Assessment of Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescent and Young Adult Athletes Using SF-36 and PHQ-9: A Comparison Between Team and Individual Sports

Mental health in athletes represents an increasingly relevant research area, as the demands of training and competition may coexist with psychological vulnerabilities. This study evaluated depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life in adolescent and young adult athletes (n = 192) using two standardized instruments: the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Participants were active athletes aged 13–24 years (mean = 17.1, SD = 3.2) engaged in both team and individual sports. Descriptive analyses revealed that 37.5% of athletes presented at least mild depressive symptoms, with 8.9% meeting criteria for moderate-to-severe depression. SF-36 results demonstrated generally high physical health scores (mean Physical Functioning = 84.5) but lower levels of vitality (mean = 63.0) and emotional wellbeing (mean Mental Health = 71.7). Comparisons by age group and sex did not yield statistically significant differences, although female athletes tended to report higher PHQ-9 scores and lower vitality. Regression models indicated that reduced vitality was the strongest independent predictor of depressive symptoms (β = −0.124, p < 0.001), while age, sex, and sport type were not significant predictors. These findings underscore the importance of systematically monitoring psychological wellbeing in adolescent and young adult athletes, particularly in relation to energy and mood regulation. Interventions targeting vitality and resilience may reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in this population and support healthier athletic development.