Добірка наукової літератури з теми "Elite athlete; psychological distress; psychopathology"

Some have claimed that the similarities between athletes with eating problems and women with eating disorders (ED) include only symptoms such as dieting and fear of weight gain, and do not extend to the psychopathological characteristics associated with these disorders. However, studies used to support this viewpoint have relied on comparisons between “eating-disturbed” athletes and clinically diagnosed ED patients, a method that confounds diagnostic classification with athlete status. The present study held ED classification constant by comparing ED patients who had been involved in high-level competitive athletics with nonathlete ED. No significant differences were found between the groups on any measures of psychopathology or eating-related symptoms; this suggests that if an athlete develops an eating disorder, her psychological profile is no different from others with this disorder.

ObjectivesEffectively supporting the mental health of elite athletes and coaches requires validated tools that assess not only individual-level factors but organisational-level influences. The aim of this study was to develop a bespoke scale assessing perceived psychological safety within high-performance environments.Methods337 elite athletes (M=24.12 years) and 238 elite-level coaches and high-performance support staff (HPSS; M=41.9 years) identified via the Australian Institute of Sport provided data across a range of mental health and well-being domains. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA; n=169 athletes) with parallel analysis identified the Sport Psychological Safety Inventory (SPSI) factor structure. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) validated the identified structure in separate validation subsamples of athletes (n=168) and coaches/HPSS (n=238).ResultsEFA identified the 11-item, 3-factor SPSI. Factors assessed domains of the Mentally Healthy Environment, Mental Health Literacy and Low Self-Stigma. All scale items loaded strongly on their specific domain. CFA model fit indices validated scale structure for athletes and coaches/HPSS. Internal consistency and convergent and divergent validity were evident. Logistic regression indicated that incrementally higher Mentally Healthy Environment scores reduced the likelihood of athletes scoring in the ‘moderate’ range of general and athlete-specific distress, with a stronger endorsement of the Low Self-Stigma subscale reducing the likelihood of being identified for athlete-specific distress.ConclusionPsychometric properties of the SPSI support scale utility among athletes and coaches/HPSS in elite sports settings, though further psychometric efforts are needed. This brief measure may support benchmarking efforts across elite sporting contexts to improve mental health culture and broader well-being among athletes and coaches/HPSS.

ObjectivesTo examine the sensitivity/specificity of the Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) in both male and female elite athletes, and also assess internal consistency and convergent/divergent validity, and determine discriminative validity relative to current injury status.MethodsData were provided by 1093 elite athletes (males n=1007; females n=84). Scale validity and reliability values were benchmarked against validated measures of general psychological distress and well-being. ROC curve analysis determined a range of optimal severity cut-points.ResultsBias-corrected area under curve (AUC) values supported three APSQ cut-points for moderate (AUC=0.901), high (AUC=0.944) and very high (AUC=0.951) categories. APSQ total score Cronbach coefficients exceeded those observed for the Kessler 10 (K-10). Gender ×injury status interactions were observed for the APSQ total score and K-10, whereby injured female athletes reported higher scores relative to males and non-injured female counterparts.ConclusionBy providing a range of cut-off scores identifying those scoring in the marginal and elevated ranges, the APSQ may better facilitate earlier identification for male and female elite athletes vulnerable to mental health symptoms and developing syndromes. Use of the APSQ may support sports medicine practitioners and allied health professionals to detect early mental ill health manifestations and facilitate timely management and ideally, remediation of symptoms.

Abstract Objectives Proteomics when combined with psychological, nutrition, and performance measures may serve as a useful monitoring system for immune dysfunction, training distress, and exercise-induced muscle damage and exhaustion in athletes. Global proteomics monitoring of an elite adventure athlete (age 33 years) was conducted over a 28-week period that culminated in the successful, unassisted 2-month trek across Antarctica (1500 km). Methods Training distress was monitored weekly using the 19-item, validated Training Distress Scale (TDS). Weekly dried blood spot (DBS) specimens were collected via fingerprick blood drops onto standard blood spot cards. DBS proteins were measured with nano-electrospray ionization liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS) in data-independent acquisition (DIA) mode, and 712 proteins were identified and quantified. Results The participant experienced a decrease of 11.4 kg in body mass during the Antarctica trek. The 28-week period was divided into time segments based on TDS scores, and a contrast analysis between weeks 5–8 (low TDS) and weeks 20–23 (high TDS, last month of Antarctica trek) showed that 31 proteins (n = 20 immune related, n = 14 nutrition related with n = 8 in dual roles) were upregulated and 35 (n = 17 immune related) were downregulated. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and gene ontology (GO) biological process analysis supported an increase in plasma lipoprotein particle remodeling, regulation of lipid transport, retinoid metabolic process, and vitamin transport due to high energy intake (7048 kcal/d). PPI networks also supported a dichotomous immune response. GO terms for the upregulated immune proteins showed an increase in regulation of the immune system process, especially inflammation, complement activation, and leukocyte mediated immunity. GO terms for the downregulated immune-related proteins indicated a decrease in several aspects of the overall immune system process including neutrophil degranulation and the antimicrobial humoral response. Conclusions These proteomics data support a dysfunctional immune response in an elite adventure athlete during a sustained period of mental and physical distress, high energy intake, and significant loss of body mass while trekking solo across Antarctica. Funding Sources Standard Process, Inc., Palmyra, WI.

Elite athletes are confronted with various challenges, pressures and stressors. Due to their status as student and athlete, adolescent elite athletes are exposed to a double burden of stress (pressure to be simultaneously successful in school and elite sport), which adds to the general risk for psychological problems in this developmental period. To facilitate the combination of elite sport and education, almost all cantons in Switzerland have established schools, which offer a special track for adolescent elite athletes. We examine (i) whether adolescent elite athletes differ from controls in a series of mental health outcomes, (ii) whether links between perceived stress and mental health symptoms are particularly strong among adolescent elite athletes, and (iii) whether perceived stress and training/competitive load interact to explain variance in mental health. Cross-sectional data from 156 athletes (134 from sport classes, 22 from regular classes) and 150 non-athletic controls (peers not engaged in elite sport) were analysed. All students were recruited from Swiss Olympic Partner schools, and attended grade 10-14. In total, 5–19% of the students reported moderate-to-severe mental health symptoms. With regard to depressive, burnout and insomnia symptoms, no significant differences were found between athletes and controls. A consistent link was observed between higher stress perceptions and more frequent mental health symptoms. However, engaging in elite sport did not seem to be an additional source of distress (or vulnerability factor) among adolescents with moderate-to-high stress levels. High training/competitive load did not amplify the association between perceived stress and mental health symptoms in elite athletes. Currently, no comprehensive framework or model of care exists to support and respond to mental health needs of young elite athletes. Our findings show that it is time to address these challenges to prevent mental health issues and ensure that young athletes can flourish while developing their full potential.

Introduction Mental health problems (MHP) are common among elite athletes (EA) and have received increased attention recently, revealing the need to assess them properly. Although EA are increasingly speaking out on their own MHP in public, research-informed approaches for practitioners are still lacking. Objectives We aim to perform an overview of the MPH among EA, emphasizing the potential risk factors and interventions. Methods We conduct a non-systematic review of the recent evidence on the topic using PubMed/Medline database. Results Although EA have comparable prevalence rates of MHP to the general population, they are exposed to various sports-related stressors. Studies reveal that 50% of EA face MHP during their career, with onset peak around 19 years. Therefore, there is a need for early detection and intervention. Burnout, alcohol abuse, anxiety, depression, insomnia and eating disorders are some MHP reported. Their management should address psychosocial and environmental aspects. Psychoeducation and psychotherapy are considered the first line treatment. Moreover, EA may encounter barriers to seeking mental healthcare. Therefore, it is important to promote positive attitudes about MHP, create an environment that supports mental well-being, resilience, psychological flexibility, self-compassion and coping skills. Screening tools may facilitate the process, so there is a need for validated athlete-specific questionnaires for MHP screening and measuring. Conclusions Mental health is an integral dimension of EA wellbeing and performance and should be assessed. Specific programs to support EA mental health are recommended and research targeting common MHP for athletes are needed to better understand how to minimize their distress. Disclosure No significant relationships.

This study examined the prevalence of psychological distress and well-being amongst elite athletes in the UK. An online survey was emailed to 753 athletes within the English Institute of Sport. Response rate 52.3%. 371 participants (median age 25) completed measures of psychological distress and subjective well-being alongside demographics and sport-related variables. High or very high psychological distress was reported by 23.7%. Poor subjective well-being was reported by 18.8%. Of those reporting psychological distress, 9% also reported good subjective well-being. The odds of psychological distress and poor well-being increased if the athlete was female (OR 2.03, distress; OR 2.00, poor well-being), currently injured or ill (OR 1.87; OR 1.93) or planning to retire (OR 4.74; OR 8.10). Likelihood of poor well-being increased if a non-podium athlete (OR 0.98). Paralympic sport athletes reported greater psychological distress than Olympic sport athletes (p = .040). Winter sport athletes reported higher psychological distress than summer sport athletes (p = .044). Overall mean score (17.9, SD 6.5) was indicative of a moderate level of psychological distress. Mental health support plans should include regular athlete screening of both psychological distress and subjective well-being.

Abstract Background There is increasing international interest in clinical practice and research related to mental health in the international sports society. The athlete-specific psychological distress assessment tool that addresses potential mental health needs can help promote early detection and recovery of mental illness, as well as physical illnesses. Currently, little is known about the applicability of the useful assessment tool for Japanese elite athletes. The Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) is a brief, effective and reliable screening tool to identify early signs of athlete-specific distress and potential mental health symptoms. We examined the applicability and reliability of a Japanese version of the APSQ (APSQ-J) in a Japanese elite athlete context. Further, we examined the construct validity of the APSQ-J. Methods We collected web-based anonymous self-report data from 219 currently competing Japanese professional male rugby players. A two-stage process was conducted to validate the factor structure of the APSQ-J using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in a randomly partitioned calibration sample and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in a separate validation sample. Cronbach’s alpha is used to assess internal consistency. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated to determine if the APSQ-J was significantly associated with measures of psychological distress and well-being using Kessler-6 (K6) and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, respectively. Results We identified a one-factor structure for the APSQ-J. Confirmatory factor analysis supports this one-factor model, revealing good model fit indices. The standardized path coefficients for each of the items were β = 0.41–0.83 (p < 0.001). A Cronbach’s alpha of 0.84 was obtained for the APSQ-J. The APSQ-J demonstrated significant correlations with the K-6 (r = 0.80, p < 0.001) and WHO-5 (r = −0.58, p < 0.001). Conclusion The APSQ-J can be an appropriate and psychometrically robust measure for identifying athlete-specific distress in elite athletes in Japan. Widely disseminating and utilizing this scale in Japanese sports society may support athletes' mental health via early detection of symptoms of psychological distress.

Abstract Background There is growing understanding of mental health needs in elite athletes, but less is known about the mental health of coaches and support staff who work within elite sport settings. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of mental health symptoms in elite-level coaches and high-performance support staff (HPSS) and compared rates against published elite athlete samples. A cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey was administered to coaches and HPSS working in Australia’s high-performance sports system. Main outcomes were scores on validated measures of psychological distress, probable ‘caseness’ for a diagnosable psychological condition, alcohol consumption and sleep disturbance. Results Data were provided by 78 coaches (mean age = 46.4 years, 23.8% female) and 174 HPSS (mean age = 40.0 years, 56.7% female). Overall, 41.2% of the sample met probable caseness criteria, 13.9% reported high to very high psychological distress, 41.8% reported potential risky alcohol consumption and 17.7% reported moderate to severe sleep disturbance, with no statistically significant differences between coaches and HPSS. The most robust correlates of psychological distress and probable caseness were dissatisfaction with social support and dissatisfaction with life balance, while poor life balance was also associated with increased alcohol consumption and poor social support with sleep disturbance. Coaches and HPSS reported similar prevalence of mental health outcomes compared to rates previously observed in elite athletes, with the exception of higher reporting of alcohol consumption among coaches and HPSS. Conclusions Elite-level coaches and HPSS reported levels of psychological distress and probable caseness similar to those previously reported among elite-level athletes, suggesting that these groups are also susceptible to the pressures of high-performance sporting environments. Screening for mental health symptoms in elite sport should be extended from athletes to all key stakeholders in the daily training environment, as should access to programs to support mental health and well-being.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ). Material and Method: The APSQ, which consists of 10 items and 3 sub-dimensions (self-regulation difficulty, performance concerns, and externalized coping) and assesses athlete-specific psychological distress, was administered to a total of 565 elite athletes (247 females, and 318 males). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess construct validity, and Cronbach alpha reliability analysis was used to determine internal consistency. Concurrent validity of the APSQ with the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 and the Kessler Psychological Stress Scale-10 was also tested. Results: Findings for construct validity were consistent with three-factor structure of the original questionnaire (RMSEA=0.05, SRMR=0.03, NFI=0.94, CFI=0.96, GFI=0.97). The Cronbach’s α coefficient of the whole scale was 0.83, and the Cronbach’s α coefficients of three sub-dimensions were 0.75, 0.69, and 0.50 separately. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate that the Turkish adaptation of the APSQ has sufficient psychometric properties for widespread use, assessing key dimensions of psychological strain experienced by elite athletes.

Elite athletes have been reported to experience higher rates of various psychopathology, with the stress of competing at elite levels reported to exacerbate existing pathology (Brewer & Petrie, 1996). In particular, athletes have been noted to be susceptible to experiencing anxiety and depression during the transition out of elite level sport (Lavallee & Robinson, 2007; W. M. Webb, Nasco, Riley, & Headrick, 1998; Wylleman, Alfermann, & Lavallee, 2004), as well as being vulnerable to anxiety and stress during other transitions that they may encounter throughout their careers (Stambulova, Alfermann, Statler, & Cote, 2009). Additionally, elite athletes have been shown to be at risk in relation to their bodies, with athletes reported to have a higher prevalence of eating disorders, sub-clinical disordered eating (Johnson, Powers, & Dick, 1999; Milligan & Pritchard, 2006; Sundgot- Borgen & Klungland Torstveit, 2004), and the Female Athlete Triad – a combination of disordered eating, amenorrhea and osteoporosis or osteopenia (Mendelsohn & Warren, 2010; Schtscherbyna, Soares, & de Oliveira, 2009; Yeager, Agostini, Nattiv, & Drinkwater, 1993), than non-athlete populations, as well as being more susceptible to Social Physique Anxiety (Haase, 2009). Within the sport psychology literature that examines the incidence of psychopathology in athletes, the theoretical construct of ‘athlete identity’ has frequently been positively associated with athletes’ experiences of distress, including in relation to transition difficulties (e.g., Grove, Lavallee, & Gordon, 1997; Lally, 2007; Lavallee & Robinson, 2007; Lotysz & Short, 2004), and the development of disordered eating (Jones, Glintmeyer, & McKenzie, 2005; Papathomas & Lavallee, 2006). Thus, within sport psychology athlete identity is considered to be a theoretically and practically important construct for understanding athletes’ experiences (Brewer, 1993; Brewer, Van Raatle, & Linder, 1993). However, within the extant sport psychology literature, identity has typically been conceptualised as athletes’ level of identification with the athlete role and has traditionally been researched via questionnaire methods or content analyses of interview data. Such methodological approaches have been critiqued for being reductionist and overlooking complexity and detail (Finlay & Faulkner, 2003; Locke, 2004; Wilkinson, 2000), while role theory approaches have been criticised for treating identity as stable and unchanging, and located within the individual (Antaki & Widdicombe, 1998b). Thus, rather than treat identity as an inner identification or essence which then guides subsequent action and behaviour, the present research adopts a discursive psychological approach to exploring identity. From this perspective, identity is instead viewed as located within discursive practices and as produced, ascribed and accomplished within language (Antaki & Widdicombe, 1998b; Davies & Harre, 1990; Edley, 2001). The aim of adopting an alternate approach is to build on the existing sport psychology literature exploring athlete identity and to offer new insights into athletes’ identities and the regulatory work that such identity constructions might accomplish. Discursive psychological approaches to research in sport psychology remain novel, with few previous studies having adopted such an approach. Discursive psychology has previously been utilised to reconceptualise and shed new light on other well researched areas within sport and exercise psychology, including attributions (Finlay & Faulkner, 2003; Locke, 2004), emotions (Locke, 2003), performing in ‘the zone’ (Locke, 2008) and exercise adherence (McGannon & Mauws, 2000; McGannon & Spence, 2010). The present research, likewise, aims to reconceptualise the concept of athlete identity in order to challenge existing theoretical assumptions in sport psychology and offer new insights into athletes’ experiences and implications for clinical practice in working with athletes. Given that identity has been linked with athletes’ vulnerability to psychopathology and psychological distress, the concept of identity will be explored in arenas in which athletes are most saliently vulnerable to experiencing distress. Accordingly, in this thesis, identity is explored within the context of transition, particularly the transition out of elite sport, and in the context of body regulation, in which athletes may be vulnerable to experiencing distress about their bodies (Jones, et al., 2005; Malina, 1992; Yeager, et al., 1993). Two different data types – media and institutional interactions – were explored in order to offer a broad insight into how identities are constructed and ascribed at a societal level and how such versions are reproduced by athletes and sport staff within the local interactional context. Thus, this exploration also builds on debates about the value of conversation analytic approaches for exploring talk-in-interaction versus the use of eclectic and synthetic approaches to analysis of talk and text in order to explore the social world (see Schegloff, 1997; Wetherell, 1998). Study One of this thesis (reported in this thesis in manuscripts as two analytic chapters) examines media accounts of high profile athletes’ retirements and comebacks to sport (subsequent to retirement), in order to explore how athlete identities are constructed and reproduced within accounts of transition. Within the media representations, athletes were constructed as necessarily driven by emotion and passion to compete in sport, yet retiring around sport was constrained by dominant versions of appropriate and inappropriate choices and actions for athletes. Accordingly, the regulatory work that dominant identity constructions accomplish was highlighted. Study Two (also reported in manuscripts as two analytic chapters) explores interactions occurring between athletes and exercise physiologists during routine practices of body regulation that took place within an elite sport setting. Within these interactions, dominant discourses, which constitute athletes’ identities, were reproduced, with athletes and physiologists co-producing athletes as necessarily engaging in self-surveillance of their bodies and working to achieve ongoing improvement in body composition. Thus, insight was gained into the social contexts in which athletes are vulnerable to experiencing distress. With identity constructions, come prescriptions for choices and actions and so identity can constrain and regulate behaviour (Burr, 1995). Thus, the regulatory work that identity constructions accomplish and the implications these then have for athletes’ psychological and physical well-being was also examined. This thesis also offers contributions for clinical practice to promote athletes’ psychological well-being. Broadly, too, this research contributes to the fields of sport psychology and the sociology of sport in informing research around athlete identity. Theoretical contributions to qualitative research are also offered and discussed.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2011