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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Mood Disorders | Original Research Article

Do Rates of Mental Health Symptoms in Currently Competing Elite Athletes in Paralympic Sports Differ from Non-Para-Athletes?

Authors: Lisa S. Olive, Simon Rice, Matt Butterworth, Matti Clements, Rosemary Purcell

Published in: Sports Medicine - Open | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

This study addresses the lack of comparative data on the mental health of athletes in Paralympic sports (‘para-athletes’) and non-para athletes by examining the prevalence and correlates of mental health symptoms in a national sample of elite athletes representative of the population from which it was drawn on age and para-status.

Methods

A cross-sectional, anonymous, online-survey was provided to all categorised (e.g. highest level) athletes, aged 17 years and older, registered with the Australian Institute of Sport (n = 1566). Measures included psychological distress, mental health caseness, risky alcohol consumption, body weight and shape dissatisfaction, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and problem gambling. Correlates of outcomes included individual (e.g. demographic and psychosocial) and sport-related variables.

Results

The participation rate was 51.7% (n = 810), with valid data available from 749 athletes. No significant differences were observed between athletes from para- and non-para-sports on most mental health symptoms, with the exception of alcohol consumption (p < .001) and self-esteem (p = .007), both lower in athletes from para-sports. A trend for an interaction was found for anxiety and insomnia (p = .018), whereby the difference between athletes from para- and non-para-sports was qualified by gender.

Conclusions

In a large sample of elite athletes, mental health and wellbeing symptoms are comparable between athletes from para- and non-para-sports, with the exception of para-athletes reporting lower alcohol consumption but also lower self-esteem. While overall mental health and wellbeing symptom profiles are largely similar, attention to areas of differences will help to better address the unmet and distinct mental health needs of athletes from para-sports.

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Title: Do Rates of Mental Health Symptoms in Currently Competing Elite Athletes in Paralympic Sports Differ from Non-Para-Athletes?
Authors: Lisa S. Olive
Simon Rice
Matt Butterworth
Matti Clements
Rosemary Purcell
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Anxiety
Published in: Sports Medicine - Open / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 2199-1170
Electronic ISSN: 2198-9761
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-021-00352-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Do Rates of Mental Health Symptoms in Currently Competing Elite Athletes in Paralympic Sports Differ from Non-Para-Athletes?

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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