Research Log #1 - Solutionary Project 2022

Date: Feb 4, 2023

Name: Xyrus Senining
Essential Question: How can we help depression and mental illness?

Three Points to Prove: #1: Golf can improve a person’s mental health

#2: Golf can reduce the effects of depression

#3: Golf can be used as a form of therapy

Point that this Source Proves: # Golf can improve a person’s mental health

Excerpts (These should provide insight into the Point to Prove)

The Golf as Therapy program had shaped a new direction in life for the participants by ameliorating physical fitness,
generating a social meeting place, increasing focus and concentration, giving practical help and support, and reducing
their mental burden.

Several of them pointed out that they had expectations and were open for new impressions, however, were dependent
on helpful and skilled leaders. “They were surprisingly encouraging and helpful. And I had reached a state in which I
was not that inhibited by anxiety.”

In this group, we may play incorrectly, but no one says, ‘shame on you.’ From the participants’ point of view,
leadership with an attitude to boost and encourage was experienced as emphatic and supportive.

Analysis (How does this source support the Point to Prove?):

The source provides information that back up my point to prove. The authors of the journal suggested that golf
can improve a person’s mental health. The participants were 30-58-year-olds that didn’t have good lives. Their lives
were full of hardship and some of them didn’t have anything to look forward to. All they did was just exist. But when
they joined the Golf as Therapy group, all aspects of their life improved. For example, a participant said “When
someone has a bad day, others from the group take contact for a chat and some positive comments to try get them
started. I feel receiving support and attention when I need it.”
The instructors who helped the participants showed them how accepting the game is. When the participants
were having a hard time hitting the ball and getting frustrated, the leaders didn’t insult them but rather found a way to
make them better. “They are always supportive, even when you repeatedly fail.” One particular instructor spent a lot of
time on each of them and was always kind and gentle. The mastering of the practical side of golf gave the participants’
a ‘good feeling’.
With golf giving the participants’ confidence and a better state of mind, many participants’ seeked to succeed
or improve other aspects of their life. One participant said, “The importance is the feeling of mastery which makes the
body function and gives me optimism in my daily life – since I want to be independent of others the aim is to get my
driving license again.” Golf gave the participants’ a better quality of sleep which is important in bettering mental
health. With the participants being satisfied and tired, they get more hours of sleep which in turn gives them more to
look forward to. A participant said “I look forward to rise in the morning – It has not always been like that! I have
joined the Golf as Therapy group even when having the flu because I want to be with them.”
Work Cited (correct MLA format):
Grov, Karine, et al. “Golf as therapy for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders.” Oslomet Open
Digital Archive, Vol. 57, No. 10, 2019, https://oda.oslomet.no/oda-xmlui/bitstream/handle/10642/8256/Golf
%20as%20therapy%20for%20individuals%20with%20mental%20health%20or%20substance%20use
%20disorders.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y. Accessed 6 February 2023.

This is a reputable and reliable article because this journal article was researched and done by reputable researchers
in the psychological nursing and mental health services field.