Emmeline Oltmans1, Kaizeen Confectioner1, Ruud Jonkers1, Gino M M J Kerkhoffs1,2,3, Maarten Moen4,5, Evert Verhagen3,6,7, Paul Wylleman4,8, Vincent Gouttebarge1,3,6. 1. Amsterdam UMC, Univ of Amsterdam, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Academic Center for Evidence Based Sports Medicine (ACES), Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 3. Amsterdam Collaboration on Health & Safety in Sports, Amsterdam UMC IOC Research Center of Excellence, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 4. Elite Sports Department, Nederlands Olympisch Comité En Nederlandse Sport Federatie (NOC*NSF), Arnhem, The Netherlands. 5. The Sportsphysician Group, Onze Lieve Vrouw Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 6. Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. 7. Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 8. Department of Sports Policy and Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives of the study were to (i) establish the 12-month incidence and comorbidity of symptoms of mental health disorders (distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, alcohol misuse, disordered eating) among Dutch former elite athletes and (ii) explore the potential relationship with the stressors involuntary retirement, recent life events, career dissatisfaction. The secondary objective was to investigate whether the incidence of symptoms of mental health disorders and their potential relationship with stressors are related to duration since retirement. METHODS: An observational prospective cohort study with a 12-month follow-up was conducted among Dutch former elite athletes. Symptoms of mental health disorders and potential stressors were assessed using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 282 participants were included at baseline and 193 completed follow-up. The incidence ranged from 7% for alcohol misuse to 28% for anxiety/depression. Comorbidity of two or three symptoms of mental health disorders was reported in 7% and 4%, respectively. Adverse life events were significantly related to disordered eating (RR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.05-1.61), while career dissatisfaction also showed a significant relationship with disordered eating (RR = 3.98, 95%CI = 1.32-11.99) and sleep disturbance (RR = 3.23, 95%CI = 1.10-9.51). The stressor involuntary retirement did not have a significant relationship with any symptoms of mental health disorders. The effect of duration since retirement seemed to be most present in the first 15 years since athletic career retirement in the plotted graphs. CONCLUSIONS: The 12-month incidence of symptoms of mental health disorders ranged from 7% to 28% and comorbidity of symptoms of mental health disorders was present in 12%. Adverse life events and career dissatisfaction only increased the risk of certain symptoms of mental health disorders. Duration since retirement might affect the incidence of symptoms of mental health disorders and its relationship with stressors in the first 15 years.
OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives of the study were to (i) establish the 12-month incidence and comorbidity of symptoms of mental health disorders (distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, alcohol misuse, disordered eating) among Dutch former elite athletes and (ii) explore the potential relationship with the stressors involuntary retirement, recent life events, career dissatisfaction. The secondary objective was to investigate whether the incidence of symptoms of mental health disorders and their potential relationship with stressors are related to duration since retirement. METHODS: An observational prospective cohort study with a 12-month follow-up was conducted among Dutch former elite athletes. Symptoms of mental health disorders and potential stressors were assessed using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 282 participants were included at baseline and 193 completed follow-up. The incidence ranged from 7% for alcohol misuse to 28% for anxiety/depression. Comorbidity of two or three symptoms of mental health disorders was reported in 7% and 4%, respectively. Adverse life events were significantly related to disordered eating (RR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.05-1.61), while career dissatisfaction also showed a significant relationship with disordered eating (RR = 3.98, 95%CI = 1.32-11.99) and sleep disturbance (RR = 3.23, 95%CI = 1.10-9.51). The stressor involuntary retirement did not have a significant relationship with any symptoms of mental health disorders. The effect of duration since retirement seemed to be most present in the first 15 years since athletic career retirement in the plotted graphs. CONCLUSIONS: The 12-month incidence of symptoms of mental health disorders ranged from 7% to 28% and comorbidity of symptoms of mental health disorders was present in 12%. Adverse life events and career dissatisfaction only increased the risk of certain symptoms of mental health disorders. Duration since retirement might affect the incidence of symptoms of mental health disorders and its relationship with stressors in the first 15 years.
Entities:
Keywords:
Sport; athlete; incidence; mental health
Authors: Daniel Baldó Vela; Antonio Luis Villarino Marín; Noelia Bonfanti; José Luis Lázaro Martínez Journal: BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med Date: 2021-11-15