Abstract
Objectives: Currently, little is known about the prevalence of mental disorders in athletes. This study aims
to investigate Australian elite athletes’ symptoms of general psychological distress and common mental
disorders.
Design: A cross-sectional survey design was employed to assess self-reported symptom prevalence.
Methods: A total of 224 elite athletes (118 female, 106 male) from national sporting organisations in
Australia were administered a self-report internet-based survey comprising measures of demographic
status and mental health symptoms.
Results: Overall, 46.4% of athletes were experiencing symptoms of at least one of the mental health
problems assessed. Percentages meeting criteria for mental disorders were similar to previous epidemiological studies of both international athlete and community samples: depression (27.2%), eating disorder
(22.8%), general psychological distress (16.5%), social anxiety (14.7%), generalised anxiety disorder (7.1%),
and panic disorder (4.5%). Injured athletes had higher levels of both symptoms of depression (t = 3.23,
p = .001) and generalised anxiety disorder (t = 2.26, p = .025).
Conclusions: The level of symptoms of mental health problems reported by elite athletes appears similar
to that observed in the community. However, caution must be exercised in interpreting the findings,
as possible demographic differences between athletes and comparison population datasets may exist.
Furthermore, self-selection of respondents in the present study may have reduced the representativeness
of the sample and the validity of the comparisons. Athletes, particularly those currently injured, should
be well-supported to seek help for mental disorders through access to mental health professionals
to investigate Australian elite athletes’ symptoms of general psychological distress and common mental
disorders.
Design: A cross-sectional survey design was employed to assess self-reported symptom prevalence.
Methods: A total of 224 elite athletes (118 female, 106 male) from national sporting organisations in
Australia were administered a self-report internet-based survey comprising measures of demographic
status and mental health symptoms.
Results: Overall, 46.4% of athletes were experiencing symptoms of at least one of the mental health
problems assessed. Percentages meeting criteria for mental disorders were similar to previous epidemiological studies of both international athlete and community samples: depression (27.2%), eating disorder
(22.8%), general psychological distress (16.5%), social anxiety (14.7%), generalised anxiety disorder (7.1%),
and panic disorder (4.5%). Injured athletes had higher levels of both symptoms of depression (t = 3.23,
p = .001) and generalised anxiety disorder (t = 2.26, p = .025).
Conclusions: The level of symptoms of mental health problems reported by elite athletes appears similar
to that observed in the community. However, caution must be exercised in interpreting the findings,
as possible demographic differences between athletes and comparison population datasets may exist.
Furthermore, self-selection of respondents in the present study may have reduced the representativeness
of the sample and the validity of the comparisons. Athletes, particularly those currently injured, should
be well-supported to seek help for mental disorders through access to mental health professionals
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 255-261 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 May 2015 |