Self-reported prevalence of sleep and mental health disorders in current and former athletes: a preliminary cross-sectional investigation of help-seeking behaviours

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective Athletes typically report a high prevalence of mental health issues and face significant barriers within the sporting environment that prevent help seeking. However, little is known about how retired or non-elite athletes engage with support; this lack of empirical data is even more pronounced in the case of sleep disorders. Method A cross-sectional online survey was completed by current and former athletes (n = 946; 495 women, 444 men, 7 non-binary) from all sports and competition levels in seven countries. Self-disclosed diagnosis history, help-seeking behaviours, and functional impact of sleep and mental health disorders were assessed. Results Comparable rates of mental health disorders were observed between current athletes (39.3%) and former athletes (42.0%), OR = 1.17, p = .337. Similarly, comparable rates of sleep disorders were observed between current athletes (25.4%) and former athletes (30.9%), OR = 1.20, p = .298. Men reported lower mental health disorder prevalence than women (32.9% vs. 46.3%), OR = 1.82, p < .001. Gender differences were also evident in the types of disorders reported. For sleep disorders, men were less likely to seek assistance from a psychologist than women (8.4% vs. 26.2%), p < .001,φ = 0.23. No differences in help seeking avenues for mental health were observed. Comorbid disorders had more frequent functional impairment than individual sleep or mental health disorders. Conclusions These self-reported prevalence estimates have significance for practitioners and clinicians. Data indicates the most prevalent types of disorders in these populations and where athletes typically engage in support. Evaluating the time course of these disorders can inform health promotion strategies and treatment methods for practitioners and support staff.