What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Psychological distress and subjective well-being in elite athletes (n=371). Intervention: Survey of psychological distress and subjective well-being. Primary outcome: Prevalence of high or very high psychological distress (K-10 score ≥ 22).

What does this research mean for the field?

Among UK elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes, 23.7% experience high or very high psychological distress and 18.8% report poor subjective well-being, with increased risks associated with being female, currently injured or ill, or planning to retire. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

July 1, 2022Open Access

A Survey of the Mental Health of UK Olympic and Paralympic Sport Athletes

SLSandra LeylandUniversity of Sunderland ACAlan CurrieCumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust EBElizabeth Board

Key Result

Among UK elite Olympic and Paralympic athletes, 23.7% reported high or very high psychological distress and 18.8% reported poor subjective well-being.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=371)

Structured PICO

Population

371 elite athletes in the UK participating in Olympic or Paralympic World Class Programs, median age 25, 49.3% female.

Outcome

Prevalence of psychological distress (measured by Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K-10) and subjective well-being (measured by WHO-5 Well-Being Index)patient reported

A significant proportion of UK elite athletes experience psychological distress and poor subjective well-being, highlighting the need for regular mental health screening.

Limitations

Potential response bias from athletes with mental health problems being less or more willing to respond
Responses may have been influenced by perceived stigma associated with mental health surveys
Self-reported symptoms do not offer clinical diagnosis
Comparison with other studies is problematic due to different measures or threshold criteria
Screening tools developed for the general population may not best reflect the sport environment

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of psychological distress and well-being amongst elite athletes in the UK. An online survey was emailed to 753 athletes within the English Institute of Sport. Response rate 52.3%. 371 participants (median age 25) completed measures of psychological distress and subjective well-being alongside demographics and sport-related variables. High or very high psychological distress was reported by 23.7%. Poor subjective well-being was reported by 18.8%. Of those reporting psychological distress, 9% also reported good subjective well-being. The odds of psychological distress and poor well-being increased if the athlete was female (OR 2.03, distress; OR 2.00, poor well-being), currently injured or ill (OR 1.87; OR 1.93) or planning to retire (OR 4.74; OR 8.10). Likelihood of poor well-being increased if a non-podium athlete (OR 0.98). Paralympic sport athletes reported greater psychological distress than Olympic sport athletes (p = .040). Winter sport athletes reported higher psychological distress than summer sport athletes (p = .044). Overall mean score (17.9, SD 6.5) was indicative of a moderate level of psychological distress. Mental health support plans should include regular athlete screening of both psychological distress and subjective well-being.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper