Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Japan Rugby Top League Players

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Anxiety and depression symptoms and suicidal ideation in elite rugby players (n=251). Intervention: Events experienced in competition and daily life in Elite Rugby. Primary outcome: Prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms (assessed via Japanese Kessler-6) and suicidal ideation (assessed via Baron Depression Screener for Athletes).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Symptoms of anxiety and depression affect over 40% of Japan Rugby Top League players, with 7.6% reporting suicidal ideation, which are associated with reduced athletic performance, missing matches, and retirement concerns. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Yasutaka Ojio; Asami Matsunaga; Kensuke Hatakeyama; Shin Kawamura; Masanori Horiguchi; Goro Yoshitani; Ayako Kanie; Masaru Horikoshi; Chiyo Fujii

doi:10.3390/ijerph18031205

January 29, 2021International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthOpen Access

Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Japan Rugby Top League Players

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Key result

Nearly ~42% of elite rugby players report anxiety or depression symptoms during the off-season.

n=251

Why the study?

Little is known about the mental health status of elite athletes in Asia, including Japan.

Key Points

To examine the prevalence and risk factors of anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and suicidal ideation among elite male rugby players in Japan.
Analyzed anonymous cross-sectional web-based survey responses from 251 active Japan Rugby Top League male players collected during the off-season between December 2019 and January 2020.
Assessed past 30-day anxiety and depression symptoms using the Japanese 6-item Kessler-6 and past 2-week suicidal ideation using the Baron Depression Screener for Athletes.
Among 251 players, 145 (57.8%) had normal scores, 81 (32.3%) had mild symptoms, 12 (4.8%) had moderate symptoms, and 13 (5.2%) had severe symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Nineteen players (7.6%) reported experiencing suicidal ideation during the previous 2 weeks.
Players with mental health symptoms or suicidal ideation experienced more competition and life disruptions, including missed playing opportunities, reduced competitiveness, sleep and weight changes, and career retirement concerns.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=251)

Structured PICO

P

Population

251 male professional rugby players aged 18 and older competing in the Japan Rugby Top League, assessed via an anonymous web-based survey during the December 2019 to January 2020 off-season.

E

Exposure

Competitive and daily life events/stressors in elite rugby (assessed via anonymous web-based survey during the December 2019 to January 2020 off-season)

O

Outcome

Prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms over the past 30 days (measured by the Japanese version of the 6-item Kessler-6 [K6]) and suicidal ideation over the past 2 weeks (measured by one item from the Japanese Baron Depression Screener for Athletes [BDSA-J])patient reported

This cross-sectional survey provides the first epidemiological evidence that anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation are common among elite male rugby players in Japan and are associated with both athletic and daily life stressors.

Limitations

Assessed only male rugby players with a response rate of 41.8%, limiting generalizability to female athletes or other sports.
Cross-sectional design collected at a single time point during the off-season prevents establishing cause-and-effect relationships.
The Kessler-6 primarily assesses internalizing psychological symptoms and may miss externalizing symptoms common in male athletes.
Examined variables related to risk factors of mental health problems may not be comprehensive.
Sample was restricted to male rugby players with a response rate of 41.8%, which may limit generalizability to female athletes and other sports.
Cross-sectional design collected at one point during the off-season precludes causal inference.
The K6 scale focuses on internalizing symptoms and does not capture externalizing symptoms (e.g., substance abuse, risk-taking) often observed in male athletes.
The variables examined as potential risk factors for mental health problems may not have been sufficient.

Ask about this paper

Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.

Implication

Mental health screening may warrant consideration in elite rugby players; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before practice change.

Abstract

Clinical and research interest is growing in mental health support for elite athletes, based on findings from epidemiological surveys conducted in Australia, the United States, and European countries. However, little is known about the mental health status of elite athletes in Asia, including Japan. In the current study, we examine the prevalence of mental health problems and suicidal ideation and its risk factors in Japan Rugby Top League players. We analyze anonymous web-based self-reported data from 251 currently competing Japan Rugby Top League male players. During the off-season from December 2019 to January 2020, data on anxiety and depression symptoms were collected using the Japanese version of the 6-item Kessler-6. Suicidal ideation was assessed using the Baron Depression Screener for Athletes. Among the players, 81 players (32.3%) had experienced symptoms of mild anxiety and depression during the previous 30 days, while 12 (4.8%) and 13 (5.2%) had suffered from moderate and severe symptoms, respectively. Nineteen athletes (7.6%) reported that they had experienced suicidal ideation during the previous 2 weeks. Players with mental health problems experienced more events in competitions and daily life, including reduced subjective performance, missing opportunities to play during the last season, changes in health condition, and thinking about a career after retirement, compared with players without such problems. Mental health issues in Japan Rugby Top League players, as elite athletes, may be common, and research and practice development is expected in the near future.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Ojio et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Anxiety and depression symptoms and suicidal ideation in elite rugby players (n=251). Events experienced in competition and daily life in Elite Rugby was evaluated on Prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms (assessed via Japanese Kessler-6) and suicidal ideation (assessed via Baron Depression Screener for Athletes). Among Japan Rugby Top League players, 32.3% experienced mild, 4.8% moderate, and 5.2% severe anxiety and depression symptoms, while 7.6% reported suicidal ideation.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a776b23c5ab23c76cec9f42 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031205

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Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Japan Rugby Top League Players

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in Japan Rugby Top League Players

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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