An Exploratory Study on Mental Health Problems and Related Stressors among J-League Academy Coaches: A Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Survey

This study aimed to clarify the status of mental health and the structure and seasonal variations of related psychological stressors among male academy coaches affiliated with professional football clubs in the Japan Professional Football League (J-League) .A cross-sectional and longitudinal survey was conducted using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) .In the cross-sectional analysis, 28.0% of participants exceeded the GHQ-12 cut-off score.There were no significant associations found between mental health status and demographic variables such as club category, player age category, coaching role, or year of experience.Coaches with suspected mental health problems reported significantly higher levels of stress related to personal performance, organizational demands, and interpersonal relationships, suggesting a multilayered structure of stressors.The longitudinal analysis further indicated that these stressors were consistently associated with mental health status throughout the season, and increased in the final phase of the season.These findings highlight the necessity of establishing a comprehensive, year-round support system for coaches, including the implementation of flexible psychological interventions during critical periods such as the final phase of the season.