‘Free therapy’: Young woman skateboarders, mental health and body self-compassion

Abstract

In this paper, we use a theoretical framework derived from Frank's concept of the communicative body, and Berry et al.'s typology of body self-compassion, to examine and understand the mental health benefits of skateboarding, as discussed by young woman skateboarders. In response to the open question, ‘What are the benefits of skateboarding’, we were given a wide variety of mental and, to a lesser extent, physical, health benefits, both short and longer term. Our research combines theoretical approaches from Frank's typology of the body with Berry et al.'s ideas about body self-compassion. Given the relative paucity of research into the mental health benefits of this popular lifestyle sport, our research contributes to the wider literature on lifestyle sports and health, while providing an example of where communicative and compassionate bodies can be found. Specifically, we demonstrate several ways in which young women's skateboarding practice contributes to their mental health, and show the centrality of body acceptance and fluid physical creativity to this relationship. We also note that young women skating together are particularly able to access this and to experience the joy and calm of connected and communal skateboarding.