Mental Health Among College Students: Associations with Sport Participation and Autonomy-Supportive Coaching

This study examines how sports participation and autonomy supportive coaching relate to depressive symptoms among college students with different levels of sport involvement. Using data from the Athletic Involvement Study (2006), we compared depression scores among non-athletes, former athletes, and current athletes in individual and team sports, with attention to perceived coach autonomy support. College athletes reporting high autonomy support showed significantly lower depressive symptoms than non-athletes, while past athletes with low autonomy support reported lower symptoms than non-athletes. These findings suggest that autonomy supportive figures shape mental health and show the need for updated data to promote positive coaching practices.