Soccer helps men express their feelings -study

LONDON - Soccer gives men a way to express their innermost thoughts and feelings, according to a pre World Cup survey.

Almost two-thirds of men (64%) believe that while watching or playing soccer, they are more willing to share their feelings with other men than when doing other activities.

Three quarters said they would not be embarrassed to hug their mates while watching a match.

"Football does have positive effects on people's psychological well-being," said Sandy Wolfson, Head of Psychology at Northumbria University.

"It gives people a ready-made topic of conversation where opinions on team selection, strategy, and players' skills are enjoyable topics for debate," he added.

The survey was carried out by the Mental Health Research Foundation, an independent organization devoted to helping people across the UK maintain good mental health. It was conducted online, with 500 male participants ranging from ages 18-70.

"It is encouraging that football makes it easier for men to talk about their feelings as traditionally, men are far less likely than women to share their innermost thoughts," said Andrew McCulloch, chairman of the foundation.

Along with hugging their friends, 70 percent of men admitted that a match can make them upset while 58 percent said that what happens over the course of a football match can make them aggressive.

However, the ability of football to bring out a man's emotions does have its limits -- three-quarters of men polled said they had never cried over the outcome of a match.

© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.