Debate Skills and Their Influence on Mental Health: Assessing Psychological Well-Being in Competitive Environments

This conference contribution was presented by Mohammed H. Aljalei, Maher Rageh, Bushra Al-Shaikh, Abdullah Alsayadi. Yemen Debate, (International Conference on Debate and Dialogue. An Initiative of QatarDebate 2025).Competitive debate, known for its development of decision-making and public speaking abilities, presents a demanding environment that may also pose risks to mental health. This research explores the connection between participation in competitive debate and psychological well-being, with a focus on stress, anxiety, and depression. Data were collected from 150 members of a debate society using the DASS-21 scale to assess levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, complemented by self-reported measures of critical thinking and debate skills. Statistical analysis using regression and correlation techniques in SPSS revealed significant relationships between debating skills and various mental health indicators.Other InformationConference information: The 2nd International Conference on Debate & Dialogue : An Initiative of QatarDebate (19 - 20 May 2025, Qatar National Conventions Center - QNCC, Doha - Qatar) License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/See the conference information on the organizer's website: https://qatardebate.org/programs/academic-programs/2nd-icdd/