Rosemary Purcell1,2, Simon Rice3,4, Matt Butterworth5, Matti Clements5. 1. The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. rosie.purcell@orygen.org.au. 2. Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. rosie.purcell@orygen.org.au. 3. The Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 4. Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, 35 Poplar Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. 5. Australian Institute of Sport, Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement, Bruce, Australia.
Abstract
AIMS: Elite athletes are at risk of mental ill-health via exposure to sports-related stressors and the overlap in competitive playing years with the peak age of onset of mental ill-health. Despite this risk, there is a paucity of robust empirical data on mental health symptoms in currently competing athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of mental health symptoms in a representative, national sample of elite athletes and to compare rates against published community norms. METHODS: A cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey was administered to all categorised (e.g. highest level) athletes, aged 17 years and older, registered with the Australian Institute of Sport (n = 1566). Main outcomes were self-reported scores on validated measures of psychological distress, probable 'caseness' (i.e. the experience of mental health symptoms that would usually warrant a need for care by a health professional), risky alcohol consumption, body weight and shape dissatisfaction, self-esteem, life satisfaction and problem gambling. Correlates of outcomes included demographic, individual vulnerability (e.g. social support, coping style) and sport-related variables. RESULTS: The participation rate was 51.7% (n = 810), of whom 749 athletes completed most or all outcomes measures. Compared to published community norms, athletes were significantly more likely to report 'high to very high' psychological distress (9.5% vs 17.7%, respectively) and to meet the threshold for 'probable caseness' (19% vs 35%). In contrast, athletes reported significantly lower rates of risky alcohol consumption, problem gambling and body dissatisfaction compared to community norms, and conversely higher self-esteem and life satisfaction. The adjusted odds of psychological distress and caseness were increased in athletes who reported prior treatment for a mental health problem (OR = 1.28-2.84), inadequate social support (OR = - 2.59 to 0.37) and more recent adverse life events (OR = 0.61-1.32); while, the odds of risky alcohol consumption were lower in female athletes (OR = - 1.36) and para-athletes (OR = - 1.20). CONCLUSIONS: In a representative and national sample of currently competing elite athletes, inclusive of gender and para-status, psychological distress and probable caseness were elevated relative to community norms, although other aspects of functioning were as good as, if not better than, community peers. Sports medicine and mental health professionals working with elite athletes should screen for psychological distress in athletes who may otherwise appear to be well-functioning, to provide timely, optimal treatment.
AIMS: Elite athletes are at risk of mental ill-health via exposure to sports-related stressors and the overlap in competitive playing years with the peak age of onset of mental ill-health. Despite this risk, there is a paucity of robust empirical data on mental health symptoms in currently competing athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of mental health symptoms in a representative, national sample of elite athletes and to compare rates against published community norms. METHODS: A cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey was administered to all categorised (e.g. highest level) athletes, aged 17 years and older, registered with the Australian Institute of Sport (n = 1566). Main outcomes were self-reported scores on validated measures of psychological distress, probable 'caseness' (i.e. the experience of mental health symptoms that would usually warrant a need for care by a health professional), risky alcohol consumption, body weight and shape dissatisfaction, self-esteem, life satisfaction and problem gambling. Correlates of outcomes included demographic, individual vulnerability (e.g. social support, coping style) and sport-related variables. RESULTS: The participation rate was 51.7% (n = 810), of whom 749 athletes completed most or all outcomes measures. Compared to published community norms, athletes were significantly more likely to report 'high to very high' psychological distress (9.5% vs 17.7%, respectively) and to meet the threshold for 'probable caseness' (19% vs 35%). In contrast, athletes reported significantly lower rates of risky alcohol consumption, problem gambling and body dissatisfaction compared to community norms, and conversely higher self-esteem and life satisfaction. The adjusted odds of psychological distress and caseness were increased in athletes who reported prior treatment for a mental health problem (OR = 1.28-2.84), inadequate social support (OR = - 2.59 to 0.37) and more recent adverse life events (OR = 0.61-1.32); while, the odds of risky alcohol consumption were lower in female athletes (OR = - 1.36) and para-athletes (OR = - 1.20). CONCLUSIONS: In a representative and national sample of currently competing elite athletes, inclusive of gender and para-status, psychological distress and probable caseness were elevated relative to community norms, although other aspects of functioning were as good as, if not better than, community peers. Sports medicine and mental health professionals working with elite athletes should screen for psychological distress in athletes who may otherwise appear to be well-functioning, to provide timely, optimal treatment.
Authors: Vita Pilkington; Simon M Rice; Courtney C Walton; Kate Gwyther; Lisa Olive; Matt Butterworth; Matti Clements; Gemma Cross; Rosemary Purcell Journal: Sports Med Open Date: 2022-07-06
Authors: Courtney C Walton; Simon Rice; Caroline X Gao; Matt Butterworth; Matti Clements; Rosemary Purcell Journal: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med Date: 2021-03-05
Authors: Lewis King; Sarah Jane Cullen; Adrian McGoldrick; Jennifer Pugh; Giles Warrington; Gary Woods; Ciara Losty Journal: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med Date: 2021-04-19
Authors: Özgür Kilic; Sean Carmody; Judith Upmeijer; Gino M M J Kerkhoffs; Rosemary Purcell; Simon Rice; Vincent Gouttebarge Journal: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med Date: 2021-07-26
Authors: Rosemary Purcell; Vita Pilkington; Serena Carberry; David Reid; Kate Gwyther; Kate Hall; Adam Deacon; Ranjit Manon; Courtney C Walton; Simon Rice Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-02-16