Relationships among Student-Athletes' Identity, Mental Health, and Social Support in Japanese Student-Athletes during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Goichi Hagiwara,Hironobu Shimozono,Takaaki Tsunokawa,Tsuyoshi Kawazura,Takehiro Iwatsuki

doi:10.3390/ijerph18137032

Abstract

The purpose of the two studies was to investigate the relationships among student athletes’ identity and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between perceived social support from teammates and mental health in student-athletes. Two studies were conducted to investigate and clarify the mental health states of student-athletes in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Study 1, conducted in April 2020, the participants were 402 male student-athletes and we examined the relationships among student-athletes’ identity and mental health. The results of correlational analyses indicated significant negative correlations between the degree of student-athletes’ identity and depression and sports helplessness. In Study 2, conducted in March 2021, the participants were 135 male student-athletes and examined the relationship between perceived social support from teammates, student-athletes’ identity, and mental health. The results indicated a significant correlation between social support, student athletes’ identity, and mental health.

Highlights

The Japan Association for University Athletics and Sports (UNIVAS)—the national governing body for intercollegiate sports—was established in 2019
In Study 2, there was no significant difference in depression and sports helplessness by college year
This study examined the relationships among identity and mental health of Japanese student-athletes under the COVID-19 pandemic

Summary

Introduction

The Japan Association for University Athletics and Sports (UNIVAS)—the national governing body for intercollegiate sports—was established in 2019. The UNIVAS aims to ensure the safety of student-athletes and has started offering programs to support the physical and mental health of student-athletes in Japan. In April 2020, shortly after the UNIVAS started its support program, the COVID-19 pandemic caused most. Japanese universities to close their campuses and move their classes online, leaving many student athletes unable to play sports or study satisfactorily. Many student-athletes were unable to participate in their sports. There is an important need to study mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and to better understand the psychological and emotional perspectives among student-athletes in Japan.

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Discussion

Conclusion