Self-Efficacy and Depression in Boxers: A Mediation Model.

Xin Chen,Dexin Wang,Chao Chen,Nan Qiu,Liang Zhai,Guodong Zhang

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00791

Abstract

BackgroundDepression has become one of the most common problems faced by athletes. In many mental health problems, its production and development mechanisms and influencing factors have received full attention from researchers, whereas boxers’ depression has received limited attention. This study explored the relationship between boxers’ self-efficacy and depression, as well as the effect of self-control as a mediating factor.MethodsThis study used the athlete self-efficacy scale (ASES), the self-control scale (SCS), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale (CES-D). Using a large number of randomly selected samples, a total of N=231 boxers (age: M =20.28, SD = 2.60, ages around 18 to 32; the total number of years of exercise: M = 6.07 years, SD = 2.90, years around 1 to 15; 144 male) of Chinese national athletes participated the study.ResultsSelf-efficacy and self-control were negatively correlated with depression; self-efficacy was positively correlated with self-control. In addition, self-control played a partial mediation role between self-efficacy and depression among boxers.ConclusionAbove all, an important way to improve and prevent the depression of Chinese boxers maybe enhance their level of self-efficacy and self-control.

Highlights

The mental health of elite athletes is increasingly becoming the focus of attention both in sports psychology and sports medicine [1,2,3,4]
Self-efficacy and self-control were negatively correlated with depression; selfefficacy was positively correlated with self-control
Above all, an important way to improve and prevent the depression of Chinese boxers maybe enhance their level of self-efficacy and self-control

Summary

Introduction

The mental health of elite athletes is increasingly becoming the focus of attention both in sports psychology and sports medicine [1,2,3,4]. Few studies have examined elite athletes’ coping strategies for mental health problems such as depression. Research has found that rapid weight loss and concussion are associated with depression among samples of boxers [15, 16]. These findings which showed a link between depression and sport-related concussion, did not suggest any relationship between depression, self-control, and self-report methods among boxers. In many mental health problems, its production and development mechanisms and influencing factors have received full attention from researchers, whereas boxers’ depression has received limited attention. This study explored the relationship between boxers’ self-efficacy and depression, as well as the effect of self-control as a mediating factor

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion