Distress In Athletes Research Articles

Self-compassion, social rank, and psychological distress in athletes of varying competitive levels

BackgroundSelf-Compassion may be seen as a concept contrary to the aims of athletes engaged in competitive sport. This could be accentuated at more elite levels, where athletes may view concepts like self-criticism and self-judgement as more important for improvement. ObjectivesThe current study aimed to better understand how athletes of different competitive levels (from social to international) relate to concepts of self-compassion. Further, we aimed to explore how factors relating to social rank and self-compassion contribute to psychological distress. DesignCross-sectional online survey. MethodAn online survey was distributed, including the following validated questionnaires: Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, the Self-Compassion Scale, Fears of Compassion Scales, Social Comparison Scale, Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale, and the Striving to Avoid Inferiority Scale. ResultsTwo hundred and fifty-three participants responded to the survey, including 115 recreational and 79 competitive athletes. There were no differences between groups on any measure of compassion or social rank. In a multiple linear regression model, lower self-compassion, higher fears of compassion (for self), and higher feelings of inadequacy predicted more pronounced psychological distress in athletes. ConclusionsContrary to expectation, the results suggest that even highly elite athletes may be open to using self-compassion. Given that reduced self-compassion and sense of social rank contributed to psychological distress in athletes, the results suggest that compassion-based approaches to treating psychological distress in this population may be valid.

Rates and Correlates of Mental Health Symptoms in Currently Competing Elite Athletes from the Australian National High-Performance Sports System

Elite athletes are at risk of mental ill-health via exposure to sports-related stressors and the overlap in competitive playing years with the peak age of onset of mental ill-health. Despite this risk, there is a paucity of robust empirical data on mental health symptoms in currently competing athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of mental health symptoms in a representative, national sample of elite athletes and to compare rates against published community norms. A cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey was administered to all categorised (e.g. highest level) athletes, aged 17years and older, registered with the Australian Institute of Sport (n = 1566). Main outcomes were self-reported scores on validated measures of psychological distress, probable 'caseness' (i.e. the experience of mental health symptoms that would usually warrant a need for care by a health professional), risky alcohol consumption, body weight and shape dissatisfaction, self-esteem, life satisfaction and problem gambling. Correlates of outcomes included demographic, individual vulnerability (e.g. social support, coping style) and sport-related variables. The participation rate was 51.7% (n = 810), of whom 749 athletes completed most or all outcomes measures. Compared to published community norms, athletes were significantly more likely to report 'high to very high' psychological distress (9.5% vs 17.7%, respectively) and to meet the threshold for 'probable caseness' (19% vs 35%). In contrast, athletes reported significantly lower rates of risky alcohol consumption, problem gambling and body dissatisfaction compared to community norms, and conversely higher self-esteem and life satisfaction. The adjusted odds of psychological distress and caseness were increased in athletes who reported prior treatment for a mental health problem (OR = 1.28-2.84), inadequate social support (OR = - 2.59 to 0.37) and more recent adverse life events (OR = 0.61-1.32); while, the odds of risky alcohol consumption were lower in female athletes (OR = - 1.36) and para-athletes (OR = - 1.20). In a representative and national sample of currently competing elite athletes, inclusive of gender and para-status, psychological distress and probable caseness were elevated relative to community norms, although other aspects of functioning were as good as, if not better than, community peers. Sports medicine and mental health professionals working with elite athletes should screen for psychological distress in athletes who may otherwise appear to be well-functioning, to provide timely, optimal treatment.

Maladaptive schemas as a potential mechanism through which irrational beliefs relate to psychological distress in athletes

ObjectivesThe psychological wellbeing of athletes, in particular the concept of psychological distress, is receiving growing research attention. Irrational beliefs as proposed in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) have been shown to be positively related to the psychological distress of athletes, but the mechanisms by which irrational beliefs predict psychological distress remain unclear. The role of maladaptive schemas, as proposed in Schema Therapy (ST), in the relationship between irrational beliefs and psychological distress has not yet been studied, despite the conceptual similarities between REBT and ST. Design and methodParticipants were self-selected triathletes (n = 124), duathletes (n = 9), swimmers (n = 7), cyclists (n = 17) and runners (n = 57). A single timepoint cross-sectional study design was used to investigate simple mediation models using the PROCESS macro. ResultsResults revealed that maladaptive schemas fully mediated the positive relationship between irrational beliefs and symptoms of anxiety, and depression (psychological distress). ConclusionsThese findings suggest that maladaptive schemas are a potential mechanism through which irrational beliefs predict psychological distress. Results may help practitioners begin to understand how REBT and ST may be applied in tandem for the benefit of greater athlete psychological wellbeing.

Physiotherapy improves symptoms of exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction in young elite athletes: a case series

ObjectiveA constricted, upper chest breathing pattern and postural dealignments habitually accompany exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO), but there are few effective treatments for athletes presenting with EILO. This case series was...

Development of a Scale for Use in Monitoring Training-Induced Distress in Athletes

In an attempt to identify athletes at risk of training-induced distress, a scale was developed using items from the Profile of Mood States (POMS). POMS data were collected monthly from 170 varsity college swimmers (70 female, 100 male) during four competitive training seasons. The team coaches identified swimmers who showed signs of compromised performance in response to intensive training (i.e., distress), and several series of discriminant function analyses were conducted in attempts to identify these individuals using POMS scale items. Discriminant function equations derived from subsets of items from the entire POMS items pool resulted in a mean prediction rate for identifying distressed swimmers of 93.9% for men and 100% for women. Seven POMS items which entered the equations most frequently served as predictor variables for analyses of a sample of 33 men swimmers. Predictions of distress were conducted at each monthly assessment. The prediction rate of distress achieved with the 7-item set of POMS items averaged 69.1%, and this level of accuracy was 37.0% above the chance rate of prediction (p < 0.05). In a cross-validation on 29 collegiate track and field athletes, the prediction rate of the 7-item scale was 66.7% (p < 0.05). It is concluded that the scale developed in this investigation was effective in identifying swimmers and other endurance athletes who exhibit signs of distress resulting from intensive training.