Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective: Scientific knowledge about symptoms of common mental disorders among elite Gaelic athletes is lacking. Consequently, this study aimed to (i) determine the prevalence, comorbidity and 6-month incidence of symptoms of common mental disorders (distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, adverse alcohol use) among elite Gaelic athletes and (ii) evaluate their association with potential stressors (severe musculoskeletal injuries, surgeries, recent life events, career dissatisfaction).Methods: An observational prospective cohort study by means of questionnaires was conducted over six months among elite Gaelic athletes (N=204). Using validated questionnaires to assess symptoms of common mental disorders as well as several stressors, an electronic questionnaire was set up and distributed by the Gaelic Players’ Association.Results: Prevalence ranged from 23% for adverse alcohol use to 48% for anxiety/depression. Around 24% of the participants reported at baseline two symptoms. Six-month incidence ranged from 11% for sleep disturbance to 21% for anxiety/depression. Severe musculoskeletal injury, surgery, recent life events and career dissatisfaction led to an increased risk for common mental disorders.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that raising the self-awareness of all stakeholders in Gaelic sports about common mental disorders should be prioritized, as well as the evidence-based development and application of adequate preventive and supportive measures.
Highlights
The prevalence of symptoms of common mental disorders (CMD) among elite Gaelic athletes ranged from 23% for adverse alcohol use to 48% for anxiety/depression
The main findings of our study were that: (1) prevalence of symptoms of CMD among elite Gaelic athletes ranged from 23% for adverse alcohol use to 48% for anxiety/depression; (2) comorbidity of two or more symptoms of CMD reached 48% among elite Gaelic athletes; (3) 6-month incidence of symptoms of CMD among elite Gaelic athletes ranged from 11% for sleep disturbance to 21% for anxiety/depression; and (4) elite Gaelic athletes who had sustained one or more severe musculoskeletal injury during their career were two to nearly four times more likely (p < 0.05) to report symptoms of distress, sleep disturbance, or adverse alcohol behavior than male
The findings in this study are in line with the prevalence of symptoms of CMD we found in our study among elite Gaelic athletes but because of the use of different scales to measure dependent variables, valid comparisons remain difficult to make
Summary
Symptoms of distress (overstressed), anxiety, depression, or adverse substance use – typically referred as symptoms of common mental disorders (CMD) – have been recently under investigation at an exponential rate due to their serious consequences for quality of life and functioning.[1,2,3,4] Being often comorbid, symptoms of CMD are more frequently reported in young adults (aged 16–34 years) than at any other stage of the lifespan.[2,3,4] By contrast to the large amount of musculoskeletal injury surveillance studies, epidemiological studies on symptoms of CMD among the young population of elite athletes are scarce.[5]Recent cross-sectional studies among Australian and French elite, Olympic athletes have shown a prevalence of symptoms of CMD in the range of 17–45%.[6,7] Comparable relatively high prevalence of CMD was found among male professional footballers, ranging from 9% for adverse alcohol use and 10% for distress to 23% for sleep disturbance and 38% for anxiety/depression.[8,9,10] In these studies, symptoms of CMD were shown to be associated with several stressors among which severe musculoskeletal injuries, surgeries, life events, and career dissatisfaction.[8,9,10].
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