, Magson NR, et al. Testing a Concurrent Model of Social Anxiety in Preadolescence. International Journal of Behavioral Development. 2020;44(6):505-14. doi: 10.1177/0165025420912014.
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
