As a former scout leader, I think there is also another effect at play. In my experience parents often send children to scouts when they don't fit into more mai

As a former scout leader, I think there is also another effect at play. In my experience parents often send children to scouts when they don't fit into more mainstream team sports and when children are struggling to make friends elsewhere. These children are often particularly socially awkward. I'm not an expert but I think that this group of children may be more predisposed to mental illness.