Exploring the Prevalence of Mental Well-Being and Its Association With Mental Illness Among Elite Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of mental well-being and its relationships with depression and anxiety among international elite athletes. The sample consisted of 244 international elite athletes (Mage = 21.41 years, 52.0% men). The prevalence of flourishing, moderate well-being, and languishing across nine countries was 44.7%, 54.1%, and 1.2%, respectively. Elite athletes residing in Sweden were 2.81 times more likely to be flourishing compared with those residing in Australia (adjusted odds ratio = 2.81, 95% CI [1.51, 5.24], p = .001). Nonflourishing athletes were 5.94 times more likely to screen positive for depression (adjusted odds ratio = 5.94, 95% CI [2.66, 13.27]; p < .001) and were 4.72 times more likely to screen positive for anxiety (adjusted odds ratio = 4.72, 95% CI [2.12, 10.53]; p < .001). The results indicate that flourishing promotion in nonclinical elite athlete populations may help reduce the risk of future mental illness.