A representative survey of Swiss elite athletes found that 17% experienced symptoms of depression, 10% anxiety, 22% eating disorders, and 18% sleep disorders.
Cross-Sectional (n=1,003)
A substantial proportion of Swiss elite athletes experience symptoms of mental disorders, highlighting the need for targeted mental health support and promotion within sports federations.
Mental health is an important topic in competitive sports, but there is only limited data from Switzerland. Although mental health is a prominent topic, it is difficult to estimate the efforts of Swiss sports federations to promote mental health. A representative sample of Swiss athletes (N = 1003, Mage = 21.69, SDage = 7.09, 54% women, 37% team sports, 10% injured) answered questions about symptoms of mental health problems and their well-being. We also asked about the extent of basic need satisfaction and perceived organizational support. Overall, the numbers on symptoms of mental health problems (17% depression, 10% anxiety, 22% eating disorders, 18% sleep disorders) and well-being are comparable to other elite sport samples and the general Swiss population. However, we found large group differences. For example, 52% of women athletes were affected by at least one mental disorder symptom, compared with 30% of men athletes. Injured athletes were most affected in terms of depressive symptoms. The study also shows that need satisfaction and frustration in conjunction with demographic factors is related to well-being and symptoms of mental health problems. Furthermore, the more support athletes perceive from their federations, the better their mental health. We conclude that a substantial proportion of athletes are affected by symptoms of mental disorders and more measures are needed to improve this situation, for example through supporting need satisfaction in the sport setting.
Röthlin et al. (Thu,) conducted a cross-sectional in Mental health disorders (n=1,003). A representative survey of Swiss elite athletes found that 17% experienced symptoms of depression, 10% anxiety, 22% eating disorders, and 18% sleep disorders.