Mental health symptoms (MHS) in elite sports have been increasingly examined in the past decade. This important study led by Ozgur Kilic and Vincent Gouttebarge captures the difference in the prevalence of MHS between active and former male and female football players. The findings support stakeholders to establish whether and when particular support measures can be offered.
In brief
Mental health symptoms (MHS) are common among male and female Australian professional footballers as well as among retired male professional footballers.
A higher level of psychological resilience is associated with decreased reporting of MHS.
A severe injury in the past 6 months is associated with problem gambling and disordered eating.
Objective
Determining the prevalence of mental health symptoms (MHS) among Australian professional footballers compared with former players. A secondary aim was to assess whether MHS were associated with recent injury and psychological resilience.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 149 male (mean age: 24 years) and 132 female (mean age: 23 years) Australian A-League and W-League professional footballers (study group) and 81 former male footballers (control group, mean age: 39 years) for analysis. MHS and psychological resilience were assessed through validated questionnaires. Severe injuries were assessed through a single question. The adjusted Wald method was used to assess the primary aim. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the secondary aim.
Results
The most prevalent MHS among active footballers and former footballers was sport-related psychological distress (63%) and alcohol misuse (69%), respectively. Global psychological distress, sleep disturbance, alcohol misuse and substance misuse were significantly lower among active male footballers than among former players. Increased psychological resilience among active male footballers was associated with a decrease in symptoms of sport-related and global psychological distress, anxiety and depression of 9%, 14%, 23% and 20%, respectively. Increased psychological resilience among female players was associated with 10% decrease in symptoms of depression. Problem gambling and sleep disturbance was associated with injury in the previous 6 months among active male and female footballers, respectively.
Conclusions
MHS are prevalent among active and former professional footballers. Higher level of psychological resilience is associated with decreased reporting of MHS. Severe injury is associated with problem gambling and sleep disturbance.
The full paper can be found here (Open Access)
Kilic Ö, Carmody S, Upmeijer J, et al. Prevalence of mental health symptoms among male and female Australian professional footballers. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2021;7:e001043. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001043